Blending innovative technologies with new, simple-to-operate controls, Panasonic's PV-GS12 camcorder is an affordable entry into digital video with powerful features. Panasonic continues to innovate, adding more optical zoom capability while reducing the overall size. This MiniDV camcorder features a 20x optical zoom, ultra-fast 1.3-second start-up time, SD memory card slot for digital stills, and webcam capability.
Optics
The PV-GS12 is equipped with a 1/6-inch, 680,000-pixel CCD and 20x optical zoom It also features a 800x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in on incredible close-ups.
Digital Stills
In addition to shooting video, the PV-GS12 can also capture digital still images up to 640 x 480 pixels--good for sending photos to friends and family over e-mail or posting to your Web site. They are stored to the Secure Digital (SD)/MultiMedia (MMC) memory card slot. The Direct Mode Dial can be used in digital still mode lets you quickly select the desired digital camera mode, such as Record, Playback, Card Record, or Card Playback.
More Features
The 2.5-inch LCD screen can be opened a full 120 degrees away from the camcorder's body, making it easier to view motion images as theyÕre being captured.
The Quick Start feature enables the PV-GS12 to begin taping 1.3 seconds after turning the power on so those unexpectedÊmoments wonÕt be missed.ÊAfter pressing the Quick Start button, the camcorder will bring up the previous settings that you were shooting with--even if they were manually entered.
The Soft Skin Detail function detects the different skin tones being recorded and softens the focus to create a realistic blend.
Other features include:
- The image-enhancing MagicPix feature allows for rich videos under low-light conditions.
- Digital Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) helps take the jitter out of hand-held video recording and compensate for unintentional hand and camcorder movement.
- Web cam capability, which is ideal for video conferencing with friends or family, or use as a simple monitoring device when consumers are away from home.
- The unsnapping hand strap doubles as wrist loops, enabling you to carry the camcorder like a small bag or purse.
- Black and white viewfinder
Inputs and Outputs
The PV-GS12 comes with the standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also known as FireWire; Panasonic refers to this connection as iLink) for a super-fast, lossless connection to a PC or other DV machines.
MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, and it is highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 2 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. 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 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.
1 Nice style, good performance
I was impressed when I received the cam and I saw the size! Very little, compared to my old JVC from 10 years ago.
The quick start works great! And it uses the cheaper cassets for videocams.
People shouls know that the USB connection is only for transfering the photos stored in the card (use the PC mode). Also USB is for webcam purposes (use the tape recording mode), or if you want to transfer the video only (not audio) to the computer (use the Tape playback mode).
For photos, with a 128MB card u r fine. The resolution is less than 1 MPix (600X800).
If you want to use the full video/audio transfer to ur computer, be sure u have a firmware connection (IEEE 1394 or I.Link) And about the software, u can use windows default or buy Pinacle or any other related, not necesary to wait a lot for the Panasonic one (if u request that appart).
This cam records great with good quality during the day, but needs a little light improvement for evenings and nights.
Panasonic should think better for next cams when placing the connection ports, those are kind of inacessible.
I like this one, I searched and compared a lot before purshasing this one, other ones have not the same conectivity or are expensive. This one works great (with good ilumination), fast and with good quality.
2 Good DV Camera
I've been happy with every aspect of this camera except for one: The night shot mode isn't an infared type deal like some other cameras where the pictures gets that greenish tint but you dont loose frame rates. The night-shot on this camera (MagicPix) turns the shutter speed WAY down so the video becomes very choppy, even with a tripod. The build in LED light works in gain mode, but only for short distances.
Otherwise this camera is great. It hooked right up to my firewire card and Adobe Premiere already had drivers built in for it. the Video and sound quality are excellent, the size of the camera is great, and the features are very straightforward. Plus, if tweaking settings to your liking is your thing, the instruction booklet is very easy to follow. So, if you are going to be doing a lot of VERY low light recording, like I figured that I would, you might want to look at how other brands' night modes perform. Otherwise, this is a great camera for you
3 Great little camera
I bought this camera after having numerous problems with my Sony. Although it is only 4 years old my Sony has been repaired 3 times and broke once again. I paid alot of money for my Sony and was very unhappy with it. So I decided against Sony for this purchase. I may have just had bad luck with them because I know they usually make good products... but to be on the safe side we decided to go with another brand. I did alot of research on the internet for different camcorders. I also went and did alot of store research. I felt all the store employees out for what they felt to be good and how many of the various brands get returned for different reasons. Although the Panasonic was not the most recommended camcorder, it did not get bad reviews either.
