To help ensure that the footage you shoot will be the best it can be, the PV-DV201 has a five-mode programmed autoexposure that will adjust aperture, white balance, and other settings automatically. Also included are a number of digital effects and faders, letting you give your footage some fun, creative touches.

Still photos can be captured at a resolution of 640 x 480. Save them on either the included 8 MB Panasonic secure digital (SD) card or a MultiMediaCard. A USB port is built in for speedy transfer of your images. For those interested in video editing, the PV-DV201 has a built-in IEEE-1394 port for speedy, lossless transfer of your video and audio. Also included are analog outputs for viewing your home movies on your television, or for transfer to a VHS tape.

I have used this camera for more than 2 years. I LOVE it.

1. There's no gap between clips. Canon ZR shows blue screen on playback every time you hit the pause button when recording - REALLY annoying. This one just stitch the clips together nicely.
2. Transfer to computer with firewire or USB really simple, easy to use. TIPS: you can get firewire card with cable for less than $20 now.
3. Handling is excellent - nice grip, light weight.
4. Long battery life. I was planning to buy a spare and found out no need for it.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.


OK yea i said o.k.   March 6, 2002
4 out of 7 found this review helpful

when i took it out the box....IT FELT CHEAP
The battery life needs more power. Panasonic has yet to come out with a driver for XP. The still images are compared to a PHD camera (push here dummy). This is a low end model. As far as video goes....i love it. I have had nothing but fun and thrills. If you can get it for...cheaper than list.... it really is a good deal. I would suggest holding out though


far from thrilled   January 19, 2002
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This camera is way less then i expect.
colors are dull, and recording feature sounds
like a tin can. it may not be the most expensive
camera out there but i expected more for the cost.


Great Camera for a Low End Model   December 22, 2001
Jay (Long Island, NY United States)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

I've used the camera for about three months. It is everything I expected. I wanted a lightweight, small, easy to use camera with the ability to take still photos. The video picture quality is very good. The stills are pretty good considering this is a low end model.
I use Windows ME and the software provided is very, very good and easy to use. It would have been nice to be able to plug in a better mike but you can't. Also I'm left-handed and like most cameras for us, the buttons are a little hard to use.

Overall I don't think you will go wrong buying this camera. If you have Windows XP I would contact Panansonic to see if there are upgrades for the software.