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PV-GS320 vs PV-GS500 assistance please?

B

bloodycape

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 18, 2005
1,373
0
California
I am looking to purchase one of these two Panasonic cameras in the upcoming weeks, and I am not sure which one to go for. Is the extra $150(from what I have seen) worth it for the PV-GS500? I just want something that has solid amount of features, but at the same time can be relatively easy to use. What advantages does the PV-GS500 have over the PV-GS320 and vice versa.

Video quality I want to have a nice(average) quality in all lighting situations. Nothing that is too over saturated. The key thing here would be a clean Black & White performance. External support for a relatively bright light would be cool and since both have a hot-shoe that should not be an issue?

For sound I want something that will have good quality in recording the voice of actors/actress speaking. External mic support would be nice, but not key.

Size is not an issue, but how light a camera is can be factored into the decision.

I would go for the PV-GS400, but I can't find one in this price range($375-$600).

BTW what is the lowest price the PV-GS500 and PV-GS320 are going for? Also is the PV-GS320 better than the older PV-GS300? I would say yes since it has flash?

Recommendations are welcome. Thank you.
 
I have, but it seemed like they were not too fond of the PV-GS500. Then again it seemed like they were comparing it with the PV-GS400. Does anyone know by any chance what the lowest price on this model is?
 
bloodycape said:
I have, but it seemed like they were not too fond of the PV-GS500. Then again it seemed like they were comparing it with the PV-GS400. Does anyone know by any chance what the lowest price on this model is?
Click to expand...

The average is $700-750 on Amazon but you might try B&H Photo in NY to see what they have for a $$. I have seen video from the GS500 and it is great. Not sure how it stacks up with the Canon HV-20 but it doesn't matter since you are trying to narrow it down between the two Panny's.
I know the fact that I couldn't add a mic to the GS320 made my choice easy for me but if it had that feature I found it on sale for a great price. An extra $150 for video that will be great for the future is a good deal but the GS500 has more features for that $150 to not snag it if you find an awesome deal.
Good luck :D
 
I thought I remember reading in a review that the PV-GS500 did not have support for an external mic? Is this true? Also, is there maybe a Panasonic model that is maybe in between these two models? I know there is a PV-GS400, but from what I read that is better than the PV-GS500 and cost at least $900 on ebay.


I was looking at Canon, but I did not like their menu interface, which is really odd as I really love my Canon cameras and their menu interface. Is the Canon that much of a better camera? What about the Canon HV10 is that any good?
 
So between the PV-GS500 vs. the PV-GS250 vs. the Canon HV10 which is a better product? Which offers better quality of audio and video. Do any of these models support external mic? Which is easier to use? Thank you.
 
I think in comparing the GS500 and the HV10 you're not really looking at apples and apples. Especially since the HV10 is high-def and the GS500 is not. There are a few kludges online that will walk you through adding external mics and sound monitoring to the GS500 (since these were features that got taken away that were available in the GS400).

However, if you're going to spring for an HV10, I'd say save your pennies a few more months and get the HV20. It's true that editing the footage is a bit more of a system resource hog, but my gods it is beautiful. I was going to buy a video camera last year (2006) and the GS500 was my top choice at the time, but unforeseen financial needs delayed this purchase until this year, at which time I bought a HV20 in August.

I've never been happier with any camera I've ever used, and that includes the $3K plus SD Panasonic that's a few years old at work. Especially since I fall right in the target demographic of users for the HV20 - it really is a prosumer model, not something that I would expect full-on professional features for my personal use, and you really get your money's worth.

But yeah, the Canon menu structure is a little weird, and the placement and size of a few control items on the HV20 seems awkward. But these are relatively small complaints for me.
 
My HV20 records beautiful images in HD. SD too. In good light.
Every single chip camera sucks in bad light regardless of what the companies tell you.

I don't know enough to recommend it, but I'd take a REALLY close look at the Panny S5. It's a small 3-chip camera that is smaller than the HV20 and takes really impressive images.

I can easily recommend the HV20, but I'd look into the S5 before taking the dive.

Don't skimp on your camera. For a few hundred more, these cameras are in a whole different league, though great bang 4 your buck.
 
Well I would save my money but I am purchasing this as a gift for a friend, which his birthday is 5 days before like thanks giving. Well according to camcorderinfo.com the PV-GS500 has a mic port, which I assume is is for an external mic.

I have narrowed it down to between the PV-GS250 and the PV-GS500. Which is better and or more feature filled? Would love to get the Canon HV20, but that is more than what I want to spend. Both of these I Panny models from what I have quickly seen can be had for $630 or less. Unless someone can show me one for close to that price? The HV10 looks really nice, but for some reason I am not fond of the menu system or the controls, which is odd(and a shame) since I think Canon has some of the better menu systems and controls on their camera's. Thank you.

BTW the S5 is a AVCHD camera, which I want to avoid.
 
Okay so I decided on the Panasonic PV-GS250. Now where would I be able to get one? I have checked ebay, but I rather not get it from there. Is there any other place I can look to get one? Thank you.
 
Your money...

but I would suggest that you NOT buy used electronics/computers. Just my $0.02. It's not worth the risk/time/effort/aggravation.

How much is your time and peace of mind worth?
 
I guess the question that comes to mind is if your in the states or not? I gave a few places to look in post #4 with ratings on sellers and a separate place that people seem to love as well. You could also try some local shops or try a google search yourself for that model.
If your not then I'm not sure where to look for an honest vendor as the one you link to raises both eyebrows and not in a good way :cool:

Good luck :)
 
I am in the states California to be exact. B&H prices are competitive but more than I can afford. I don't want to go over $600, seen a few going for 600 open box but I am not quick enough to get it. Is that vendor I posted reliable? Anyone? Thank you.
 
I can't help on price, but these videos helped me decide on the 500 over the 300 when I was choosing between the two.

http://www.pana3ccduser.com/showthread.php?t=7899

I noticed the 500 was sharper overall, had better low light performance and seemed to give a better indication of depth.

I would also go for a new one over a used, as there are a lot of moving parts in a DV camcorder. The previous owner may have been heavy handed.

The 500 is a very light bit of kit.
 
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