Panasonic PV-GS180 2.3MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

Panasonic PV-GS180 2.3MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

Panasonic's PV-GS180 MiniDV Camcorder delivers quality imaging for the novice and expert videographer alike. It's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but it's big on innovative new features. For example, its 10x optical and 700x digital zoom will provide you with sharp, detailed images that show incredible depth and presence. The Panasonic lens captures and finely renders nuances of light and shade. Electronic Image Stabilization(EIS) provides you with perfect pictures and video. The 2.3-megapixel CCD gives photographers the best that camcorder technology has to offer. Records to SD card Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port MiniDV output Unit Dimensions - approx. 3 (h) x 3 (w) x 5 (d) Unit Weight - 0.93 lbs.

Product Details

Amazon Sales Rank: #3058 in Camera & Photo

Brand: Panasonic

Model: PVGS180

Dimensions: 2.00 pounds

Display size: 2.5

Features

10x optical zoom, 700x digital zoom

Macro Zoom lets users shoot extreme close-ups at distances as near as 40cm

2.3 megapixel CCD delivers superior still picture capability

Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) compensates for hand & camcorder movement

Soft Skin Detail creates a realistic skin tone

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Editorial Reviews

Manufacturer Description
The Panasonic PV-GS180 3CCD Ultra-Compact Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder with 2.3 Megapixel Still Picture Recording features advanced optical technology that makes Leica Camera AG a legend in the camera world is fully reflected in the 12-element, multi-coated Leica Dicomar lens. With its crisp detail, subtle rendering, and smooth, natural imaging -- all Leica hallmarks -- this lens can take you to the limits of your visual imagination.

Superior color, detail and gradation: 3CCD camera system
Most professional broadcasting cameras use the 3CCD system. In a 1CCD system, all of the incoming light information is processed by the same CCD. The more advanced 3CCD system uses three distinct CCDs for processing, so there is absolutely no light loss. You can see the results in beautifully rendered images with vivid color, fine detail, and rich gradation.

Special high-performance imaging engine: Crystal engine

The Crystal Engine is a special image processing circuit for 3CCD camera systems. It processes the R, G and B signals from the three CCDs individually, so it gives both motion and still pictures exceptional quality.

Extremely beautiful still pictures: 2.3-Megapixel still picture recording
Both motion and still pictures are superb. Photos are so vivid and real, you can enjoy them as high-quality prints.

Pull distant subjects right up close: 10x optical zoom

Distant subjects can be enlarged so they appear to be right up close. This allows dynamic shots of both motion and still pictures.

Take beautiful stills without switching cameras: Simultaneous motion video and still picture recording (VGA)

You can snap off a still picture (VGA) while continuing to record motion pictures. You don't even have to change recording modes. The motion pictures are recorded onto tape, the still is recorded onto the SD Memory Card.

Stream DV data via USB
USB 2.0 compatibility lets you upload DV data to a PC at high-speed over a single USB cable. Video Class compatibility allows real-time transfer of DV motion picture data over the same USB cable. Video Class is a standard format that allows the real-time transfer of motion picture data over a USB cable.

MotionDV Studio 5.3 LE
MotionDV Studio 5.3 LE DV editing software is just the tool you need to make polished, smartly finished productions. It lets you load images into your PC for easy editing, add special effects, and dub in a soundtrack -- all from a single, easy-to-understand screen.

Web camera function
With the camera connected via USB cable to a PC, start up Windows Messenger and the camera instantly turns into a web camera. Ideal for teleconferencing over the Internet, or for surveillance camera use.

One-touch navigation & joystick control

The joystick makes the camera much easier to use, letting you control all basic operations with one hand. As you shoot, just watch the image in the monitor and follow the instruction guide. You can handle a number of operations quickly and easily, without even taking your eye off the subject.

1.7-second quick start
This Quick Start mode helps shoot videos on the spur of the moment. This mode lets you shoot those not-to-be-missed scenes just 1.7 seconds from the time the power is turned on.

0 Lux Color Night View with Light Panel for shooting in total darkness
Designed for shooting in total darkness, this function shoots four frames per second using the LCD monitor as a light source. Pictures are clear and sharp thanks to the hand-shake compensation provided by the O.I.S. Light from the LCD is gentle and easy on the eyes, so you can snap shots of sleeping children without waking them up.

Color Night View for shooting in dim light.
Color Night View gives you smoothly flowing pictures even in dark places, where it's normally difficult to capture good shots.

The MiniDV Format
MiniDV, the most common type of digital camcorder, records video using the standard DV-format. It's the preferred format for broadcast-quality video, and it is also highly regarded for its high audio and still image quality. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. Tapes come in lengths of 60 and 80 minutes at standard speed (SP), with use of lower speed mode (SP) increasing time to 90 and 120 minutes while reducing resolution.

What's in the Box:
Camcorder, lithium ion battery, remote control, AC adaptor, shoulder strap, AC cable, USB cable, DC cable, CD-ROM, lens cap.

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Customer Reviews

Great while it worked
This was a great camera while it worked. One day the power didn't come on despite a full battery. There is no way to eject the tape with the power off. It costs almost as much to repair it as to buy a new one - but in order to get your tape out ( assuming you were taping something important - like in my case a graduation) you have to send it in for repair and hope they return it.

This is a very poor design. When I researched the web for a way to take the tape out, it appears that this is a fairly common problem. The camera worked for around 18 months.

Great little camera
I have used this on interviews for my class projects, carried it around and took video of birds at a wildlife refuge and this camera has really performed.
The microphone picks up sounds really well. On interviews I didn't need an external mic, though there is a plug in for one. I even used it to record a particular bird at dawn one morning. The sound came through very well.
I like the fact I can record in wide screen or regular. The battery lasts for several hours of recording and recharges quickly.
The picture quality is excellent with the 3 chips. I'm not used to using a screen for photography of any kind, and with this one I can use the view finder. It's very light and easily carried on the strap around your neck.
Great camera, great price.

Works great for me...
The main reasons I bought this (now discontinued) model are: it has 3 ccd chips (great for color and detail, especially outdoors), it's size and feel, and the fact that it has an accessory shoe and mic input.

I use it for family videos, and for short videos for our church's youth group. The clarity is great, and the sound is good for such a small camcorder. The backlight compensation feature works great! Battery life is about average for the industry, I recommend buying a bigger Energizer brand battery.

The only gripes I have are: it doesn't have a true night-vision like Sony's Handycam, and you can't shoot in true widescreen (though there is a "widescreen mode", but it loses resolution.

Bottom line: the best features for the lowest price I could find on the market. Too bad Panasonic has discontinued this model, and replaced it with a 1 ccd model without a mic input!

Price: $488.00
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