http://www.dvfreak.com/imga1676.jpg

Looks definitely new!

12x zoom, power LCD, built-in mic slopes down.

But how do you display the entire picture. Was the lens portion intentionally cut?

what exactly is a power LCD?

That's the way I got the pic. I don't know anything else about the cam. As more info comes in, I'll post it.

Power LCD increases brightness of the LCD 2x for better viewing even while shooting under bright lights. It's one of the new features for Pany's 2004 cam line-up. Works well and in many instances, makes the LCD video look stunning with vibrant color.

Here's the front half of the GS400!

http://www.dvfreak.com/image004.jpg (Top view.)

So is she the silver version of the Black Mamba, or she not?

The lens barrel appears longer than that of GS100, with extra space between the edge of the built-in flash and the manual focus ring.

Manual focus ring surface looks similar to that of MX5K.

This is definitely not the English version of the GS100. Exciting!

So I guess the world will never see the GS100 outside of Japan. I wonder what will be replacing the GS100 in Japan? The GS400? Any news yet, Allan?

No official news yet Frank, but based on rumors, something will come out this summer (that's quite easy to predict though). However, the cam shown on the picture looks like it could be it. I hope the specs will be out soon.

well i just bought a gs100 so i hope the gs400 doesn't have any features that i'll be sorely jealous of.

If it's any consolation for you, I'm convinced you'll be happy with the GS100 for many years. New doesn't always mean better. There might be new features or better features, but they'll be other features gone or stripped down.

pre-sale here

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/sale4sure/pv-gs400.html

http://ibmega.com/index.asp?pc=pv-gs400

http://www.uniquephoto.com/index.php?parents=&expand=624&page=1&startid=24&detail=PNVPVGS400&junkvarignore=6724de2e43444957a20b96bd6999796c&fromCookieTest=true&up14sid=b290c717a94690566e0fcd1fe0a95736

$1499 US, that's pricey!

Did any of the GS400 pics come up for you on those 3 links you posted, John? None came up for me.

I see that the PAL GS400 is boosting 4meg stills capability, whereas the US PV version's boost is only 3meg stills.

no pics, but at uniquephoto its only $1199.95

Allan, I agree. The GS400 looks way different than the GS100, plus it's not black mamba black. :-))

I hope Pana releases its specs soon, otherwise interest will shift to the DVC30, and the 400 will be forgotten---especially if Japan is getting an entirely different beast, 'er, bee. :-))

A little more information found at http://www.atlantic2u.com/store/prodView.asp?idProduct=1306&idCategory=271

# Available July 2004
# 4.0 Megapixel Still Images
# 12x Optical Zoom
# Leica Dicomar Lens
# Mega Optical image Stabilizer
# 3.5" LCD Monitor
# Simultaneous motion Video & Picture Recording
# SD Memory Card
# Webcam Function
# Multi Manual Ring
# USB Interface (USB 2.0 compatible)
# DV/ Analogue In- and Output
# Manual Functions

Model number is NV-GS400B (B=Black?). The picture matches the above pictures.

What is MULTI manual ring ?

Maybe the multi-ring acts as a zoom ring also. Sounds cool, also sounds pretty close to the gs100. I wonder if it has the pro-cine mode?

Oh? So there might be a black version?

I'm waiting for the beef, in way of specs, like CCD specs, widescreen, and what's missing. :-))

Based on the full picture, physically it looks like a combination of the GS100 and the 953/MX5K body.

Correct me if I am wrong but looking from a similar angle, it seems to have a bigger glass diameter than that of GS100 and 953. If that were true, perhaps this one has a bigger and denser CCD.

That's optimistic speculation indeed. Perhaps it shares the DVC30's CCDs? If that were true, however, there goes the widescreen. :-))

Well, if this cam is supposed to have 4.0 MP (interpolated) still resolution, I don't think it will have the same CCD as the DVC30.

The more I look at it, the more it looks like the 953 physically . The ugly body joint at the top is back (Pany took it away from the GS100)

It's not ugly! Beauty is the eye of Pana! Oops, I mean, in the eye of the beholder. :-))

The joint itself is not supposed to be ugly. Problem is, there were so many MX5k where that particular part (which happens to be readily visible to the eye) was not properly aligned. Pany Japan said that those misalignments were within (their) tolerance (of course that was what they would say). So I countered by saying that they should have a look at the nearly zero tolerance body mould of Sonys and Canons. Thus when I first saw the GS100, the first thing I checked were the body joints and I truly liked the way its body was designed.

Anyway, it's a trivial matter.

