Panasonic GS230 vs. GS180

[apokalypse]

I've done a bit of surfing around reading various reviews etc. but I can't seem to get a newbie type comparison between the Panasonic GS230 and GS180 camcorders. In the UK the price difference between the two is £57 (the GS180 being the more expensive one).

Can some kind soul tell me which of these two is better? My main needs (after decent picture quality of course) are Mic & headphone input, which I believe both have, so what makes one better than the other?

Other than the two above I would loved to have gone for the GS320 which has a better lens, however as far as I can gather that doesn't have a external mic input.

Mike.

[felix2]

I understand the GS230 is just the current model which replaced the GS180. Check the specs on Panasonic's website but I think they're the same, or as good as. Since the GS180 is now an older model, it's getting harder to find and therefore online the price goes up. In which case, no brainer, get the newer one cheaper. (But do double check the specs)

Originally Posted by apokalypse

Other than the two above I would loved to have gone for the GS320 which has a better lens, however as far as I can gather that doesn't have a external mic input.

Yup, sad but true. The GS300 (older model replaced by the GS320) did have mic input, but they swiped it off the new model. And again the GS300 is now (quite a bit) more expensive than the newer GS320...