Panasonic PV-GS85 Digital Camcorder - Performance and Image Quality
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Performance and Image Quality
Video quality is a mixed bag with this camcorder. On the one hand, the PV-GS85 will take decent quality video that is smooth, good quality in low-light, and solid in wide-angled video. On the other hand, this is a budget camcorder that we're talking about, so you can't expect miracles from this shooter. So if we compare the PV-GS85 to the competition, and not higher-class camcorders, it shoots relatively good quality video overall.
CNet seemed to like the video quality of this camcorder overall in their tests. They didn't like the low-light performance all that much, however. And they didn't like watching video taken with the PV-GS85 on a large HDTV. They said, "For a budget camcorder, the PV-GS85 produces rather nice video. Colors looked neutral and accurate, and footage was relatively clean and free of grain...the PV-GS85 failed at recording low-light video." CNet concluded that "the Panasonic PV-GS85 is a decent budget camcorder in its own right, but you could get a much better camera for the same or a slightly higher price."
Camcorderinfo.com on the other hand, was impressed with the low-light shooting capabilities of this camcorder, and thought that the PV-GS85 was equal to or better than the competition when it came to image quality. They said, "Out of the lab, the Panasonic PV-GS85 produced a decent looking image. Outdoor colors were saturated when shooting in full sun. In shade, the camcorder had trouble yielding results as good. You're certainly not going to wow anyone with the picture quality, but for the occasional shooting that most camcorders experience, the PV-GS85 will suffice nicely." They concluded that "the Panasonic PV-GS85 is a cut above the average entry-level camcorder."
Conclusion
Overall, the Panasonic PV-GS85 is a solid budget camcorder with decent image quality, solid low-light capabilities, nice wide-angle shooting, good manual controls, and a nice OIS system. At under $300, the PV-GS85 is a great value, as long as you don't mind using the "outdated" MiniDV format.
The Panasonic PV-GS85 produces better image quality than the Canon ZR850, Sony DCR-HC38, and the JVC GR-D796 - all similarly-priced competitors of the PV-GS85. For someone looking for a good quality camcorder capable of taking wide screen video for under $300, I definitely recommend the Panasonic PV-GS85.
Sources: InventorSpot , CNet , Camcorderinfo
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