The NV-GS27 is the entry-level product in Panasonic's 2006 range of MiniDV camcorders. The new single-CCD, DV-out-only model is almost identical in appearance to the next model up in the range, the NV-GS37.
While the higher-end model boasts a video light, an external mic input, a remote control, audio dubbing and a colour viewfinder, in addition to slow-motion and frame-by-frame playback modes, it's clear to see the NV-GS27 is aimed fairly and squarely at the user who merely seeks a good, no-nonsense starter model for shooting simple home movies on DV. This camcorder has no DV or analogue input capabilities, or even a memory card for storing digital stills.
However, what the NV-GS27 lacks in functionality, it certainly makes up for in terms of body styling and comfortable handling, as its sleek exterior and practical positioning of controls makes it easy for a complete beginner to start shooting within minutes.
The camera has a 2.5in colour LCD screen, as well as the 0.33in black-and-white viewfinder.
Particularly welcome is the side-loading tape compartment on the right, behind the hand-strap. This contributes to the device's slightly fat body shape, which makes for more satisfactory handling and stability when recording.
The main function dial at the rear of the camera provides quick and easy function switching between video record and playback modes. A centre-mounted joystick controls menu navigation and selection, as well as tape playback. The tiny joystick works in conjunction with an on-screen graphical display, but it does take some getting used to.
The graphical interface is bright, easy to understand and uncluttered even when making manual adjustments to focus, exposure and white balance during recording. Its cascading menu structure can be confusing, though, as its lets you make more than one level of adjustments - for example, manual focus and white balance - simultaneously.
The NV-GS27 offers only basic analogue and digital output connectivity, which is hardly surprising given its entry-level status. There are no DV or AV inputs: it only offers DV-out (via built-in FireWire), USB (for tape-based digital stills and webcam functions) and AV-out. However, the latter has a four-pole minijack multi-watt connector, which doubles as a switchable headphone output. Three RCA phono leads (composite video, stereo and audio) break out from the AV plug. It's worth noting that although the user guide makes reference to S-Video output, the NV-GS27 offers no such connectivity.
The NV-GS27 shoots good images in optimum lighting conditions such as outdoors on a bright, sunny day. Its single 1/6in CCD captures good, well-resolved images and copes well in variable contrast lighting conditions in both standard 4:3 TV or pseudo widescreen 'cinema' mode. Although it doesn't fare so well when recording in lower-light conditions, with the resulting images less well resolved and noticeably grainy.
On a more positive note, its impressive 30x optical zoom ratio is the highest of any consumer digital camcorder in its class and is a welcome bonus, as is the SIS image stabiliser, which is designed to reduce camera shake.
Stereo audio separation and quality is as good as you can expect from a camera at this price, with little or no system noise being picked when recording in quiet surroundings. The zoom microphone is such that the audio properties are intended to mimic the action of the zoom lens - that is, zoom and the audio should zoom with you. In practice, these things never seem to make much of a difference, but will no doubt inspire some to experiment.
We have severe reservations about the inclusion of a 1000x digital zoom, though, as this feature offers little in the way of good magnification due to the massively heavy pixellation involved, and it's unclear as to why such a feature is included at all. At 50x, the digital magnification is just about acceptable to the average user.
The Panasonic NV-GS27 is aimed at the camcorder newbie, and represents great value for money, simply because it does what it's supposed to do, and it does it in the manner you would expect. Putting the slight niggles we have about this camcorder aside, there's no doubt that this is the kind of device that will appeal to home users looking for a no-frills, low-cost camera to record all the usual stuff families record. In that respect, it can't really be faulted.
The kind of device that will appeal to home users looking for a no-frills, low-cost camera to record all the usual stuff families recordAuthor: Colin Barrett
Panasonic NV-GS27