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With their PVGS500, Panasonic may have just about perfected the art and science of standard definition digital camcorders. A 1/4.7" 3CCD sensor (1.07 Megapixels x 3, total) captures images brought to it through a MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Leica Dicomar 7-element, multicoated, 12x zoom lens. While you're recording, images are displayed on a 2.7" widescreen (16:9) color LCD monitor to take full advantage of Cinema Mode shooting, as well as through the electronic viewfinder. A host of automatic features make this a great point-and-shoot camcorder; but for those of you who wish to take command, aperture opening, shutter speed, focus, zoom, audio level, flash intensity, and white balance can all be controlled manually. There's a 4.0 Megapixel still picture recording function (up to 2288 x 1728 pixels), and you can even take 1.2 Megapixel stills while recording video. Video images are stored on Mini DV cassettes and still images on SD Memory Cards. A Hi-Speed USB port and a DV port (IEEE 1394/FireWire/i.LINK) make it simple to transfer video/still images and audio files to your computer for storing, editing, and e-mailing.

Small On Size, Big On Performance

Panasonic's 3CCD Ultra-Compact PVGS500 Digital Palmcorder MultiCam Camcorder may be small in size, but it's big in capabilities. It's designed to capture the same high-quality digital video as conventionally sized camcorders, only in a camera that can fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. You get a video camera, still camera, and teleconferencing Webcam all in one convenient package. Among the technologies packed into this small space is Quad-Density Pixel Distribution, originally developed for broadcast-quality cameras, that uses both vertical and horizontal pixel shifting to improve clarity. MEGA Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) virtually eliminates jitter from unintentional hand movement while taking vibration-sensitive still images. A gyrosensor detects any movement, signaling a microcomputer inside the camera that instantly calculates the compensation needed. Then a linear motor shifts the optical image stabilizer lens as necessary to guide incoming light straight to the CCDs. And Cinema Mode records video in the same widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio as a motion picture, giving your videos a dramatic, cinematic effect.

Capturing With Quality

World renowned lens maker Leica has developed an exquisite, 7-element, multicoated lens that adds a high level of detail and subtlety to your creations, for truly moving pictures. With refinements like a 2-stage neutral density filter for aperture independent adjustment, you'll appreciate the remarkable crisp, true-to-life color that is the hallmark of Leica Dicomar optics. This lens has a 12x optical zoom, with digital zoom up to 700x. Why does the PVGS500 have three CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensors instead of just one? To reproduce color in greatest fidelity, there's a separate CCD for each of the additive primary colors--red, green, and blue--producing 540 lines of breathtaking resolution.

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom

Getting in close makes your subject stand out. When you can't actually move in close, use the PVGS500's 12x optical zoom like a telescope to produce close-up shots with extraordinary clarity, so you won't miss a single detail. This versatile lens system offers variable zoom speeds, so you can adjust your zoom speed from wide angle to full telephoto. What's more, with the zoom microphone feature, as you zoom in on the picture, the audio also "zooms in" so that you can pinpoint distant sound from your subject. And wind noise reduction on the microphone cuts down on background noise. If the optical zoom doesn't get you close enough, digital technology increases the zoom up 700x, for an incredibly close shot.

Holds Stills

SD (Secure Digital) Memory Cards, where the PVGS500 stores still images, are incredibly versatile, hold vast amounts of information (currently up to 2 GBs), and are about the size of a postage stamp. That's why they're revolutionizing the way people enjoy audio, video, and information content. In fact, SD cards are used in a wide range of products including A/V equipment, PCs, cellular phones, PDAs, and other communication devices. You'll be able to enjoy this amazing technology with the PVGS500, opening up a wealth of possibilities. Thanks to the SD card slot you can actually use your camcorder as an external storage drive. Using the included USB cable, transfer photos, data files, or even motion images back and forth between the camcorder and your PC.

A Tale Of Two Remotes

If one remote is good, two remotes are better, right? In this case, yes. The PVGS500 comes with two remote controls, one VCR/DVD player-style wireless with function and direction buttons, and a MagicWire wired remote. Controlling almost all camcorder functions, the wireless remote has a range of about 16 feet and must be pointed at the front of the camcorder within a fairly narrow displacement from straight-on. The MagicWire remote control makes it incredibly easy for you to capture low-angle shots, high-angle shots, or fixed-position tripod shots. It's also perfect for left-handed users. The MagicWire contains all the key camcorder functions (Record, Zoom, PhotoShot), and it even lets you create live video commentary with a built-in narration microphone.

Any Two Ports (And A Slot) In A Storm

It's a snap to transfer images from the PVGS500 to your computer. Use the DV port (IEEE 1394/FireWire/i.LINK) to connect to your personal computer for advanced editing and viewing purposes. Or, use this exceptional digital technology to connect your camcorder to similarly equipped camcorders, allowing you to produce duplicate copies of your personal recordings with almost no loss in picture quality. With the Hi-Speed USB port, you can quickly and easily transfer images and audio files to your computer for storing, e-mailing, or editing. And thanks to the SD Memory Card slot, you can use an SD card to save and transfer still images, video clips, and audio files to your computer. Not only does the PVGS500 brilliantly capture the moments of your life, but this is one camcorder that also makes it simple to edit, save, and share those moments.

Included With Purchase:

AC adapter, DC cable, AC cable, battery pack, wireless remote control with button-type battery, MagicWire remote control, A/V multicable, shoulder strap, USB cable, software CD-ROM, and Operating Instructions.

Comparison Specifications

• 12x Optical/700x Digital Zoom
• 3CCD Camera System, MiniDV Format
• 2.7" Color LCD Rotating Monitor (123K Pixels)
• DV (IEEE 1394/FireWire/i.LINK)/USB Digital Interfaces
• MEGA Optical Image Stabilization
• Auto Focus/Exposure (Shutter/Aperture)/White Balance, 5 Scene Modes
• MagicPix Images (Color Recording in Low Light--2 Lux)
• Manual Focus/Exposure Control
• PhotoShot Built-In Digital Still Camera, JPEG Format (SD/MMC)
• IR Remote Control, MagicWire Remote Control (With Narration Microphone)

Additional Specifications

• Leica Dicomar 7-Element Multicoated Lens
• 1/4.7", 1.07 Megapixel x 3 CCD Image Sensor System
• Quad-Density Pixel Distribution
• Color Viewfinder
• DV Studio (USB Connnection)
• MPEG-4 Movie/4.0 Megapixel Still Picture Recording
• Simultaneous Motion Video/Still Picture Recording
• Progressive PhotoShot Mode (Card Only), RapidFire Consecutive Still Shots
• Built-In SD Drive
• S-Video Output, External Microphone Input

Manufacturer Specifications

• Web Camera Function
• Macro Zooming, Power LCD
• PictBridge Compatible
• Quick Start (Camera On In 1.7 Seconds)
• SP/LP Record/Self Record Modes
• Cinema Mode (16:9 Widescreen Recording)
• High Speed Shutter (Tape: 1/60-1/8000, Card: 1/2-1/2000 Seconds)
• 12-Bit/16-Bit PCM Audio, Wind Noise Reduction, Zoom Mic, Audio Dubbing
• Slow/Frame-By-Frame Advance, Search (With IR Remote Control)
• Rechargeable 7.2 V 1360 mAh Li-Ion Battery

Dimensional Specifications

• Size: 3.6" W x 2.9" H x 6.1" D
• Weight:1.3 lbs (Without Battery, Mini DV Cassette, Lens Cap)

Panasonic PV-GS500 Warranty Details

One-Year Parts, 90-Day Labor Warranty