Panasonic PV-GS9 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

ok

I used this camcorder for recording special family events like two to three times a year due to its excellent picture and audio quality. I will not use this camcorder for every day or regular use, so that way it will stay like new. What I like about this camcorder is that I don't need to use a Wide Angle Lens or Fish Eye Lens over it because the built in lens is wide enough. (On other camcorders, I really need to attach a wide angle or fish eye lens). All the features and on-screen display on this Panasonic camcorder works perfectly. I am completely satisfied with this camcorder, especially since I had this same model back in 2004 and it worked for thirteen years with regular use. I am very happy that I was able to find another one. What I dislike about this camcorder? Nothing!

I just reviewed so many cameras and thought this was the one!After my second one (did a exchange) I have to find a new camera. In low light and even average light situations there is these ghost like artifacts that follow the image! Very noisey and bad! If you move the camera up and down or left & right you can see this "double" image lagging and following! It almost looks like an "effect"! You only see it on a TV screen, not the EVF screen. My Sony hi8 looks 100x better! Out door light is pretty good though. I also own a Canon XL1 3 chip so I have higher standards I guess but I thought this was a lens defect (it can be seen "live") but after an exchange I can see that they're all the same and other people just don't notice or care.I wanted a good quality small camera for home use but I may just have to lug around my XL1!

I was so excited to get the camera. I had a lot of work I needed to do with it. I got all my equipment set up, then was so disappointed that the sound in the camera didn't work. I sent it back and got a refund. I would hope the vendors would make sure their products worked before they sent them.

I just bought it, and taste it in all modes, webcam, analog (TV) and downloading video in my PC using windows video maker. It works as publicity says. i dont recomend for pictures. i prefer my Digital camera. I pass too much troubles finding the software (I have a friend in a camera store and burn a disk to me) couse in internet doesnt exist do not expend time trying to find it. Video quality is perfect and zoom is ok max 100x. it doesnt have problems in low light. If you are planing to use for family, or other non profesional events... its really perfect, im planing to throw all my VHS recordings and start to store my familiy memories in CDs....oh i cant wait for it....about cables, i think i dont need firewire, cause it works good with USB,About Software you only need the CD for drivers becouse the programas are useless, i really do not understand why Panasonic do not include drivers with the camera (marketing?) their marketing manager must be fired, they are loosing a lot of points with that.I really recomend this camera and its variants (pvgs12, 15) it exceeds my expectings.

I have just finished recording my first videotape with the Panasonic PV-GS9 and would like to make the following comments.First, the camcorder is easy to use and is a basically a point and shoot camcorder.For the more discriminating users I would like to point out some of the shortcomings of the camera.1) I have found that the automatic focus is quite slow sometimes and sometimes would not work at all. I was photographing some hummingbirds up close and the camera would not focus on the feeder maybe because the color was white.2) Dark subjects came out overexposed rather than rendering the intense colors one would like to have gotten.3) Panasonic does not provide the software or cable to download to one's computer and it has been a real bitch trying to get the folks to respond to e-mail. I currently have three e-mails out to the service folks trying to find out how I might get the software. I received an answer to one e-mail directing me to a site where I could download the software but when I got there the link was a dead link. I have written three times about this and no one has answered my e-mails. Additionally, the e-mail with the dead link stated that the cable for downloading the movies to the computer "...is currently on back order with the factory for 4-6 weeks."I cannot imagine what one might do if something goes wrong with the camcorder.Despite the negatives I love the fact that I can get close up shots of birds from a safe distance without disturbing the birds and the camera will focus almost right at the edge of the lens. One could do close ups of ants if he wanted to. One really needs a tripod for the extended zooming range. You cannot hold this camera still at the 50X digital zoom.

I love this Camcorder. It is lightweight and easy to use. It has good clear pictures and sound. It even picks up birds sounds from the background. It is also easy to hook up to your TV so you can view what pictures you have taken and even make copies on a VHS/DVD player so you can share your trip or event with others as gifts. We take it on every vacation and relive each trip and it helps us remember just what really happend on our trips and we don't have to rely just on our memories. Even children can use the mini camcorder

beware of the low price, panasonic has managed to make the price so low ($350) because they don't give you any software for the computer (to transfer or to edit), and no cables for the computer. I can't believe they would neglet to put them in the box. Your better of with PVGS 15 as it comes with the software and a USB cable, the price is $500, but the software, cable, and still picture on sd make up the $150 price difference.