Release Issued by Panasonic:

Panasonic 2006 Digital Video Camera miniDV Line

GS500 and GS300/GS280, Equipped With 3CCD & O.I.S.
GS37 and GS 27, Equipped With the World’s Most Powerful* 30´ Optical Zoom
*As of December 31, 2005

In 2006, Panasonic will expand its world renowned high quality image digital video camera range by introducing the NV-GS500 and NV-GS300/GS280, which both come fully equipped with 3CCD and O.I.S. systems to the 3CCD Line, and the GS37 and GS27, which both come equipped with the 30´ optical zoom to the Powerful Zoom Line.

Since their first sensational release in 1992, Panasonic 3CCD video cameras have received extraordinary praise for their superior picture quality, and the GS250, which was released last year, has gained an outstanding reputation for its exceptional high quality pictures and operating ease, not just from household users, but from professionals and video journalists alike. The 3CCD system is perhaps best known in the professional field, as it is the main system used in professional video cameras because it enables the highest quality of picture signal processing with which colours, details, and gradation are all reproduced to an unsurpassable quality.

Panasonic is at the forefront in this field, equipping a household model video camera with this remarkable professional technology so that general users can also continue to receive the benefits of our cutting edge technology. Furthermore, the inclusion of another unique Panasonic technology, O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), corrects hand-shake by adjusting the optical axis and enables high-precision, clear-image shooting without deteriorating image quality. Moreover, this technology is applicable also to shooting still images allowing users to capture clear, beautiful images as well. For the lens part, both models are equipped with the masterpiece, Leica Dicomar lenses, which was created together with Leica, the maker of superb lenses renowned throughout the world.

These lenses feature a low dispersion glass and special multi-coating to minimize flare and ghosting in images. Additionally, Panasonic has taken great care in listening to the comments of users and reviewers when designing the new range of models, and has created a range that not only achieve exceptional standards of high-precision shooting, but that are even easier to use. For example, the AGS (Anti Ground Shooting) is a function which prevents the wasteful use of tape and battery life by accidentally turning on the recording mode while not thinking shooting ; the Help Mode is a GUI display function that explains what kind of functions are represented by the icons. These improvements have been added to help solve problems faced in real shooting situations.

The Powerful Zoom Line of video cameras, which are equipped with a remarkable 30´ zoom magnification in a compact body, and are able to capture distant objects with exquisite sharpness, has been expanded to include two models this year. Naturally, this line has also benefited from a wide range of other improvements. The line is equipped with the same Help Mode as the 3CCD models, and also includes a new low-profile body design that makes shooting and holding the video cameras even easier and more comfortable.

Panasonic has also extended the fun and enjoyment of shooting home movies beyond the actual shooting stage. Two types of editing software are included with all these models (*except for a few models) that further increase the fun usability of Panasonic video cameras. One of them “SweetMovieLife,” gives even complete beginners the chance to enjoy editing their home movies, by following the onscreen guidance, they can add BGM or captions instantly. The other, “MotionDV STUDIO 5.6LE” continues from the former software providing a more complete editing suite, providing a wide range of editing functions, that allow you to edit images shot in wide mode to be enjoyed full size on a wide screen TV.

Therefore, together with the DVD and SD video cameras, Panasonic Digital Video Cameras are able to offer users a wide-ranging options that all have uncompromising image quality with exceptional ease of operation to enhance user’s enjoyment of home-movie making, both during and after shooting.

3CCD Line
For even higher picture quality
3CCD

The camera’s CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) plays a critical role in picture quality. That’s why Panasonic chose a 3CCD camera system – the type used in professional video cameras. Panasonic’s 3CCD system reduces noise by 30%*, gains horizontal resolution in colors by 50%* and dynamic range to express luminous gradation by 30%* to render greater beauty in color, detail, and gradation.
*Panasonic in-house comparison with 1CCD model

O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer)
The O.I.S. help assure clear, beautiful pictures by compensating for any hand-shake that occurs as you shoot. Gyrosensors detect the amount and direction of hand^shake and a linear motor adjust the lenses as needed to compensate. While electric system correct the hand-shake in the CCD image itself, the optical process takes place before the CCD imaging stage – so, there’s virtually no effect on image quality.

Leica Dicomar Lens
Leica lens is renowned by photographers world-wide as a maker of superb cameras and lenses. Now this legendary optical technology fuses with Panasonic’s advanced digital technology in the Leica Dicomar Lens. GS500’s brilliant new lens feature 13 lens elements in 9 groups and uses low-dispersion optical grass to reduce chromatic aberration to about 1/3 the level of conventional lenses. A special multi-coating process is applied to 14 lens surfaces, minimizing harmful reflection to deliver crisp, clear images free of flare and ghosting. (12 lens elements in 8 groups with 14 multi-coating lens surfaces for GS300/GS280)
*Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH, and Dicomar is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.

Crystal Engine
At the brain of the camera is Panasonic’s original Crystal Engine, advanced system that processes the R,G and B signals from three CCDs individually to remove noise and improve colour processing accuracy. The Crystal Engine is the best image processing LSI for the 3CCD recording and is incorporated in every high end models that carries 3CCD.

