Panasonic AG-DVC20 Camcorder

[13 of 13 customers found this review helpful]

Panasonic AG-DVC20 Camcorder Review

A good camera

"This is a good camera. I with that Panasonic was not slowly phasing out the Mini DV line of cameras. I wanted to purchase an additional DVC60 or a DVC30 but those have been discontinued. My DVC60 has over 800 hours on it so I am hoping that this camera will have similar durability. It seems to me that the sensors on this camera are the same as the PV-GS320. The zoom range is the same also so it may have the same lens. This camera is lighter than the DVC60. Now I will get into some specific areas about this camera.



Picture Quality- When you set a custom white balance this camera will match up well with the DVC30 and DVC60, although with a little bit less contrast. The colors seem very slightly muted. Skin tones are nice and natural. Setting the white balance is a little clunky though. The resolution is nice with this camera.



Sound quality- The built in microphone sucks. It has a muffled sound pretty much all the time. and it lacks built in XLR inputs unless you get an adapter. This is not a huge issue for me though as I will often use this with multiple cameras, a switcher and an audio board with professional microphones.



Ease of use and features-

Viewfinder- Its basically a consumer viewfinder that is magnified. It does not even come close to the resolution of the viewfinders on the DVC30 and DVC60 which makes following the action at a sporting event harder. Its also harder to see if the focus is on or not.



Lens/Zoom/Stabilization- The lens is of decent quality, it is wide enough for most applications. It could zoom in a little bit more than 10x though. The zoom control is nice and smooth. At first I was disappointed that it could not zoom faster but realized that if I have a less experienced person running the camera it might be good to have a zoom that is not as touchy. The stabilization is much better than what I expected. I was a little worried about the electronic stabilization as opposed to the optical, but it turned out ok. It would have been nice to have a Lanc or Panasonic input for a handle mount zoom control, but for the price you can't get everything.



Ease of use- This camera could have more buttons instead of having everything menu driven. I change white balance frequently and need custom white balances to be set. Yes you can do it with this camera but you have to work your way through the menu to do it. I was impressed though when the camera was set to full automatic. The white balance and exposure changed smoothly and were accurate which is unusual for an automatic setting. Oh, the camera seems to forget some of the manual settings or wants you to re-set them after powering down or changing batteries.



Overall- You get what you pay for. If I had really wanted and needed the inputs or manual controls that other cameras have then I would have had to spend the extra money for that. If I had really wanted larger CCD's I would have needed to spend more money. For what I do, I do not need HD, I do not need XLR inputs on all my cameras, I do not need super zoom ability on all my cameras, I do not need lots of buttons for every function of the camera. This camera does the job for what I need it to do and does it well. If you really do need those other functions then spend the money on a different camera. If you do not need those functions then this camera will be an awesome camera for you."

[8 of 8 customers found this review helpful]

Panasonic AG-DVC20 Camcorder Review

Best starter camera

"This is the most reasonable camera out there. I'm just beginning to do events coverage and I had to have something that I can mount on my shoulder without going bankrupt. It seems that handheld camcorders, though good in performance will not cut it for the clients. It's really all about perception.On paper it would seem that the Panasonic GS250 will out perform the DVC20. But I was wrong when I tested both. Video performance is way better on the DVC20. Much wider and it gives better if not more natural colors. You really don't need the OIS on this since it's already shoulder mounted. But the EIS is still good to use and will not degrade the image quality much. The built in mic is sounds good enough though I haven't had the chance to use a shotgun mic for this.It's light weight and controls are pretty easy. You can use it immediately right off the box. And the free soft carrying case is excellent [...]t's not the best camcorder out there, but for what I intend to use it, it is JUST RIGHT."

[6 of 6 customers found this review helpful]

Panasonic AG-DVC20 Camcorder Review

Awsome for camcorder

"This camcorder is great for a microfilm maker who like me is on a next to nothing buget.



Cons - The sound sucks without an adaptor, but just use a Shure XLR female to mini stereo cable to balance the audio and you're good to go, plus it's only $13.00.



Pro - The picture is great if you're not trying to shoot in your face action packed crazy stuff. I use it for a ton of short films and the camera is good to me.



Remember if you buy this camcorder!! It does have its limits, but if you are creative enough you will know how to use it."

Panasonic AG-DVC20 Camcorder Review

A SURPRISE & DISAPPOINTMENT

"When I was ordering this product,I was led to believe that it was basically identical to the

model AG-DVC7p single chip camcorder it had

replaced,except that it was a three chip unit.I had actually been interested in getting a second

AG-DVC7p unit,but was advised that it had been

discontinued.Inquiries about getting a used

AG-DVC7p were unsucessful as you didn't have any

available during the several times I checked with

you.Therefore,I concluded that the most identical

unit would be to get the new replacement model

AG-DVC20P,and as a bonus,I would be moving up to

a three chip camera at the same time.Upon receipt

of the unit,it didn't take long to realize that

the new AG-DVC20P was actually a "stripped down"

version of theAG-DVC7p,that had been converted to a three chip camera.An array of "Picture Effect"

functions was missing,my two favorite ones being

wipe and mix modes.However,the biggest surprise

and disappointment was finding that it couldn't

record the contents of other equipment,which is a feature I have often used.Fortunately,I still have my AG-DVC7p with that capability.The point is that I was told it was identical to the model

it had replaced,except for having three chips,

but it clearly isn't.Although your salesman spoke

confidently when he told me it was identical,he

was incorrect.I'm upset with Panasonic for having a different view of "new and improved" than I do.Why drop off some useful features in the newer model? Could it have been cost? That would be a

classic case of "penny wise and a pound foolish" so far as I'm concerned.Another big change that I question is the more delicate and complicated

means of inserting a cassette.The previous model had a single button you pressed which popped the cassette door open in a single motion.After the

insertion of the cassette,a single push motion

closed it.The new model employs a manual sliding forward and then pulling outward release button

that opens the cassette outer door.Then you have to wait for a second or two for the motorized

lifting and opening of the cassette compartment. Then you insert the cassette,gently press the

outer door up against the cassette compartment

until resistance is felt,wait another second or two until the motorized cassette compartment has sunk back to its proper position,then finally you can push the outer door closed.Now,really,which

way sounds like the best way to insert a cassette.If you don't do it exactly that way,the manual warns that the mechanism can be damaged.

I haven't timed myself yet,but I'm guessing that

I might be able to switch three cassettes in the

older model in the same time it takes to do one

cassette in the new model.Now what is better about

that?Also,the whole mechanism has the appearance

and feel of something that can more easily develop

a problem.Plus,in a fast paced field shooting

situation,it's possible to miss some important

footage while having to wait on the cassette

changing mechanism to operate.Basically,I've gone

to the trouble to respond in this detail,in the

hope that you might give some feedback to the

manufacturer.I would love to know what kind of

response they might have about why they made these

types of changes to a previously well equipped and

user friendly Digital Video Camera Recorder."

[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

Panasonic AG-DVC20 Camcorder Review

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

"I love this camera it is lighter than it looks and that is a HUGE plus when you are working all day.

Someone mentioned that it was NOT for Family use, but I would disagree. I have taken this on MANY family trips, and the footage just blows everyone away!!!

I will say I am (only slightly) dissapointed in the manual zoom buttons. They take some getting used to and are quite touchy. Easy to fix after the first time or two, but it can be an issue to be fair.

I use this camera both professionally and for my own personal use, and it is very easy to work with. Just love this camera for the money, are there better cameras out there? Sure but you will pay A LOT more!!!"