Panasonic PV-GS150 2.3 MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

I agree with the previous reviews that my camera acquired serious focus problems after about 15 months, in every video we own you can hear me complaining about the focus. More $$$ down the tubes, worse yet, all the video of my 4th child is blurred.

The camera is very good 4 a year after that it just stops working showing "Push the Reset Switch" error message. If you google that message you will find out that almost all the results are 4 this kind of camera. My advice as an owner, DO NOT buy this camera.

I really enjoy my Panasonic power tools. They are (surprisingly) the best. I can't say as much 4 the camcorders. ...

First, this "3CCD" thing is a joke! Panasonic puts the tiniest CCD chips - which feel like grains of sand when you actually view the footage - into their camcorders & hype it as something better. I've seen Panasonic camcorders with a SINGLE CCD chip provide much better color-rendering & contrast than the (so-called) "3CCD" models. That's a side-by-side comparison of camcorders from the same company!

Second, I had my PV-GS150 4 about a year, & it took passable footage (in spite of the poor color rendering & contrast). Then, suddenly, the focus went haywire. Both the "auto-focus" & the manual focus no longer hold. The image blurs in & out of focus. This is not an isolated experience, either. Check the online experiences of others & you will find this issue mentioned. The camcorder becomes useless & the "support" charges $261 (flat rate) 2 fix any hardware issue that is more than a year old!
So, now I have a camcorder that is barely 15 months old & can't be used because the focus won't hold in either mode. ... anyone interested in buying lenses & filters, camera bag, & accessories?!? ... because at least $300 of my investment just became junk!!

I have had this camera 4 a little over 2 years, & it has served me very well on numerous occasions. The quality of the picture was really impressive when I paid $600, & these cameras are going 4 half that now. The image quality is boosted by the fact that this camera uses a 3 CCD imaging sensor, which is the professional standard. The camera is very easy 2 use, & has a sensible button layout. The size of the camera is very convenient, as it can be stored in small areas. The camera came standard with many accessories. The camera has been problem free & I feel that this is a quality product from Panasonic.

You can see many videos made with this camera on "youtube" under the "greenredfield" channel.

I have owned this item 4 1 year. The camcorder has a serious focusing problem. While filming in any light condition, the image goes out of focus. The problem is widespread on ALL of the GS-150 & GS-250 units. Panasonic refuses 2 replace the unit, refuses 2 fix the item without charging 261.50 & refuses 2 answer phone calls 2 their repair center (all you get is a voicemail & they never return your call). Steer clear of PANASONIC. I will never purchase from them again. If their products were worth even a nickel then they would offer more than a 90 day warranty on a $650 camcorder. Ridiculous.

The PV-GS150, with its 3CCD Camera System, reproduces color in great fidelity by using a separate CCD 4 reds, greens & blues. It's the same 3CCD technology used in Panasonic professional broadcast equipment, resulting in 540 lines of breathtaking resolution. You can count on Panasonic 3CCD Digital Camcorders 2 give you colors that are as rich & vibrant as your life.World-renowned lens-maker LEICA has developed an exquisite, multi-coated lens that helps add a high-level of detail & subtlety 2 your creations. With refinements like a 2-stage neutral density filter 4 aperture independent adjustment, you'll appreciate the remarkably crisp, true-to-life color that is a hallmark of Leica Dicomar optics.The PV-GS150 captures still images with incredible detail at up 2 2.3-megapixels. The Quad-Density Pixel Distribution Technology, a technology used in Panasonic professional broadcast equipment, makes it possible 2 capture still pictures with amazing quality.Digital EIS compensates 4 unintentional hand & camcorder movement 2 help stabilize your recordings - even while you're recording as a passenger from a moving vehicle. With Digital EIS, you won't have 2 worry about shaky soccer games or family outings.An optical zoom this powerful works like a telescope 2 produce close-up shots with extraordinary clarity. And with the different zoom speeds, you can control how quick you go from a wide angle 2 telephoto zoom. Through the use of digital technology, the zoom ratio on the can be increased digitally, producing an incredibly close shot. You won't miss a single detail!The joystick makes the camera much easier 2 use, letting you control all basic operations with one hand. As you shoot, just watch the image in the monitor & follow the instruction guide. You can handle a number of operations quickly & easily, without even taking your eye off the subject.

Customers interested in the best that camcorder technology has 2 offer will be impressed by the new compact PV-GS65, PV-GS150, & PV-GS250 3CCD camcorders from Panasonic.

These models are small enough 2 fit in the palm of your hand, but aren't short on innovative features. Equipped with a 3CCD imaging system, high-powered digital still capability & ease of use, these new digital video cameras will deliver high-quality digital still & moving images 4 the novice & expert videographer alike.

Illustration of 3CCD imaging device inside the PV-GS150

These top-of-the-line camcorders incorporate the same type of 3CCD imaging system used in Panasonic's celebrated professional camcorders. Individual CCDs are used 2 reproduce the red, green & blue colors that compose an image 4 vivid, true-to-life pictures with remarkable depth & presence. The PV-GS150 & PV-GS250 also feature the sophisticated Leica Dicomar lens, which has become known 4 its ability 2 capture & finely render the most delicate nuances of light & shade.

High-resolution digital still images can be captured via the models' built-in digital still camera feature, which records 2 a stamp-sized SD memory card. The 1.2 megapixel PV-GS65, 2.3 megapixel PV-GS150, & 3.1 megapixel PV-GS250 feature a 10x telescopic optical zoom lens; a 700x digital zoom that allows 4 amazing 700:1 clear, close-ups from wide angle 2 full telephoto zoom; & a macro zoom feature, which lets users shoot extreme close-ups at distances as near as 40 centimeters.

Transferring recorded video 2 a PC is also quick & easy via the USB port included on each model. All three models incorporate USB 2.0, however the PV-GS150 & PV-GS250 support USB 2.0 high speed enabling real time video transfers. All three models have miniDV outputs 2 maximize compatibility with the PC.

10x optical zoom of the PV-GS150

To steady shaky video, the new PV-GS65 & PV-GS150 incorporate digital electronic image stabilization (EIS), which compensates 4 unintentional hand & camcorder movement. The PV-GS250 uses optical image stabilization, which intuitively compensates 4 any hand movement, so that every shot is beautifully crisp & clear.

The PV-GS250 also includes a manual focus ring giving the user more creative control over the video being captured. Additionally, all models include a Soft Skin Detail function that detects skin's different tones & softens the focus 2 create a realistic blend.

Features of the Panasonic PV-GS150

• 3CCD digital video camera
• 10x optical zoom; 700x digital zoom
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.3 megapixel still picture capability
• Leica lens; manual focus ring
• SD slot
• USB 2.0