Panasonic SV-AV20 anyone?

I recently received one for my birthday and I'm wondering what opinions others might have about this "multi-function" device. At first, the idea of a video-recorder, digital camera, mp3 player, and voice recorder, 4-in-1 capability is really appealing. But in my opinion, this is nothing more than the new toy for the average big boy. None of the functions are truly practical - it can't really be considered as a digital camera since it takes pictures at 640 X 480 resolution; its functions as a mp3 player are really primative, and the video recording is only of acceptable quality. But what do you guys think? If I were to have bought this on my own, is it something I should seriously consider returning? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Cheers,
Sam

This is one of those products that will be really cool ... in a few years, after they improve the technology.

When I first saw the SV-AV20 I thought it was one of the coolest things on the planet ... and it is. Unfortunately, the technology just isn't where it needs to be to make something like this and still make it useful instead of just being a "toy."

The image quality is useless for prints. The mp3 functions are limited. The video quality is as you said, just "acceptable."

That said, I hope it sells well so that Panasonic continues to develop this technology into something practical. As is, it's just a toy ... and not a very useful toy at that. But if you added at least 3mp worth of still-image resolution, better video quality, and a few more mp3 features, this would be a great multi-fuction tool for adults to carry with them everywhere.

As for returning it, that's up to you. I think most of the cheap digital cameras on the market are useless pieces of junk, but there sure are a lot of people who buy them and enjoy them ... and that's the real issue. If you ENJOY using the SV-AV20, their's no real reason to return it ... particularly since it was given as a gift. If you can't get past the limited features, return it and add some of your own cash to buy something with the features you want.

swoc said:

I recently received one for my birthday and I'm wondering what
opinions others might have about this "multi-function" device. At
first, the idea of a video-recorder, digital camera, mp3 player,
and voice recorder, 4-in-1 capability is really appealing. But in
my opinion, this is nothing more than the new toy for the average
big boy. None of the functions are truly practical - it can't
really be considered as a digital camera since it takes pictures at
640 X 480 resolution; its functions as a mp3 player are really
primative, and the video recording is only of acceptable quality.
But what do you guys think? If I were to have bought this on my
own, is it something I should seriously consider returning? Any
input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Cheers,
Sam

Click to expand...

I bought the SV-AV10 when it first came out. I carried it with me virtually all the time, and snapped shots here and there of whatever interested me, and shot video of my granddaughter when I was out with her. It was very light weight and easy to carry and use. I recently sold it on eBay for a decent price.

I now have an SV-AV30. I like it even more. The quality of the video is greatly improved over the the original model, and the stills are somewhat better because the lens is better. MP3 operations are slightly better because of the improved control unit.

That said, the SV-AV10 was a toy and the SV-AV30 is a better toy. I say toy because the stills are marginal at 640x480 with a simple lens, and the video is acceptable, but nowhere near what I can get from my Canon DV camcorder. I also own a Canon S400 and an Olympus E-10.

However, and this is a big one . . . I can easily carry the SV-AV30 with me everywhere I go in its nice leather belt-clip case with the magnetic latch, and evryone thinks it's a small cell-phone. And as I go through my day, and I see something cool that I want to have a picture of . . . I whip it out and snap away.

Some samples:

Following way too close!



Killer Squirrel



Yes, I will be selling this one on eBay when Panasonic comes out with an improved model.

Bye.

swoc said:

I recently received one for my birthday and I'm wondering what
opinions others might have about this "multi-function" device. At
first, the idea of a video-recorder, digital camera, mp3 player,
and voice recorder, 4-in-1 capability is really appealing. But in
my opinion, this is nothing more than the new toy for the average
big boy. None of the functions are truly practical - it can't
really be considered as a digital camera since it takes pictures at
640 X 480 resolution; its functions as a mp3 player are really
primative, and the video recording is only of acceptable quality.
But what do you guys think? If I were to have bought this on my
own, is it something I should seriously consider returning? Any
input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Cheers,
Sam

Click to expand...

Well I decided it's a keeper after playing around with its functions. And the small size considering what it can do is truly an advantage. Thanks for your input.

David, you mentioned you carry it around in a leather belt-clip case. I was wondering where I can purchase something similar that can fit the device. Or was it something that came with the SV-AV30. So far the only differences I read between the 20 and 30 is that the SV-AV30 includes a docking-stand for TV-out, a remote control, and a 64mb SD card. The device itself is the same correct?

David G. Sommers said:

However, and this is a big one . . . I can easily carry the SV-AV30
with me everywhere I go in its nice leather belt-clip case with the
magnetic latch, and evryone thinks it's a small cell-phone. And as
I go through my day, and I see something cool that I want to have a
picture of . . . I whip it out and snap away.

Click to expand...

I believe you are essentially correct - functionally. However, I don't believe you can put an SV-AV20 in the cradle for an SV-AV30 and expect anything to happen. The SV-AV30 has a special connector that mates with the cradle, that I'm assuming, the SV-AV20 doesn't have. Other than that, they are the same little camera.

The nice leather case I have came with the camera outfit. I had a similar case for the SV-AV10 I used to have. That case came from Panasonic as a special premium for being an early-adopter. I don't know of any other case, though there may be some after-market case I'm not aware of.

Bye.

Sam said:

David, you mentioned you carry it around in a leather belt-clip
case. I was wondering where I can purchase something similar that
can fit the device. Or was it something that came with the
SV-AV30. So far the only differences I read between the 20 and 30
is that the SV-AV30 includes a docking-stand for TV-out, a remote
control, and a 64mb SD card. The device itself is the same correct?

David G. Sommers said:

However, and this is a big one . . . I can easily carry the SV-AV30
with me everywhere I go in its nice leather belt-clip case with the
magnetic latch, and evryone thinks it's a small cell-phone. And as
I go through my day, and I see something cool that I want to have a
picture of . . . I whip it out and snap away.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...