Panasonic PV-L750 VHS-C Camcorder

Overall picture quality is exceptionally good for VHS. I shoot with a digital video camera at work, and under the best conditions the PV-L750 looks comparable. As can be expected, when conditions are not perfect (available light, extreme backlight, strong colors, etc., the picture degrades significantly compared to digital). Ease of use is unparalleled. If you are not technical and just want to "point and shoot" this is the camera for you. Attach the battery and you will be shooting in seconds. Really! The manual is only needed for information about specific applications (like the still camera feature), and because it is VHS-C, you can be showing your first videotapes to your friends anytime, anywhere - no need to hook up wires!

I purchased 750 without ever looking at one in real life. I assumed it was basically the same as my previous camera, but alas, there are differences. I really liked the 758 and on the 750 (and I assume the 759 - the 1999 model) they have done what all good manufacturers do: traded the features I liked most on the 758 for features I will never use. First off, my 758 had a color EVF, the 759 and 750 have a B&W viewfinder. Granted, Panasonic adds a 4" color LCD panel (HUGE for camcorders), but I really like both, as I don't use the LCD as much as most folks. I guess my complaint here is somewhat unfounded, as a B&W viewfinder seems to be standard on all models with an LCD panel, but the feature was nice on the 758 (I guess I was spoiled).

Next, they have taken some of the features that were previously accessable by buttons on the outside of the camera and made them accessable only through on screen menus. Nice, but not as useful when shooting as pressing a button. These include the security feature, negative image, and the special effects fading. Panasonic also has deleted the "message" feature - fine by me, as few people would ever use it anyway.

Well, to make up for all this, they have given the camcorder double duty as a digital still camera. This can be very useful for sending photos to relatives and friends over the net, but realize that the best resolution is 640x480 (if you don't know what that means - the pictures will look fine to you). The photo software is very basic and hence easy to use, it offers a minimum ability to adjust the image (color, brightness etc.) and is quick and easy to set up. I e-mailed my first picture within five minutes of inserting the setup disk into the computer.

Also, the non digital zoom is impressive - one of the best I've seen, but stay away from the 300x digital range. First you can't hold the camera steady and secondly, the picture is awful. I've found the digital zoom useful up to about 50x magnification before significant degradation occurs.

I hope all of this helps and wasn't too negative. I love Panasonic products and this one is one of the best, but I did want to let others know some of the things I saw as drawbacks. Feel free to respond if you like, I'd be interested to hear your views.


Not too good deal   November 2, 2000
24 out of 27 found this review helpful

some features that i think should be included that's missing, and also some complaints: 1.) there was no numeric tape counter. yes, there's a bar counter, but don't you think a numeric counter is more accurate? so that one would know exactly how many minutes he has recorded or is left of the cassette. There was a numeric counter that pops out every 10 sec when recording. But its useless since it only shows the time when the record button was last pressed. 2.) there's no numeric counter at vcr mode neither. this would also be useful for scene searches. 3.) there was no lens cover. 4.) the titling feature doesn't support custom/manual input of titles, like names, places. 5.) the camera was not ergonomically designed. it was hard to use the zoom buttons and the record button with only one hand. 6.) if i plan to use the lcd monitor as my viewfinder, i would still turn the viewfinder to use the zoom buttons, which is quite annoying. 7.) the connectors (a/v out, phone, pc, etc.) don't come with a protective cover. 8.) when in vcr mode, it would take about 10 secs to play after rewinding. 9.) there was no end search feature like that of sony's. its very useful especially if i want to view the last scenes i recorded. i will only press end search after viewing to record again. 10.) the lcd screen already had a burned out pixel when i first used it. 11.) there was no available lithium battery, which is smaller and lighter, and last longer. 12.) the photoshot incorporated was great but the pictures, when transferred to a computer, had some color spots over them.


Digital PhotoShot rots   November 5, 2000
Rick (New York, NY USA)
11 out of 18 found this review helpful

I just bought a Panasonic Palmcorder model PV-L750. It came with a program 'Digital PhotoShot' but it...well...rots. And there is no other driver on the disc except for the one that goes with that program. I've been looking everywhere for a driver to install the camera in Windows. I already have a great graphics program. All that I need to get to use it with the camera is the driver. I've tried the Panasonic site and emailing them about it.


Taping Great, Pictures Not....   December 27, 2000
A.T. (Sacramento)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

This is the first camcorder that I have owned. I looked around for quite a while and decided on this because it could take still pictures also. Only thing is, the pictures do not come out that great especially if you want to print them out using your home printer. They are very grainy if taken in normal view. They are a little better if taken in Fine veiw but it wears out the battery faster. If sending a photo via e-mail it works out just great. I do not recommend printing out the pictures unless you are willing to put some time into editing them using Photoshop or some other program. There is a ton features on this camcorder, but it was really easy to use. Just pop in a tape and press the record button and you are on your way to lots of home movies. It would be advisable to invest in a few accessories such as a car charger or extra battery. The one battery does not last that long especially if you are always taping using the LCD Screen. Any extra features that you use will always wear the battery down quicker. As for the remote control that came with it, I really don't use it as much as I thought I would. But I am sure glad that it came with the VHS converter. One less thing for the new Camcorder user to not have to buy after spending so much already.


Hope it does not break   December 13, 2000
charles reagin (daphne, al United States)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

Had this machinefor six weeks it is now on its way to Elgin Il for repair. I only hope it gets lost in transit so I can get my m ony back. The still function ceased working on its second try and then the fun begain. Called the service center for help and might as well gotten a lead life preserver. Not only no help but pleanty of arrogance and run around for three days while they scheduled a tech. to call me. Never got a call therefore it is on its way tom the repair center and as stated I hope it neve makes it. Since this problem I have looked at other units and believe this very heavy klunker can be beat by most all other makes.If you consider one get anexceptional price and hope it does not break so you can avoid the hassle of their service center.