Testing / Performance

The Front ***(6.0)* 

The Panasonic PV-GS2’s front face has a small 22x optical zoom lens, located in the upper left corner of the camera body, with the white balance and remote control sensors located directly beneath, obscured by the standard smooth black plastic cover. Underneath these two sensors, the user will find a port cover, which can be flipped upwards from the base of the camera to reveal the dual purpose A/V out and Headphone port. The port cover seems loose and rickety, and could be easily snapped off the camera body without an extensive amount of effort. To the right of the sensors, the user will discover the labeled and visible stereo-zoom in-camera microphone. On the bottom right side of the Panasonic PV-GS2’s front is a bulky eyelet for the hand strap that horizontally spans the right side of the camcorder’s body.

**The Right Side ***(8.0)*

The right side of the Panasonic PV-GS2 is constructed out of a dull black plastic, textured where the user’s right hand would rest while shooting. The hand strap for the right hand spans the bottom of the camera body, and is adjustable via Velcro for a range of hand thicknesses. This camcorder loads from the top, which is a positive feature for users looking to shoot with a tripod mount. With a top-loading cassette cartridge, the user can change tapes without destroying a camera angle or jostling a shot. The open/eject button is located on the top of the camera body. When slid forward, the cassette cartridge opens outward from the camera.

At the base of the camera body, on the right side, the user will find a more secluded port cover, easy to overlook due to its asinine design placement underneath the hand strap. When finally accessed and opened, the user is able to choose between DV in/out and USB. However, the user would have to remove the hand strap each time in order to use these ports for extended periods of time without getting irritated. This becomes aggravating, and could have been easily avoided with better design consideration, as most camcorder users need to access these two ports frequently. Besides the constant maneuvering of the hand strap, the port cover feels cheap, like the one placed on the front face of the camcorder body, and is attached to the camera body via a single rubber hinge which does not appear to be made for long term use or rough handling.

Physical Tour

**

The Back ***(6.5)*

The back portion of the Panasonic PV-GS2 has a black and white Electronic Viewfinder located in the upper left corner of the camera body. The black rubber eyepiece can be extended out from its recessed position, so that during use the user can actually maneuver around the thick battery pack located directly beneath. On the extended barrel of the Viewfinder, the user can find the diopter adjustment, which allows for focal adjustment of the Electronic Viewfinder. It should be noted that if the Viewfinder is being used, the user will not be able to use the Manual Controls, the LCD Monitor, the Playback options, etc, and will be primarily limited to Camera Mode, Still Image capture, and the Zoom lever. This aspect of the camera becomes frustrating; the feasibility and functionality of the Viewfinder is almost entirely nullified due to this lack of control and limited adjustments. Also, with the right hand's positioning, the user will be unable to use his or her left eye for Viewfinder viewing options, because of the camcorder's small size. This, coupled with a black and white screen and limited control, makes this camera almost pointless for any user looking to actually use the Viewfinder while shooting images, making its presence moot. Beneath the Viewfinder the user will find the battery pack, which can be removed using the battery release switch located directly beneath on the base of the camera. Doing so will reveal the Panasonic PV-GS2's DC port.

Starting on the right half of the camera’s back, the user will find the Mode Dial, located towards the top of the camera body. The mode dial looks like a cheap toy that mimics a camcorder part, emphasizing a certain lack of quality overall. This Mode Dial controls the different settings the camcorder can engage in. These settings are: Tape Recording Mode, which is represented by a film camera, and allows the user to record moving images to tape, while simultaneously recording digital still images to the memory card; Tape Playback, signified by a green play symbol surrounded by a green square, which allows the user to play back recorded video/audio footage from the tape; Card Recording Mode, which is engaged when the user is capturing still images to the memory card; Picture Playback Mode, which is used when reviewing previously garnered still images on the memory card; and finally, PC Mode, which is used when the user desires to connect the camcorder to a personal computer.

