Strengths:Pros: easy to use, decent picture and sound, inexpensive, optical image stablization
Weaknesses:Cons: thin grip strap, no external mic/earphone jack,
Posted Jun 16, 2007 - I shopped for a low-end, quality, digital video, MiniDV tape-based camcorder while waiting for prices on the high-end HD camcorders to fall. I compared mainly the offerings from Sony, Canon and Panasonic and settled on the GS80. Having owned and used consumer camcorders for over 15 years, I am amazed by how affordable the low-end models have become and how well they perform. The plastic body of GS80 is not as sleek as the Canons or Sonys, but I chose it for the optical image stablization (OIS) and its ability to accept conversion lenses, which the Canon 850 series does not. The GS80 gets the job done for about $260.
The GS80 handles all the basic camcorder features well – it shoots reasonably clear picture and sound, offers playback, and uploads to the computer (via firewire not included). In auto mode, the picture is slightly reddish. This can be adjusted through manual white balance (WB), a very help function. (Simply point the cam toward a piece of white paper and set the WB to get accurate colors under the lighting conditions). My previous mid-segment, Sony HC65 got finer detail and more accurate colors, cost $300 more. The on-board microphone is okay. No hissing tape sound. There’s no external mic jack.
The OIS function will not eliminate all jitters. It does clear up many of the slight twitches, without sacrificing picture quality, but is not dramatically better than the EIS on Sonys. Don’t expect to go horseback riding and produce stable pictures. For best results stay with wide shots while on the move or zoom in on a tripod/monopod. The 32x optical zoom is fine; although zoom capability over 20x is not used most of the time.
Even the lowest tier camcorders are jammed with a boatload of features. Each of the major brands have a different way of making the features accessible without crowding the body with little buttons. The GS80 has a joy-stick for the right thumb. It allows the entire cam to be operated with the right hand. Canons have a joy-stick mounted on the flip-out screen. Sonys use a touch-screen menu system (which has its merits, especially on spot-metering or focus, but leaves smudges on the screen). The GS80 allows tapes to be ejected without dismounting it from a tripod. A real plus.
The hand strap on the cam is thin and strung a bit low on the side. You have to really tighten it to get a good grip. I appreciate the simplicity of the GS80 without the card recording functions on the GS85. Footage recorded on cards and transmitted via USB has lower resolution than tape-footage uploaded via firewire. The GS80 uploads videos effortless to a computer loaded with software like Ulead, Pinnacle, Moviemaker or Premiere. Given how easily video can be edited on the computer now days, there isn’t a great need for the camcorder itself to have fancy editing features.
Paying less for a cam saves money for tapes and accessories. Get a cheap 37mm wide-angle conversion lens for the GS80 (e.g. Kenko for about $25). It’ll make tight indoor scenes a lot easier to capture. The plastic faux-focus around the lens can actually snap off, and enable the add-on lens to screw on closer to the video lens. Get an OEM replacement battery from Bestbatt. The VBD310 costs $35 and lasts for many (at least 5) hours between charge. The standard issue battery can record for a bit more than an hour.
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Rated 
Great value for a good camcorder
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great little camcorder
