There are many small MiniDV Cams on the market, but it is my opinion the Panasonic, is one of the best for the price you will pay. First of all they offer a line of small 3 CCD Chip Cameras, which have many manual features, which can be controlled by the user. In addition to this with some effort they can be retrofitted with, different lenses from other cameras.
3 CCD chip configuration is important because it allows the camera to image each color separately, which allows the camera to produce better color images, similar to film. Most small video cameras are designed with one chip, giving them poor color performance. This is where the Panasonic Cameras stand out. Most of them come with still shot performance, and the also have many manual futures which allows you to adjust things like white balance, or gain giving you more control over the footage you shoot.
One thing I find disappointing is the discontinuing of the PV-GS 400, this in many opinions was the best Consumer rated Camcorder built, and it had many Pro Futures. It is a shame Panasonic decided to discontinue it. In fact this camera was probably in the league of many Prosumer Video Cams.
IF you plan on doing, just web video blogs, any of the Panasonic Line of cameras will be sufficient, and probably many others considering the video does not need to be super high quality. On the other hand if you are planning on doing some sort of movie work or producing a DVD, you will need a higher quality Camera, possibly a Prosumer version.
If you are forming a group to do on location, shooting meeting rooms or various locations, I would suggest, a camera, with some sort of still shot ability and, one where you don’t have to switch back and forth, with a long delay. The Panasonic PV-GS250
Has this ability.
Movie Making with a Video Camera
Making a movie with a video camera, requires a much higher quality of camera than simply producing a DVD or Video Web Blog.
Most Armature movies that are shot on video are shot with either the Cannon GL-2 or the Panasonic AG-DVX100A, the reason being that both of these cameras offer a true 24 frame rate just like 35mm film. And in fact the look of the finished video is very similar to film, and most people cant tell the difference between the two.
The lower end Panasonics do not offer a 24 frame rate, nor do the shoot in 16x9 Cinema Scope, although there is a way around the cinema Scope problem by fitting an Anamorphic Lens to the front of the camera. Do not trust the Wide screen options, offered on low-end cameras that say they produce 16x9 image because they lower the picture quality, it is better to simply find an Fit a Anamorphic Lens to your Video Camera if you want to shoot 16x9.
Panasonic PV-GS250
Review:
I have one of these cameras, and it is a great little Camera
Panasonic PV-GS300
Review:
Panasonic PV-GS500
Review:
Panasonic PV-GS180
Review:
Here is the Review of the PV-GS180, I think this camera might be the best buy of the all.