Underneath the Mode Dial is the Quick Start button, a feature which supposedly allows the camcorder to begin recording within approximately 1.3 seconds after powering up. However, to use this feature, the user must first have camera on, press the Quick Start button, turn the camera off, then turn the camera back on. It's a bit of rigmarole for a "quick" start, although once the Quick Start feature has been established, it is possible to use it again without going back through the setup. Underneath the Quick Start button is the Off/On switch, a ring with a tab extending out from the center point, with a small blue button at the tip of this switch. When pressed, the blue button allows the user to switch the camera on and off. In the center of the Off/On switch, the user will find a button with a red circle in the center, which acts as the record in and out initiation for video and audio footage.

Components

**

The Left Side ***(7.0)*

The predominant feature on the left side of the Panasonic PV-GS2 is the 2.5-inch LCD screen, which can be opened via a tab located on the bottom back corner of the screen housing. When not in use, the screen fits back into the camera body to sit flush with the surface of the camcorder. When opened, it can be pushed forward slightly past ninety degrees. This hinge also allows the screen to be spun 180 degrees when turned up, and 90 degrees when spun down from the center axis. When pressed past 90 degrees, the hinge feels fragile and gives off a worrisome feeling of low quality construction. Without too much effort, this portion of the camera could easily be broken during rough or fast movements.

Underneath the LCD screen cover, recessed into the body of the camera, is a series of buttons and controls for manual settings, playback, and extra features. At the front of this section, the user will find the in-camera speaker: fine for general playback listening, but if audio quality is a concern, it would be best to listen to the recording through an external second source to truly gauge audio quality. Moving back from this point and along the top of the recessed section, the user will find the Recording/Recording Check button, which is used while recording in Playback mode by pressing the Recording and Backlight button at the same time. By pressing this button when in Recording Pause Mode, the user can view the last few frames of footage garnered. The next button is the Magic Pix button, which allows the user to record images in dark situations. However, I am leery of using the optimistic language of Panasonic that states that this feature will "record color images brightly in a dark place." One back from this button is the Soft Skin feature, which allows for skin colors to be recorded in a softer tone. Best results are achieved if the background is not tonally similar to that of the subjects' skin colors. The Multi P-in-P button allows for up to six photos to be displayed on the LCD Screen or Viewfinder simultaneously, although if the Viewfinder is used, the user will have to re-open the LCD screen to access any of the controls, thus negating the Viewfinder's usefulness here.

Below the Multi P-in-P button is the Menu button, which, when engaged, allows the user to enter and exit the onscreen LCD Menu. Underneath this button is the Auto/Manual Focus slide which, when the Manual Focus setting is being used, allows the user to adjust focus via the Rewind and Fast Forward buttons which are part of the four-way controller. The four-way controller can be used either to highlight or navigate the onscreen Menu, choosing selection changes via the centrally located Enter button, or when in Playback, it functions as the VCR Mode controllers. Starting at the top and moving clockwise, the user will find: Still, Fast Forward, Stop, Rewind, and the centrally located Play button. Underneath the Record button, slightly in front of the four-way controller, the user will find the Back Light Compensation button, which allows for adjustment of lighting when a subject is strongly lit from the back, darkening the surface that's facing the camera lens. At the base of the camera is a switch that, when pushed forward, reveals the memory card slot, with its pleasing royal blue plastic cover.

Design / Layout

**The Top ***(7.0)*

The top of the Panasonic PV-GS2 has three controllers. The Open/Eject button for the cassette cartridge is located at the front, to the right side of the camera body. Behind this, and supposedly controlled by the index finger, is the Zoom lever which controls the telephoto and wide angle lens. However, the camera’s small size and the odd lever placement gave me with a choice of either using my left hand, or clumsily attempting to maneuver the lever with the knuckle… not exactly a delicate or accurate motion. Behind the Zoom lever is the Photo Shot button for capturing digital still images to the Memory Card.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (5.0)

Automatic controls are engaged whenever the user slides the Automatic/Manual slider to the Automatic position. It is also possible to enter the Menu and, in the camera settings subsection, choose among the following Program AE modes: Sports, Portrait, Low Light, Spotlight, and Surf/Snow. These are general settings in regard to specific situations, and inevitably, a well-informed user will be able to garner better image results when controlling the camera through manual settings rather than the presets. However, if a user doesn't understand manual controls very well, the Program AE mode does allow for a point-and-shoot user to become a little more accurate in their ability to control image capture. Automatic adjustments to focus and exposure perform in an average way, which is expected for a budget camcorder.

