Panasonic PV-L353 VHS-C Camcorder: Thrift Store Gem or Waste of Money?

In this video, we're going to review the Panasonic PV-L353 VHS-C camcorder. This camcorder is a budget-friendly option for anyone getting their first retro camcorder that has some nice features, but is it a good purchase? We go over the specs, features, and my opinions on this camcorder to find out!
Is this camcorder is a great thrift store gem or a waste of money? I give my opinion on whether or not this camcorder is worth buying and testing out for yourself!
Compatible battery & charger: amzn.to/3tAmOyp
VHS-C tapes: amzn.to/3NTCcN5
ClearClick Video 2 Digital 2.0: amzn.to/47sKxP6
ClearClick Video 2 Digital 3.0: amzn.to/47myWkG
ClearClick Video 2 USB: amzn.to/40J1ItB
ClonerAlliance ViewLite AV: amzn.to/40A1THA
(GEAR I USE TO FILM MY VIDEOS)
Canon EOS Rebel SL3: amzn.to/3RTseOa
Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens: amzn.to/3vkaPoQ
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Lens: amzn.to/3Tyn23v
Phopik Tripod: amzn.to/3RDrYBn
50 Inch Aluminum Camera Tripod: amzn.to/3tCKyBF
VL-81 LED Video Light With Softbox: amzn.to/48sotVl
VIJIM VL120 LED Light: amzn.to/3RVxD7e
Weeylite RB9 RGB Video Light: amzn.to/41ItuqM
Bestshoot Condenser Interview Microphone: amzn.to/3vdOXLU
JLab Talk Go USB Microphone: amzn.to/3v5DU7p
Tarion Camera Backpack: amzn.to/3S62caJ
0:00 Introduction and Choosing a Retro Camcorder
1:41 Camcorder Specs and Features Overview
3:18 Advanced Camera Features and Stability
5:57 Troubleshooting and Exploring Microphone/Zoom Functions
11:04 Connectivity, Operation, and Purchase Information

[@MRxBOOMSTICK]

Can't wait for it to arrive, thanks for the video review!!

[@retrovideobuzz]

Nice review! Impressive scootering as usual! Thanks for sharing.

[@brandoncameracollection]

Haha thanks, I had to go catch a session at a park while it was somewhat warm and dry

[@stik_o9]

I know it’s random lol but your dead ass my favorite KZbinr. I’ve been watching your videos for about 3 years now. You inspired me to start shooting on vhs.U helped me get started with everything. All the videos on my channel happened because of you. Keep up the great work!

[@brandoncameracollection]

Hey I really appreciate that 😁 I’m glad you have enjoyed my videos enough to stick around that long haha. I’m glad I can help and I will have more videos coming out soon 👀

[@SplendorSolis]

There's this 3CCD camera that no one seems to talk about called the Panasonic NV-DJ1 (NTSC) NV-DX1 (PAL), it was released in '95 alongside the VX1000 for the prosumer market. It shoots some incredible looking footage with an almost filmic look, I suggest you look for one. EDIT: There's a third model called the AG-EZ1. I'm not sure what the difference is but, it seems like another variant of the same camera.

[@brandoncameracollection]

Ohhh 🤔 I did have a DX1 on my watch list a few months back on eBay. I never bought it because it was pal. I didn’t know there was a ntsc model. That’s cool that it’s as old as the vx1000. I’ve also seen a dx100 as well but I’m pretty sure it’s also pal

[@SplendorSolis]

@@brandoncameracollection The models with "Digicam" written on the side are NTSC, and the "Digital 6" models are PAL; that's an easy way to differentiate them. Terence Stan has some demo footage of this camera on his channel and it looks amazing.

[@jicarro]

I saw this on my feed at the very same time I'm using the very same camera to re-digitize a tape that was glitchy, now that I got a TBC. It's a neat camera, I've got two videos on my channel that I taped with it.

[@jicarro]

Ah, well, it's actually the PV-L453 that I have. I noticed that yours doesn't have a photo mode. The one I have can take digital pictures onto an SD card.

[@brandoncameracollection]

Yeah there are a lot of models extremely similar. Like the L354 I don’t see a single difference accept black playback buttons

[@Radio-Sweden]

cool video

[@dirtystax284]

I love the shape on the pany and the footage looks allot like the backrooms videos which i find really cool! I think if one would superglue a spacer ring on the camera and use a fisheye nikon FC-E8 or opteka 37mm would work to film sports could be really cool footy!

[@brandoncameracollection]

Ah man I love back rooms videos. There is a guy I follow in instagram his name is mrdiv.gif and another one I really like on KZbin called Gate Sync Research. youtube.com/@gatesyncresearch?si=pgR1x7hqvVF5e45G Yeah I guess you could glue a spacer ring to the lens I could definitely fit a 37mm fisheye for sure

[@caiofreitas6764]

I won one of these, and your video helped me a lot to clear up some doubts! I still don't understand how I could transfer the recorded videos to a computer, for example. Would I need a converter like the one you left in the comments? Is that the only way? Thanks for the content!

[@brandoncameracollection]

No there are a lot of ways you can but those are definitely the most simple. I leave a playlist I made of ways you can capture your footage. How To Capture Your Video Footage kzbin.info/aero/PLLCeXl20RsPbMMZhUAIdi5C3HPpPviZ07

[@oldradios09]

I have a Panasonic Vidicon tube camera made in June 1981 unfortunately the tube is bad. but i have a Magnavox camera from September 1981 and that one works great since it's basically the same camera just rebadged.

[@brandoncameracollection]

Oh heck yeah I feel like it’s rare to have video cameras from the mid to early 80s work properly. Are those vhs or vhs-c? I absolutely love the look of the older VHS

[@oldradios09]

@@brandoncameracollection VHS mostly. but i have this AC adapter I can hook up these cameras with the 10-pin connector to any VCR with RCA jacks.

[@sunnybhai1904]

Cool AF

[@tomasvalero6758]

Hey this is unrelated, but I’m running a tapeless setup on my canon gl2. I did a test run. I use the clear click 2.0. I was wondering is there anyway to record audio tapeless?

[@brandoncameracollection]

What cables are you using? AV or S-video?

[@tomasvalero6758]

@@brandoncameracollection AV

[@verydeadduck]

camera from funky town

[@brandoncameracollection]

Little submarine boy

[@atgtv5880]

Does it have night vision?

[@brandoncameracollection]

No I don’t think any of Panasonic’s vhs-c cameras had night vision. You’ll want to look at their mini dv models

[@machioudsanni2842]

Does this has night mode?

[@brandoncameracollection]

No I’m not sure any vhs-c camcorders had night mode on them. You will have to look at some Sony hi8 models for night shot. Almost all of them had night shot. You can look at Panasonic mini DV camcorders as well, some of them had night vision as well

[@machioudsanni2842]

@@brandoncameracollection thanks. Another question. How do you delete current recordings on the tape?

[@brandoncameracollection]

@machioudsanni2842 you have to rewind the tape and record over what you have already recorded

[@machioudsanni2842]

@@brandoncameracollection hey one more question. How do I convert the video from the tape to my computer?

[@brandoncameracollection]

@machioudsanni2842 I have a play list I made you can check out. How To Capture Your Video Footage kzbin.info/aero/PLLCeXl20RsPbMMZhUAIdi5C3HPpPviZ07