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  • Performance

  • Format

  • Tour

  • Auto / Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling and Use

  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity

  • Other Features

  • Comparisons / Conclusion

  • Performance
  • Format
  • Tour
  • Auto / Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling and Use
  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity
  • Other Features
  • Comparisons / Conclusion

Performance

Video Performance**

The PV-GS180 shoots video with three 800K, 1/6" CCDs. It only records interlaced video, but does so in both 4:3 and anamorphic widescreen modes. The PV-GS180 has a widescreen video, but employs the "crop and zoom" technique in order to get it. Instead of optical image stabilization found on the GS300 and GS500, the PV-GS180 uses electronic stabilization.  Therefore, electronic image stabilization does not work in widescreen mode because there is no sensor territory to spare. Panasonic's electronic stabilization works well in good light, but becomes inactive in light levels below about 100 lux.

**Low Light Performance
**Last year's GS150 experienced some problems in low light. Due to bad shielding in the internals of the camcorder, three red lines (or four on PAL models) were seen superimposed over a low light image on many units. The red line problem was supposed to have been corrected late in 2005. We could not tell if the problem was carried forward into the PV-GS180. When we get a model for testing, we will verify if the problem has been resolved.

The PV-GS180 has a minimum light sensitivity of 12 lux, like last year's GS150. In MagicPix mode, Panasonic lists a low light sensitivity of 0 lux; however, this is with supplemental light from the LCD screen. In addition, MagicPix slows shutter speed considerably, which creates a frame rate of about 8 frames per second. As a result, any motion in the scene is severely blurred. We wouldn’t recommend using MagicPix mode for anything but an effect or for relatively motionless night shooting.

Format

Compression

The PV-GS180 records video using the DV codec. DV is a 25 Mbps interleaved audio and video stream that is compressed about 500 percent (5:1).

**

Media**

The PV-GS180 uses MiniDV tapes for recording video and SD media for recording stills. No media, MiniDV tape or SD card, is included with the camcorder.

Editing

Users will have to select an application for editing video as Panasonic does not supply one with the PV-GS180. Windows Movie Maker on the PC platform or iMovie on the Macintosh will work with footage from the PV-GS180.

Tour

The Front

The PV-GS180 exhibits a typical Panasonic face from the front. Clearly in view is the 10X lens with 37mm filter threads. The lens has a focal length of 2.45 to 24.5mm which gives a 35mm equivalent of 44.7 to 447mm in normal video and 41.1 to 411mm in 4:3 stills. Iris can be adjusted from f/1.8 to f/16. Below the lens and to the right bottom of the camcorder body is the standard Panasonic zoom microphone. There is no photoflash on this model.

The Right Side

The right side is clear of features until one reaches the back of the camcorder. At the rear of the right side, just before the ports, is the speaker. The A/V-out / headphones jack port, the microphone jack, and the USB 2.0 high speed port are all located under a gray, rubber cover. All the Panasonic 3 CCD camcorders sport high speed USB this year. The A/V jack features left and right audio and composite video outputs. The PV-GS180 does not support analog inputs. The A/V jack doubles as a headphones jack. Thus, the user can listen to audio being recorded from the internal or an external microphone.

The Back

In the upper left of the PV-GS180’s back is the electronic viewfinder (EVF). The eyepiece for the EVF pulls out from its recess below the accessory shoe but does not tilt up, like it does on GS500. To the right of the EVF eyepiece is the on-off slider. Below the power slider is the 1.7-second quick start button. Below that is the menu button. The menus are viewable on the LCD and EVF. Below and to the right of the menu button is the mode dial. Users can select the standard operating modes of record (video), playback (video), record (stills), playback (stills) and PC for transfer of stills from the SD card to a computer over USB. In the center of the mode dial is the joystick control for selecting options from the menus. To the left and slightly below the menu dial is the record/pause pushbutton for starting and stopping recording to tape. Last, but not least, to the left of the record/pause button, and below the EVF eyepiece, is the battery. Batteries were not available for us to inspect at CES, but they are compatible with the CGA-DU series of batteries from 2005. So, finding a second or backup battery should not be difficult.

The Left Side

The 2.5-inch non-widescreen LCD is the biggest component on the left side of this compact camcorder. When the LCD is opened, it rotates outward 90 degrees and can be further rotated around its horizontal axis about 180 degrees. The rotated-forward position is also used in MagicPix (Panasonic's low light mode) to help illuminate a dimly lighted scene out to about three feet. Inside the LCD recess in the body of the PV-GS180 is the Auto / Manual / Focus switch, the reset pushbutton, the power LCD (for backlighting on the LCD), and a DV (FireWire, iLink) port. On the bottom of the body, underneath a rubber flap, is the recess for the SD card slot. The PV-GS180 supports SD cards up to 2 GB in size.

**

The Top
**The top of the PV-GS180 is very clean. On the right front is the cassette loading dock release lever. A push forward on the release allows the user to open the loading dock to the right and activate the tape elevator. The cassette mechanism rises and opens for inserting and extracting a MiniDV tape. Further back in the center of the PV-GS180 is the cold accessory shoe. Immediately behind the accessory shoe is the electronic viewfinder (EVF) eyepiece. To the right of the accessory shoe is the zoom slider which doubles as a volume control in tape playback mode. To the rear of the zoom slider is the Photoshot button.

Auto / Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control*

Automatic Control*

Automatic controls on the PV-GS180 are similar to those on the GS300 and GS500. The camcorder controls focus, shutter, and iris to maintain exposure. It is good that the automatic controls function very well, as most of the manual controls are buried in the menus.

