Customer Reviews

Panasonic PV-DV400 Digital Camcorder

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Great Camera! I did a ton or research on camcorders and this one just delivers the most bang for the buck for a digital. I was looking for quality of image, compactness/light weight, image stabilizer (to stablize the image from my shaky hand). Additional features I was impressed with: You can record in pitch black dark. I love the 'wind cut' switch, which can eliminate the noise in outdoor windy areas (at the cost of minor reduction in bass sounds). It Can take digital stills,although quality not as good as a full blown digital camera but ideal for passing around on the internet.

I am very happy with this digital camcorder. We were looking for a small, light-weight recorder that was easy to use and this is exactly that. It takes nice pictures with quality audio and a very nice range on the zoom. THe battery charges quickly-less than an hour. It's easy to transfer the recording onto a VCR tape. I would highly recommend this to anyone including a mom with 4 children in tow, such as myself. I usually have a toddler on my lap while I'm recording I'm able to hold the Palm-corder easily with one hand.

Bought this digital camcorder 2 weeks ago from amazon.com, the size is amazingly small and very confortable in holding it while shooting. Picture and sound quality are excellent. the 3-way PC LINK is easy to connect and an excellent features that I ever seen. The 3" LCD is very clear and and reduce strain on eye. The digital zoom plays very well and picture is clear and bright. I am pleased with it so far for all the features and will write again once I have more experinece on it.

I purchased a Panasonic PV-DV400 on Memorial Day. This was our first camcorder so we went with Mini-DV since we don't have any exisiting 8mm or analog tapes. The controls are easily learned and fairly intuitive. I had taped about 35 mins. of video and taken a dozen photos on the memory card. All of a sudden, the next time I attempted to record, the viewfinder and LCD had white lines all over and white static on the entire left side. Also, the images appeared very dark in full daylight. It would record, but with all this noise and an unviewable image, both on the tape and the memory card. I called the Panasonic help number in the manual and they immediately said it would require service. I tried it again over the next few days and all of a sudden it cleared up on the sixth day. Other than this obvious problem I liked it. Beware this camera. Mine's back where I bought it.

This is a great little camera, for a great price. One problem I never thought about when first started looking for a Camcorder was, how well does it fit in my hand. Initially I wanted that little Sony, like the kid had in American Beauty, but when I went try it out it was only a little bigger than a pack of cigarettes and my hand just swallowed it. My fingers were getting in front of the lens, I could hardly adjust the zoom because my index finger was on the other side of the camera. It was a real Bummer. So then I looked at the Panasonic and it was perfect. Just the way the zoom toggles front to back, instead of up and down made all the difference in the world. That, along with the big LCD screen, MM card for easy access to stills and it being totally digital, making editing a breeze made me buy it. Not to mention the...savings. There are a few more features on that little Sony...but it was a pain to use. The PVDV-400, is very light sesitive but not really as much as they advertise, so I had to get an external light. I would suggest getting it when you get the camera. Also it would have been nice if they had thrown in the remote. It's amazing how much you'll use the stuff when you get it, even if you don't think you will now. All in all a terrific camera, you won't be dissappointed.

I had done a lot of research here and on other sites. The three things I was looking for was price, optical zoom, and video & picture capability. I found an open box deal at Circuit City that beat any site (most sites were offering great deals, but on grey market items). Of all the digital camcorders I looked at, I really wanted one particular Sony model but I couldn't find a non-grey market deal that could convince me. I settled for this 18x optical zoom which does give me the quality pictures I want for email, plus the nice and sizable viewfinder. I wasn't looking to print so this is just what I wanted. The video recording is great. I received many compliments on the quality of the video. As for what I don't like about it, well the biggest thing is that I have the option to take pictures in "normal" or "fine" mode. It looked like the battery life was reduced to a 1/3 while in fine mode. Be carefull if your battery is already low and you try to use that mode. The only other thing I really didn't care for but deal with, is the manner in which I have to pull my pictures off the memory card. A little clunky but workable. Oh yeah, one other thing, a remote really would have been nice. I am still playing around with some of the other features and haven't been disappointed to this point. It's pretty light weight and packed with useful features.

I bought my camcorder in August, right in time for the birth of my child. I took two hours of video with this camcorder, including about 20 pictures, with 5 pictures from recorded video. I put my camcorder away in a video bag protected from falls and heat etc. for a few weeks and the next time I took it out, I found that the voice does not work and that the picture looks like it is strobing. After calling the 1-800 number for support, I was told that my camcorder was out of warrantee and that it would cost me approximately... to fix. Beware of this camcorder - it is 'testy' and does not last very long. Don't look to Panasonic for help - they will tell you to mail it back and pay the repair costs and "sorry for the inconvenience."

this is a great camcorder,but the only thing bad about is low resolution for the still shots and the short battery life.

We were very pleased with our purchase, it even came with lots of extra brand new tapes, and the unit worked really well. We'll be glad to buy from this seller again.

A real workhorse of a mini DV camera. I have aired (broadcast) many pieces of video shot on this camera! Battery life was low...until I bought a spare (larger) battery. I have had mine for almost 10 years and it still works great!