PVGS70 or PVGS120? at DVinfo.net

Don White · April 21st, 2004, 08:50 PM

Say, there are some new low-end 3-chip panasonic models out now that I see advertise, the PVVS70 and 120. In fact, they're selling for within $20 of one another and look the same, and I haven't seen any reviews. Which one is better, or are they both terrible, or ?????

My needs are not extreme, will mostly use it for dubbing, but wouldn't mind having a 3CCD camcorder if I can get it for around 600 bucks.

Anyone out there have any thoughts?

thanks

- a clueless guy with lots of video

Frank Granovski · April 22nd, 2004, 01:31 AM

The GS120 replaces the GS70, but the GS200 seems to be more like the GS70. How's that? I think it was Allan who mentioned that you get more bang for the buck with the GS70. Maybe he can chime in.

Kevin James · August 23rd, 2004, 06:28 PM

Sorry to bring this post back from the dead, but I am eyeing both, trying to make a decision.

The 120 has a higher pixel count.....I wonder if it's noticably so.

Guy Bruner · August 23rd, 2004, 06:31 PM

The PQ of all 3 are about the same. The electronic image stabilizer of the GS200 is reportedly better than the other two.

Kevin James · August 23rd, 2004, 06:36 PM

I'm seeing in some of the old threads that the Effective video pixel count on the 70 is around 290k, where the 120 is over 400k........

I'm also having trouble determining the amount of manual control on the 70 and 120. I see the 200 has full manual. Doubt that they have zebra patterns........

EDIT: Found the manual info...downloaded the instructions. It looks like the Shutter mode is more of a shutter priority mode than full manual, fine for my needs though.

Guy Bruner · August 23rd, 2004, 07:01 PM

Don't know about the GS70 but the GS120 has full manual control (well the same as the GS200). The 200 has a manual focus ring that the 120 does not have. But, the 120 will manually focus using a slider switch.

Allan Rejoso · August 23rd, 2004, 09:42 PM

The 70 and 120 use exactly the same CCDs
Video: 460K gross/290K effective
Stills: 460K gross/280K effective

They have the same interpolated still resolution (1280 x 960)

Their lenses have the same ratings:
F1.8 f=2.45-24.5mm, 42-420mm (35mm equivalent), 37mm thread

Advantages of the 70 over the 120

Manual focus ring
Built-in flash (guide #6)
MPEG4 recording
Air-soft grip (To die for!!! :-))
Better looking LCD with AI (but no power LCD)
More convenient and faster manual operation (using the thumbwheel)

Advantages of the 120 over the 70

Crystal Engine (the previous one)
Power LCD
Simultaneous recording to tape and still
Full speed USB2.0
Higher resolution EVF (123K against 110K)
Smaller and lighter by 40 grams
Very easy to use dial mode (universal design) under full auto mode
Longer battery life (by 15 mins using the 1360mAh batt)

The 70 is claimed to be better than the 100 in terms of smearing. The 120 and 200 are reported to be even cleaner than the 70 in low-light (probably because of the Crystal Engine).

If you want (relatively) soft focus with nice color saturation, the 70 or 120 should fit.

Kevin James · August 24th, 2004, 07:24 AM

Outside of family vacation usage, the camera will mostly be used in a housing and locked down on a tripod, and as a capture devide for big brothers. The manual shutter speed control was my major concern, but I won't be running and gunning, so the thumb wheel, though handy, may not be a huge concern.

GS-70's can be had below $400 for the intrepid. May or may not have a valid warranty.

120's.....Under 600 from a reputable dealer. Definate warranty, plus an extended that covers head replacement.

Could you elaborate on a couple of points?

"Air-soft grip (To die for!!! :-))
Better looking LCD with AI (but no power LCD)

If you want (relatively) soft focus......"

EDIT: And what the devil is a black mamba?!?!?

Bob Little · September 5th, 2004, 11:40 PM

Gentlemen,

I'm very new to these threads. I can't speak first hand to the 120's or 200's, but after 7 months of working with the GS70 for my role as company trainer and videographer, I just bought one from Costco.com for $479 right after returning with the company's two from a trip to China.

The GS70 provides a picture quality we paid tens of thousands for in broadcasting 15 years ago, my background until this gig. I'm sure there are features the GS70 doesn't have, but in my exploits, I haven't encountered them yet. For home videos, I've now migrated from VHS to HI8 to miniDV. I can't believe I spent $1k on my goofy VHS RCA camcorder, just 15 years ago. Like computers, the longer you wait, the more you'll get for your money. I assume it's Panasonics replacement of the 70 that has made it so incredibly affordable. I may buy a second for redundancy. That's why I have two for work. I can be in the factory shooting while capturing my previous work to the Mac G5 I now edit with. Now, that's an editor's computer!

Bob

Jay Noggle · September 17th, 2004, 09:01 PM

For the money, this is a remarkable little camera. Outside, it shoots a comperable picture to my VX-2000!
As far as low light goes: IMPORT SOME and be happy!
I also through on a cheap Sony wide angle adapter and can't believe what I can get.

