Panasonic Palmcorder Multicam PV-GS500

I have been using this camera for a few months now, and absolutely LOVE IT! It has an amazing picture (3 CCD chips always help there), good microphone, intelligent automatic controls and easy-to-use manual controls. It fits in all hand sizes well. The cassette loads from the top of the camera, so you can leave it on the tripod and still change tapes, unlike other cameras I have used. The 5-way joystick navigation is a great feature, making it easy to move around the menus without ever having to take your finger off the control button.

I have now purchased 3 of these cameras for clients and they all love them too!

Well, when you're 65 all learning curves are steep ones, but this camcorder is reasonably user-friendly. I was not happy that the software that comes with it is Windows-only and I'm a Mac person. With no other camcorder experience than my month or so with this one, I can't comment intelligently about the GS500 in comparison with others, but I can say that it works well, that I appeciate the heft of it and particularly appreciated the quick service of Barclay's Photo, the eBay vendor. Just as I did with the Mac, I purchased David Pogue's "The Missing Manual..." for iMovie and iDvd.
The GS500's manual leaves a lot to be desired.