Panasonic PVDV103 MiniDV Compact Camcorder with 2.5" LCD

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [4.48mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 4.9 x 2.6 x 3.4 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00008GK6W
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,370 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 3, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The ultracompact Panasonic PV-DV103 MiniDV camcorder is an affordable way to enter into the world of digital video. It features a 10x optical zoom, 700x digital zoom, built-in light, 2.5-inch LCD, and color viewfinder.

Optics
The PV-DV103 offers a 680K pixel CCD providing crisp, sharp pictures. Shooting from far distances is no problem with the PV-DV103's 10x optical zoom and 700x digital zoom. With Panasonic's introduction of Dual D-EIS (digital electronic image stabilization), you can use this same technology in both the record and playback modes to remove additional jitter from previously recorded video.

Digital Stills
The PV-DV103 still can capture digital still images and store them on the MiniDV tape. You can then use Panasonic's PhotoVu serial connection to transfer images to your PC.

More Features
The cinema mode enables you to record video in wide screen mode, giving you a 16:9 aspect ratio that's the same as a movie screen. When played back on a television the result is dramatic looking cinema-like movies at home.

The picture-in-picture feature allows you to insert a previously taken digital still image into the video you're recording. The still image is taken using the PhotoShot digital still feature and appears on the right side of the video you're recording. The video and miniaturized still shot then appear together during playback

Other features include:

• 2.5-inch tiltable LCD screen.
• Electronic Image Stabilazation to correct camera shaking, giving you smooth and stable pictures.

Inputs and Outputs
The PV-DV103 comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also known as FireWire; Panasonic refers to this connection as iLink) for a super-fast, lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for .9personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. You'll also get minimal color noise interference for a more stable picture.

Size and Contents
The camcorder measures 3.5 x 2.6 x 4.9 inches and weighs 16 ounces. This package includes the PV-DV103 camcorder, AC adapter, battery pack, shoulder strap, A/V cable (mini-3 RCA), serial cable, remote control, and lens cap.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fantastic mini-camcorder!, July 11, 2003

By 

Thomas (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic PVDV103 MiniDV Compact Camcorder with 2.5" LCD (Electronics)

I was looking for an inexpensive camcorder with high quality audio and video, digital download capabilities (i.e., miniDV), and good portability. I tried out numerous camcorders and read up on many more, and I eventually settled on the Panasonic PVDV103. The first distinguishing feature is that it's seriously SMALL -- noticeably smaller than the comparable models from Canon and JVC. It fits really well in the palm of my average-sized hand, and most the controls then just fall naturally under the fingers. As a result, it's a pleasure to use even for extended hand-held filmimng sessions. The audio is very clean, unlike the Canon ZR-series, and the video has wonderful, natural colors. Downloading an image via Firewire is easy and trouble-free. I only have three minor quibbles with this camcorder: 1) it doesn't have the Sony-style night vision capabilities for filming in dim or dark situations; 2) its optical zoom is 10X, which is good but not superb; and 3) its image stabilization isn't quite as solid as Canon's or Sony's. All in all, for the price (and even for hundreds more), I don't think there is a better all-around camcorder.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great DV's from Panasonic, March 5, 2004

By 

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

This review is from: Panasonic PVDV103 MiniDV Compact Camcorder with 2.5" LCD (Electronics)

Panasonic makes a great DV. I'm on my second one. The video quality is solid. The import to the PC works well. They have been reliable. Nice and light. Everything you'd want.

The only downside in my experience on my prior Panasonic was it broke after about a year of fairly frequent use. Their service policy is a flat $250 charge to fix it, regardless of the problem. That was about half the price of the unit new, which seems out of line.

Otherwise, if it doesn't break, great unit.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars compact, reliable, and good video at a fair price, October 23, 2003

By 

S. Bradford "scottfbradford" (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic PVDV103 MiniDV Compact Camcorder with 2.5" LCD (Electronics)

When shopping for a camcorder the first thing to pick is format. I dismissed analog because of the lower resolution and poorer picture/sound quality. I considered miniDVD, but this is a relatively new format and is therefore significantly more expensive at the moment. I chose miniDV because it seems to be the most popular digital format right now. I also decided that I did not want to use the camcorder for taking still shots that are stored on removable memory. Even the very expensive models have low resolution that will yield poor pictures. My advice is to stick with a separate digital camera and save some money on the camcorder. I have had good luck with Panasonic tvs, dvd players, projectors, and cordless phones so I naturally considered them when shopping for a camcorder. Consumer Reports also rates Panasonic camcorders highly in terms of reliability and picture quality. I chose this particular model because it had all the features I needed, is very compact compared to other brands, and is reasonably priced. I think this model will please and adequately serve any home movie makers.