Solid, reliable palmcorder recommendation? at DVinfo.net

James Wong · August 22nd, 2005, 12:45 AM

Apoligies in advance if I'm posting in the wrong topic. I'm not quite sure where to place this, as it could apply to several main topics.

I have an old Sony DCR-TRV50 that has been my trusty camcorder until the front lens ring came off (I attached a wide angle lens so tight that after removing it, the whole front lens/focus ring and surrounding part came unhinged). I asked for an estimate and repairing the thing would cost $250 flat. At that point I figured I might as well sell it off once I find myself something tiny I can travel with.

Might anyone be able to recommend a palmcorder that has quality equivalent to my old TRV50 that is affordable and smaller? I wish I could say the tech specifications I want as far as color on so on, but I'm rusty on any technical details. I'm using the TRV50 as comparison in terms of video quality only (not all the excess features that originally came with it :p)

- 16:9 native?
- compact / light
- sturdy/reliable

I would like something that I can take with me on travel, is reliable and affordable. Not heavy to lug around when traveling light.

I've been a Sony follower for awhile now, but I'm open to Canon as well. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Michael Gibbons · August 22nd, 2005, 09:26 AM

I'd look into a Panna GS400. I'm also a Sony user (PDX10), but Panna makes some nice consumer cams, with good manuel controls.

Brian Kennedy · August 22nd, 2005, 01:57 PM

I agree the Panny GS400 would be a good choice. Small, very good color and resolution, native 16:9, and lots of manual control. Not exactly a "palmcorder" like the vertical DV cameras with their tiny CCDs, but still pretty darned small and light.

James Wong · August 23rd, 2005, 02:06 AM

Hmm thanks for the info. Unfortunately I'm looking to spend under $700 (something affordable :).

I'm really strapped for cash right now, as I am still looking for work :( I'll keep the GS400 in mind though as a future replacement, thanks guys.

Chris Colin Swanson · August 23rd, 2005, 02:26 AM

How about the Panasonic PV-GS150? Its a few steps down from the 400. It gets good reviews for its price range. However I have no personal experience with it. Just has alot of good reviews for that price range.

James Wong · August 23rd, 2005, 11:25 PM

The cameras look good. GS150 looks good with the manual controls and so on. The other night I noticed the Sony HC90, too. Widescreen and tiny, but no focus ring, which is sad but forgivable if I'm having general use perhaps.

Mathieu Ghekiere · August 24th, 2005, 04:20 AM

I don't think the GS150 has native 16:9.

Glenn Chan · August 24th, 2005, 08:59 AM

Manual focus on consumer cameras isn't particularly useful in my experience. The focus rings spin untill infinitiy, which is really annoying. The viewfinder usually isn't sharp enough to check focus on. And the cameras CCDs are small, so nearly everything is in focus anyways.

Manual focus can be useful in low light, since autofocus usually fails in those situations.

August 22nd, 2005, 12:45 AM	#1
James Wong Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 58	Solid, reliable palmcorder recommendation? Apoligies in advance if I'm posting in the wrong topic. I'm not quite sure where to place this, as it could apply to several main topics. I have an old Sony DCR-TRV50 that has been my trusty camcorder until the front lens ring came off (I attached a wide angle lens so tight that after removing it, the whole front lens/focus ring and surrounding part came unhinged). I asked for an estimate and repairing the thing would cost $250 flat. At that point I figured I might as well sell it off once I find myself something tiny I can travel with. Might anyone be able to recommend a palmcorder that has quality equivalent to my old TRV50 that is affordable and smaller? I wish I could say the tech specifications I want as far as color on so on, but I'm rusty on any technical details. I'm using the TRV50 as comparison in terms of video quality only (not all the excess features that originally came with it :p) - 16:9 native? - compact / light - sturdy/reliable I would like something that I can take with me on travel, is reliable and affordable. Not heavy to lug around when traveling light. I've been a Sony follower for awhile now, but I'm open to Canon as well. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

August 22nd, 2005, 09:26 AM	#2
Michael Gibbons Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Loveland, Colorado, USA Posts: 292	I'd look into a Panna GS400. I'm also a Sony user (PDX10), but Panna makes some nice consumer cams, with good manuel controls. __________________ " When some wild-eyed, eight foot tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head against a bar room wall, and looks you crooked in the eye, and he asks you if you've payed your dues, well, you just stare that big suker right back in the eye, and you remember what old Jack Burton always says at a time like that, 'Have you paid your dues, Jack? Yes sir, the check is in the mail."

August 22nd, 2005, 01:57 PM	#3
Brian Kennedy Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 126	I agree the Panny GS400 would be a good choice. Small, very good color and resolution, native 16:9, and lots of manual control. Not exactly a "palmcorder" like the vertical DV cameras with their tiny CCDs, but still pretty darned small and light. __________________ Brian Kennedy

August 23rd, 2005, 02:06 AM	#4
James Wong Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 58	Hmm thanks for the info. Unfortunately I'm looking to spend under $700 (something affordable :). I'm really strapped for cash right now, as I am still looking for work :( I'll keep the GS400 in mind though as a future replacement, thanks guys. __________________ James Wong / www.hindsightproject.com

August 23rd, 2005, 11:25 PM	#6
James Wong Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 58	The cameras look good. GS150 looks good with the manual controls and so on. The other night I noticed the Sony HC90, too. Widescreen and tiny, but no focus ring, which is sad but forgivable if I'm having general use perhaps. __________________ James Wong / www.hindsightproject.com

August 23rd, 2005, 02:26 AM	#5
Chris Colin Swanson Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 76	How about the Panasonic PV-GS150? Its a few steps down from the 400. It gets good reviews for its price range. However I have no personal experience with it. Just has alot of good reviews for that price range.

August 24th, 2005, 04:20 AM	#7
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	I don't think the GS150 has native 16:9.

August 24th, 2005, 08:59 AM	#8
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Manual focus on consumer cameras isn't particularly useful in my experience. The focus rings spin untill infinitiy, which is really annoying. The viewfinder usually isn't sharp enough to check focus on. And the cameras CCDs are small, so nearly everything is in focus anyways. Manual focus can be useful in low light, since autofocus usually fails in those situations.