After shopping around for sometime and playing with the different camcorders on the market, I went with my "gut feeling" and chose the Panasonic.
After using it a few times, I have to say I LOVE IT! I am so happy with my purchase and am so glad I chose Panasonic.
I have to say I am not real Technical when it comes to all the features it has and will probrably never use 1/2 the features it does have. But the recording quality so far has been excellant! I have no complaints with it being grainy or anything. It is simple to use and weighs less than 1lb. And when you have 2 kids who require a whole suitcase to go anywhere that is a major plus!
All kidding aside though, I give it a 10 on the scale of 1-10. Again it is very simple to use and the quality of the recording is great if not excellant.
This is a great camcorder for anyone who does not want something real technical. The 20X zoom lens it awsome!
4 First Family Camcorder
My wife and I purchased this camera as our first camcorder. We are delighted by how easy it was to film and download to the computer. My computer came with video editing software, so it's not a big problem that none was included.
5 Great Cam for the price... Nice Job
People have to remember that this is a very affordable ENTRY level cam. It does the job very well. Nice viewfinder, excellent zoom (one of the deepest at 800x) and simple features. This is a beautiful cam at a great price!!! I have not found any drawbacks on transferring or downloading either. Fun also to add zoom lenses and/or wide lenses affordably. Overall a great buy!!!!!! If you believe you are a director, you may need to look into advanced models at much higher prices. Enjoy!!!!!!!!
6 Enjoying it so far
Enjoying the camcorder so far. Got a multi-card reader (to ease up on the battery usage on my digital, too) and getting the stills off the camera is a breeze. Computer recognized it right away as a removable drive. Had a Dazzle set up for the old analog camcorder and the Panasonic hooked right up to it, video on computer looks great. Lowlight is a touch grainy but still better than my old Sharp viewcam.
7 Nice Camera BUT... NO SOFTWARE INCLUDED
I would recommend the camera's video quality and nicely put operating controls, even thought there is an inconvenience with the camera's external light button that it would be better placed on the outside of the camera, not inside where the LCD panel closes and forcing you to open it each time you want to activate the light and some useful controls when trying to only use the ViewFinder to maximize battery use. THE very drawback on this model is the lack of any editing software and USB cables. And be advised that Panasonic doesn't offer any free software not even PC drivers for letting you use any other software to control the camera.... you must buy them and wait months to arrive because they are always "backorder"... if you don't intend to hook it up right away with a Computer, it's a nice camcorder with many included extras other cameras have as options but no software is just a pain in the butt....
8 First Mini dv camcorder for me
I BOUGHT THIS CAMCORDER AT CIRCUIT CITY IT HAD GREAT FEATURES AND WHEN I OPENED THE BOX THERE WAS NO SOFTWARE(AND I CANT STILL FIND NONE) AND NO SB CABLE WHICH REALLY DISAPPOINTED ME I FOUND OUT THAT THE NEWER MODEL OF THE PV-GS SEREIS SUPPORTED THESE.ANYWAYZ ITS A GREAT CAMCORDER AND FOR CAPTURING STILL PHOTS U NEED TO BUY AND SD CARD(NOT INCLUDED IN THE BOX)
PANASONIC U HAVE FALIED ME
9 First MiniDV and very unimpressed
Puchased this from Circut City at an open box buy of $330. Let me just say do your research on review sites and only pick the best rated ones. Video quality is very grainy. Indoors with the LED light is very choppy and takes forever to auto-focus in. The zoom is great for reaching out and touching someone. That's the only reason I gave it two stars. I wouldn't say I'd stay away from Panasonic's. But if I was to purchase one, it would probably be there 3 MegaPixel one.
10 Will not buy Panasonic again!!!!!!
Come on Panasonic, you say in your advertisement that the DV Camera can be used as a Webcam and images can also be transferred through the USB port. OK, I realized that the USB cable was extra (not happy about that), but to not supply a software driver in the box or on your website. You got to be kidding!!!!!
I once considered Panasonic as a premier brand but will look elsewhere for future purchases.
11 Panasonic PV-GS12 DVC camcorder
I have been very disappointed by this digital camcoder. The movie picture quality was poor, worse than my old 8mm camcoder. I could not determine the still picture quality because the USB cable was not include, although it was supposed to be included. Advertisements stated it was easy to download to your PC, but there is no software included and none is available (as far as I can determine). Panasonic has been of no help, not even acknowledging a problem. Avoid this camcoder, I was not able to return the camera because I opened the box, and I can not get any help from Panasonic.