Modes

Overall Manual Control (4.5)

Manual control settings for the Panasonic PV-GS2 are almost entirely engaged by switching the Automatic/Manual slider to the Manual mode. Options available to the user when in this setting are White Balance, Shutter Speed, and Manual Iris Adjustment. When a Program AE setting has been put in place, only the White Balance and Focus settings are adjustable, along with Zoom, which is adjustable whether or not the camera is in Automatic or Manual Mode. Manual settings are controlled by using the Rewind, Fast Forward, and Enter buttons on the four-way controller. Their small size makes fast and simple adjustments impossible.

Zoom (7.0)

The zoom lever located on the top of the camera body allows the user to access wide angle settings if pressed left, and telephoto settings if pressed right. The optical zoom setting for this camera is 22x, with digital zoom up to 800x – an entirely pointless extreme, since the image quality will be so degraded that your image will be rendered unrecognizable.

Focus (3.0)

Manual focus for the Panasonic PV-GS2 is engaged by sliding the Automatic/Manual slider to the Manual setting and then pressing the Rewind and Fast Forward buttons to sharpen and soften the overall focal quality of the image. To reset, slide the Automatic/Manual slider to the Automatic setting. Budget camcorders usually have such button-based focus, which doesn’t really offer too much control; however, for the point-and-shoot crowd, manual focus isn’t high on the priority list.

Exposure (Aperture) (5.0)

Manual Exposure/Aperture settings can be accessed by sliding the Automatic/Manual slider to the Manual position and pressing the enter button until the F Number option is highlighted. The manual will refer to these settings as the Manual Iris Adjustment, something that first time users should note. Once entered, the User can choose between f/16 - f/2 for closed, and OP +18dB for open. The positive decibel value that is attached represents the degree of gain; if the setting is too high, the image quality will be degraded.

*Shutter Speed (4.0) *

For the Panasonic PV-GS2, shutter speed can be adjusted by switching the Automatic/Manual slider to the Manual setting, and then pressing the Enter button until the Shutter settings symbol appears on the LCD screen. The range for shutter speeds in Tape Recording mode is 1/60-1/8000 sec. In Card Recording mode, the speed range is 1/60-1/500s, with the standard shutter speed being 1/60 sec..

Control Options

White Balance (6.5)

The White Balance settings for the Panasonic PV-GS2 are accessed by sliding the Automatic/Manual switch to Manual, and then pressing the Enter button situated in the center of the four-way controller, allowing the user to choose a White Balance setting by pressing the Rewind and Fast Forward buttons. The following White Balance icons will appear on the LCD screen: Automatic White Balance, the White Balance previously set manually, Outdoor Mode, and Indoor Mode.

Gain (3.0)

Gain can, like Exposure, be set under the Manual Iris Adjustment and can be adjusted from open to +18dB. If the rating is too high, the overall image quality will be compromised.

**Still Performance ***(3.0)*

When in Still Performance mode, the same set of controls used to access Manual Settings when in Video Mode are used when capturing to the Memory Card. By sliding the Automatic/Manual slider to Manual, the user can control Manual Focus, White Balance, Shutter Speed, and Manual Iris settings. It is possible to record still images to Memory Card when shooting in Tape Recording Mode, along with the more standard Card Recording Mode. Picture Playback mode allows the user to view garnered images in either a slide show or multi-up format. Picture Quality settings of Fine, Normal, and Economy are available, along with title creator and Burst Mode shooting. Still Images are recorded in a 640 x 480 pixel JPEG format. It is possible to record still images from card to tape; just set the Mode Dial to Picture Playback Mode and display the first image, then press the photo shot button. During the copying of images, the LCD screen will display the phrase, "now recording" at the bottom of the frame.

