DYLAN TWENEY
Published Work

Panasonic PV-GS400

If you’re trying to break into Hollywood, you don’t want your brilliant script ruined by poor video quality. Go ahead and plunk down $1,200 for the Panasonic PV-GS400: a superb camcorder with the best-quality video we’ve seen yet. Two factors contribute to the PV-GS400’s excellent video. First, a Le
Dylan Tweney 1 min read
Panasonic PV-GS400

If you’re trying to break into Hollywood, you don’t want your brilliant script ruined by poor video quality. Go ahead and plunk down $1,200 for the Panasonic PV-GS400: a superb camcorder with the best-quality video we’ve seen yet.

Two factors contribute to the PV-GS400’s excellent video. First, a Leica 12x optical zoom lens delivers great clarity and is terrific at pulling in distant subjects. Second, the PV-GS400 uses a triple-CCD system. Instead of having a single image sensor overlaid by a mosaic-patterned color filter, this camcorder uses one CCD for each of the three primary colors, giving captured video more detail and richer color.

The PV-GS400 also sports a generously sized 3.5-inch LCD, the ability to take 4-megapixel still photos, and a host of video-enhancing and editing features.

Unfortunately, you’ll pay for this power: The PV-GS400 is exactly twice the price of the Sony DCR-HC40. It’s also almost twice as heavy. Although your eyes will thank you, your pocketbook — and right arm — will be hurting. -Dylan Tweney

Best Feature: Top-notch video quality
Worst Feature: Great weight and price

SPECS:
Panasonic PV-GS400
$1,200
Weight: 1.8 pounds
Size: 7.2 x 3 x 3 inches
Specs: MiniDV recording; 12x optical zoom; SD card slot; accessory shoe; USB 2.0; FireWire; AV port; external microphone port (external wired microphone/remote control included); 4-megapixel still photos
www.panasonic.com

* * * *

Link: Panasonic PV-GS400

Link broken? Try the Wayback Machine.

Share

DYLAN TWENEY

If you're bored, you're not paying attention

Great! You’ve successfully signed up.

Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.

You've successfully subscribed to DYLAN TWENEY.

Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.

Success! Your billing info has been updated.

Your billing was not updated.