Automatic focus works pretty well as long as there is light enough to give good contrast to the electronics.

*Overall Manual Control
*Users have manual control over most frequently adjusted camcorder functions like iris, shutter, focus, zoom, flash brightness, and white balance. Manual functions are adjusted via a menu setting. The joystick control makes adjustments easier than a touch screen, especially if you want to use the EVF instead of the LCD. As on the GS300, folks who like to use manual controls a lot will find this process limiting.

Zoom

The PV-GS180 has a 10x optical zoom and a 700x digital zoom. Digital zoom can also be limited to 25x via a menu option.

*

Focus*

In automatic mode, focus is adjusted by the camcorder's electronic sensors. In manual, the user may adjust focus with the joystick. It’s a good idea to take over manually as the light diminishes. Using the joystick is not a great way to make adjustments. The PV-GS500 has a focus ring, unfortunately absent here.

Exposure (Aperture)

The iris can be adjusted for apertures from f/1.8 to f/16 in both video and stills mode.

Shutter Speed

The shutter is manually adjustable in video mode from 1/60 to 1/8000 of a second. In stills mode, the shutter ranges from 1/30 to 1/2000 of a second.

White Balance

The PV-GS180 uses automatic white balance when in auto mode. In manual mode, the user may select presets for auto, indoor, outdoor, and fluorescent lighting. Also, manual white balance may be selected which can adjust to a wider range of color temperatures.

Gain

In darker, indoor settings when the iris can open no wider, adjustable gain is available to brighten the scene. The PV-GS180 allows the user to set up to 18dB of gain in 1dB increments. The onscreen display registers changes only every 3dB increases.

Still Features

Still Features

Still pictures are shot to an SD card that can have a capacity of up to 2 Gigabytes. Still pictures in 4:3 mode may be shot in sizes of 1760 x 1320, 1280 x 960, and 640 x 480. The PV-GS180 does not shoot widescreen stills. Shutter speeds in still mode range from 1/30 to 1/2000 of a second. All of the manual controls over iris, shutter, white balance, and focus offered in video mode are also available in still picture mode.

Handling and Use

**

Handling**

The PV-GS180 is an even smaller camcorder than the GS300, and Panasonic touts it as the smallest 3 CCD MiniDV camcorder being manufactured. It’s not uncomfortably small, however; users that appreciate a small format camcorder will be happy with the PV-GS180. When grasped with the right hand inserted through the hand strap, the PV-GS180 sits comfortably in the right palm. This positions the zoom slider and photoshot button directly under the index finger. The right thumb can easily access the joystick control for setting menu functions and for manual focus adjustments. The record/pause button is right next to the joystick control and is also easily accessible with the right thumb.

 

LCD/Viewfinder

The color LCD on the PV-GS180 is a 2.5", 4:3 display. It rotates away from the body 90 degrees and may also be flipped to the front for self-portrait shooting. The electronic viewfinder is also color. The degree of information displayed during shooting or playback is selectable in the menus. The EVF eyepiece may be withdrawn so that the user’s eye can be positioned away from the battery that protrudes from the back of the camcorder. However, the EVF does not tilt which limits its usefulness for certain shots.

Audio / Playback / Connectivity

Audio

The stereo microphone system captures audio in either 12 bit or 16 bit resolution. The microphones can be selected to zoom along with the video in the menus. There is a 3.5mm stereo microphone jack for attaching an external unbalanced microphone. When the external microphone jack is used, the internal microphones are disconnected. Comparatively, Sony has begun implementing 5.1 channel Dolby Digital on their upper-end DVD camcorders, which uses an external microphone in conjunction with the onboard mics. There is a small speaker on the right rear of the GS180 for listening to the recorded audio. Audio volume during playback is controlled with the zoom slider control on the top rear of the camcorder.

VCR Mode

Tape playback is the operating mode for viewing the footage on the LCD or TV (via the A/V cable). Users may play, pause, fast forward, fast preview, fast reverse, fast reverse preview, and stop playback using the joystick control. In addition, tape playback mode is used for copying the video to a computer over either DV (FireWire or iLink) or USB cables. All of the Panasonic 3 CCD camcorders implement USB 2.0 high speed this year. The PV-GS180 permits the video (DV Data in the menus) to stream through the USB port. Capture applications that support capture over USB, like Windows Movie Maker, should work with the PV-GS180. There is no included software to facilitate capture like MotionDV Studio, which comes with the GS300 and GS500.

Ports

The PV-GS180 has ports for DV, USB 2.0 high speed, A/V / headphones, and a microphone. It was nice seeing the headphone jack since Panasonic chose to not include it on the upscale 3 CCD models. The A/V jack supports composite analog video and audio out only.

Other Features

Other Features

The PV-GS180 has no other remarkable features.

Comparisons / Conclusion

**

Conclusion**

The PV-GS180 is a no-frills, small format MiniDV camcorder. Priced only $100 less than the GS300, which has many more features, it is hard to imagine that it will sell very well. Since it has Panasonic 3 CCD technology, it could be used as a second camcorder alongside one of its brothers or as a backup cam. It also might be a good choice for underwater shooting; a dive housing cannot limit access to features because this camcorder doesn’t really have many. Clearly, this is a bargain basement camcorder for point-and-shooters who know enough about image quality to want good specs, but prefer to avoid manual controls. There is a market for this type of camcorder, but considering that the GS300 is only $100 away, it’s probably a smaller market than Panasonic hopes.

Meet the tester

Guy Bruner

Guy Bruner

Editor

Guy Bruner is a valued contributor to the Reviewed.com family of sites.

See all of Guy Bruner's reviews

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