Anyone got the new GS500?? at DVinfo.net

Peter Jefferson · March 12th, 2006, 08:29 AM

what are your thoughts on it??

Frank Granovski · March 31st, 2006, 05:46 AM

I haven't seen one yet, but I've read here and there that it's less of a cam than the GS400. Hmmm, I suspect we'll have to wait 'til late Spring or early Summer before we'll know what's on Pana's plate. ;)

Guy Bruner · March 31st, 2006, 06:12 AM

I had the opportunity to review the Panasonic GS300 and GS500 earlier this year. The video from the GS500 is equivalent to the GS400. Panasonic did improve the auto exposure control. The GS300 and 500 now up gain automatically to 18dB so you don't have to go into manual to squeeze the last photon out of the light. They also now automatically adjust shutter up to 1/250 second to help with bright lighting. That's important on the GS300 because Panasonic removed the auto ND filters that were on the GS250.

These camcorders are considerably smaller than the GS400 and lack any external convenience operating controls. The joystick menu control on the GS500 is an improvement over the cruciform rocker on the GS400, but that's about all I can say is better. Oh, the GS300 and 500 have anti-ground shooting which is an interesting but not compelling new feature. And, worse of worse, Panasonic removed the AV IN and headphone jack features.

Basically, the new Panasonics are very consumer, point and shoot 3CCD cams. Frank's right. We'll just have to see what Panasonic does to plug the $1000-$2000 hole in their prosumer dike.

Tom Hardwick · March 31st, 2006, 07:01 AM

They removed the auto internal ND Guy? How crazy is that - making the cam up the shutter speed rather than keeping it at f/4 and bringing in the ND.

Guy Bruner · March 31st, 2006, 01:01 PM

Hi Tom. I trust your spring is going well in merry ol' UK?

Actually, the Panasonics start inserting ND at F2.8, hold the iris, and step insert the NDs up to F8 or so (as best I can tell) before the iris start to get smaller again. But, even without the NDs, the GS300 does pretty well in bright light. I shot some video simultaneously with the GS300 and GS500. A comparison video is linked in my review. Hard to tell which cam is which with good light.

Leigh Wanstead · April 5th, 2006, 04:39 PM

I really wish gs500 can have a xlr plug.

Regards
Leigh

Tom Hardwick · April 6th, 2006, 01:28 AM

Add a beachtek box and your wish becomes a reality.
http://beachtek.com/dxa4.html

Leigh Wanstead · April 6th, 2006, 12:57 PM

Hi Tom,

Thanks

Regards
Leigh

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Hardwick

Add a beachtek box and your wish becomes a reality.
http://beachtek.com/dxa4.html

Tommy Haupfear · April 13th, 2006, 07:15 PM

I've got my GS500 ordered up and I hope to have some input in the coming weeks.

March 12th, 2006, 08:29 AM	#1
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	Anyone got the new GS500?? what are your thoughts on it??

March 31st, 2006, 05:46 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I haven't seen one yet, but I've read here and there that it's less of a cam than the GS400. Hmmm, I suspect we'll have to wait 'til late Spring or early Summer before we'll know what's on Pana's plate. ;)

March 31st, 2006, 06:12 AM	#3
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	I had the opportunity to review the Panasonic GS300 and GS500 earlier this year. The video from the GS500 is equivalent to the GS400. Panasonic did improve the auto exposure control. The GS300 and 500 now up gain automatically to 18dB so you don't have to go into manual to squeeze the last photon out of the light. They also now automatically adjust shutter up to 1/250 second to help with bright lighting. That's important on the GS300 because Panasonic removed the auto ND filters that were on the GS250. These camcorders are considerably smaller than the GS400 and lack any external convenience operating controls. The joystick menu control on the GS500 is an improvement over the cruciform rocker on the GS400, but that's about all I can say is better. Oh, the GS300 and 500 have anti-ground shooting which is an interesting but not compelling new feature. And, worse of worse, Panasonic removed the AV IN and headphone jack features. Basically, the new Panasonics are very consumer, point and shoot 3CCD cams. Frank's right. We'll just have to see what Panasonic does to plug the $1000-$2000 hole in their prosumer dike.

March 31st, 2006, 07:01 AM	#4
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	They removed the auto internal ND Guy? How crazy is that - making the cam up the shutter speed rather than keeping it at f/4 and bringing in the ND.

March 31st, 2006, 01:01 PM	#5
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Hi Tom. I trust your spring is going well in merry ol' UK? Actually, the Panasonics start inserting ND at F2.8, hold the iris, and step insert the NDs up to F8 or so (as best I can tell) before the iris start to get smaller again. But, even without the NDs, the GS300 does pretty well in bright light. I shot some video simultaneously with the GS300 and GS500. A comparison video is linked in my review. Hard to tell which cam is which with good light.

April 5th, 2006, 04:39 PM	#6
Leigh Wanstead Trustee Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NZ Posts: 1,276	I really wish gs500 can have a xlr plug. Regards Leigh

April 6th, 2006, 01:28 AM	#7
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Add a beachtek box and your wish becomes a reality. http://beachtek.com/dxa4.html

April 13th, 2006, 07:15 PM	#9
Tommy Haupfear Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,415	I've got my GS500 ordered up and I hope to have some input in the coming weeks.