Panasonic PV-GS39

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Review Submitted By: Sandra Caban

Panasonic's PV-GS39 is an inexpensive, entry-level camcorder with a long reach. Its 30X optical zoom brings even distant subjects into close view, though you'll want a tripod to steady the camera. The PV-GS39 offers relatively good video quality across a variety of lighting conditions, but we were disappointed by its consistent graininess, especially compared to last year's PV-GS35. Weighing just a pound, the compact PV-GS39's silver and gray shell is a bit wider than a typical camcorder's.

A joystick in the center of the mode dial lets you navigate menus and control playback. Record, photo, and light buttons, as well as the zoom rocker, are well placed for one-handed shooting. The only other control is the manual/auto switch. A welcome addition is a help mode that explains the sometimes obscure icons used for manual settings. Tapes eject to the right side of the camcorder, so you can swap them while the PV-GS39 is attached to a tripod. The bottom-mounted Secure Digital slot used to store still shots may be blocked by larger tripods. However, the low-resolution 640x480 stills are so fuzzy and tiny, with muted colors, that you won't want to fill even the smallest SD card. The PV-GS39's most impressive feature is its 30X zoom, which lets you close in on even distant subjects. Image clarity at full 30X zoom is excellent, but the camcorder's electronic image stabilization helps up to only about 15X magnification.

The PV-GS39 is responsive; focus, exposure, and white balance react quickly when panning to new subjects. The stereo microphone doesn't pick up much separation between left and right channels, but its zoom function, which increases sensitivity as you zoom the lens, works very well. Unfortunately, video quality has taken a slight downturn since Panasonic's previous generation. Like the PV-GS35, the PV-GS39 captures more detail than many entry-level camcorders, and it offers relatively accurate color reproduction.

Low-light performance is above average for a camera in this price class. Graininess increases and color begins to fade as lighting conditions darken, but the PV-GS39 maintains a good level of detail until things get really dim. A built-in video light boasts two intensity levels and does a good job of illuminating fairly close objects. The camera slows the shutter speed when you activate the light, making for somewhat jerky footage. If you're in the market for an inexpensive camcorder with a really long zoom lens, Panasonic's PV-GS39 shouldn't disappoint.