Mini DV Camcorder Review:
Panasonic AG-DVC80 (page 2)

The DVC80 has more time code options than most people will know how to use, including rewriting time code and the ability to setting the User Bits for whatever you need.

We like the Scene File dial, which allows you to set up six custom modes that you can instantly access. Other variables you can tweak include the Detail (sharpness), Chroma (level and phase), black pedestal, auto iris target and skin tone detail. You'll probably only need a couple of these in practice, but it is this kind of fine tuning that virtually guarantees that you'll be able to get an image that you like from this camera.

The DVC80 is equipped with a generous 3.5-inch 200,000 pixel LCD monitor and a 0.44 inch 180,000 pixel color view-finder. The color viewfinder, while some what harder to focus than a black and white one, is very comfortable to use and tilts easily to 90 degrees. Display information options for monitoring are impressive with an SMPTE color bar pattern available for reference.

Of course this camera begs to be compared to the DVX100, which was the 24p buzz of the camera world not long ago (and was reviewed in these pages in April 2003).

Yes, it looks similar and has many of the same features. Wait: it has very nearly all of the same important everyday useful features. If you don't need 24p (and you probably don't - see the August 2003 issue), but you want quality and fine-image tweakability, this is the camera for you.

The DVC80 is a great little camera with a lot of punch and more depth than we have room to mention here. With an equally impressive sticker price of $3,295, the DVC80 is a serious tool that will find its way into the hands of many prosumers and will improve production values along the way.

Format: Mini DV
Lens: fl=4.5mm to 45mm, F/1.6, 10x optical zoom, 72mm filter diameter
Image Sensor: 3 x 1/3-inch CCD
Gross pixels: 380,000
Viewfinder: color (0.44-inch)
LCD Viewscreen: 3.5-inch color (200k pixels)
Focus: auto, manual
Zoom: servo, manual
Image Stabilization: optical
Maximum Shutter Speed: 1/2,000
Iris Control: yes
Exposure: auto, manual
White Balance: auto, presets, manual
Audio: 16-bit 48kHz
Microphone Input: XLR (+48v phantom), RCA
Headphone Output: 1/8-inch stereo mini
Video Inputs: FireWire, S-video, composite
Video Outputs: FireWire, S-video, composite
Edit Interface: FireWire, LANC
Dimension (W x H x D): 5 1/2 x 6 5/16 x 14 3/8 (139x160x364mm)
Weight: 3.65lbs (1.66kg) (sans tape and battery)

Performance
Tested Horizontal Resolution: 520+ lines
Field of View: 53-degrees

• Pro control features
• Image/Lens
• Balanced audio inputs
• Manual audio controls

• Motor/hand noise on cam microphone

A lightweight camera with heavyweight features.

Panasonic Broadcast & TV Systems
One Panasonic Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(800) 528-8601
www.panasonic.com/pbds
$2,995

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