This is a great camera. I bought it a few months ago for an rv trip and the moment the battery was fully charged i hooked it up to the camera, put in a tape, and walked around the house experimenting. On the trip, it performed excellently. When properly exposed, the camera's three CCD chips reproduced colors surprisingly well. The microphone has a neat wind-cut function that works very well.

Pros
-great image and sound quality
-10x zoom
-color electronic view finder (which is becoming very rare in consumer camcorders now)
-very simple menu navigation
-photoshot feature
-nice joystick navigation for menus

Cons
-Poor low-light shooting
-no hot shoe
-no manual focus ring
-manual/auto switch inconviniently located
-no firewire input
-you have to remove the battery and go through a messy process to hook the camera up to a computer




I highly recommend this camera for beginners or even enthusiasts with a low budget.

I have the Panasonic PV-GS320 for about 3 weeks. Took it on a trip to get some practice with it. Easy to use and set up. Make sure you have an extra battery. The one that come with it is good for about 25-30 minutes.

Best results are outdoors and in bright light. It has a camera feature to allow still pictures to a 1 GB storage card, which is kind of neat. Cassette tape goes in and out easily.

Single worst feature is the lack of good quality sound. It has no audio jack, so the sound is a bit garbled if you don't speak loudly and into the mike. Otherwise, for the money, it is a good camcorder which is fun to use.

Most of the reviews on here are spot on, so I'll just go with what doesn't work that well and what I found to be a con to this camera.

And that is mainly that it's hard to pick up light while retaining image quality in darker places regardless of what settings are used. Also, I'm disappointed by the lack of external microphone jack, and, from what I've seen, the sound quality isn't of the highest quality.

In the end, I'll probably just use this for filming music videos.

I'd recommend this camera to those relatively new to film and just need something to get started out with that is of reasonable price. I got mine for $320.

I bought this camera as a semi-impulse buy because at the last minute I decided I needed a video of my wedding ceremony (we had skipped the videographer to save on cost). Besides a brief test, the first time this camera was used was at the wedding. It did a beautiful job. A friend (an amateur) taped the ceremony from about 40 feet away, and the picture and sound both came out very well. You can hear everything, the colors are crisp, the zoom works very well, and the whole thing just turned out beautifully. It was easy to figure out and use and I couldn't be happier with the result. It also downloaded easily to my iMac and works well with iMovie, although I had to buy a firewire cord to download (it comes with USB which only works with a PC). I got the firewire cord on Amazon for $14.

I just returned the Panasonic PV-320GS MiniDV Camcorder due to one devastating problem: the video quality is at issue when viewing on a 1080p LCD. The edges of everything stairstep badly. It appears like the picture on an old analog tv, dark lines between the lighted pixels. Very lo res. I guess I'll need to move up to an hd model.
I want to thank Amazon for having a good return policy, accepting the camcorder back for a full refund.

Complete disappointment. The camcorder has so many features, but the zoom lever easily popped off and left the lens unable to zoom. Panasonic would not stand by their product and I was unable to get the camera fixed without a substantial fee. After four calls I was unsatisfied and the camera still cannot zoom. At a store I found that the zoom lever easily comes off. Avoid this product. There are too many cheap factors that can ruin the great features. Technical and customer support are useless.

I bought this because i'm filming a movie and we needed a new camera. I read all the reviews. The camera looks like its HD! The only problem with it is that there's no mic input. This is not a huge problem because to overcome this, we bought a mini disc recorder and hooked up our mic to it and then synced it in editing! I love this camcorder! Also! It will except filters and lenses (37mm)

Performance wise, this is a great Camcorder. I dropped my old one on the cement and needed a replacement. BEST thing is the image stabilization. I've got a ton of videos taken at maximum zoom that are very shakey, so I immediately noticed the improvement with IS. Even at maximum zoom, there's very little shake. Nice!

There's nothing fancy other than that. Typical zoom range, typical features. I do really like the jog dial menu navigation and it's really good for start/stop/FF/Rev. Much better than my old Panasonic's dedicated buttons that were located on the side of the camcorder inside the area where the screen folds out.

However, at $325, this is too expensive. Mini-DV is on the way out and I only bought this because I've got so many existing Mini-DV tapes that I've not yet digitized (I also like the higher quality over MPEG, but that wouldn't have stopped me from buying a HD camcorder by itself). It shouldn't cost this much. $200 or even $250 would have been much more reasonable.

However, given the IS & my need for the Mini-DV format, I would buy this camera again, even with my price comment above.
Recommended!

