Performance

We were not able to do extensive analysis of the GS500 at CES. A more thorough assessment of the technical features will be conducted when we can get a unit to run through our standardized tests. However, because of identical imager specs there is little to indicate that the GS500 would not perform as well as its predecessor, which is to say very, very well. Video in the widescreen mode is now a pleasure to watch on the new 2.7 inch widescreen format LCD.  The GS500 widens its field of view in widescreen mode just like the GS400.  This differentiates widescreen mode on the GS500 from the next 3 CCD model down, the GS300, which crops and zooms its widescreen image.

**Low Light Performance
**Although we could not carefully measure the low light sensitivity of the GS500, there is no reason for it to differ from the GS400’s. The minimum light sensitivity of the GS400 is 12 lux. Panasonic lists a low light sensitivity of 0 lux for the GS500 in MagicPix mode; 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 in MagicPix mode.

Format

Compression

The PV-GS500 records a 25 Mbps interleaved audio and video stream using the DV codec. DV is compressed about 500 percent (5:1).

Media

The GS500 uses MiniDV tapes for recording video and SD media for recording stills. A 16MB SD card is provided with the camcorder.

Editing

For editing, Panasonic supplies two different applications. MotionDV Studio 5.6LE permits capture and editing of DV. MotionDV studio can capture video over DV (FireWire/iLink) or USB 2.0 high speed and edit it in either normal or widescreen aspect ratios. A new application for beginners called Quick Movie Magic (Sweet Movie Life outside North America) makes it easy to edit using onscreen guidance. The software is compatible with Windows XP SP2.

Tour

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**The Front
**The most prominent feature on the front of the GS500 is the 12x optical and 700x digital zoom, optically image stabilized lens which uses a 43mm filter thread. The lens iris has a range of f/1.6 to f/16 and the shutter ranges from 1/60 to 1/8000 in video. Lens focal length ranges from 3.3mm at full wide to 39.6mm at 12X zoom.  These focal lengths equate to 35mm equivalents of 44.5-534mm (4:3 video), 41.3-496mm (widescreen video), 37.6-451mm (4:3 stills) and 41-492mm (16:9 stills). To the left of the lens is the photoflash, which protrudes forward enough to become a nuisance for anyone who wants to add filters or conversion lenses larger than 52mm. In addition, when the stock hood is removed, the focus ring extends beyond the body of the lens enough so it will interfere with stepup rings or conversion lenses with barrel diameters larger than 52mm.  These design decisions will make adding lens accessories more problematic. The zoom microphone has been moved from the top of the camcorder as on the GS400 to directly below the lens.  This microphone position can be susceptable to hand noise when cradling the camcorder in the left hand.

The Right Side

The GS500 shoots video to MiniDV tapes and, as typical for Panasonic camcorders, the tape drive is located under the shooter’s right hand when holding the camcorder. Helping secure the shooter's hand is a standard, adjustable Panasonic hand strap. At the front of the right side, under a rubber cover, are the analog A/V-out and external microphone/wired remote jacks. Notably missing from these ports is a headphone jack. Users who want to shoot video while recording audio with an external microphone will have to rely on the audio level display on the LCD to ensure that audio is being recorded. Unfortunately, the audio level display does not indicate if both channels of stereo audio are being recorded. So, it is possible to lose an audio channel but not know it, since you can't listen to the audio as you record. Toward the rear of the right side is the speaker.

The Back

At the top of the back is the electronic viewfinder (EVF). The EVF can be pulled back and tilted upward about 60 degrees. To the right of the EVF is a sliding power switch. The quick start mode is still available as a menu option and is activated via the power switch. Below the power switch is the button that activates the menu selections on the LCD. Below and to the right of the menu button is the mode dial and joystick control. The mode dial maintains Panasonic's standard modes of record (video), playback (video), record (stills), playback (stills), and PC (USB mode for transferring stills). The joystick is conveniently located so it can be manipulated with the right thumb. The joystick control has proved to be very convenient as compared to the cruciform rocker that was used on the GS400. Below and to the left of the joystick is the record/pause button. Then, to the left and below the EVF is the battery. Beginning with last year's models, batteries are interchangeable across the entire Panasonic 3 CCD line.

