New palmsize DVs. PannyGS5, JVC DVX507 or Canon MV550i. Which one would you go for?

I need a small camcorder, one I can whip out the jacket pocket. These all have similar features and hit the £850 mark (RRP).

I demoed the Panny at Jessops and compared to the range (which was small) of their camcorders it was by far the best in build quality. They had a low end Canon, maybe the MV500, which I thought was a bit plasticy. Although these canons have a 22x optical zoom, what's the point when they only have a digital stabiliser. I notice that the Canon MV 550i did get a 90% best buy in Camcorder User's May edition, but I have't seen it. However, the Canon is alot bulkier than the Panny or JVC.

Battery charging. Ideally I need a camera I can use whilst the battery is recharging. The Jessops guy said that the Panny charges externally which would fit the bill, but I don't belive him !!!

Any other ideas on alternatives would also be appreciated.

Thanks

[alan8477]

Recently bought a Sony PC9 from Unbeatable.co.uk at £878. I too wanted one to go in the pocket. I bought it to replace a Panasonic NV55 I had stolen.

Learnt a few lessons from having bought the Panny. Definitely wanted DV in and AV in this time. The Sony has both. Not quite as comfortable to hold as the Panny. It also has night shot facility, you can record in absolute blackout!

Very pleased with my purchase.

Worth a look I think.

(Does not charge externally though)

[Wayne Moule]

It has to be the ultra compact Panny GX7B I've just bought in store from Jessops.1.2 megapixel stills,flash,Leica lens,DV in/out,analogue in/out.

They price matched Empire @ £781 inc Empire del.

They do charge externally.Handy if you've got a spare,though re-charge is only just over an hour with supplied battery.

[alan8477]

Been to Panasonic.co.uk, been to Jessops website, done a Google search on 'Panasonic GX7B', can't find a reference to this machine anywhere.

Thanks for the input.

The GS5 had DV in and Av in Alan, so I'd be happy there.

Alan, full name is the NV-GX7B. They have them at www.letsgodigital.co.uk

Wayne, a little more detail about your GX7 please. It's the same body as the GS5. Why do u like it?

[Wayne Moule]

I like it mainly for the 1.2 megapixel CCD,Leica lens,flash,x10 optical zoom and colour viewfinder for digital still photography for pics @ 1280 x 960 on a memory card for easy access via USB.Having got an Olympus compact with no macro,I tried a Sony P50 digital camera and found it inpractical in terms of poor battery consumption,viewfinder and LCD.I also tried a Manolta SLR,but this couldn't get as close as I wanted,without spending hundreds more on a macro lens and it was too bulky carrying that and my last Sony Digital 8 camcorder around,which had a b/w viewfinder.

So I wanted something small/compact,looked smart and acted as a digital camcorder/camera in one with macro,good battery power and a good colour viewfinder.

It's in the current Jessops catalogue and their website also.

Hmmm, certainly the foto stills side is attractive, though I have a megapix camera any way.

Seems alot more money to pay for that over the price of a GS5

Wayne, am I right in saying that u got Jessops to drop their price by £200???!!!!

How fast can it take fotos - sports action etc? Can it do continuous with the flash working?

Thanks again

[Wayne Moule]

Jessops in store price was £1099,£999 on the net,so a Jessops price drop of between £320-£220.

It has got a continous photoshot mode,every 0.7 seconds,but I haven't tried it yet.

Oooh,forgot to mention,the pics are superb with my new Lexmark Z65 4800 x 1200 dpi printer,the best I have ever had and that includes from Jessops.

After I purchased my panasonic NV-GS4B, I realised that the model had no DV in facility. Now that I have looked around, I really fancy getiing an NV-GX7 instead. What do you reckon is the easiest way to get rid of my GS4 for the sexy GX7?

[neilybealy]

hi all

i have had a look at the panasonic NVMX5B up comet and am impressed with it but have found the NVMX7B slightly cheaper on the net.....

does anyone know the differences between those and the NV-GX5B / NV-GX7B ??

thanks

neil

[Wayne Moule]

Originally posted by hphelps
After I purchased my panasonic NV-GS4B, I realised that the model had no DV in facility. Now that I have looked around, I really fancy getiing an NV-GX7 instead. What do you reckon is the easiest way to get rid of my GS4 for the sexy GX7?

How long have you had it and where did you get it from,as they might let you do a part exchange,like Jessops do within 1 month of purchase,as they did for me?

[Wayne Moule]

Originally posted by neilybealy
hi all

i have had a look at the panasonic NVMX5B up comet and am impressed with it but have found the NVMX7B slightly cheaper on the net.....

does anyone know the differences between those and the NV-GX5B / NV-GX7B ??

thanks

neil

MX5 - 1020k CCD,1200 x 900 stills,3in colour screen,DV out.

MX7 - 1020k CCD,1200 x 900 stills,3in colour screen,DV in/out,analogue in/out.

GS5 - 640 x 480 stills,2.5in colour screen,DV in/out,analogue in/out,ultra compact.

GX7 - 1.2 Mega pixel CCD,1280 x 960 stills,Leica lens,built in flash,2.5in colour screen,DV in/out,analogue in/out,ultra compact.


All have colour viewfinder.

Source,Jessops catalogues,AV Forums reviews,MSN search.

I've read on the Techtronics site that it has Optical Image Stabilization. Is this true ?

Thanks .........Allan

Wayne,

I bought is at Dixons which operate a strict returns policy. Looks like i'll have to sell it through loot or something. Is Empire a web site and which branch of Jessops did you purchase your GX7?