If you want a miniDV camcorder before they all go away, the Panasonic PV-GS320 is a good choice. Every year they seam to reduce features on these cameras but at least the Panasonic PV-GS320 did not cut out picture quality. I really wish they had an external microphone jack on the camera but it does not. However, you can kill all the audio using the Panasonic software that comes with it. Use this one for point an shoot only, edit and add audio later on a PC. (However you can change the audio on the camera as well) It takes true 16x9 as well as standard. It is very easy to use and learn, especially if you ever owned a Panasonic VHS-C camcorder before, i.e. the ergonomics are like other Panasonic cameras I have used. Be sure to have a computer as new as possible and use the software provided with the camera to capture the video. There is nothing here that will do it for you, you will have to figure all the editing and adding audio and things like that out but it does give you some help. I use both a MAC and a PC. The PC is a Sony Vaio that also uses firewire (cable sold seperately). Firewire is better to use in my opinion. I could also use the hi-speed usb, (which comes in the box with the camera). I do not recommend standard microsoft movie maker/editor, for mine does not recognizes 16x9, it squishes it into a 4:3 frame. My Sony PC is a 2003 model, so I think the year has something to do with it but use the Panasonic software to transfer the video onto the PC. I have also used Nero 6.6 to edit after capturing the video on the Panasonic software and it works okay. Just keep in mind to use THE COMPUTER using the Panasonic software to edit the video, add new sound or music to it. You can also re-record the new version back on the camera using a new mini DV tape if you want. I'm not a pro at video know how, but I am an artist and have made videos in the past using amature equipment and find Panasonic video cameras a good choice. If you cannot afford a 1,000 dollar Panasonic like me, then go for this one, it will work for you if you are willing to sacrifice on-camera features for software instead. Otherwise do allot of research and ask some pro's. I have a realative who works professionally with video cameras in the business, (movies, sports etc.) and he said this one is not too bad. Not the best by any means (for the best cost in the thousands) but he did mention that Panasonic cameras are an excellent choice and said this one is a good starter, if that helps. Panasonic PV-GS320 3.1MP 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.

i bought this camcorder as a demo model back in april 2008 only used it 1 time,and when i went to use it in july 2008 it would not play any mini dv tapes,so i tryed another one,and it did not work out at all,so i contacted the store where i got it from,they said since you dont have a warranty with us,then you have to contact the manufacture,so i did, and oh my gosh,what a load of junk you have to go through.all automatated system. and no person able to talk to at all.so if you buy this camera and it breaks,good luck trying to get it repaired.sony is so much better customer service.i have other products that are sony and always able to get ahold of a live person. and to make matters worse,panasonics web site for supports link are not avalible anymore,interesting ...

We have this camera for about a month , occasionally use and it work well for us, mainly for our little daugter, draw back: no flash light, not real good at night, picture quality is ok.

I bought this GS320 to replace a GS12 that quit working after about 6 or 7 years. It serves as a back-up for my Sony PD170 that I use to record high school football and volleyball games and live music events around South Texas. I was going to use it just for cut-a-ways for the videos and to act as a rewinder for all of the miniDV tapes that I run through the PD170. It turns out that the sound it records at live musical events is actually better that the sound I record using the PD170's removable mike. That will change once I start using the remote mic I have purchased, plus, at larger events I am able to tie directly into the sound board with the Sony.
The GS320 is a great, lightweight (in a good way!)camcorder loaded with an easy to use menu system. It is wonderful to use at outside events, but it lacks a little when used indoors at venues that use dim lighting.
It is a 3CCD camcorder, so the picture is crisp, clear and clean when the lighting is good. I am still learning all of the camera's features, but so far I am happy with my purchase and, once again, Amazon was amazing!
Brad Burns
La Vernia, Texas.

Picture quality is excellent, especially outdoor shots on sunny days. The color reproduction is very good. Indoor shots are also very good and even low light shots aren't bad. This was a huge step-up from the old VHS HQ camera I used to use. Transferring the video to a computer with an IEEE 1394 (firewire) cable is easy and doesn't result in any loss of picture quality or frame rate. Videos do take up a large amount of hard drive space (594 Mb for a 2.5 minute clip), but the quality is exceptional. It certainly isn't HD but the picture will look very good on a standard definition TV (the output resolution is the same as DVDs use, 720x480). The camera is quite small so it is very easy to get shaky pictures and the image stabilizer doesn't always react fast enough to fix some of the jitters. With some practice though it's not bad.

This item works quite well on the Mac with I movie. The tape system works best for the mac even though the format is older. quality of the pictures is good and I am happy with the camera. It seems to be a good camera for an amateur. It has many good features 3ccd, minidv, macintosh compatable,mini dv, firewire.

