DV852 vs GS100
 

OK everybody knows that the 852 is the best camera for $600 and the GS100 is the best for $1200, question is, what am i getting for double the price? If anyone can breakdown the "upgraded" features ...

Bigger LCD (3.5" vs. 2.5"), better color, and there's the definate "cool" factor of having a camcorder that you can't buy in the US yet.

The downside to the Panny 3 chippers is that the low-light isn't that great. OK, but not great. One of the perceived benefits of the GS100 over the DV953 is better low-light, but I still read complaints on this board and others over the GS100's low-light capabilities. I think you'll find the 852 to be better in those situations.

In addition to what Rich has mentioned:

The GS100 has a high resolution 16:9 mode along with frame mode. The Pro Cinema mode combines the two along with cine-like gamma for an impressive look. The GS100 is also a little shorter and smaller than the DV852.

I thoroughly enjoyed my MX1000 (same as DV852 but with 3.5" LCD) and if it had a quality 16:9 mode I'd probably still have it. The DV852 has great color accuracy for a single chipper that comes close to the 3CCD mark (IMO).

One last point that matters to some is that the GS100 loads its tapes from the top versus the bottom loading DV852. Top loading is helpful when changing out tapes on a tripod without having to remove the cam.

Others things not available in the 852.

Pro/Advanced Features
Bass Enhancer
Crystal Engine
Low Dispersion Lens
Smooth Colored Night Mode (1/8 - 1/500)
Tele Macro
Skin Detail
Slow Shutter Speeds under Still Mode
Wired Remote with Built-In Mic
Magic Strap
Black body


On paper, minimum lux rating is the same: 12 lux

What is Bass Enhancer for?

It's for those fishing shows. It makes a 4 pounder look like an 8 pounder. ;-)

Yup. Silver bass, smallmouth, rock bass---they're good eatin'. :-))

That would be the bass for the audio, would it not?

Magic strap is the most outstanding feature, actually. Unparalleled refinement.

Oops I forgot something even cooler than magic strap.

Air soft grip.

Does the 852 have an extra record/pause button at the lens barrel too?


Yeah, that's bass for audio. Under procinema, cam is set to +6db, but manual setting is possible (0,3,6dB) through menu operation.

<<<-- Originally posted by Tommy Haupfear : The DV852 has great color accuracy for a single chipper that comes close to the 3CCD mark (IMO). -->>>

That's not fair, Tommy, I share your opinion, too, having owned the MX8.

That's IOO (In our opinions).

:-)

consumer cam with a prosumer mind
 

Panasonic DV852 is a very good cam...Dv852 vs GS100k vs dvx100 vs whatever?...it's all about the purpose you are using the cam plus your talent and creativity and plus of course your Money:) = knowing what you will use it for.I use the camera to capture the motion that I usually plan in my head(music videos,indie shorts) and use Vegas video,NLEs,pc for color correction,fx,artistic stuff ect. and dv852 does it way better than it's competitors so far.The only major minus about the dv852 is no quality 16:9(which i do it in post)...is it worth an other $500? again depends on your choice,your artistic vision.I would say buy the dv852 use it nicely and you can always sell it and upgrade for the better...That's how i think..step by step...

dv852 also has very good low light and wider lens than most.It's bigger than dv953 and gs100k...i like bigger cams...the design of the cam is beautiful comparing to lots of other silly shape S*ny,C*non consumer models:)

I will be shooting a music video with my dv852 soon,It will be great and i will share it with you guys when it's done.

Good luck!