Jay

April 21st, 2004, 08:50 PM	#1
Don White New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kailua, HI Posts: 23	PVGS70 or PVGS120? Say, there are some new low-end 3-chip panasonic models out now that I see advertise, the PVVS70 and 120. In fact, they're selling for within $20 of one another and look the same, and I haven't seen any reviews. Which one is better, or are they both terrible, or ????? My needs are not extreme, will mostly use it for dubbing, but wouldn't mind having a 3CCD camcorder if I can get it for around 600 bucks. Anyone out there have any thoughts? thanks - a clueless guy with lots of video

September 5th, 2004, 11:40 PM	#9
Bob Little Tourist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1	Only know of the GS70, but what a value! Gentlemen, I'm very new to these threads. I can't speak first hand to the 120's or 200's, but after 7 months of working with the GS70 for my role as company trainer and videographer, I just bought one from Costco.com for $479 right after returning with the company's two from a trip to China. The GS70 provides a picture quality we paid tens of thousands for in broadcasting 15 years ago, my background until this gig. I'm sure there are features the GS70 doesn't have, but in my exploits, I haven't encountered them yet. For home videos, I've now migrated from VHS to HI8 to miniDV. I can't believe I spent $1k on my goofy VHS RCA camcorder, just 15 years ago. Like computers, the longer you wait, the more you'll get for your money. I assume it's Panasonics replacement of the 70 that has made it so incredibly affordable. I may buy a second for redundancy. That's why I have two for work. I can be in the factory shooting while capturing my previous work to the Mac G5 I now edit with. Now, that's an editor's computer! Bob

September 17th, 2004, 09:01 PM	#10
Jay Noggle New Boot Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Coos Bay OR Posts: 11	I AGREE WITH BOB LITTLE!!! For the money, this is a remarkable little camera. Outside, it shoots a comperable picture to my VX-2000! As far as low light goes: IMPORT SOME and be happy! I also through on a cheap Sony wide angle adapter and can't believe what I can get. Jay __________________ It's not about the greatest gear, it's about what you do with it....

April 22nd, 2004, 01:31 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	The GS120 replaces the GS70, but the GS200 seems to be more like the GS70. How's that? I think it was Allan who mentioned that you get more bang for the buck with the GS70. Maybe he can chime in.

August 23rd, 2004, 06:28 PM	#3
Kevin James Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 204	Sorry to bring this post back from the dead, but I am eyeing both, trying to make a decision. The 120 has a higher pixel count.....I wonder if it's noticably so.

August 23rd, 2004, 06:31 PM	#4
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	The PQ of all 3 are about the same. The electronic image stabilizer of the GS200 is reportedly better than the other two.

August 23rd, 2004, 06:36 PM	#5
Kevin James Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 204	I'm seeing in some of the old threads that the Effective video pixel count on the 70 is around 290k, where the 120 is over 400k........ I'm also having trouble determining the amount of manual control on the 70 and 120. I see the 200 has full manual. Doubt that they have zebra patterns........ EDIT: Found the manual info...downloaded the instructions. It looks like the Shutter mode is more of a shutter priority mode than full manual, fine for my needs though.

August 23rd, 2004, 07:01 PM	#6
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Don't know about the GS70 but the GS120 has full manual control (well the same as the GS200). The 200 has a manual focus ring that the 120 does not have. But, the 120 will manually focus using a slider switch.

August 23rd, 2004, 09:42 PM	#7
Allan Rejoso Major Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 569	The 70 and 120 use exactly the same CCDs Video: 460K gross/290K effective Stills: 460K gross/280K effective They have the same interpolated still resolution (1280 x 960) Their lenses have the same ratings: F1.8 f=2.45-24.5mm, 42-420mm (35mm equivalent), 37mm thread Advantages of the 70 over the 120 Manual focus ring Built-in flash (guide #6) MPEG4 recording Air-soft grip (To die for!!! :-)) Better looking LCD with AI (but no power LCD) More convenient and faster manual operation (using the thumbwheel) Advantages of the 120 over the 70 Crystal Engine (the previous one) Power LCD Simultaneous recording to tape and still Full speed USB2.0 Higher resolution EVF (123K against 110K) Smaller and lighter by 40 grams Very easy to use dial mode (universal design) under full auto mode Longer battery life (by 15 mins using the 1360mAh batt) The 70 is claimed to be better than the 100 in terms of smearing. The 120 and 200 are reported to be even cleaner than the 70 in low-light (probably because of the Crystal Engine). If you want (relatively) soft focus with nice color saturation, the 70 or 120 should fit.

August 24th, 2004, 07:24 AM	#8
Kevin James Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 204	Outside of family vacation usage, the camera will mostly be used in a housing and locked down on a tripod, and as a capture devide for big brothers. The manual shutter speed control was my major concern, but I won't be running and gunning, so the thumb wheel, though handy, may not be a huge concern. GS-70's can be had below $400 for the intrepid. May or may not have a valid warranty. 120's.....Under 600 from a reputable dealer. Definate warranty, plus an extended that covers head replacement. Could you elaborate on a couple of points? "Air-soft grip (To die for!!! :-)) Better looking LCD with AI (but no power LCD) If you want (relatively) soft focus......" EDIT: And what the devil is a black mamba?!?!?