Customer Reviews

Panasonic PVDV201 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode

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

 

 

Like most purchasers of camcorders, I am having my first child in August. Thus, I decided to buy a camcorder to take hours of video that I will never watch again. On the other hand, if I didn't buy a camcorder, I would be a horrible parent, right?

Anyways, I did a fair amount of research online and in print (Consumers Reports). I finally decided to purchase the Panasonic based on the recommendations of several electronics salespeople.

First, the PV-DV201 is a MiniDV format digital camcorder. The Digital8 camcorders (generally sold by Sony) are a little cheaper for the tapes. On the other hand, the camcorders are a bit larger and a fair bit heavier. If you have old 8mm tapes you want to replay on a camcorder, Digital8 is probably the format for you. This was my first camcorder, so I went with the MiniDV format because of the weight difference, and also because the picture quality seemed a bit better.

One caveat about the PV-DV201: The digital zoom requires you to press a separate button, which is a bit awkward. That being said, it is rare (in my experience) that you will need zoom power in excess of 20X, which the 201 provides. The digital zoom is a bit of a marketing ploy.

If you have previously fallen for the Sony marketing blitz, and think that only Sony can make good consumer electronics, just shop the prices, and you will see Sony is $100-150 more for comparable features.

I found this camcorder to be a high quality starter camcorder in the digital format, for a very reasonable price.

My title pretty much says it all. I was looking for an inexpensive DV solution ever since my son was born, and it took me a month to come up with this one.

While this camcorder is considered low end, I have to say it is definitely much better than low end. The resolution is fine for home movies (much better than VHS or 8mm, and much better than other DV camcorders in it's price range) and I like the fact I can edit and do whatever I need to do with the footage I shoot, with little to no generation loss.

Pros:
Good solid digital video recording and PC transfer. I'm using Windows XP, and while Adobe Premier will not transfer the video to the PC, I'm able to transfer from Windows Movie Maker....
2.5" Color LCD.
MultiMediaCard support for still images.
Hot Shoe for a lamp only.
VERY light!
FireWire!!!!
PCM Stereo....

Cons:
Software is not Windows 2000 or XP compatible (all video transfers are done through Microsoft's software, not Panasonic's).
Stills cannot be transferred at all through USB on Windows XP (ME and 98 work fine).
Still images are poor (no amount of Photoshop work will help...get a real camera).

Words of caution...more than likely you will need more Hard Drive space than you have. 18 minutes of higher resolution DV will take upwards to 9 GB of Hard Disk space. And while you're at it, you could probably use more memory as well.

I've used the camera for about three months. It is everything I expected. I wanted a lightweight, small, easy to use camera with the ability to take still photos. The video picture quality is very good. The stills are pretty good considering this is a low end model.
I use Windows ME and the software provided is very, very good and easy to use. It would have been nice to be able to plug in a better mike but you can't. Also I'm left-handed and like most cameras for us, the buttons are a little hard to use.

Overall I don't think you will go wrong buying this camera. If you have Windows XP I would contact Panansonic to see if there are upgrades for the software.

My husband bought this camera for me for christmas and i got it the other day as an early christmas gift so we could use it this holiday season filming our 15 month old son and family occasions, This camcorder is great. The software that comes with it is easy to use. the only thing it lacks is editing ability for the movies that you can upload to your pc. all in all its a great camcorder in my opinion.

This unit is among the lowest-cost mini-DV camcorder that you can buy. I went with it for the price, but found that it is
so easy to use, you don't even need the instruction manual.
Superbly engineered for compact size, light weight, and intuitive ergonomics. Auto focus, zoom, light adjustments, all work transparently. My only gripe is the short life of the
included battery, and the cumbersome AC/DC adapter.

This camera is way less then i expect.
colors are dull, and recording feature sounds
like a tin can. it may not be the most expensive
camera out there but i expected more for the cost.

The Good: We've had our 201 for two years now, and have been happy with the video performance and features. The still cam is weak, but with the specs on it, it's more of a convenience than something one would want to depend on. Perfectly appropriate for the price at the time we bought it. The bad: The hand strap attach point broke off, and the GE extended warranty won't cover what they consider a non-functional part. There are 4 strap attach points, 3 metal, one plastic, and that's the one that let go. Without the hand strap, you'd have to hold the camera with both hands to use it. The case is very thin, and no other physical attachment exists internally. I also found a report of someone buying 8 PV51 cameras (similar to this one), and three of them broke in the exact same place as mine. Still waiting to hear from Panasonic, but I'm betting since it's out of warranty I'm out of luck. And I'm going to cancel my worthless GE warranty policy as well.

Update to previous reviews. The driver for win2000 or winXP is available NOW on panasonic website. With Firewire, WinXP actually detected it and it's plug and play.

I have used this camera for more than 2 years. I LOVE it.

1. There's no gap between clips. Canon ZR shows blue screen on playback every time you hit the pause button when recording - REALLY annoying. This one just stitch the clips together nicely.
2. Transfer to computer with firewire or USB really simple, easy to use. TIPS: you can get firewire card with cable for less than $20 now.
3. Handling is excellent - nice grip, light weight.
4. Long battery life. I was planning to buy a spare and found out no need for it.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

First-time father and first-time camcorder buyer here. Consumer reports ranked this one very high and the price was much lower than others ranked above and below it. It does seem complicated, but that is what happens when you have so many options-you actually have to read the directions.

I ultimately bought it over other camcorders because
1)Digital Camera capabilities
2)Ability to transfer to PC (and send as an email attachment)
3)Ability to also transfer to VCR tape
4)...(palm sized)
5)...Consumer reports ranking

Anyhow, haven't figured everything out on it, but it is a blast so far. I feel like I bought something that I can use for many years until new technology passes it by.

when i took it out the box....IT FELT CHEAP
The battery life needs more power. Panasonic has yet to come out with a driver for XP. The still images are compared to a PHD camera (push here dummy). This is a low end model. As far as video goes....i love it. I have had nothing but fun and thrills. If you can get it for...cheaper than list.... it really is a good deal. I would suggest holding out though