Customer Reviews

Panasonic Pro AG-DVC7 MiniDV Proline Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'll be diplomatic and say this isn't a bad camera. But I used to shoot a lot of live events and concerts, and with a DVX100 and a DVC80 to choose from, this camera would always get stuck on the lowest priority shot. It's big, but mostly hollow, so it's almost as light as a Canon ZR series. In sunlight or other bright light, you're fine, but in low light you really know it's a 1-CCD camera. The colors wash out and the picture gets noisy. For a third of the price you could get a consumer level camera (Canon ZR) that'll shoot nearly as well (if not looking as imposing) while you save your pennies for a 3-CCD model.

Like the other review said, this is a good starter camera. After being out of the video business for about 5 years I decided to by this camera for a wedding I was shooting. I got it at a great price. There are a few problems though. It's a little hard to deal with in low light. I have a mounted 150-watt light and it still hard to deal with. If you gain up one it's kind of grainy. But if you are not doing anything that is broadcast quality then this is a good camera. Since I'm doing low budget wedding this is perfect for me.

This is a great starter camera if you are thinking about getting into videograghy. This camera will give you the pro look, but it seems to be just a consumer level camera in a pro package. quality seems to be very good however, I have only shot a few hrs of tape so far. if you can come up with an extra $1000 seriously consider a different camera that really is on the pro level.

I purchased two AG-DVC7 Panasonic camcorder between 3 and 4 years ago, one used, one brand new. I very seldom use them to record direct to tape. We basically set them on a tripod and use S-video to feed in to a video mixer as we records live. The record feature on the camera has been barely used and yet one day last year both of them stopped recording to tape at about the same time. I was advised to press the rest button, this failed. The system stated needs servicing. When I bought these cameras, I paid around $1100.00 for each of these cameras from B&H New York. Just got my repair invoice and Pnansonic wants over 700.00 per unit to repair them!!! You can buy used for less than what it cost to repair one. Beware there is problem is with this product. There is a known issue with these cameras failing to record. You can find complaints online about this problem. The repair cost for this camera makes it by far the worst video product I have ever purchased! This camera is now only worth spare parts!

Have used the camcorder for over 3 years, our retired community video club owns two of them. Has great picture quality in good lighting, rivals my 3CCD Cannon GL-2. The Panasonic does a decent job on lower lighting situations. I frequently use it to partner up with my Cannon GL-2 for the second camera shots. Only had one of the 2 Pansonics needed repairs to the tape motor mechanism, the other same model Panasonic in our inventory, has not needed repairs, in those same three years of very frequent club use. Our clients are impressed when we show up with the large Panasonic. It is easy to operate. I would buy another one. It seems to take small abuses well, it is used by serveral different club members, so you know that it has had bumps and small drops. The handle is very handy to carry the camcorder around and to take low shots as we walk around, you could not do that with non-handle type camcorders. On the bad side of this review, I noticed that in lower light situations with long shots, if the subject walked to the edge of your shooting view screen, the camcorder would go out of focus, then to compensate I would have to move the subject back into the center of the shot. So, in the low light situations, the camera is fooled and goes out of focus on the subject and focuses on the background.

I purchased this cam as my first and frontline camera for use in weddings, shows, and other events. To me, it is very lightweight. Picks up the slightest movement. The mic is very sensitive... picks up the noise from your tripod when moving - seriously. As for picture quality, its great when shot outdoors or with strong indoor lighting. Otherwise, in darkened areas or low light venues good luck! Don't use the internal 'Gain Up' feature because it shuts your focus off automatic and you'll never know if your picture is in focus until you view the tape.

As far as using the camera.. it is very easy to work with. There aren't many complicated menu screens and limited external buttons. Beware of the 'photo shot' button which sometimes can be confused with the 'record' button. Why CCD cameras have a 'photo' option on a video camera is beyond me - thats what DSLRs are for.

You may want to drill a hole and fill the camera with sand to weigh it down some more (wife's idea and I agree). It may produce stable pictures.

