Summary I purchased this camera because my VHS-C camera finally died. The DV 203 seemed like a good choice for my level of use, I trust other Panasonic brand electronics, and it was on clearance. However, I was very disappointed when after only a week of use, the LCD monitor went all dark except for the battery sign, counter numbers, date, etc. I checked the owners' book for trouble shooting, and there was no trouble shooting section. After examining the camera for about an hour and concluding that this was in fact a camera defect and not just a novice mistake, I took it back to the local store where I purchased it and they allowed me to exchange it for a different camera. It was fortunate that the camera went bad within the two week exchange period the store allows, otherwise I would have had to send it to Panasonic, and I've read how that goes. So I have switched to the Canon ZR 65, which is on the same level as the DV 203 as far as features go. Hopefully this camera will be more reliable.
Strengths I wasn't able to use it long enough to notice any strengths. I guess that it broke in under two weeks is a strength, because I was able to exchange it without too much hassle.
The only real strengths, for which I bought the camera, were it's size, simplicity, and proposed features.
Weaknesses I think I've said enough. But in addition, I think the zoom was weak (a 10X optic) and the zoom switch was too touchy.
Similar Products Used JVC VHS-C camera, now the Canon ZR 65
Customer Service I had a little run around from the local store I purchased the camera from. At first they didn't give me many options, then I told them I was willing to upgrade for a little more and they cooperated (of course).
Summary I just got the camera and I turned it on for the 1st time: "dew detected" warning. there is almost no humidity around. i alos noticed other reviews mentioning hat the sensor is defective. I got no use for the camera.
Strengths All those nice features... w/ this defct they are non existent. NONE
Weaknesses "dew detected" warning makes camera unusable.
Summary I havent had a camcorder for years and this product has made my family incredibly happy. It is great for family get togethers, home movies, and most of all sporting events. It has everything a beginner needs, and everything an expert might need. 400 is a hefty price but their is nothing comparable to it at any lower price.
Strengths Sports. Wow is this camcorder great for young athletes. My son is sending a video to Penn State University and he needed a reliable camcorder. We were shocked at how well the tape came out and we hope it impressed the coach. Man is this thing simple to use. It has all the features u could dream of but it doesnt make it a pain in the but to use them. You will have tons of fun with this camcorder. It is a minidv format,which is digital. It kind of scared me at first, I thought it would be a little tooooo technologically advanced. But was i wrong or what. The picture and sound quality are amazing and at first i thought i didnt need that stuff, but i have realized it wouldnt be the same without it. It truly is a great buy.
Weaknesses So far i havent had any problems, except for the kids bugging me to give it to them. But i love it so much it goes welll protected. Hahahaha. Sorry kids.
Summary DO NOT BUY THIS CAMCORDER!!! I purchased this camcorder because I liked the features that it has. First five days I was really happy with it. I liked the fact that it has a build it digital camera and that it came with a memory card. I was only happy for five days after that problems started occuring. The picture on playback was distored. That's not the real problem. The real problem was with the Panasonic customer service. I waited almost thirty minutes to talk to someone about the problem, then I was sent to a local Panasonic repair shop that was NOT AUTHORIZED to fix digital camcorders. Then after calling Panasonic again and waiting on line for a good amount of time again they've told me to send the camcorder to them. I'm currently waiting to get the camcorder back from them
Strengths Nice compact design, nice features
Weaknesses PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURING FIVE DAYS AFTER PURCHASE!!!
PANASONIC CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!
Customer Service UNEXPERIENCED AND MISLEADING REPS!!!
LONG WAIT TIME!!!
Reviewed by Geoff Caplan
, Intermediate
, from Boca Raton, FL USA
Price Paid $535.00
at Circuit City
Summary As an experienced digital camcorder and camera owner, I have been on the move again. I was recently trying to decide which digital camcorder to keep. Decisions, decisions. Immediately after buying the 203, I tried out the new Sony TRV19. I found that it had some nice Sony features, especially the Carl Zeiss lens and touch screen LCD. I wish it had at least megapixel still image quality or at least some type of interpolation. I then returned to the Panasonic DV203 and have grown to like it a lot. It offers nice features for the price and the overall quality is fairly decent.
The Panasonic PAN PVDV203 that I originally, only briefly tried out is looking better and better for the money.
Admittedly, the Panasonic PV-DV203 has some disadvantages and might not be the "heavy duty serious" type of camcorder that critical cameraphiles look for, but it has some nice features for the price. The non-glare LED style light is a plus and it offers SD media storage for $599. There is a the "magic pix" setting for enhanced exposure. Audio, a hallmark of Panasonic not always mentioned in camcorder discussions, is superb.
Unfortunately, the low light capability of the Panasonic PV-DV203 is mediocre in a dark or dimly lit room but quality seems to improve significantly using the LED light and/or Magic Pix feature. I still need to use this camcorder under a lot of different conditions to get a much better idea as to its capabilities. Initial reaction is that Sony optics in particular are definitely superior. Whether that justified the price difference is another matter and a very subjective decision. I will be doing a lot of outdoor shooting shortly, but of course that is optimal for most digital cameras and camcorders.
One of the major disadvantages is mainly the "interpolation" instead of "real" megapixel still imaging. You can definitely see the difference.
A web designer I work with who is very experienced with digital photography pointed out to me that low light video is usually not that great with many camcorders and that the low or zero lux features available on some are a nice and important feature only if you happen to shoot in very dark or non-lit areas. After examining and handling it, he also noted that the Panasonic DV203 has some nice features and that suggested that I should use it extensively rather than prejudging it by constantly looking for slight advantages or disadvantages. It does offer a lot of functionality and I guess I am not going to find the "perfect" digital camcorder in this price range. The bottom line is that I need to get used to it, enjoy it and explore its versatility, which is significant. It would also be nice, however, if there were more published reviews on this product but I can't find any - so far. I guess because the product is so new. I am now leaning toward keeping this camcorder. By the way, if you look up this camcorder on the Circuit City web site, you'll see my admittedly :-) non-professional mini-review of it. There currently only two on the site for the 203 as of this writing. It is also available online at a significant discount than the MSRP.
Strengths Build-in LED non-glare light; Magic Pix; stylish and ergonomic.
Weaknesses "Interpolated" megapixel still imaging; poor video and still imaging in dimly lit environments.
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