This camera is so very easy to use. The controls are in a good place toe easily go from one function to another. Also it takes great video.

It's certainly not the best camera out there, but for the money, you can't beat it. Better than camera's costing 50% more.

This is a great camera that is easy to use and takes great video in almost every situation. This camera is for the person who wants to video his family and friends and keep is simple.

The only complaint is the way it fits in your hand - it will flop over if you let go of it and just use the strap.

Works with my Mac.

When its time for me to replace my old Mini-DV camcorder I made an extensive research whether to buy another old technology camcorder (mini-dv or DVD based) or buy a new technology camcorder (HD or hard drive based). I finally compromised on buying this, since this is a compromise between old and new. It uses 3CCD technology which is cool because the same tech. is used in professional cameras.

Am I satisfied with my purchase? A big Yes. Especially the capability to record still images on a SD card at an amazing clarity eliminated the need for me to carry both camcorder and digital camera.

I would recommend to buy this to anyone who is looking for a budget camcorder but do not want to compromise on quality.

I purchased the Panasonic PV-GS320 model to replace the PV-GS85 I'd been using for five months. Although I'm missing the more powerful optical zoom of the 85, the much more realistic color balance of the 320 worth the change. I think I could only change this excellent camera if I find a significantly better HD model. Videos in standard and widescreen modes are beautifully captured when using adequate illumination. Still pictures are also very good in standard size, but pictures in widescreen mode have less resolution.

I recommend this camera to those needing great recordings on mini-dv format.

To get a camera with a 3CCD lense for under $400 is pretty amazing. Now, it's not perfect and definitely consumer-grade but it can shoot a professional-grade shot in the hands of an experinced user. I would recommend getting 37mm filters and maybe some accessory lenses if you want to have more fun and flexibility. The BIG think that's lacking is an audio out to lest recording levels from the mic input. That is quite annoying but I guess we'll have to pay more to get into the pro range for that feature. It is a great value at a low price and we've bought several.

Overall, the PV-GS320 is great. The video quality is great for the price. The joystick for manual controls is slightly annoying, especially for focus. A manual focus ring and mic input would have been nice. Connects and operates perfectly with my Mac and Final Cut Pro. Overall, great video quality for a small, consumer camcorder.

I am a hobbyist who shoots a lot of live video of bands in clubs. I have a Panasonic DVX-100B as my primary camera, but needed something more economical for a second. I bought a GS320 after reading reviews around the web. The control I have over the image is great, with individual controls for iris, shutter speed, white balance, and more. The sound quality is really good, too. Loved it so much I bought another. Does well in low light, although ultralowlight introduces noise into the picture, which is normal -- in general, if you want to shoot decent video or still photos, you need light. Duh. I am very impressed with the way this camera's mics handle loud music. It it possible to clip the audio, but that takes a bit to do. I shot The Band Of Heathens from stage level with the camera just about on top of the monitors and got great audio. It was after that experience that I decided to purchase my second GS320. Now I have three great cameras to create videos of live performances of my favorite indie bands.

You can spend more and get more, but you can't get more at this price! Picture quality is excellent, you would need to go HD to get better. Sound is good. Recording to tape means better quality than current digital storage and longer uninterrupted recording, at least at this price range. The down side is that dubbing to my computer is done in real time (1 hr video takes 1 hr to load). I consider that a small price to pay for the picture quality and cost of the camera. It is small and light, controls are easy and intuitive after a short time with the manual. Comes with a remote, which is great for operating it and not being it everyone's way. I would like to see mic inputs and head phone out jacks, but at this price, I am not complaining. Low light seems a little grainy, so I am looking for a good light to attach to the shoe (which does not appear to be a "hot shoe", rather only a place to attach something. Makes a great web cam when not filming the grandchildren. Excellent choice for family video. Interfaces well with my iMac and iMovie!

+ This is an excellent buy for the money. If you are looking for something that has nice movie quality and is fairly inexpensive this would be it. The still picture quality is not the greatest but passes for the average photo taker.

- I was disappointed that the software that come with it wasn't compatible with Vista, and if you want to put the video on your computer, you will need to buy and additional DV cable in order to transfer your movie clips from the DVI tapes to your computer as well.

I shot a wedding useing two of these cameras next to my Panasonic DVX100b
and while there was some difference in image quality I was pleasantly surprised at how well the GS320 did.

