Benchmark: Panasonic PV-L859 VHS-C Camcorder (page 2)

The PV-L859 has most everything the casual shooter would ever want or need in a camcorder. The controls are well placed and easily accessible. It's got good ergonomics in other words. Add to these the convenience of VHS and it's a sure winner.
If there's a downside, it's that the PV-L859 is somewhat pricey for a VHS-C format camcorder. You can buy an entry level DV camcorder that gets you better resolution for the same money. Keep in mind, however, you may not get all of the manual controls and goodies on a DV model at this price. You won't be able to play your tapes in your VCR either. Those are hefty sacrifices if you simply want a good family camcorder to record life's treasures, both as video and web-capable digital stills.

-DB

Format VHS-C
Lens 26:1 optical zoom, 300:1 digital zoom, f/1.6
Image Sensor 1 CCD, 480,000 pixels
Viewfinder color, 4-inch LCD monitor
Focus auto, manual
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/10,000 of a second
Exposure Auto
White Balance auto
Digital Effects strobe, still, wipe, 16:9 wide-screen mode, color filter, fade
Inputs 1/8" microphone jack
Outputs composite (RCA) video, RCA audio, headphone
Edit Control infrared
Other Features motion security mode, time lapse, 640x480 digital still, intelligent titler
Dimensions 4 1/4 (width) x 4 5/8 (height) x 7 1/8 (depth) inches
Weight (sans tape and battery) 2.4 pounds

Video Performance (Approx.)

• Horizontal Resolution (camera) 330 lines
• Horizontal Resolution (playback) 200 lines

Performance Times

• Pause to Record 1.2 seconds
• Power-up to Record 4.5 seconds
• Fast-forward/Rewind (30 min. tape) 4 minutes, 38 seconds

strengths

• Microphone and headphone jacks
• Manual control
• Digital still with Compac

weaknesses

• price
• low playback resolution
• inherent weakness of VHS-C format (tape length, resolution)

summary

• A well equipped VHS-C camcorder, but you could get a DV camcorder for about the same price.

PV-L859
($900)
Panasonic
1 Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(800) 211-PANA
www.panasonic.com

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