In terms of video quality, manual controls and overall value, Panasonic's PV-GS500 is a hard camcorder to beat. In fact, despite a lower suggested retail price, the only disappointing thing about this top-of-the-line three-CCD MiniDV unit is that it doesn't quite measure up to the camcorder it is replacing, the excellent PV-GS400.

The good news is that the PV-GS500 delivers stunning video quality thanks to its three-CCD optical system, Leica Dicomar lens and effective optical image stabilization. Each CCD produces 700,000 effective pixels in 4:3 mode and 730,000 pixels in widescreen mode, and they enable the PV-GS500 to capture amazing images for a camcorder with an MSRP of $1,000. Colors are sharp and accurate, with low picture noise and excellent contrast.

The PV-GS500 offers a number of improved features over the PV-GS300, the next model down in Panasonic's current line of MiniDV camcorders. The optical zoom is larger at 12X, and the PV-GS500 has a manual focus ring and the previously mentioned widescreen recording mode. Digital stills up to 4 megapixels can be captured and saved to MiniDV tape or SD memory card at a maximum resolution of 2,288X1,728.

This DV camcorder offers an excellent array of manual controls. Focus can be manually adjusted via the focus ring, although it is no longer the ultrahandy dual focus and zoom control ring of the PV-GS400. The PV-GS500 also offers terrific manual controls for shutter speed, aperture, white balance and gain. While this will appeal greatly to manual control aficionados, the PV-GS500 also has a simple auto mode for point-and-shoot ease of use.

The PV-GS500 lacks the headphone jack and analog-to-digital passthrough of the PV-GS400. Despite the loss of these functions, however, the Panasonic PV-GS500 carries a substantially lower recommended price and continues to deliver video quality and manual controls that can't be beat in a standard-definition DV camcorder.


Pros: Three-CCD imaging delivers stunning video quality, excellent manual controls, relatively low price for a top-of-the-line model
Cons: Lacks features from the old PV-GS400, such as headphone jack, analog-to-digital passthrough and multicontrol ring

Warranty
90 days labor, 6 months CCD, 1 year other parts