I've only used the product once to take videos and then capture it on my PC. I had no problems and the quality was good. The menus were easy to understand, access and operate. The included software was also easy enough to use once I played with it a bit. I doubt I'll ever use the still picture capability of the MiniDV since I already have a higher resolution digital SLR, but the instructions looked pretty straight forward.

I found this to be a pretty good camera in terms of picture quality for the money. I bought this one because of the 3CCD technology. I also stopped by the big box stores to get a personal feel for the controls before buying online and thought the Panasonic thumbwheel type of control felt pretty good. Went with MiniDisk versus DVD writing models cause I did not want the conversion to DVD format on the camera - rip it back to my PC for editing - then back to DVD. I think the hand strap is a bit loose but not a big deal. Would have liked to see it come with a 6 to 4 firewire cable instead of the USB cable. But I guess if I had a PC and it came with a firewire then I'd want it the other way around.... Overall the camera plugged into my MAC and downloaded easily. The conversion over to Imovie and IDVD were pretty impressive.

I just picked up this camera locally to use as a backup/crash cam for a AG-DVX200 prosumer camcorder. It works fine and by all means is a good camera for the money but there a few features that are annoying enough that some folks might want to avoid it (none of these points are a deal breaker for my purposes).

1) There is no audio input so you're stuck with the microphone that is in the camera.
2) The USB, DV and power ports are located behind the battery. This wouldn't be so bad except for the next point.
3) The charger will not power the camera and charge the battery at the same time. This is a good way to force us to purchase a second battery. We need a second battery anyway..
4) The hand strap position makes NO sense. It is far too low slung making the camera fit loose in your hand. Once you loosen your grip on the camera, it flops around in your hand uncontrollably. Not a problem if once you grip it again. Bah!
5) The hot shoe is actually a cold shoe so there is no way to trigger an external flash when using the still camera mode.

While those points are enough to sway away most users, this camera is about low cost high quality video, not the normal features consumers have come to expect. The camera is solid and produces a fine picture. The controls are usable with one hand so you can make adjustments on the fly fairly easily. Pressing the camera button during video recording or playback will cause a still image to be recorded to the SD memory card - kinda neat. Finally, it works with Linux so dvgrab just pulls down video on demand.

I'd give this camera a 7 overall and a 9 on picture quality. For the price, it's probably the best picture wise. You have to decide if the negatives are a show stopper or not.

I think for someone who is interested in a low cost high quality SD (standard definition) camcorder with picture quality being the number one requirement, this little camcorder is the ticket.

Esta era la cámara que estaba buscando. Bajo precio y gran calidad de imagen para el mismo. Es excelente en días soleados, maneja muy bien los contrastes y el color tiene un tono natural. Las fotos son aceptables y sirven muy bien para el album de recuerdos y mejor si se quieren enviar por internet. La recomiendo si eres un aficionado que quiere un buen acabado en su imagen de video.

I bought my GS320 over Christmas and have been truly impressed with it.
The reason I got it was to videotape mobility scooters for product reviews.

I didn't even truly understand what they mean by a great image until I viewed my first videos from this camcorder. I was amazed by the clarity and detail of the images.

The GS320 is a great balance of what you need to produce 1st class videos at a reasonable cost.

I highly recommend it.

Glenn
[...]

I have purchased this camcorder to record my newborn. This one is giving excellent video recording (except at very dark, anyway I will not be recording in complete dark place). I have transferred the video to laptop thru FireWire cable (cheap one purchased from Amazon) and burned a DVD- the image quality is amazing. I would recommend this camcorder over the HDD/DVD based expensive ones. This editing software bundled with this camcorder is good enough for basic editing job.

If you want to film and edit your movies, MiniDV is still the best platform. Panasonic has provided the best solution for the money in it's PV-GS320 3CC camcorder. It's easy to use, and takes beautiful shots - even in low light. The 16:9 format is especially nice.

We replaced our Canon ZR70 with the PV-GS320. There is no comparison in video and audio quality. The Panasonic blows it away. Also compact enough to manage but not so small there's no where to put your hand. Only time will tell if it proves to be reliable. The ZR70 only lasted a couple years.

I was a little disappointed in that the camcorder did not have a built-in light as do newer models, but that is my fault. Otherwise, it is a very good product.

When shopping for camcorders I was torn between this one and several (much more expensive) high definition options. I'm happy to have gone with the GS320. It shoots in 16:9 and the image quality looks great on my 42" HD TV... comparable to watching a DVD I think. Colors are vivid and I have no regrets about not going with a HD camcorder. Software is pretty intuitive, though I wish it allowed for mpeg2 compression (since the avi files you get are HUGE). Otherwise, no complaints.