I guess a couple of big comparison questions need to be cleared up here. So first, is the P42V10 a Pioneer 'KURO' killer? No, it isn't. The latest KURO plasmas still outgun the P42V10 on black levels and colour response - though of course, they cost considerably more.
How does the P42V10 stack up against the best LCDs? Here it's more complicated, and a sort of 'horses for courses' situation. For while the best LCDs produce punchier, sharper, more dynamic images with less colour banding, the Panasonic scores on black level (except for more expensive LED backlit TVs) and motion clarity/response time.
Hmm. All this compare and contrast stuff is starting to sound unfairly negative. So probably the best way I can sum the P42V10 in a more upbeat context is by saying that it is actually the best 42in plasma TV you can currently buy (given that Pioneer doesn't do 42in ones anymore). Which makes it a must-audition set for anyone unsure as to which TV technology to buy, and an absolute no-brainer for LCD haters. Especially given its surprisingly aggressive price.Read full review
Overall
9/10
By John Archer
Reviewed 12 August 2009
Updated 05 February 2011