Panasonic Palmcorder® PV-DV203 Mini DV Camcorder

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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!

Pros: None
Cons: 'Dew F#$%^ Detected' will crap out for no reason...beware and stay away from Panasonic camcorders.

I agree with everyone else who had a 'Dew Detected' problem.
I used mine for a year and for no apparent reason, it decided to give me the 'dew detected' crap. It has been kept in the same moisture free environment all the time.

I am extremely disappointed with Panasonic and doubt if I will ever buy anything from them again. Apparently another friend of mine had a similar problem with Panasonic camcorder.

Don't buy it even if it is cheap!! you are better off going for an unknown brand.

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: none
Cons: poor quality, and customer service

I don't know what happened to them. Their products are very iffy, now days it seems. I own a telephoned shipped out with the wrong battery, a tv/dvd/vcr combo,and the dvd player in it zonked out. Now the DV 203, quit, after a few hours of use.
When I was younger most of choices for electronics was Panasonic , and they lasted,....now I wouldn't spend another penny for their things!!!!!

Pros: Great camera if you don't get "Dew Detected" error.
Cons: "Dew Decected" error is pervasive and renders camera useless.

Was very satisfied with this camera, but after owning this camera for less than 1-yr, my PV-DV203 - like many others - succumbed to the "Dew Detected" error which renders your camera useless.

Don't waste you money on this.

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: 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: Fairly easy to use
Cons: Broken in less than 6 months with 'dew detected' problem, long and bad customer service.

Save your self some money and avoid this camcorder. After reading other postings on this site, it seems the 'dew detected' problem is quite common on this camcorder. I got that error message last week and now Panasonic wants big $$$ to fix it (labor cost). What the heck, I've only used this camcorder for less than 6 months. Panasonic should fix it for free under warranty for what obviously is a manufacturing defect problem.

Pros: compact size, nice features
Cons: 'dew detected' problem; poor customer support.

I bought my DV-203 through Dell in Sept '03. On my 2nd or 3rd use, I got a 'dew detected-eject tape' error. Thought it would go away or best case Panasonic would fix. Made the mistake of calling after 90 days of purchase. Attitude from service folks seemed to be 'too bad - it'll cost you now'. Will keep complaining all the way to President of company. Never buy Panasonic again.

Pros: Good camcorder when it works
Cons: Keep you fingers crossed that you don't get the "DEW DETECTED" problem

I really liked this camcorder up until two weeks ago when a "DEW DETECTED" message came up and now it's unusable.

I have taken good care of the camcorder and it has not been in any damp surroundings but now Panasonic want me to pay $140.00 plus shipping to have this six month old camcorder repaired, they must be kidding.

I have told Panasonic how annoyed and disappointed I'm am and as a result I will never buy or recommend Panasonic to anyone in the future.

There is a possible class action lawsuit underway because of the "DEW DETECTED" problem happening on so many of their camcorders. I am very suspicious of Panasonic and their business practices now.

Pros: The picture quality is great until I ran into the dew detected issue.
Cons: DEW DETECTED, camera stops working....

I bought this camera last November. I was impressed by the video quality until I ran into the Dew Detected error. As soon as I turn the camera on, the LCD displays a warning that dew has been detected and then says eject tape. even though there is no tape inside. I contacted Panasonic and they recommended leaving the camera open for some time and if the problem still exists they recomended shipping it to their service center in IL. They said they will charge $140 for looking at the issue.... I am very disappointed by the quality of the camera. Please avoid buying it.

Many have run into this problem with Panasonic camcorders. Please search on the DEW DETECTED in google to see how many have run into this problem.

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: 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.

Pros: many features, small size, great button placement
Cons: horrible in low light situations, awful color representation, bad still pictures.

After spending a great deal of time researching mini-DV's, I decided to purchase the Panasonic PV-DV203 from Sears. The price vs. features sure seemed to good to be true. When I got it home, I was extremely disappointed. The picture (on TV) was extremely grainy, had bad color representation, and looked no better than VHS. I had to turn on extra lighting just to get some decent colors. I took several still pictures of my dog and then downloaded them to my laptop. I couldn't make out any of the details in my dog's face and she looked black (she's brown). Assuming that I bought a faulty camcorder, I returned it to Sears and got another one. The new one performed in the same manner. If your going to be recording everything outside in the sunlight this might be the camera for you.

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.

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.