The Left Side

The most prominent feature on the left side is the 2.7-in. LCD. The LCD rotates outward from the body of the camcorder 90 degrees, then can be rotated around its horizontal axis 180 degrees so people in front of the camcorder can see themselves. Also, in MagicPix mode (Panasonic’s low light mode), the LCD can act as a dim light to provide some illumination for darkly lighted scenes. Note that with the LCD docked into its recess, there are no buttons or switches for activating functions, leaving the body very sleek and smooth. When the LCD is opened, the auto-manual-focus switch, power LCD switch, reset pushbutton, and the DV and USB 2.0 high speed ports are revealed. On the bottom of the left side, under the LCD recess, is the SD card slot.

The Top

On the right front of the top of the camcorder is the latch for opening the tape transport clamshell. When the clamshell is opened, the tape transport elevates and opens to permit inserting or removing a MiniDV tape.  The speed of the transport mechanism has been enhanced over the GS400's. Further back and just before the EVF eyepiece is the intelligent, powered accessory shoe. To the right of the accessory shoe and a little further toward the rear is the zoom/volume control slider. Right behind the zoom slider is the Photoshot pushbutton.

Auto / Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control***
**Automatic Control*

Automatic controls on the PV-GS500 are the same as the GS400. When shooting video, the shutter is fixed at 1/60 second and iris/gain is adjusted by the camcorder's electronic sensors as necessary to maintain exposure. Although gain can be adjusted manually up to 18dB for extremely low light conditions, the automatic mode limits gain to a maximum of 15dB. White balance is adjusted automatically for most lighting conditions. Focus is also automatic.

Overall Manual Control

Users have manual control over most frequently adjusted camcorder functions like iris, shutter, focus, zoom, audio level, flash brightness, and white balance. Except for focus, which can be controlled by the manual ring, other functions are adjusted via a menu setting. I found the manual controls to be limiting as compared to the GS400. The GS400 made some manual controls such as iris and shutter more accessible through external push-buttons.  While the joystick menus are relatively convenient, I felt constrained by the menu system.  If you are one who tends to keep the camcorder in manual so you can tweak the shooting parameters, the GS500 will frustrate. If you are primarily a point and shooter, you may not miss the extra convenience the GS400 offered at all.

Zoom

The GS500 has a 12x optical zoom and a 700x digital zoom. Digital zoom can also be limited to 30X via a menu option.

Focus

In automatic control, focus is adjusted by the camcorder's electronic sensors. In manual, the user may select to adjust focus with the manual ring.

*Exposure (Aperture) *

The iris can be adjusted for apertures from f/1.6 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 1/2 to 1/2000 of a second.

White Balance

The PV-GS500 has 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 allows compensation for a wider range of color temperatures.

Gain

As light levels drop and the iris can no longer open wider, gain may be employed to brighten the scene. The PV-GS500 allows the user to set up to 18dB of gain in 1dB increments.  The display updates changes in gain in 3dB increments.

Still Features

Still Features

The PV-GS500 shoots stills to an SD card. Still pictures may be shot in sizes of 2288x1728, 1600x1200, 1280x960, and 640x480 pixels. Also, a 1280 x 960 size still may be taken while recording video. A new feature on this year's camcorders is the ability to shoot widescreen stills.  The GS500 shoots a 3 and .2 megapixel still in widescreen. Shutter speeds in still mode range from 1/2 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

Because the camcorders were attached to display mounts, it was difficult to determine how the GS500 would really feel in the hand. However, it is very similar to the GS250 in size and weight. So, it should handle similarly.  I found the GS500 to be comfortable to hold.  Users with small hands will like this size. The next models down GS300 and GS180 are even smaller and will definitely appeal to those users who are seeking a sub-compact camcorder. 