This camera is execellent and beautiful crystal picture and sperverb stereo/surrand sound makes this camera one of the best.

Compre la DVC7 hace ya poco mas de un año en Amazon. La compre porque mi esposa estudio la carrera y estaba interesada en tener sus propios negocios en el tema de video digital.

Voy a separar el review en varios temas que me parecen fundamentales:

Calidad de Imagen

La camara tiene 1CCD de 1/3 sino me equivoco, lo cual la hace medianamente aceptable entre las camaras de tipo consumer, OJO, no hablo de las Semi pro o Pro. Sin embargo, tiene un calidad de imagen impresioante en ambientes de iluminacion controlada. Si vas a usarla en ambiente oscuros, encontraras algunas cosas que te sorprenderan si no estas familiarizado con las camaras profesionales. En conclusion, si la vas a usar en situaciones de iluminacion razonable, te ira de las mil maravillas (tengo unas imagenes excelentes filmadas con esta camara)

Construccion

El formato de la camara es grande, tipo camara profesional, lo que la hace relativamente impresionante a primera vista. Digamos que el 99% de las personas que te vean con esta camara pensaran qeu definitivamente sabes lo que haces... La camara es basicamente plastica, y no pesa mucho, apenas 3 kilos. No pretendas usarla con una Glidecam sin el soporte de cuerpo, simplemente sera imposible de cargar. El viewfinder me parece muy pequeno, y no es adaptable para usar con el ojo izquierdo. La pantalla LCD mide 2.5¨, no me parecia pequenna hast que compre otra camara, una sony con pantalla de 3.5 se ve inmensa!, pero la de la panasonic se ve muy bien tambien.

Ubicacion de Controles

La camara peude ser utilizada al hombro, tipo camarografo de tv, o con el asa para mano, en ambos sitios, tiene control de grabacion y zoom. El zoom del asa es mas suave y lento que el zoom en la parte del handgrip. Algo que me encanta y me resulta super util cuando fimamos eventos largos donde no puede haber edicion, es la posibilidad de hacer fade sin la necesidad de estar grabando (ideal para cuando usas la camara con salida directa sin usar cassettes). Por lo demas, los controles son faciles y rapidos de comprender yy utilizar.

Ventajas contra otras camaras

Si quieres utilizar funciones ed Pros sin ser uno de ellos, pero aprender en el camino, esta camara es para ti. Tiene control de foco con un ring en la parte delantera, entrada plug de microfono, salida de audifonos, control de volumen de grabacion, ganancia, etc, control de shutter, de ganancia (basico en situaciones super oscuras), control de white balance, etc.

Problemas ocurridos

Despues de unos meses tuve que enviarla a soporte tecnico por un problema medio extranno, se colgaba y n queria grabar, aparentemente era u problema con unas piezas, investigue en internet y aparentemente a nadie mas le sucedio, por lo que asumo qeu fue mala suerte y n un problema con estas camaras. Otro detalle fue medio anno despues, durante un evento en un hotel, aparentemente no le fue bien con el aire acondicionado, ya que me saco un mensaje de Condensacion luego de varias horas de uso, un poco de ventilacion y continuo en el trabajo sin problemas.

Impacto Visual

Definitivamente se ve bien, tiene el peso correcto si quieres ahcer tomas suaves, no es muy pesada como para que no la opere una mujer, y no es muy liviana para que se mueva con cualqueir pequenna reaccion de tu mano.

A los clientes siempre les llama la atencion el aspecto de esta camara, lo cuale s muy bueno cuando de negocios se trata.

Manejo en la PC

Se conecta sin problemas, la utilizo para bajar y subir video en formato DV con premiere, studio, etc.

En conclusion, si no quieres gastar en una sony de 3ccd o una canon tipo xl2 o similar, y quieres tomartelo con calma, esta es una buena opcion, no te va a defraudar.

If you are looking for an extreame camcorder this is the one. i use it for all my extrame adventures to italy and venice etc. i highly recomend this to advanced users. his is the 5th camcorder i own. it produces great playback and the sound is amazing.