Panasonic PV GS320

I did extensive research before buying this camera. The critics mention a lack of an external mic jack and headphone jack, and that most controls are menu-based rather than having dedicated buttons for commonly-used features such as backlighting. The manufacturers also removed the inbuilt electronic lens cap.

It's true that external jacks would be nice. Still, I've found the quality of sound from the inbuilt mic to be very good. While the controls are menu-based, they are very logically placed, fast to access, and the joystick is positioned right next to the start/stop button.

Image quality is awesome thanks to the 3CCD's. I've compared the quality to broadcast cameras, such as news broadcasts. In all sincerity, I often can't tell the difference! No doubt, differences would show in dim light since camcorders always struggle with that.

Build quality is fantastic. The camera is solid in the hand and has good balance. Buttons are positive and the LCD screen and tape compartment open & close with reassuring clicks!

The lens takes a 37mm thread. Since my still camera is a 49mm & I have filters for that, I've bought a step-up ring allowing me to have UV and polarising filters on the camera. With the filters being larger, I don't get dark corners in my images.

The one and only downside? It's minimal. The variable zoom. Videographers like to use a super-slow zoom to create interest and drama when filming a fixed image over several seconds. It's so slow, the viewer often doesn't notice that the image is getting closer. The variable zoom doesn't go quite slow enough and it doesn't start and stop smoothly enough - no matter how carefully you manipulate the zoom control. But I can live with that.

The camera features the option of true 16:9 widescreen. However, a word of caution here. The camera does it fine, but for anyone new to it, be ready for some serious headaches in making it work once the video is transferred to DVD. Nerovision and Roxio can't make sense of it. I've tried freeware software downloads that allow me to change the codes after burning to a re-writable - all to no avail. It seems that unless you're willing to spend out on professional burning software so the DVD is properly flagged as 16:9, you won't have success!

I have been waiting about a year to get this camera. I reasearched it extensively and for Mini-dv tapes, this was the best reviewed camera by the experts. My friend bought one, and I loved the clarity and the bright pictures.

So, I am getting exactly what I expected. It is a wonderfuly camera, but it has its own shortcomings.
1) it does not have light fixture.
2) the battery runs out fast.
3) it doesn't have many fade features. but then again you can edit them in yourself.

After careful research I settled on this particular model. For the price the features including the 3 CCD make the picture a clear, vibration free, high quality recreation of the actual event. The only disadvantage is the inabilty to add a remote microphone. You will be pleased with the value packed model.

The size, quality and flexibility of this camera is the perfect compliment to my professional camera. It's a great camera.

This is a 3 chip camera. We use it for filming for a hunting TV show and it is perfect for that application. It takes excellent video of the hightest quality. The camera is easy to use and the functions are simple. It is light and compact. The only drawback is the low resolution for still pictures.

Great camera for the price. Could use a better on board microphone. Great picture stability. Easy to use. Great for a first time camera user.

got the product after 6 weeks of making the purchase. Purchase was sent with a wrong address. then was out of stock and was sent back in perfect conditions.

The software that comes with this camera will not run on windows vista. Other than that, it seems to be a good camera. I would not have baught it if I knew about the software. I tried to return it, but the ebay company that I baught it from lied to me. I wrote some negative feedback about digital_inovations_ink because they did not respond to my request to take back the camera. They phoned me and promiised to send me a box to mail it back for a refund if I would retract my statement. I did so. But they never sent the box, and never responded to my email requests. I also wrote to the conflict resolution deptartment of ebay with no result.

I will not buy from ebay again, and I am disappointed that Panasonic will not send me Vista software.

Good camcorder, good price. A camcorder with this many features should have a remote mike jack. Also no firewire to dv cord was included.

This was purchased as a Christmas gift for my son. He had requested this specific make and model. I was plesantly surprised to find it priced lower here than at other merchants. While the description was for an open boxed item, everything was included in the box.

What everyone says about the camera is true. Terrific immage quality, sufficient sound quality and adjustments are simple and easy. The guys from Barclays worked hard to make sure I didn't give them a bad rating and in the end (after hours on the phone) I got everything I ordered. If they were just more careful about order processing in the first place they wouldn't get all the negative feedback they get. It almost seems like they figure half the people won't complain about not getting everything they ordered so they will make extra money on them. Instead of being so pushy on the phone they should put their energy into accurate order processing. You can get a good deal from them if your ready to put up with hassle.

The PVGS320 is a great camcorder. It's not HD but the images on my 46 inch HDTV look terrific AND I can share the videos with family that don't have HD. Remeber that if your thinking about going with an HD camcorder.

We really enjoyed this early Christmas gift for my husband! It's a great camera, and we had fun getting all those Christmas pictures of our family. The seller did a great job shipping it in a timely manner, and he followed through with everything he said. Thank you!

I purchased the Panasonic PV GS320 after extensive research and I think I made the right choice.
I looked at the new Canon V20, but decided it was just a little out of my price range. I decided against Hard drive and Hi Def. for several reasons. One was cost and the second was the Hard Drive was not a format that I thought would work well for me. The MiniDV are the way to go if your not ready to set down and edit right away.
I love the GS320. The picture quality is excellent and the low light is good. I don't need a mic jack or headphones, that's not my style of video taping. I was looking for something to video family and events. The Panasonic fit the bill perfect!
I did purchase a 20W light to go with the camera due to the fact that many rooms are darker than you realize and the light really helps. I wouldn't go with anything less than 20W.
The Camera is easy to carry due to it's size and is very well constructed. I've owned Panasonic cameras before (analog)PV54 and it worked great for years the focus system finally stopped working well, but it was great choice many years ago.
One thing I would change on the PV GS320 would be the zoom button. For my hand it isn't in the best place. I really have to work to get my finger on it.
I really love the menu system very easy to use. One of the biggest selling points for me was it ease of use. I have fancy digital cameras that have all the bells and whistles on them...I almost never use them and as a result I do not get good at using them. This camera does just what it was designed to do, Take great video at a very affordable price.
If you don't need HD quality (and most of us do not)for shooting personnel video, and want a solid and exceptional color,picture quality. This camera is IT! You will not be disappointed.
Please realize I'm not a professional video person, but I do like the best I can afford. This unit delivers. I'll put a lot of miniDV through this little camera, then after Christmas start having fun with the editing and making something to be proud of for years to come.

I highly recommend this camera. It has fantastic picture quality and is really easy to use. The optical image stabilization works really well to give professional type results. The 3 CCDs give great color. Im very pleased with my purchase.

Due to the challenges we had with Paypal, which was resolved weeks later...We didn't end up getting this item. Although, the company was real understanding about it and did a great job of continually contacting us.

Love this unit, works great and takes great,clear,sharp videos...remember it is not a still camera. has this function but limited by the amout of pixels. All in all a wonderful camera.

A 3ccd camera at this price is just AWESOME! I retired my Sony TRV460 Digital 8 camera and got this Panasonic GS320 for a lower price. Unbelievable! It shoots in widescreen, it takes 3.1 mega pixel still images, it's compact (it fits in the palm of your hand), and it has the best picture you'll find in a camcorder at this price range. Sell your old camcorder and buy one of these (or 2 or 3...) RIGHT NOW! I'm gonna buy another one so I can can get multi angle shots when capturing bands at shows, etc...

The camera is very compact and user friendly. The price was great and we are already enjoying the great family movies we have capture. We enjoy all the extra features that are part of this great digital camcorder.