**VCR Mode ***(5.5)*

VCR Mode for the Panasonic PV-GS2 is accessed by placing the camera in the Playback mode setting symbolized by the green "play" insignia surrounded by a green square. When in this mode, it is possible to review previously captured video and audio footage, along with adding digital effects like picture-within-picture and wipes. Other options are available if the user chooses to use the auxiliary remote, sold separately.

**Low Light Performance ***(4.6)*

We tested the PV-GS2’s performance under 60 lux, a light level slightly below normal indoor lighting, and at 15 lux, which is dimmer than 60 lux but still has more than enough luminosity for the naked eye to discern.

Image Parameters

At 60 lux, the image is fairly consistent in the color reproduction, although the yellow is a bit green, and the overall saturation of the warm portion of the scale is dulled and washed out with a white influence occurring in the red and yellow portions. The grayscale at 60 lux is even, with the darkest bar nearly reaching black, although the light side of the scale has a light pink tone, and never reaches a true brilliant white.

At 15 lux, the colors are extremely darkened and barely discernible. Without an LED light, the user is forced into shooting only in well-lit situations, a demand that is not always possible or feasible. This alone makes the camera a poorer choice for most users, unless you feel like carrying a flashlight in your other hand.

All in all, you cannot expect superb low light performance from the PV-GS2 because of its small imager and low effective video pixels. For its price, the Panasonic PV-GS2 offers mediocre video quality.

**LCD/ Viewfinder ***(5.5)*

The LCD for the Panasonic PV-GS2 is a 2.5-inch screen that opens from a tab located at the bottom of the housing. Once opened, the hinge that connects the screen to the camera body feels, like many of the hinges located on this camera, as though its construction is neither sturdy nor of the highest quality. The screen can be turned on a central axis and can return to its recessed position, with the LCD screen facing inwards or outwards. Both positions lock securely in place. The LCD solarizes when viewed from an angle.

Connectivity / Extras

The viewfinder is an electronic black-and-white model that can only be used properly in point-and-shoot recording, due to manual features masked by the LCD screen.

**Audio ***(5.0)*

There is a stereo paired microphone located on the front face of the camera body, and a speaker located underneath the LCD Monitor on the left side. The A/V out port located beneath the microphone can also double as a headphone port. There is no external mic port, and the user must either rely on another audio recording device separate from the camcorder, or suffer through the audio quality of an in-camera microphone.

**Handling ***(6.0)*

With its small, tightly contained buttons, the physical constraints alone make handling the Panasonic PV-GS2 tedious. With most manual control and playback options located under the LCD screen, the viewfinder is, for the most part, rendered useless. The small body, while light and easy to hold, makes such features as the Zoom lever seem misplaced, forcing my fingers back and forth awkwardly when I am using the hand strap. Also, the buttons located under the LCD screen are not the fast-access manual controls a user would presumably desire; instead, they are such features as Soft Skin Mode, Magic Pix Mode, and Backlight Mode. The only nearby manual control option is the Focus switch, forcing the user to otherwise constantly re-enter the onscreen menu, making expedient and concise control changes nearly impossible.

**Ports ***(7.0)*

Overall Impressions

Located on the front of the camera body, beneath a port cover at the base, the user will find the A/V out / Headphone port for the Panasonic PV-GS2. The DV in/out port and USB ports are nearly inaccessible on the right side of the camera body, in a horrible position with the hand strap blocking functionality and ease of use. Both port covers feel as if their connection to the camera body is tenuous, and like they might be easily broken during daily usage. Finally, located under the LCD monitor on the left side and opened via a switch located directly forward of it, is the Memory Card Slot. The cover for this feature is slightly opaque and a rich royal blue.

