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Review
Created: July, 2000
Looking for a video camera to suit your business needs and
your small business budget? Consider the Panasonic VHS-C Palmcorder
PV-L850-K, a recent entrant in Panasonic's line of analog video
cameras.
You won't even have to spend additional funds on accessories
and cables because the L850-K pretty much has it all.
Panasonic continues to use the universal VHS video format (the
same format that your VCR uses) for its line of analog camcorders.
The convenience of this format is that the cassette used in
a VHS camcorder can be inserted into a VCR, eliminating the
need for cable connections between the camcorder and a VCR or
television.
The L850-K records on a compact VHS (VHS-C) cassette that can
be played on your VCR, using the supplied Panasonic PlayPak
adapter to convert the compact cassette into a standard-size
VHS cassette.
The L850-K is not just another video camera. It also has a built-in
digital still camera, which allows you to capture still images
at Internet-quality resolution and upload them to your computer
with a supplied serial cable and a detachable 8-megabyte CompactFlash
card, also supplied.
Images can be viewed on camera, so you can discard those you
don't want before uploading the rest to your computer. In addition,
this camera incorporates a Picture-in-Picture mode letting you
superimpose still images on top of your video footage. You could,
for example, record a product demonstration and overlay a still
image of the product, for product image reinforcement.
The L850-K is reasonably compact, with a square silver body,
a standard black-and-white viewfinder and a flip-out four-inch
color LCD (liquid crystal display) screen that can be rotated
270 degrees. The viewfinder does not fit comfortably to the
eye, however, encouraging extensive use of the generously large
and clear LCD screen.
The L850-K is a little heavy at a bit less than 2.5 pounds,
uncomfortable for protracted periods of video recording. The
battery for this camera was also rather bulky in size, though
not in weight. Battery life averaged about two hours, which
is rather short.
A very helpful feature is a built-in light (for dim conditions),
eliminating the need to purchase a camera light at extra cost.
Another nifty addition is a built-in lens cap that opens upon
power-up. This protects the lens and prevents you from losing
the cap or forgetting to replace it at the end of recording.
You should read the instruction manual but the L850-K is easy
to use right out of the box. Auto-focus and auto-exposure features
allow you to focus on the creative aspects of your video recording.
For more capable users, an awkward rotating wheel can be used
to manually focus the camera and shutter speeds can be selected
from a menu list.
Panasonic's Digital Electronic Image Stabilization provides
the camera with motion sensors to detect camera movement in
an effort to minimize handshake and camcorder movement. Camera
shake was still quite noticeable when this feature was used,
however.
A simple seesaw button control adjusts superb zoom (26x standard
or 300x, when enhanced by digital processes) or wide-angle settings.
The L850-K responds quickly to focus adjustments between distant
and close-up shots.
Image sharpness, color balance, brightness and contrast are
all of reasonable quality. Like most video cameras, the L850-K
comes with a variety of artistic digital special effects and
titling options.
A motion sensor that starts recording when it detects motion
and stops recording when the motion stops also makes the L850-K
suitable for use as a simple security camera.
The L850-K is a respectable but not outstanding video camera.
But unless you're planning a video production business, it will
suit most of your image quality needs. It comes with everything
you may need for recording still and video images, providing
excellent value for money. It's such an all-inclusive product
that it is a bit puzzling that Panasonic does not include a
VHS-C cassette with this package.
Reviewer's rating: 3.5 / 5
Comments: The Panasonic VHS-C Palmcorder PV-L850-K is
an excellent jack-of-all-trades camera, combining the features
of a video camera and digital still camera into one good, multipurpose
unit. It is VHS convenient and provides value for the money.
The image quality not good enough for dedicated video production.
Features: 26x optical zoom / 300x digital zoom, 4-inch
color LCD screen, B&W viewfinder, built-in light, digital
still camera, motion sensor, picture-in-picture mode, wide screen
mode, slow motion playback, various digital effects and auto-titles.
Includes: AC adapter and battery re-charger, two-hour
battery, PlayPak VHS-C to VHS cassette adapter, A/V cable (for
video capture), PC serial cable, 8 MB CompactFlash card and
a remote control.
Software: Digital PhotoShot driver, Adobe PhotoDeluxe
Requirements: Windows 95/98, a Pentium processor, 16
MB RAM, a RS232-C serial port
More info: http://www.panasonic.com
Price: $700 US, $1,050 Canadian. Additional two-hour
battery is $55 US, $85 Canadian.
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