I'm thinking about purchasing this 3 ccd video camera. I also looked at the Canon ZR 700. I know that these 2 video cameras can not be compared but I would like to get some feedback (the good & the bad) from anyone who owns either and would like to share.
TIA,
Erock
Panasonic PV-GS300
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BrianCee
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lancecarr
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Hi erock,
By all accounts the GS300 is very good 3ccd cam. There are other very good cams out there too!
Here's how I decided on the one I wanted and eventually bought AND was pleased with.
I went to camcorderinfo.com and browsed through the cams that were in my range regardless of my customer loyalty or what I heard at the watercooler bias etc. (Well as much as you can!) I then selected all the cams that, based on features alone, fitted my criteria. Then I cut and pasted the RAW scores that the reviewers gave each cam in testing and added them up. Now that part is important because at that site they "weight" the scores according to what THEY think the intended market to be, so a Sony "point and shooter" is not penalised so heavily for lack of manual control. I, however, do not believe that any of the reviewers at that site remain totally objective on these points. A good example is the review for the Panny GS500 that replaced the GS400. They LOVED the 400 so when the 500 came out with reduced features they really bagged the cam in the review yet the cam still holds the #3 spot overall behind the two Sony High Def cams so there ya go!
I added the raw scores of each cam BUT only chose those scores that I felt were important. Eg. I added "low light capability" because I knew I would get caught in a lot of indoor situations, I did not add "manual control" as I have an active 7 year old kid and there is no way I am going to get the cam set to shoot, I need to point and shoot fast! Get the idea?
Once you have all the raw scores that you feel apply to yourself then you can go to the review of the cams you are down to and read the review from the point of view of finding any deal breakers. Don't read the review from the point of view that the reviewer is going to give you good advice just look for any disasters being reported. That should take you down to the the final two or three cams and at that point go back to the numbers and go with the best score despite personal bias.
Hope that helps!
By all accounts the GS300 is very good 3ccd cam. There are other very good cams out there too!
Here's how I decided on the one I wanted and eventually bought AND was pleased with.
I went to camcorderinfo.com and browsed through the cams that were in my range regardless of my customer loyalty or what I heard at the watercooler bias etc. (Well as much as you can!) I then selected all the cams that, based on features alone, fitted my criteria. Then I cut and pasted the RAW scores that the reviewers gave each cam in testing and added them up. Now that part is important because at that site they "weight" the scores according to what THEY think the intended market to be, so a Sony "point and shooter" is not penalised so heavily for lack of manual control. I, however, do not believe that any of the reviewers at that site remain totally objective on these points. A good example is the review for the Panny GS500 that replaced the GS400. They LOVED the 400 so when the 500 came out with reduced features they really bagged the cam in the review yet the cam still holds the #3 spot overall behind the two Sony High Def cams so there ya go!
I added the raw scores of each cam BUT only chose those scores that I felt were important. Eg. I added "low light capability" because I knew I would get caught in a lot of indoor situations, I did not add "manual control" as I have an active 7 year old kid and there is no way I am going to get the cam set to shoot, I need to point and shoot fast! Get the idea?
Once you have all the raw scores that you feel apply to yourself then you can go to the review of the cams you are down to and read the review from the point of view of finding any deal breakers. Don't read the review from the point of view that the reviewer is going to give you good advice just look for any disasters being reported. That should take you down to the the final two or three cams and at that point go back to the numbers and go with the best score despite personal bias.
Hope that helps!
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heinz-oz
Well, about 2 years ago I bought the Panasonic GS 400. Never looked back.
How come you compare the Canon ZR 700 with the Panasonic? It's like comparing a Mini Minor with a London Taxi, Apples with Pears...
I don't get it. At least compare a 3 CCD with another 3 CCD. BTW, image quality also has to do with lens quality and low light capability with the size of the lens.
How come you compare the Canon ZR 700 with the Panasonic? It's like comparing a Mini Minor with a London Taxi, Apples with Pears...
I don't get it. At least compare a 3 CCD with another 3 CCD. BTW, image quality also has to do with lens quality and low light capability with the size of the lens.
Brian, Lancecarr & Heinz-oz,
thank you all for your feedback and ideas. I really appreciate it. Last night I came home with the GS300. I haven't had the time to test the cam's abilities (charged the battery & reading the manual so far) but I will put it through its paces this weekend.
I've read all the reviews at camcorderinfo (thanks lancecerr, especially the raw score idea ) and looked over the threads too but I always like to hear other opinions, from owners. I've been on the Ulead board for a number of years and I know I can rely on some members input. That's why I posted here.
Heinz-oz, I wasn't comparing or trying to compare the cams. Perhaps in my post, it was "lost in translation"
I only was listing my final 2 choices and wanted to hear from owners of each. The ZR700 was a possible because all sources pointed to good video (OK low light too), analog to digital pass through and 32X optical zoom. The GS300 is in a class by itself w/ 3 ccds, optical stabilization, external mic input, etc. but only had a 10X optical zoom. My wife was killing me on the zoom difference and price difference but I got her to see the light 
If your interested, I'll gladly post my humble opinion of the GS300 in a few days time. BTW, this cam is an upgrade. I've been using a Sony TRV120 (Digital Hi8) for years and years along with VS and thought it was time to take a step up and give myself a treat. The Sony takes very good and can't wait to see what the GS can do. I won't be retiring the Sony, it will be going to my 8 year old for a present.
Thanks again and best always and see ya in the VS thread!
Erock
thank you all for your feedback and ideas. I really appreciate it. Last night I came home with the GS300. I haven't had the time to test the cam's abilities (charged the battery & reading the manual so far) but I will put it through its paces this weekend.
I've read all the reviews at camcorderinfo (thanks lancecerr, especially the raw score idea ) and looked over the threads too but I always like to hear other opinions, from owners. I've been on the Ulead board for a number of years and I know I can rely on some members input. That's why I posted here.
Heinz-oz, I wasn't comparing or trying to compare the cams. Perhaps in my post, it was "lost in translation"
I only was listing my final 2 choices and wanted to hear from owners of each. The ZR700 was a possible because all sources pointed to good video (OK low light too), analog to digital pass through and 32X optical zoom. The GS300 is in a class by itself w/ 3 ccds, optical stabilization, external mic input, etc. but only had a 10X optical zoom. My wife was killing me on the zoom difference and price difference but I got her to see the light If your interested, I'll gladly post my humble opinion of the GS300 in a few days time. BTW, this cam is an upgrade. I've been using a Sony TRV120 (Digital Hi8) for years and years along with VS and thought it was time to take a step up and give myself a treat. The Sony takes very good and can't wait to see what the GS can do. I won't be retiring the Sony, it will be going to my 8 year old for a present.
Thanks again and best always and see ya in the VS thread!
Erock