**Other Features ***(5.0)*
*Simultaneous Still and Motion Record Capability *

It is possible to record still images when capturing Audio/Video footage, when the Panasonic PV-GS2 is in Tape Recording Mode. During recording the user merely presses the Photo Shot button located directly behind the Zoom lever on the top of the camcorder button. The image will be captured to the Memory Card.

*Digital Image Stabilizer *

This feature on the Panasonic PV-GS2 is engaged, like most of the additional features, by entering the onscreen LCD Menu, then scrolling down until the EIS feature is highlighted and turned on. The user will be able to capture video shot under rough or uneven conditions more smoothly. However, this feature will affect color quality in fluorescent light, may leave afterimages, and may not work with digital zoom when recording with a conversion lens, or in dimly lit situations in general.

Wind Noise Reduction 

This feature reduces the amount of wind hitting the microphone during recording, acting as a sort of EQ, although overall sound quality will be compromised.

*Stereo Zoom Microphone *

The Stereo Zoom Microphone on the Panasonic PV-GS2 works with the visual zoom control on the top of the camera body. This feature allows the user to enhance more distant sounds. Excessive noise in the rest of the scene will negate this slightly amusing feature.

Rapid Fire Consecutive Photo Shoot

By pressing the Photo Shot button, still pictures can be recorded in half-second intervals until released or until ten images are recorded.

Widescreen Mode

There is no Widescreen Mode format available on the Panasonic PV-GS2.

MPEG

The Panasonic PV-GS2 records only JPEG images on the Memory Card, with Motion JPEG format available when the camcorder is used as a webcam.

Analog to Digital Pass-Through

There is no analog to digital pass-through option available on the Panasonic PV-GS2.

Conclusion

Comparisons

The Panasonic PV-GS2 has a 22x optical zoom, a 1/6-inch 680K CCD, a black-and-white electronic viewfinder, and a 1.5-inch LCD screen. It retails for around US $285. It has USB and FireWire / DV in/out ports, and an internal microphone. The periwinkle color and matte black plastic body make the camera feel even cheaper than its budgeted price, and many of the buttons and port covers felt as though constant use would cause them to break. It does have a 22X optical zoom, and its fairly lightweight and compact body make it quite portable.

Panasonic PV-GS9

The Panasonic PV-GS9 ships with a 1/6-inch CCD and 680 pixels, with 20x optical zoom and an 800x digital zoom. It does have a 16:9 aspect mode, but all in all, performs similarly to the PV-GS2 and the PV-GS12 in low light and bright light video situations.

Panasonic PV-GS12

This camera retails for approximately US $399.95, and has a slightly lower optical zoom rating of 20x. It also has a 1/6-inch 680K CCD, and its built-in LED light makes it more functional under low light than the PV-GS2. It weighs in the same as the GS2, with practically the same physical design layout and the same tacky periwinkle color. It has the same 2.5-inch LCD screen and black-and-white viewfinder. In lighting tests, the Panasonic PV-GS12 has an overall lack of brilliance in its colors, much like the PV-GS2, and the yellow and blue are both compromised, with a large jump between the two lightest tones in the gray bar. In the lower light situations of 60 and 15 lux, the focus is gone on the image and, although tonal integrity is fairly even, it is dark, with over-saturation occurring in the warm color bars, and the color at 15 lux being dull.

JVC GR-D33

The JVC GR-D33 has been found online at US $349. It has a 1/6th-inch-thick 680K CCD and a 16x optical zoom rating. The camera is fairly accurate at 3000 lux in both saturation and color accuracy, with a slight blue tinge to certain areas of the color test, and a bit of bleed through occurring on the cool side of the color chart. However, the focus is still strong at this lighting level. In lower lighting levels, the JVC actually performed fairly well for its price, and does a better job with color over the Panasonic PV-GS2, with the warm colors staying stronger, and more accurate, although there is more and more bleed through in the greens. The focus by 15 lux has become almost entirely compromised.

