Panasonic PV-GS29 MiniDV Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom

by Panasonic

Product Details

• Item Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000DZDQ26
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,822 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 5, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Panasonic PV-GS29 MiniDV Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom combines versatility, ergonomic design, a powerful zoom and enhanced PC connection options. With a new, low-height, compact design featuring a convenient side-load mechanism for inserting and removing tapes, the Panasonic PV GS29 offers the ultimate in point-and-shoot ease. The PV-GS29 includes a DV output (firewire) for easy digital connection to compatible PCs or digital video editing equipment, a 2.5-inch LCD color viewfinder, 30x optical zoom and 1000x digital zoom. Joystick control offers users with easy operation and navigation.

Product Description

Description: The Panasonic PV-GS29 is a Digital Palmcorder MultiCam camcorder that offers precise image quality and color accuracy. Features a 30x Optical zoom lens for outstanding imaging power and shooting versatility. Additional features include a PhotoShot digital still capability, a color viewfinder and a built-in LED light.RapidFire Consecutive PhotoShot When pressing the PhotoShot button, digital stills can be recorded in approximately 0.07 seconds intervals until the PhotoShot button is released, or 16 pictures are recorded.Conveniences Manual Controls Focus, White Balance, Iris and Shutter Speed Built-in Light Yes, white LED Built-in Mic Yes Built-in Speaker Yes Accessory Shoe No Titler No Digital Effects Yes Fader Yes Tape Loading Top Loading Digital Still Mode Resolution 480 x 640 Card Slot SD - Secure Digital Built-in Flash Yes Input/Output Connectors Line In Recording No Inputs iEEE 1394 Outputs iEEE 1394 Edit Protocol No Microphone Input No Headphone Jack Yes General Power Requirements AC 110 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz Power Consumption 19W Dimensions (WxHxD) 2.5 x 3.25 x 4.5" (6.35 x 8.26 x 11.4

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent beginner's camera, June 24, 2006

By 

Ninja - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic PV-GS29 MiniDV Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Just got this so I'm not an expert yet. First impressions:
-Easy to use, did not have to read the manual (only the first pages as not to mess up the battery).
-Very good quality in low light environments.
-Because it's very compact in size, fits in the palm of your hand, and it's lightweight.
-Good zoom (30x) which lets you film from afar.

Quality of the film: very good, although since it's my first camcorder I do not have comparison parameters.

Battery: My only gripe so far is that the battery does not last long, but it charges very quickly so what I'll do is just buy a second one to have in my pocket just in case.

Interface: It does not have a USB connection but a FireWire port so I'm downloading directly to my computer. Another option I explored was connecting it to my Samsung DVR-120 DVD Recorder, where I downloaded my film and burned it directly to a DVD-R.

It has other options which I'm not familiar yet. As I get to use them I will update my review.

I recommend it to any beginner or folks who need a quick solver for those birthday parties and road trips. I suppose it does not compare to those high-end 3CCD devices, but I didn't expect it to be more than it is: a great first camcorder.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good basic camcorder, August 18, 2006

By 

Gadgester "No Time, No Money" (Mother Earth) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Panasonic PV-GS29 MiniDV Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This is Panasonic's entry-level camcorder, but it's packed with useful features, like good image quality, 12 lux sensitivity, and a whopping 30x optical zoom. I think it's perfect for casual travel videography as well as for shooting entries to the "America's Funniest Video" show. It's fairly easy to use and the build quality is solid.

A good optional accessory to get is a spare battery. You never know if the battery might run out at the most inopportune time, so be sure to pick up a backup one. Given the recent Dell recall of 4.1 million laptops due to battery fire, you should get a genuine Panasonic LiIon battery designd specifically for this model. Don't put your life or your loved one's at risk.

The reviewer named "Hung" got it totally wrong (or was just plain lying). The GS29 does come with IEEE1394 Firewire (aka i.Link) so you can download your videos quickly to your PC; if your PC doesn't already have an IEEE1394 port, you can get a PCI IEEE1394 card for $30 or less. You can use Windows Movie Maker, included with Windows ME and XP, to edit your videos and export them to CDs or DVDs.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good, July 5, 2006

By 

Keith "kc31824" (STAMFORD, CT, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic PV-GS29 MiniDV Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

You won't go wrong with a Panasonic DV. I've had a few models. I have several of this model for my business. They're rock solid reliable, nice and small for portability, and the quality of the recording is very good.