Panasonic PVDV51 MiniDV Digital Camcorder

For a manufacturer of today's increasingly tiny digital camcorders, the biggest design challenge is to pack the immense number of features now available on even the lowest-priced models into a compact product while keeping the features easy to find and easy to use. With the entry-level PV-DV51, Panasonic succeeds at this task beyond all reasonable expectations.

Compared to the quality of the footage, ergonomics and features may sound like secondary considerations when discussing a camcorder. But quite frankly, virtually any digital camcorder will capture images superior to those of analog formats like VHS-C and Hi8. The PV-DV51 is no exception. Not only does this inexpensive Panasonic produce better images than many other entry-level DV models I've tried, but the untutored naked eye would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between footage shot with this camcorder and models three times the price, which means the vacation videophile will be well satisfied.

The PV-DV51 hides its abilities inside a rather traditional and uncluttered exterior. The DV51 isn't cute or fancy; it looks like most other camcorders, if a bit smaller and a bit lighter. But the DV51 makes up for its lack of styling with ergonomic excellence. Frequently used buttons such as the VCR/power/camcorder thumb switch, the zoom toggle, fade, menu, manual control and electronic image stabilization buttons, as well as the playback transport controls (play, rewind, fast forward, pause) are all logically and conveniently arrayed. The on-screen menu list is only six choices deep, and all the varying suboptions are outlined in the instruction booklet, which makes locating even the most obscure feature or option relatively easy.

Power handling also is excellent. The small lithium-ion battery takes only an hour to charge for about an hour's worth of shooting (90 minutes if you use the black-and-white viewfinder rather than the LCD), about average for DV models. The camcorder also is equipped with a FireWire jack for connection to a PC, an A/V mini-jack (cable included), and an S-video output (cable not included) for connection to a TV or VCR. Like most of Panasonic's digital camcorders, the DV51 offers an 18x optical/300x digital zoom lens.

So why is this model so inexpensive? On the technical side, the PV-DV51 offers just 640 x 480 pixel resolution when shooting digital stills. More expensive models offer more than a million pixels of resolution in still mode. In addition, stills are stored directly onto the tape, while other camcorder models have the option to store these images on a dedicated memory card. The other cost savings come from the small 2.5-inch LCD screen and monochrome viewfinder; shooting for lengthy periods makes you realize why you might want to spend more for a unit with a 3- or 3.5-inch screen.

Despite these minor limitations, the PV-DV51 is an excellent choice for the weekend video warrior seeking a simple, easy-to-use, feature-packed, low-cost camcorder that produces great pictures. --Stewart Wolpin

Panasonic's entry-level PV-DV51 is a great place to start if you want to dip your toes into the digital video river. The camcorder includes an 18x optical zoom lens with digital image stabilization. The stabilizer works for both playback and recording, so if you decide to save your batteries when you're recording, you have the option of applying stabilization to your footage at a later date.

To help you shoot good footage, the PV-DV51 features a five-mode program AE. Simply put, the program AE sets the white balance, shutter speed, and other camera functions for a variety of possible shooting conditions. So, if you set it to sports, all the settings will be adjusted to shoot action footage correctly. In addition to the shooting modes, there are a number of digital effects, including sepia and monotone, which can add a little spice to your movies. There's also a digital still mode that record onto the MiniDV tape.

1 not a good value for money
I am using this camcorder for last 2 and half year (well, I don't use it much). And for some time facing the problem of picture geting split into several small rectangular squares, which is very difficult to watch. And recently this camcorder broke where the plastic hooks with the hand strap (you can see a very cheap plastic being used).

2 my camera was fun for a while till it broke
Ok, just as the other guy said this camera breaks where the plastic hooks with the hand strap. He was right. Same thing with me. Even with a refund at Best Buy to fix it they said it was "abused". I dont think so. I take care of my cameras.

3 poor product
I purchased eight of these cameras last July 02 and they have been a huge disappointment. I have many of the precursors to this model, the pvdv-101. There are two issues with the Pvdv-51. Out of eight cameras, three of them had case breaks in the exact same spot, just where the hand strap connects to the rear section of the camera. I am a teacher and use these in a high school setting. With the first camera break, I blamed student negligence. However with the third that happened (in my hand!) it's clear to me that there is an engineering fault. I suspect the grade of plastic used isn't strong enough but that's only speculation.

The second major problem has to do with the video heads. From the first week of use, these cameras have been plagued with head clogs. I use only Sony Premium tapes (do not mix brands). Again, I have other Panasonic cameras that I use and they do not have these problems. The dry erase tapes will work for most clogs though sometimes the tape has to be run through many many times to clear the problem. Some clogs have not been fixable and are waiting to go out to have their heads "professionally" cleaned.

...

Finally, Panasonic's customer relations has been poor with this issue. I have had no success on the phone or in print resolving my problem and will be switching to another similarly priced camera when replacing these models. I've been testing a Canon ZR-60 and am pleased with it's performance. This camera also has an external mic input which the Pan does not.

Over the years, I've invested more than 100 grand in equipment in Panasonic and this is my first major disappointment.

4 Think again before you buy this!!
I bought Panasonic PVDV51D camcorder about 5 months ago and it is already giving several problems. The picture gets split into several small rectangular squares and it is very difficult to watch it. I called the panasonic service center and they said it would cost me 149$ (plus 12$ shipping and handling)flat rate service charge no matter what the problem is! ( about half the price of a new camcorder). I would strongly recommend not buying it or buying extended warranty since the warranty that comes with the new product is deceptive i.e. though it covers parts for a year, they would charge you too much in the form of LABOR charges.

5 Transfer to PC
To tranfer video to a PC you need a Firewire port on the PC(I use the one on my sound card) and a firewire cable. I got the cable at Circuit City when I bought the camera. If you have Windows XP, Movie Maker will open by default when you connect the camera. If you want to purchase DV editing software, Pinnacle's Studio DV comes with a firewire card.

6 good enough
I like it mainly due to its built-in digital camera which I have 2 in 1 without carrying camcorder and digital camera at the same but you can not switch from taking video to taking picture at the same time. With this PhotoShot built-in digital still camera you can record up to 1000 images on one 80-minute tape in LP mode. It is worth.