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Shoot! - A Trio of Digital Video Cameras
By Sean Carruthers, posted 1/14/2004 12:51:01 PM

The three-CCD advantage
Panasonic NV-GS70
http://www.panasonic.ca/
Estimated price: $1,649

Although the three-CCD design is popular in higher-end digital video cameras, it's less common in consumer-level models. Panasonic's NV-GS70 is a notable exception, using three prisms to split the light to three separate CCD sensors, for better colour reproduction.

Even with triple the sensors, the camera manages to keep a fairly slim design. Leica is one of Panasonic's main partners when it comes to optics, both in DV and with its Lumix digital still camera line, and this camera features a 10X Leica optical zoom. With this camera, you actually have the option of focusing manually -- just flick the manual focus switch on the side, then spin the focus ring around the lens.

Another nice feature: not only can the camera capture still images of up to 1.2 MP, it also has a built-in flash, which isn't that common with DV. Still images are saved to SD memory (an 8 MB card is included) or you can record them to tape (it's like a paused image with your voice commentary). A switch on the side of the camera allows you to choose your media.

Ergonomically speaking, the camera is quite nice, with a design that fits nicely into the palm of your hand. Most of the controls are within easy reach of your fingers when you're using the hand strap, except for the menu controls, which you probably want to keep away from your fingers anyhow, to avoid accidentally hitting them. The camera comes with a 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder that spins through 270 degrees, so you can almost always see what you're shooting.

The downside for a model with three CCDs onboard: it's more costly. Those who really value better image quality should check this out, but beginners will probably find a more basic model just as satisfying to start out with, and at a much more reasonable cost.