Panasonic AG-DVC7 Mini DV Camcorder Review (page 2)

The on-camera stereo microphone sits just above the lens at the base of the large handle, which is not a great location. While it is capable of capturing the voice of someone standing less than ten feet away, it picks up tape transport and zoom motor noise in complete silence. Of course it is always preferable to use an off-camera mike close to the subject. The DVC7 has a stereo mini jack input along with a headphone jack for monitoring. There are no manual level adjustments for audio gain or headphone volume. A selectable "zoom microphone " feature claims to alter the on-camera microphone's directional angle when zooming in or out on a subject. When used, it sounded as though the camera was increasing or decreasing the overall gain as we zoomed in and out.

Overall, the images that this camera produced were decent, but not impressive. Scenes with high contrast resolved with good detail and little noise in the dark areas. The camera recorded colors accurately although the saturation and separation of reds and greens was limited. Skin tones, while not objectionable, tended to remain slightly cool even after adjusting white balancing. The Auto Tracking White Balance is a handy feature that worked well when we moved or panned slowly from different light sources. We found the automatic features to be good, but the camera lacks a host of features a professional might look for (e.g. zebra pattern, manual audio controls, XLR inputs, optical image stabilization and three CCDs to name a few).

There are real ergonomic advantages to shoulder-shooting with a larger camera and perhaps that is a reason to consider this camera. To be honest, however, we've seen Mini DV camcorders the size of a paperback books that match the DVC7 in features, performance and even weight (most of the DVC7's back portion is completely hollow). There is no doubt that the DVC7 was designed (and priced) with the hobbyist in mind, yet there is an obvious "For commercial use only " decal just below the tape transport - a warning that we've never seen on cameras costing ten times as much. But we have heard anecdotes from our readers that their clients just won't take them seriously if they walk into a shoot with a camera that looks like a toy. Well, let us reassure you: an AG-DVC7 slung across your shoulder will definitely make you look like a network ENG shooter, even if it is a 1CCD consumer camera in disguise.

Format: Mini DV
Lens: fl=3.1 to 46.4mm, 15:1 optical zoom, f/1.8, 43mm filter
Image Sensor: 1/4-inch CCD
Viewfinder: 0.55-inch color
LCD Viewscreen: 2.5-inch color
Focus: auto, manual
Image Stabilization: electronic
Exposure Control: auto, manual
Program AE modes: 6
White Balance: auto, manual
Digital Effects: 8
Audio: 12-bit or 16-bit stereo
Inputs: FireWire, S-Video, composite video, stereo audio, mike
Outputs: FireWire, S-Video, composite video, stereo audio, headphone
Edit interface: FireWire
Still Resolution: 720x480
Still Memory: tape
Still Flash: none
Dimensions (w x h x d): 8.4 x 8.9 x 17.2 inches (214 x 225 x 436 mm)
Weight (sans tape and battery): 4.4 lbs (1,996g)

• Tested Horizontal Resolution: 475 lines

• Shoulder-mounted stability
• Professional appearance
• Consumer price

• Bulky
• Hollow plastic construction

A shoulder-mounted shooter with a professional look, at a consumer price.

$1,295
Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems
One Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(800) 528-8601
www.panasonic.com/PBDS/

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