Samsung SCD103

The Samsung SCD103 has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, a black-and-white viewfinder, and an 18x optical zoom. It can record to both tape and memory card, with MPEG4 format used when recording video to the memory card. It has a 1/6-inch 680K CCD, and a retail price of approximately US $300. In lighting tests at 3000 lux, the color bars lacked clarity and brilliance with a fair amount of blurring and noise occurring overall. In low light conditions, the camera performed even worse; the gain was out of control at 15 lux, with bleed through occurring throughout the chart, and the grayscale lost all specificity between the bars. It does have an LED light, unlike the Panasonic PV-GS2.

Canon ZR80

Although higher in price, I included this camera to give a comparison for the consumer. First of all, there is no SD memory card available, although it does have a 1/6th-inch 680K CCD and a 2.5-inch LCD. The overall color at 3000 is strong, though a bit dull, with low light levels producing a higher level of gain and noise with most if not all of the saturation and color brilliance absent.

With all of these cameras, lighting quality and overall shooting accuracy is fairly uneven. In general, the consumer would be better off buying a slightly more expensive camera that would allow them more manual control and much better image quality with focus, color accuracy, and saturation levels.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters (5.0)

The Panasonic PV-GS2 is probably best suited for the point-and-shooter, especially those users with a tight budget and little to no need for manual control, aesthetic design, or add-on features.

Budget Consumers *(8.0)*

For the budget consumer, I suppose this camera makes sense, if only considering its low price. However, with poor handling ability, awkward control placement, a black-and-white viewfinder, and plenty of other downfalls, the Panasonic PV-GS2 really only makes sense if money, and not quality, is the major concern.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid *(3.0)*

While this camera functions as a hybrid model, and has the capability to record still images during video/audio recording, this camera would only be a logical choice for a budget consumer wanting a point-and-shoot model. It is fairly simple to switch between modes, and there are manual options; however, better quality cameras are available without spending too much more money.

Gadget Freaks *(2.0)*

This camera is a stripped-down, basic, point-and-shoot model. The gadget freak, I am afraid, would be sorely disappointed in the lack of features and intrigue, with few to no options available to impress even your most gullible of friends.

Manual Control Freaks *(2.0)*

With the manual control options secreted away inside the recessed LCD portion of the camera body, there is no way that the manual control freak, wanting instantaneous and immediate control changes, is going to be pleased with this camera. The hassle of finding the features is enough to deter, and the small button size made my fingers feel fat, so even when found, the features were hard to control. Constantly having to scan the menu using the Fast Forward, Rewind, and Enter buttons with their petite size quickly became arduous.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists*(1.0)*

There is really no good reason for the pro or serious hobbyist to purchase the Panasonic PV-GS2, unless a cruel practical joke is in order.

Conclusion

The Panasonic PV-GS2 retails for US $285 on the low end, and has a 22x optical zoom and a 1/6-inch 680K CCD. It has a 2.5-inch color LCD screen, and a black-and-white electronic viewfinder. It has both Memory Card and MiniDV recording ability. With its low price, this camera is best suited, or at least intended, for the first-time budget camcorder consumer. However, its port placement is really pretty bad, and the overall design makes little to no sense at times. I spent a fair amount of the testing time worrying that I was about to snap off a piece of the camcorder body in my hand. The low price of this camera is reflected in the quality of its manufacturing. The user will, I believe, get what they pay for.

The color performance in strong light was fairly successful, although when it entered low light situations, the camcorder suffered, with colors bleeding and becoming overly darkened with a high level of gain and noise. Without an LED light on the camera, shooting in most conditions becomes worrisome, unless brilliant and strong lighting is constantly present. However, the PV-GS2 does perform, as do the PV-GS12 and PV-GS9, surprisingly better than some of the more expensive Sony camcorders in low light situations. So, if budget is a big issue for the user, perhaps this camera will work. That said, I would highly recommend saving more money and finding a way to buy a camera that will last longer, have better recording options and formats, manual control, design construction, and overall quality.