When the GS500 is cradled in the right hand, the zoom slider and photoshot button are directly under the index finger where they should be.  The right thumb can easily access the joystick control for setting functions like fade and MagicPix. The record/pause button is right next to the joystick control and is also easily accessible with the right thumb. 

Manual focus adjust is accomplished by using the left hand to rotate the focus ring while cradling the GS500 in the right hand. Because the microphone is placed directly below the focus ring, users will have to exercise caution when rotating the focus ring to ensure hand noise is not picked up by the microphone.

LCD/Viewfinder

The color LCD on the PV-GS500, at 2.7 inches, is smaller than the GS400's 3.5-inch screen but now displays widescreen video in the correct 16:9 aspect ratio. Normal aspect ratio video (4:3) is pillar boxed (vertical black bars on either side) when displayed. The LCD display offers the user a visual indication of which aspect ratio the camcorder is shooting in because it mirrors the aspect ratio.  If the camcorder is in 4:3 mode, the display is also.  In widescreen mode, the display is widescreen. This is a nice bit of ergonomic engineering that helps users keep track of their shooting modes.

Panasonic has always provided a lot of information on its screens and the GS500 continues that tradition. The degree of information displayed is selectable in the menus. The EVF is also in color and functions similarly to the EVF on the GS400. The EVF eyepiece may be withdrawn to allow positioning the eye away from the battery that protrudes from the back of the camcorder. It also tilts upward about 60 degrees to provide further flexibility for shooting those awkward upward angles or for shooting while cradling the camcorder at chin level.

Audio / Playback / Connectivity

Audio

The GS500 continues to use Panasonic's zoom stereo microphone system to capture audio. Users may select either 12 bit or 16 bit resolution. There is also a 3.5mm stereo microphone jack for attaching an external unbalanced microphone. When the external microphone jack is used, the internal microphones are disconnected. Audio input either from the microphone jack or the internal microphones may be manually controlled via menu options. When audio level is set to auto, the camcorder uses automatic gain control (AGC) to adjust audio level. In addition to the auto option, users may choose to adjust the setpoint for level (SET in the menu) with the aid of AGC or with no AGC. There is a small speaker on the right rear of the camcorder for listening to the audio recorded. Audio volume during playback is controlled with the zoom slider control on the top rear of the camcorder.

VCR Mode

Panasonic calls its VCR mode "tape playback mode." Tape playback mode is the operating mode used for viewing the video recording from the tape on the LCD or via the A/V cable on a TV set. In addition, tape playback mode is used for copying the video to a computer over either DV (Firewire or iLink) or USB cables. Users may play, pause, fast forward, fast preview, fast reverse, fast reverse preview, and stop playback using the joystick control.

Ports

The PV-GS500 has DV, USB 2.0 high speed, A/V-out, and a shared microphone/wired remote ports.

Other Features

Other Features
*AGS - *Panasonic has included a new feature on this year's 3 CCD camcorders with OIS. They call it AGS. Basically, AGS is an intelligent sensor that detects, from the camcorder's position or from a period of no motion, when a user forgets to stop recording and places the camcorder in standby. This detection minimizes wastage of tape and battery charge. AGS is turned off by default but may be activated via a menu selection.

Comparisons / Conclusion

Conclusion

The PV-GS500 is not the enthusiast's camcorder that the GS400 was. However, it should appeal to those looking for the major features that made the GS400 so recognized as a top standard definition camcorder. The smaller size and under $1000 retail price will also be attractive to many. Considering the quality of video that can be produced with the GS400, the GS500 looks to provide high quality at a good price. What remains to be seen is what Panasonic intends to do about the video enthusiasts whose purchases made the GS400 a camcorder legend. The reality of the market is that if Panasonic had come out with a $1,300 or $1,400 replacement for the PV-GS400 and kept it MiniDV, it would have failed horribly against HD camcorders at that same price point. Instead, they decided to drive down the price. However, if Panasonic waits too long to address the concerns of advanced shooters, many will move to other manufacturers and may not be easily drawn back with whatever Panasonic comes up with to scratch their videographing itch.