Panasonic PV-GS59 Mini DV Camcorder

Pros: Great value for a budget price. Very easy to learn and navigate
Cons: Owners manual long and not very informative

I just got this camera and am very impressed with the features found on this low cost camcorder. A firewire cable is nessecary to transfer from the camera to the computer. It has a USB port as well but I have really found no use for this as of yet. ...

Pros: Easy Joystick Control; manual adjustments; 30x lens; 16bit digital audio, clear LCD display, AV jack.
Cons: Video same as Hi8. No MICROPHONE jack or video input connection like Hi8 has.

I used a Sony Hi8 camcorder for 8 years, but I finally had to replace it, and I did, with the Panasonic PV-GS59. The LCD screen provides a crystal clear picture, perhaps more clear than what actually gets laid down on the DV tape! Running the A/V out of this camera, and directly into a DVD recorder, makes an absolutely fabulous recording - more clear than what's actually on the MiniDV tape. Using the 4pin 'firewire' cable allows you to 'control' the recorder from your computer using the software program that Panasonic gives you for editing. Use a tripod for shooting with the extra-long 30x lens and you'll get decent results.

Pros: Great price if you can find it for that!
Cons: Smart Buy: is not for the 'Panasonic PV-GS59 Mini DV Camcorder'.

http://www1.dealtime.com/xPO-Panasonic-PANASONIC-PV-GS59-Digital-Camcorder

Don't know if Camcorder is any good, but link is not what was shown. Great price if you can find it for that!  Link eBay $29.99 is for the '30.5mm 0.42x FISHEYE LENS for PANASONIC PV-GS26 PV-GS59' not for the 'Panasonic PV-GS59 Mini DV Camcorder'.