Comment on Panasonic Pro AG-DVC30 3-CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom by Richard Brennan.
Small, but sturdy – excellent low-light capability,
This is a great camera for the wedding videographer or other serious amateur or semi-professional. It’s well built, has great manual control, and takes super video including good low-light performance. You will probably want the external mic attachment, which lets you use professional microphones without additional adapters and signal processors. Now that the price is well below $2000, it’s a great deal. One caveat: If you plan to shoot 16:9 format, this is not the best choice. The Panasonic GS400 handles that much better, and at a lower price. (But the GS400 doesn’t have the low-light chops that the DVC-30 has – so you have to set your priorities.)
Plusses:
* Very good low light capability
* Sturdy, metal body construction
* Will take professional external microphones (with optional attachment)
* Unbelievable B&W no-light capability with infrared (short range built into camera; medium range add-on IR light increases range to hundreds of feet.)
* Excellent manual control available via menu AND you can put your favorite four settings on programmable buttons on the camera body for extra convenience.
* Without attachments, the body with built-in mic is small and consumer-like (won’t draw attention to itself), not to mention light-weight.
* Lovely video with three 1/4-inch CCD’s.
Minuses:
* The Sony 2100 has even better low-light ability
* The 16:9 mode isn’t as good as the PDX10 or GS400.
* The still picture capability is only adequate.
* The built-in mic is only average.
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