Panasonic PVDV52 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/ 2.5" Color LCD

Panasonic's low-end MiniDV camcorder, the PV-DV52, doesn't have all of the features of its pricier siblings--like a zoom mic or a larger LCD--but it does capture high-quality video in a light, tight package.

Although its 10x optical zoom is lower than other camcorders, it still provides a close-up image for average recording, and a hefty 700x digital zoom capability as well. The image stabilization feature of the PV-DV52 worked well, keeping our frame steady even during one-handed filming.

The PV-DV52 will capture still images as well, but only at 640 x 480 resolution. It also stores images to tape, which sometimes makes them difficult to locate in order to transfer them to PC.

Speaking of transferring, you'll need a FireWire port to move video and stills over at high speed, as the camera doesn't include USB connectivity. It does offer a serial connection, but that is only for transferring still images, as moving video via a serial connection would be akin to draining a lake with a stirring straw.

Some of Panasonic's more expensive MiniDV camcorders offer a 3.5-inch LCD, but the 2.5-inch color LCD of the PV-DV52 proved large enough for average use. The PV-DV52 also offers some nice features for low-light recording (although not for no-light recording), including the MagicPix digital enhancement mode and a built-in light with a 10-foot range.

Tapes eject from the top of the PV-DV52, allowing you to keep the camera on an optional tripod when popping in a new tape. And the battery--which lasted a little over an hour--charges separately from the camera, which makes it easier to have a backup fully charged.

For the price, the Panasonic PV-DV52 allows for high-quality video recording without requiring a big investment. It's a great starter camcorder for a family on a budget. --J. Curtis

Pros:

Light and compact
Sharp video image
Inexpensive

Cons:

No storage card for stills
Lower optical zoom

Digital camcorders have finally reached both a level of both technological sophistication and affordability, and Panasonic's PV-DV52 is prime example. Casual video users will be pleased with the 2.5-inch LCD screen, 10x optical zoom, digital still capability, and a built-in video light.

Lens
With an optical zoom magnification of 10x, the DV52 also has a digital zoom, which works by electronically enhancing the optical image, and can magnify the picture up to 700 times. The digital image stabilization system keeps the picture steady and solid throughout zooms and camera shakes.

Digital Stills
The camcorder has a mode called progressive photo shoot, so that images captured will not have the jagged lines of interlaced video and instead come out clear and undistorted.

Inputs and Outputs
The DC252 comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also known as FireWire) for a super-fast, lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines. RCA connections are used for direct viewing on a television or VHS dubbing.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV digital technology delivers clear, sharp video with up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution--far superior to the 240 lines of resolution offered by 8mm camcorders. You'll also get minimal color noise interference for a more stable picture.

Using Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) technology, Panasonic's MiniDV camcorders provide pristine sound. Choose from 12-bit or 16-bit audio recording modes.

16-bit audio includes a set of stereo audio tracks to produce CD-quality sound.
12-bit audio utilizes two sets of audio tracks so you can easily add background music or commentary into your videos while maintaining the existing soundtrack.

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 two full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

1 Great value - shame about the mic quality
I have had this camcorder (my first and only) for nearly a year. It was a great entry to home video.

I was very pleased with the picture quality and it is easy to use. I have tried the EIS feature(electronic image stabilization) and it really works and the effect on picture quality is barely noticeable.

Editing on a computer with the IEEE1394 interface is fun (and IEEE1394 interface cards for desktop and laptop PCs can be had very cheaply - I bought one for each.) The camcorder can even print the finished movies back to a blank MiniDV tape for archiving and for displaying on NTSC TVs.

The built-in microphone has very poor sound quality - voices sound very tinny. I wish it had a way of connecting an external microphone. And I wish a second, larger battery wasn't so expensive - it is hard to shop around for a third-party battery as the online catalogs rarely mention this model of camcorder.

Shop around for MiniDV tapes - good brands can be found for around $5 but I see them many places over $8.

The battery charger included with mine doubles as an AC adapter and works on many electrical systems round the world (just get a travel plug from your local hardware store.)

2 Simplicity is key.
This digital camera has everything you need. Don't waste your money on those overpriced gadgety cameras, when all you need is something to capture good quality digital video.

I've played around with quite a few DV cameras, and almost all of them were impossible to figure out. Too many buttons. This camera only has the necessities. My only complaint about the ergonomics is that the record button could be placed better. I usually take my thumb off of it after I hit record, so I have to go searching for it when I want to pause or stop recording, so a lot of my video has a visible jiggle at the end where I was fumbling for the record toggle.

The quality of the video is superb. It gets a little grainy in low light, but no worse than any DV camera I've seen below $900.

Oh, one thing to note. This camera doesn't come with a DV tape to get you started. So, you better put a 3-pack in your shpping cart before you check out. I'd recommend a second battery, too.

This camera doesn't have an analog pass-thru, so you can't use it to transfer your old 8mm videos to DV.... but that's something you'd do only once anyway, right? Why spend the extra bucks on a camera that can do it then?

This is a great deal. If you are the bare-bones type, get this. You'll be pleased.

3 Best Value
For an entry level miniDV camcorder, this one Rocks.
Easy to use & extremely light.
Buy the Pyro firewire card, and you can get great video to your pc.
For the price you pay, it doesn't get much better.

4 Great for such a low price
Best bargain you can have for a digital camera. The picture quality is very good and its very compact. I would recommend it to anyone who is buying the first camcorder.

5 This camera stinks
1. The auto /manual button broke down.
2. Outdoors or in strong light, the LCD screen is very sensitive. Picture quality is blurred and unclear.
3. Panasonic customer service stinks. They require you to pay to ship the camcorder for repairs and pay the shipping to receive your camcorder back. You have to ship it to Illinois. There is only a 90 day warranty. By that time your camcorder will probably need repair. Panasonic didn't even look at my camcorder and they say that it costs 160 dollars to repair -- parts are under warranty for a year -- this is only the cost for labor. In other words, to fix the camcorder, costs more than to buy it. Panasonic refuses to pay to fix camcorder because its after the 90 day. Visa refuses to pay to fix the camcorder.
I strongly don't recommend this camcorder and Panasonic alltogether.
Also buy a camcorder in a store where you can buy insurance on your camcorder. ...

6 very pleased
I am very happy with this purchase. I owned an analog Sharp and it needed to be repaired, so I looked into a new camcorder. The quality of the picture is what mattered most to me, within economic reason. The picture is great, much much better than analog. In low light conditions I do lose some of the colors (they wash out a bit) but the quality is still good. The range of features is nice, but I was surprised to find that I can't use the EIS (it holds the image steady) with the other features like the low light ones. You have to turn off the other features when using EIS. I am not into editing on my computer, which is good because this camera doesn't seem to have the bells and whistles necessary to do so, although they are available for purchase (and are compatible with the camera). The camera is light, it has a built in light, and the sound is great.

7 The BEST, but....
The camcorder is very light with ease of use, fits in hand. Looks and works really cute. But there are two things, it doesn't have a builtin Digital camera and the view finder is Black&White. If those doesn't concern you, I Would recommend this quality camcorder.

8 Panasonic PV-DV52 is an excellent choice
This is a very light and slick little digital camera. The high definition zoom goes to 10x while the digital zoom go to an amazing 700x. A nice little feature is the built in speaker so you can hear the video playback. Although it is not what I would call a "palm" camcorder, it is much smaller and lighter then the traditional camcorders. Is is small enough to carry in a digital camera case. The built in menu is loaded with exciting features. It can even optionally record in wide screen format! All I need now is a wide screen television ...