Customer Reviews

Panasonic PV-GS59 MiniDV Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom

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

 

 

I just bought the 59 about a week ago, and I'm pretty happy with it.
First of all, don't expect much from the still shots. The pics you'll take with it won't be meant for framing or printing. They look decent on the computer, though. Plus, outdoor pics are recommended. The light on the camcorder may help a little in my dimly lit house, but the picture is MUCH better outdoors.
The video quality is surprisingly good. The light is pretty much useless in video mode, though. It drops your frame rate and creates 'ghosting', where the recording kind of smears a little bit. Again, make sure you don't record in too dim of an area, or else your shots might look a little grainy. Remember that the video taken from your camcorder will usually look worse on the computer screen than on a standard television. The menu and options are easy to navigate, and it gives me all the options I need.
It comes with all the cables you'll need. It comes with a vcr cable (minijack to 3-way RCA composite), usb cable, and a power cable/battery charging station. Make sure you have usb 2.0 on your computer for easier transfers. When transfering pictures to your computer, set the camcorder to PC mode. When transferring video, set the camcorder to video playback mode.
My favorite thing about the camcorder is its physical characteristics. It is extremely small and light, the joystick and zoom are easy to use, and the wheel makes changing modes easy. The only thing I don't like about the outside is the location of the tape loader. It's right where the handstrap is. Just make sure your hand is not in the strap when opening the tape compartment.
The software is good, but your computer has to bee in 1024x768 resolution or higher. Mine's in 800x600, and the software refuses to load. I just can't stand 1024x768 mode, so I just use different software.
Overall, I feel that this camcorder is great for those of you who are budget-concious, starting out, and are looking for an overall clear and good-quality video image.

The GOOD: digital audio 16-bit sound is great; 'zoom' sound level increase works well; love the joystick controls; manual adjustments are good. Outdoor video is good. Tiny battery. Very very lightweight. 30x zoom rocks - WHEN you use a TRIPOD!
The BAD: No microphone jack. No S-Video jack. No earphone / headphone jack. Moderate to low light video is cr*p compared to my 8-year old Sony Hi8 camcorder.
The UGLY: There is no S-video jack, and the miniplug in front for external audio/video connections is very loose and you lose connection when moving the camera around, so you can't watch live video on an external monitor consistantly.

IF it had a better external video/audio connector and better medium/low light video, I would love this camcorder; but like I said, I bought this to replace my 8-year old Sony Hi8 camcorder - but the old Sony works better indoors for the 'school play' than does this unit. Very dissapointed with the grainy digital artifacts at indoor lighting. If video indoor was better, and it had the external jacks, I would love the Pansonic PV-GS59. Too bad, as this unit had so much promise to be an outstanding camcorder other than lowlight issues and lack of external connectors. If I had to do it over again, I would shop for a new Sony Hi8 camcorder instead.

i'm totally satisfied with this camcorder. it fill every expectatives i could have about it. i don't agree with the complaints about the bad sound and bad video in low light. in fact, i'm amazed about the way it can film in very low light (more than i can hope). obviously the quality isn't perfect, it's a little grainy but, if you want perfection, then go for an expensive professional cam. the only problem i can detect in it is the difficult for keep it controlled in full zoom (which is amazing) without shaking but, consider that my girlfriend can keep it reasonably steady in full zoom, i think it must be my own fault.

otherwise here is a noticeable point i want to show and it is about the seller. i bought it from electronicsexpo and i have only good comments about they. they're totally professionals. my first cam came with a manufacture malfuction in the lcd. i told they and they inmediatly solved the problem properly. they send me a new cam in replace the damaged. they also were too friendly and comprehensive people with me. i definitely recomend this great camcorder and more definitely recomend electronicsexpo as an excellent seller.

please, sorry for my little english.

I'm not sure about Amazon's site. This is my third attempt at a review. It keeps disappearing as I type. The camera is decent for something I did not order. It was shipped as a substitute the day BEFORE it was supposed to arrive with the seller not asking first, if they may substitute. So it arrived late and was a surprise. Since I have a similar model which lasted a year (just past the guarantee) I find this model to be just as nice, but for durability you must ask me in a year!

The zoom is a great feature but doesn't make up for the HORRIBLE Audio and HORRIBLE video in low light. When I contacted Panasonic, basically the bottom line was too bad.

This camera has all of the options that you would want in a mini-dv camcorder - 32x zoom, camera light, light weight, compact, very user friendly, good battery life, and great ease of use. However, all of these extras do not matter because the recorded video quality is horrible. My five year old Kodak digital camera which has a video record mode as a "bonus" provides better video quality. Panasonic needs to advance pass the video quality of the early 1980's to keep up with the competition - this camera was immediately returned.

The Camcorder which I bought, has been displayed as it include a remote comtrol, and when I received the product I found that it is optional (Which is mentioned in the Manual!! which I cannot read untill I open the BOX!!). when I followedup with all, I got refund of 32$ not the missing part.

The quality of the camcorder is worst, it has high noice in every mode.

Overall If I would give 0 star, but I dont have thaty option here.

Buy any other, but not this one