Chuckmeister has it on his site as the PAL version of the Black Mamba. There's a small, not too clear (at least on my computer) picture with some additional info about pro-cinema mode, etc.

Yeah I just found the PAL MX700 "White Lightning" link. The picture is poor on my PC too.

It seems to be an upgraded GS100 but why haven't we heard anything about a Japanese model?

MX700 / White lightning? Groan.

I wonder if the GS400 will have that cristal engine thing.

With the 2nd pic I posted, is that the built-in mic on top? It looks flush with the top of the cam.

Looks like you might be right. Look at the first pic again, and it looks like that's it at the top left hand corner of the image.

http://www.crossrhoads.shorturl.com/Images/mic.jpg

Thanks for highlighting and posting that. Strange, huh? With my MX300, the mic is more or less placed in the same spot but it's raised quite a bit---and I thought that was a bit strange compared with my DVL's 2 built-in mics placed in the front---pointing, like the lens. I wonder if this may be a design flaw or perhaps some new mic technolgy. Naaa!

its kinda ugly! It looks like a JVC. But yes beauty is in the eye of the beholder, :/

the gs100's mic is the same as that, maybe a half a mm higher but that's it.

I didn't realize that about the GS100---how is the GS100 built-in audio? (I read that it's pretty good.) I recall getting audio comparisons from Pana a few years back between the MX300 and MX350; and the MX300's audio was slightly better. However, there were other things slightly better with the MX350---some say it was the shape, but the big improvement was with the lens, according to Pana. You can just never win, I mean, have all the goodies slapped onto one cam for a song and a dance. Nevertheless, some of these Pana cams were and still are about the best you can get for the buck, pushing prosumer, and the last 4 flagship models certainly didn't disappoint. Number 5 won't disappoint either, hopefully. Fingers crossed. :-))

Prosumer: in-between consumer and professional, and not necessarily black. I hate that term, but I try to keep this under my hat. Oops. :-))

Frank, as a consumer (not even qualifying for the prosumer label), I happen to think the audio on the gs100 is darned good. Not up to Douglas Spotted Eagle's standards, of course. But shooting mostly family events where there was some kind of hand mike being used, the sound has been amazingly good for just a small hand-held cam. I might add that the accessory zoom mike for the gs100 also works well for me. The muff and low-cut mode really cut down amazingly on wind noise. I was surprised. In fact, I think the last event I shot (almost all indoors) I forgot to turn off low-cut. Still good sound for all the music segments (about 80 minutes of final video, most of it instrumentals and singing), although obviously if you want just the music (or dialogue) without the background noise of people talking, something other than the onboard audio system is necessary. (I am about to become a member of the bane of you professionals types - another "Uncle Henry"- as my cousin just announced that she's telling her son I will be doing the video of his wedding when he gets married. This after she viewed the last family wedding video out of the gs100k. Admittedly standards for "free" are not all that high. Nonetheless, when your cousin tries to get you to commit to doing her son's wedding, you know that cam produces very decent audio and video, even handheld, right?)

Kim,

A n00b question. I got the gs100 several weeks ago & I was thinking of capturing a baptism ceremony in the church this weekend. This is a a hobby <g>.

I don't have the proper lighting equipment but was wondering what effect a cheap halogen lamps, from the likes of Home Depot, will be if I use such lighting? By these I mean like the one that has two square halogen lamps on a T-bar with tripod footing.

Will those lighting be too harsh compared to the 'proper' soft lighting that pros use in studios, etc?

Or do you think I'll be better off using that 1st night mode that will brighten up the scene?

Robert

Robert, when I say I am strictly consumer, I mean it. Frank's longstanding admonition notwithstanding, I just don't carry additional lighting around with me. If it can't be captured on the gs100k using "smoothing," it doesn't get captured by me. I've done at least two events now where the sun was so bright outside that the restaurant or dining area was curtained, with just light from chandeliers and sunlight coming in around the curtain edges. I do two things: use "smoothing" (which will give you grain if it's really dark, but can, indeed, be really smooth if there's just enough light trickling in that the scene looks somewhat dark to your eye but you can still really make out most details with the naked eye) and use a plug-in while editing to lighten the scene. So I'm just no help to you, except to say that if you use halogen lighting, you will have to be careful about white balancing. (I do use the presets for sunlight, tungsten, etc., even if I'm going to use "smoothing.") My best attribute while shooting is that I seem to have very steady hands. If you can white balance correctly and keep your shots steady, the 100k may give you surprising results in "smoothing" mode without additional lighting. Try it at home and then play the tape back on your tv to check results. (May save you from a lot of glares - pun intended - from others attending the baptism.) P.S. Remember that if you use "smoothing," you must focus manually.