Manual Focus Ring (GS500)
Positioned at the front of the lens barrel, the manual focus ring has a non-slip, sure-grip surface for easy operation and quick response when a photo opportunity pops up. It ensures professional-style operation and enhances creativity.

Simultaneous Motion Video and 1.2-Megapixel Still Picture Recording*(VGA for GS300/GS280)

When you see a great scene while you are shooting a moving picture, you can snap off a 1.2-Megapixel still picture while continuing to record the moving picture without changing recording modes.

For even more comfortable operation
Through the continuing pursuit of operating ease, Panasonic has added a wide range of user-friendly functions and improvements to the 3CCD digital video camera range.

One Touch Navigation & Joystick Control
All Panasonic video cameras are now equipped with Joystick control, which lets you operate all basic functions easily with one hand. Additionally, icons representing the functions that are used most during playback or shooting are displayed as icons on the LCD monitor. You can handle a number of operations quickly and easily, without even taking your eye off the subject. 2006 models have also been equipped with the “Help mode”. The help mode improves the ease of camera use by providing explanations of display icons and operating procedures.

Easy ON/OFF
This simple but useful function automatically switches the power on when the very first pre-shooting operations, such as opening the LCD or pulling EVF, are performed. Conversely, this function automatically switches the power off when operations for finishing shooting are performed, such as closing the LCD or storing EVF.

AGS(Anti Ground Shooting)
This function prevents you from shooting subjects that you did not intend to shoot by leaving the power on by mistake, or by filming the ground by holding the camera by your side as you walk to a different location. This function can detect abnormal recording positions, and will automatically stop recording when such positions are detected, thus preventing wasteful use of battery power and media recording space.

USB2.0(HS) with Video Class* Compatibility and Included Editing Softwares
USB 2.0 compatibility gives you high-speed uploading of DV data to a PC over a single USB cable. Video Class compatibility allows real-time transfer of DV moving picture data over the same USB cable. The included software application makes it easy to edit DV video footage, so you can edit and create your own polished, professional looking videos for keepsakes.

In addition to the former full-scale editing software MotionDVStudio, 2006 model DVCs are also packaged with SweetMovieLife, which is a new easy-to-use editing application that allows even complete beginners to edit by adding BGM and captions, simply by following the on-screen guidance. MotionDVStudio has also been expanded to be compatible with wide screen format, to be used in editing movies for viewing on a wide screen TV at home. There is also a wide range of exciting functions for use with edited data, such as converting movies to MPEG4 format to attach e-mails, or re-writing edited image data to videotape in AVI data format.

* Standard format that allows the real-time transfer of moving picture data over a USB cable for Microsoft Windows XP Home edition / Professional, SP2 or later.

Other Features
-4.0-Megapixel(GS500) / 3.1-Megapixel(GS300/GS280) Still Picture Recording
-12x (GS500) / 10x (GS300/GS280) Optical Zoom
-Pro Cinema Mode(GS500)
-Colour Night View / 0Lux Colour Night View
-Accessory Shoe (Hot Shoe)
-Tele Macro Mode
-Soft Skin Detail Mode
-IR Remote
-PictBridge Compatible

Powerful Zoom Line
For even higher picture quality
30x Optical Zoom
30x zoom magnification in GS37 and GS27 fits comfortably and securely in one hand. This lens is not only the most powerful zoom offered in a home-use digital video camera, it also features low distortion. And because the zoom is optical, it captures both moving and still pictures with exquisite beauty.

Pure Color Engine
The Pure Colour Engine LSI converts the CCD output signal from a complementary colour signal into RGB signal (containing the three primary colours in light) at an early stage and extracts the low-frequency luminance component from the RGB signal. The luminance signal is then generated in the same way as in TV broadcasting. Advanced 3D Frame Noise Reduction also gives you better results when shooting with low illumination because it improves colour noise-reduction performance by 30% compared with conventional systems. This innovative LSI achieves truly superb colour reproduction.

For even more comfortable Operation
Through the continuing pursuit of operating ease, Panasonic has added a wide range of user-friendly functions and improvements to the Powerful Zoom digital video camera range.

USB2.0(HS) and Included Editing Softwares (GS37)
USB 2.0 compatibility gives you high-speed uploading of DV data to a PC over a single USB cable. The included software application makes it easy to edit DV video footage, so you can edit and create your own polished, professional looking videos for keepsakes.

In addition to the former full-scale editing software MotionDVStudio, 2006 model DVCs are also packaged with SweetMovieLife, which is a new easy-to-use editing application that allows even complete beginners to edit BGM and captions to home movies, simply by following the on-screen guidance. MotionDVStudio has also been expanded to be compatible with wide screen format, used in editing movies for viewing on a wide screen TV at home. There is also a wide range of exciting functions for use with edited data, such as converting movies to MPEG4 format to send as e-mail attachments, or re-writing edited image data to videotape in AVI data format.

* Standard format that allows the real-time transfer of moving picture data over a USB cable for Microsoft Windows XP Home edition / Professional, SP2 or later.

Other Features
-Built-in LED Light(GS37)

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Panasonic 2006 Digital Video Camera miniDV Line