[stevep94]

I have been looking into a new camcorder for a while and following advice from this forum I'd narrowed it down to the Sony HC96 and the Panasonic GS320.....
(based on not wanting a hard drive camcorder due to not wanting storage limitations on a long holiday/honeymoon and not high-def as the Canon HV20 was a bit out of my price range (£300-£350))

Anyway, I've finally decided on the Panasonic as I like the look of it, but suddenly the on-line price seems to have jumped up a bit and I've found myself considering the following:

GS230 (around £250)
GS320 (around £310)
and today I've noticed the GS330!?!? (around £297)

Can anyone tell me the differences between these 3 models? (particularly the GS330) and would an inexperienced person who will most probably use all "auto" settings really notice the difference???

Thanks in advance guys....

SteveP

[andybo]

Not sure of the differences but got a GS 230 today for £210 from Jessops online. Was £240 use code VC10 for 10% discount then bought through Quidco for another 3% off!

[redsox_mark]

GS230 (around £250)
GS320 (around £310)
and today I've noticed the GS330!?!? (around £297)

The GS330 is new, replacing the GS320. It is virtually identical.

The main difference between the 320/330 is a better lens, and better image stabilisation. With the GS230, you can't use the image stabilisation in widescreen mode.

[stevep94]

Thanks for the reply Mark..... I'd suspected that the 320 & 330 were basically the same (except for a bit more black than silver on the unit itself!)

My mind is ALMOST made up....... *starts to wonder if high-def is the way to go for a degree of future-proofing*

To change the topic slightly, I've read that the Canon HV20 (or the new HV30) is the best high-def option.... am I right in thinking that it still records to the normal Mini DV cassettes?? (albeit in a different mpeg format?)

Thanks....

SteveP

[redsox_mark]

Yes, the HV20 is (arguably) the best sub £1000 high def option for quality. (The HV30 more of the same, with a colour change). And yes, it takes the same miniDV tapes, but records in HDV/MPEG2. Like all HDV cams, it can also record in DV if you want. You can also record in HDV and have the camcorder convert to DV....

[Vinesh]

GS320 - £280 + £7 Del

http://www.hutchinsons.com/rp/products/NVGS320EBS.htm

[stevep94]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

Yes, the HV20 is (arguably) the best sub £1000 high def option for quality. (The HV30 more of the same, with a colour change). And yes, it takes the same miniDV tapes, but records in HDV/MPEG2. Like all HDV cams, it can also record in DV if you want. You can also record in HDV and have the camcorder convert to DV....

Is it possible to record in high-def and "convert" it to standard def (as I dont have a high-def TV yet!) but also keep the original tapes and use the better quality when I have the TV to use it on?

Also, I'm assuming the Mini DV tapes are a standard length still? Or are they effectively shorter because the higher quality takes up more room/space?
(can you still use the "LP" option that most camcorders give?)

Sorry for all the noob questions but the more I think about it, the more I'm gonna want to look back on my honeymoon in glorious high-def!!!!

SteveP

[redsox_mark]

Is it possible to record in high-def and "convert" it to standard def (as I dont have a high-def TV yet!) but also keep the original tapes and use the better quality when I have the TV to use it on?

Yes. All HDV camcorders can downconvert. Or you can downconvert in software (which is what I do, to make SD-DVDs).

Also, I'm assuming the Mini DV tapes are a standard length still? Or are they effectively shorter because the higher quality takes up more room/space?
(can you still use the "LP" option that most camcorders give

The tapes are the same length, but SP only (when in HDV mode).

[stevep94]

Thanks for the reply Mark - I'm definitely now leaning towards the HV20 but ideally I'd like to physically hold it in a shop before I decide - any idea which shops might have one of these in stock so I can have a look??

Thanks again....

SteveP

[redsox_mark]

Of the "chains", try Jessops. You can go on their web site and put in your postcode and it will tell you the nearest store with it in stock. For example Jessops in Bath the HV20 is out of stock, but it is in stock in Bristol.