Panasonic PV-GS150 2.3 MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [6.14mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 5 inches ; 14.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007QN87O
• Item model number: PV-GS150
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,294 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 1, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Decription

Customers interested in the best that camcorder technology has to offer will be impressed by the new compact PV-GS65, PV-GS150, and PV-GS250 3CCD camcorders from Panasonic.

These models are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but aren't short on innovative features. Equipped with a 3CCD imaging system, high-powered digital still capability and ease of use, these new digital video cameras will deliver high-quality digital still and moving images for the novice and expert videographer alike.

Illustration of 3CCD imaging device inside the PV-GS150

These top-of-the-line camcorders incorporate the same type of 3CCD imaging system used in Panasonic's celebrated professional camcorders. Individual CCDs are used to reproduce the red, green and blue colors that compose an image for vivid, true-to-life pictures with remarkable depth and presence. The PV-GS150 and PV-GS250 also feature the sophisticated Leica Dicomar lens, which has become known for its ability to capture and finely render the most delicate nuances of light and shade.

High-resolution digital still images can be captured via the models' built-in digital still camera feature, which records to a stamp-sized SD memory card. The 1.2 megapixel PV-GS65, 2.3 megapixel PV-GS150, and 3.1 megapixel PV-GS250 feature a 10x telescopic optical zoom lens; a 700x digital zoom that allows for amazing 700:1 clear, close-ups from wide angle to full telephoto zoom; and a macro zoom feature, which lets users shoot extreme close-ups at distances as near as 40 centimeters.

Transferring recorded video to a PC is also quick and easy via the USB port included on each model. All three models incorporate USB 2.0, however the PV-GS150 and PV-GS250 support USB 2.0 high speed enabling real time video transfers. All three models have miniDV outputs to maximize compatibility with the PC.

10x optical zoom of the PV-GS150

To steady shaky video, the new PV-GS65 and PV-GS150 incorporate digital electronic image stabilization (EIS), which compensates for unintentional hand and camcorder movement. The PV-GS250 uses optical image stabilization, which intuitively compensates for any hand movement, so that every shot is beautifully crisp and clear.

The PV-GS250 also includes a manual focus ring giving the user more creative control over the video being captured. Additionally, all models include a Soft Skin Detail function that detects skin's different tones and softens the focus to create a realistic blend.

Features of the Panasonic PV-GS150

• 3CCD digital video camera
• 10x optical zoom; 700x digital zoom
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.3 megapixel still picture capability
• Leica lens; manual focus ring
• SD slot
• USB 2.0

Product Description

Panasonic's PV-GS150 MiniDV Camcorder delivers quality imaging for the novice and expert videographer alike. It's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but it's big on innovative new features. For example, its 10x optical and 700x digital zoom will provide you with sharp, detailed images that show incredible depth and presence. The fantastic Leica Dicomar lens captures and finely renders nuances of light and shade. Electronic Image Stabilization(EIS) provides you with perfect pictures and video. The 2.3-megapixel CCD gives photographers the best that camcorder technology has to offer. Records to SD card Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port MiniDV output Unit Dimensions - approx. 3 (h) x 3 (w) x 5 (d) Unit Weight - 0.93 lbs.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent camcorder with a few cons, April 30, 2005

By 

Lei Xie - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic PV-GS150 2.3 MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

The camcorder offers outstanding video quality (at its price level)in adequate lighting condition. I had a chance to compare it to Cannon Opture 500. I think GS150 produces better color than Opeture does, due largely to 3ccd, but makes slightly more noise in low light settings.

I like the joystick, which makes the control panel look clean and simple.

However, there are a few things I am not happy with.

1. Generally, EIS does not improve much from GS120. Without a tripod, you still need to hold your breath if you want to get really stable video.

2. There is no EIS in widescreen mode.

3. Again, low light performance is not satisfactory.

So, if you do most of your shooting outdoor and are confident on your "stability skills," this is a great camcorder to buy.

76 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty decent camera for the price, April 30, 2005

By 

Prashanth Krishnappa "Video Jockey" (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic PV-GS150 2.3 MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I have had this camera for about 3 weeks. Bought this after lot of research(mini-dvd versus miniDV). Read some horror stories about an entire disk getting wiped out with mini-dvd camcorders.

GS150 does an amazing job in bright day light. Colors are vibrant compared to 1 CCD cameras. Low light performance is so so. Overall, I am a satisfied customer.

If you plan on transferring video to a computer, get a fire-wire cable. This camera needs a 4 pin male connector. I have a MAC and transferring video and burning into a DVD was a breeze.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Camera for the Price, September 6, 2005

By 

Shawn P. Mitchell "lemmingboy" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic PV-GS150 2.3 MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I love this camera. The odd thing is that I did not think I would. When I started the research for buying a camcorder I reallt wanted a Sony. I work as a film editor and have used many professional Sony products and have for years. I've found that with Sony you generally get what you pay for. However when researching I could not bring myself to pay more for a one chip Sony camcorder than I would for a three-chip Panasonic. I'm very glad I went with the Panasonic, the image quality is faantastic, and the controls could not be easier to use. Plus this camera had alot of nice professional features that I could not find together on other consumer camcorders. The image stabilization is great, the ability to manually control focus and white balance and the inclusion of a 2.3 megapixel still camera were nice additions. Also if you're editing at home the ability to use this camera as a DV/Analog converter to power an external monitor with your editing system was a nice bonus. Overall most of the features on this camera can be found individually on other cameras, but this was one of the few I found that had all of the nice bonuses together. Still the main reason to purchase was what caught my attention at first -- ths is the cheapest 3-CCD camera I could find.