Good camera, warranty not as good
Pros:
Good color, image stabilization, zoom lens, remote control.
Cons:
Warranty: Flat rate labor charge after 90 days. Lens cap on a string.
The Bottom Line:
A reasonable deal if you can still manage to buy a new one for $400 or less. I expect some nice features and good performance for that money.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Kbolton72's review covered it nicely, so be sure to read that one.
I needed a video camera to play pre-recorded miniDV tapes that I need to view from time to time. Since I was buying a video-cam anyway, I did some research to find one that took decent videos. The Panasonic PV-GS320 came highly recommend by many users on a couple of other web sites. I bought the camera in December of 2007.
I think it is a fine camera. My video experience was limited to using my parent's 8mm film camera twenty or thirty years ago. Even so, I was pleased with this new camera. It is easy to use and produces good results.
During taping I noticed some camera shake through the view finder. I was afraid that the videos would look jumpy, but they did not. The image stabilization works well.
The 3-CCD color system is nice. Although I did see some muted colors under some lighting conditions, mostly the colors look great.
There is an adjustable strap on the right-hand side of the camera that fits over the back of the right hand as you hold the camera. This arrangement does keep you from dropping the camera, but it also straps the camera to your hand until you remove it. It does not leave your hands free like a neck strap arrangement does, so it helps to carry a camera bag.
The camera can take still photographs which it stores on an SD card. HINT: Install at least a small capacity SD card in the slot, even if you don't intend to take any still shots. REASON: It is easy to accidentally hit the still-shot button while you manipulate the controls during taping. If you do that with no card installed, the view finder is mostly obstructed by the error message telling you that there is no card installed. It takes several long seconds for the alert to clear the screen. There is no such drama with an SD card installed.
My biggest peeve is the warranty. After 90 days, a flat rate labor fee must accompany the camera when it is shipped in for repair. (The web site stated $161.50, but my credit card has been charged only $150, so far. Maybe the other $11.50 will be the return shipping charge? The camera is still in the shop). Seems to me that charging for labor before the end of the 1-year warranty is a rip-off. Out of warranty, the repair charge is $261.50
Near the end of the 1-year warranty, the camera refused to power up. It is in the Chicago, IL repair facility at this time. I hope that it proves to be more reliable in the future.
