Panasonic Palmcorder® PV-DV203 Mini DV Camcorder

Pros: Very handy size, easy to use its basic features right out of the box.
Cons: Low light performance, Digital zoom pixilation, still camera shot quality.

This little digital camcorder (PV-DV203) is very typical Panasonic quality gear with a thoughtful, attractive and intuitive design incorporating rugged construction and loads of features for the price. This unit undoubtedly takes far superior films ...

Pros: Fabulous pictures, outstanding zoom, easy to use.
Cons: None

My old camera was a Digital 8—I loved it and it took great pictures, but it was older and didn’t hav ...

Pros: fun and easy to use, good home videos, easy to edit
Cons: battery has to be empty to charge, bad snapshot and webcam quality

The PV-DV203 comes equipped to transform from a digital camera, to a camcorder and even to a webcam. There are also many special effects and other extras that can keep a user busy for hours, but that would be too many to list, so I'll just review the ...

Pros: Good value - manual options for low light - color viewfinder - nearly pocket sized!
Cons: Standard battery doesn't last long - "Magic Pix" leaves much to be desired

No point in restating what's been said in the numerous reviews out there - do a webserch and look in camcorderinfo.com and dvspot.com for other views on the pros and cons Researched dv camcorders for a few weeks before settling on this one - when all w ...

Pros: Portable, Affordable, Side Tape Loading lets you reload while still mounted on a tripod.
Cons: non-standard lens threads (27mm), camera auto-shuts down when tape is loaded.

I spent well over two days researching MiniDV cameras, and finally bought the PV-DV 203. Since I operate an optical motion capture studio, I have very specific needs that others may not have. But I hope this info is some help for you! My studio ...

Pros: Small and easy to use. Nice video.
Cons: The still pictures are not as good as my 1.3 megapixel Olympus.

After researching the lower cost miniDV camcorders, we purchased a Panasonic PV-DV203.
We have been very happy with our purchase. We used it at Sea World in bright sun, indoors in well lighted and dim lighted areas, and outdoors in the evening. We also used it indoors during Thanksgiving.
We were pleased with the results. The night video at Sea World was a little darker than we preferred, but that was easily corrected using Windows Movie Maker before we burned it to DVD.
I'm sure we can produced even better shots when we become more familiar with all the features.

Pros: A great mini-digital camera that is very compact and has a ton of features.
Cons: Not a still picture digital camera that will give high-end results.

The Panasonic DV203 is an extremely versatile mini digital palmcorder with a built in SD digital picture card for storing still pictures. I have found the camera to very easy to use, program and off load both video and still pictures. The video clarity is very good, but the still pictures require adequate light aside from the built-in projection light. However, the unit is intended as a digital video recorder FIRST and not a digital camera. If you are looking for superb still pictures - buy a digital camera, mate. I purchased an extended life battery, and so on, and will probably upgrade the picture card. I like the size, comfort and versatility of the DV203 and have taken pictures at track meets, of animals and other challenging situations.

As an experienced digital camcorder and camera owner, I have been on the move again. I was recently trying to decide which digital camcorder to keep. Decisions, decisions. Immediately after buying the Panasonic DV203, I tried out the new Sony TRV19. I found that it had some nice Sony features, especially the Carl Zeiss lens and touch screen LCD. I wish it had at least megapixel still image quality or at least some type of interpolation. I then returned to the Panasonic DV203 and have grown to like it a lot. It offers nice features for the price and the overall quality is fairly decent.

Pros: Easy to use
Cons: small baterry

The PV – DV203 Mini DV is very easy to use and set up with a computer or TV. Everything is well placed. I also found many features, some useful and some not depending on your need and creativeness. The colors are outstanding, the EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) works well and there are no added artifacts on the screen (weird colors, squiggly lines etc.) on playback. The auto focus gets a little weak in low-light situations. The best feature I really like is a Photo Shot and you can insert a previously taken photo image into the video that you are recording.

Pros: Great video taking capability
Cons: The USB drivers don't work with Windows XP

I love my camera but when it comes to transferring pics to your XP, the USB drivers do not load properly and I can't find a place on the web to download them either. Other than that, the camera is okay.

gosaie@comcast.net

Pros: Takes great video, easy to use, many features, good battery life
Cons: Lack of durability

I bought this camera in Spring 2004. I have 500 minutes of great footage and loved the features of this camera. It is so versatile and takes great video. I download it to my computer, edit, and burn into dvds for my family. The picture quality on my TV is fantastic. I have never had a problem with "dew detected". However, after 2 1/2 years of use it died on me the other day. No warning, just went out. This is the second Panasonic product I have had problems with this year and consequently won't be purchasing another Panasonic.

Pros: Didn't work long enough to figure out any of the pros.
Cons: Everything

This is a complete piece of crap. If you don't believe me do a little research on the "Dew Detected" problem. I recorded a total of 2 hours on mine before it stopped working. Spend you money on another brand. By the way, their customer service is a joke.

Pros: Nice when it works
Cons: dew detected, really disappointing panasonic quality..

I got stuck with dew detected problem whilst on a 3 week vacation in UK and Italy. Fortunately it happened on the last day of my trip, otherwise I would have been extremely upset especially after finding out that the dew problem is a factory defect not an actual symptom of moisture. This camcorder broke down last year also, I had only used it for about 2 recording hours and the eject hatch mechanism broke. Panasonic wanted $180 for the repair work, but I talked them down to split the cost 50/50. I will NEVER purchase panasonic product again since they know this unit has inborne problems yet refuse to stand by after the sale.

Pros: OK, until "Dew detected" shows up for no reason & won't go away.
Cons: You too will "GET THE DEW". Panasonic will not accept responsibility for a major flaw.

I found a Panasonic lifesaver!!! Panasonic's authorized repair wanted $215.00 & shipping to repair the dew detected problem. Can't believe how many others had this problem too. Do a "google search" for "dew detected" to get an idea of how common this is. I found out about getting the repair done through E-bay. just search for pv-dv103 or 203 dew detected. Videosync will repair for $45.00, shipping included. I got my camcorder back, repaired, in exactly 1 week from when I sent it out.

Pros: Compact
Cons: Built with a design to fail so Panasonic can make money in outrageous repair costs.

Camera was nice until the dreaded "Dew Detected" warning made it completely useless. I will never buy Panasonic again. My Dad had an older Panasonic camera, and he has had the dew detection sensor replaced twice now. By the way, he got a third "dew detected" warning and finally just gave up on his camera.

Do not buy this camera unless you don't mind paying the Panasonic crooks $150 every now and then when it supposedly detects dew. WHATEVER!