Patricia,

Thanks for your input. If smoothing = manual focus then "Houston, we have a problem" I'm a Godparent & in the party ... oops.

I can set the gs100 on my bogen, keep it focused & leave it there with smoothing mode. If they don't move around the chruch I might get focused footage where it counts <g>. Maybe as a Godparent I can nudge the Priest to stop moving around & stay in one place <ggg>.

I'll play around beforehand as you suggest. At least this is a hobby so I can mess it up & be happy that I have a day job.

Thanks for your input.

Robert

when your cousin tries to get you to commit to doing her son's wedding, you know that cam produces very decent audio and video, even handheld, right?I can't argue with that.

I don't know what this church looks like, Robert, but perhaps consider setting up the tripod near the front and off to one side, and try to get the whole area this preacher covers. Only zoom/pan when he goes off from this area.

Frank, Robert is going to be in the video he shoots, since he's the godfather. The biggest headache with events like this, even if you're not in the shot, is getting a clear view, because people tend to gather in a circle (want to know how many backs and baldheads I have tried to work around?). What the best advice for avoiding that?

Frank, Robert is going to be in the video he shoots....Oh, (I'm still on my first coffee since I worked late last night). That's always difficult. He should set it up on a tripod, for sure, and somewhere out of the way from people but with a clear view of where the action is going to take place---is there a balcony? Perhaps Robert knows someone trustworthy who can shoot those scenes for him.

Regarding the best advice for avoiding that, don't know. Hire me? :)) No, I would get someone else to handle those shots, someone with a bit of experience. That's a tough question to answer. Whenever I shoot stuff and should capture myself, I simply set up the cam/tripod and stroll in for an appearance or 2. But this is tough. I'd get someone else to take these. I don't see any other way.

Patricia & Frank,

I'm gonna try the tripod route. If things don't look then at least I know the next time around.

Other than myself no one else reads Japanese that I know of. I know ... it's simple 'push this red button' but I guess I don't trust anyone with my gs100 either <g>.

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack the thread ... bad manners on my part. I'm the one just need more java, Frank.

Robert

Robert, if you have a wide angle lens and can get the cam set up and focused ahead of time and sort of convince people not to gather in a circle, it could work. Good luck and congratulations on becoming a godfather. Let us know how it goes.

Okay, so to steer this back on to the subject at hand.... Anyone found/received anymore pictures of the GS400?!?!

No more pics and no more specs, yet. Sorry. After several e-mails to 2 Pana head offices I have receieved zip!

<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Granovski : No more pics and no more specs, yet. Sorry. After several e-mails to 2 Pana head offices I have receieved zip! -->>>

Hi Guys,

Anyone know if the picture and specs from this link are accurate? For one, translated specs show10X optical so that's what confused me. Please advise. Thanks! : )

From Panasonic Spain. Had to translate (babelfish) the page though.

http://www.panasonic.es/fichamod.asp?codegam=01&coderang=EN&codeprd=310&codemod=NV-GS400

Translated specs:
========================
CCD effective Megapíxel of 1/6"and 800K x3 píxels

Capture of fixed photo of 4 Mpixel in card SD or MMC

43 optics LEICA DICOMAR of m/m with focal length 2,85-28 m/m

Optical stabilizer of image (OIS)

Optical zoom lens x10; digitalis x20 - x100

DIGITAL VIDEOCAMERA DV OF 3 CCD

Function Web cam (USB). Photo fixes progressive to any means (tape, card SD or MMC). Screen LCD 200,000 policristalino-silicone of 3,5"and píxels. Built-in flash (GN 05). Analogical input/output and digital DV (i_Link - IEEE1394). Function of informed marks and blockade of archives. Automatic approach and ring of manual approach in objective.

=========End of Translated Specs==

Btw: Chuckmeister also has a specsheet at supervideo.

Thanks for that Pana link. I'll check it out. Supervideo doesn't have the full specs, just the ones I sent him via Pana.

Actually, the GS400 looks a lot like a MX500. But the front lens element looks much wider. So no GS100 for the world outside of Japan, eh? Pity. :-))

Basic specs but no pictures (or good stuff like CCD detail) on English Panasonic site

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/camcorders/nvgs400b/index.htm

Previous Spanish specs with the 1/6" CCDs make it seem like the GS400 may be a DV953 with a better lense and better still scaling ; I'm hoping for so much more!

Don

still another uk site:

http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/CatalogueItem_18206.html

Again, no specs, and again, it sure looks like a MX500! Thanks for the link. :-))

Hi Frank,

I have a bigger sized pic here. want me to just email them to you? I don't know where to post them.