... Lens: the quality is good but Sony still insist on putting vague controls for focus and iris control - there is no distance scale on the focus ring. The iris control is the fiddly little silver knob you can see in the picture. Headphone feed: as with all Sony camcorders the volume on the headphone ... Read review
Providing HDV with the 1080i Standard and joining the existing DVCAM range, the HVR-Z1E ... more
offers users an affordable migration path from Standard Definition whilst retaining the popular DVCAM benefits such as ease of use and i.LINK connectivity. In addit...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Providing HDV with the 1080i Standard and joining the existing DVCAM range, the HVR-Z1E ... more
offers users an affordable migration path from Standard Definition whilst retaining the popular DVCAM benefits such as ease of use and i.LINK connectivity. In addit...
Postage & Packaging: £6.47 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Good 16x9 picture Disadvantages: Heavy, too many buttons
...the quality is good but Sony still insist on putting vague controls for focus and iris control - there is no distance scale on the focus ring. The iris control is the fiddly little silver knob you can see in the picture. Headphone feed: as with all Sony camcorders the volume on the headphone socket is insufficient. Weight: this is a heavy beast - if you\'re thinking of operating hand-held for more than 3 minutes, think again. You cannot put this ... ...camera, with manual controls designed as an afterthought. If you are a pro looking for a proper, manual control creative device I would suggest looking at similar priced Canon products, or spend more and go for a Sony camera that takes interchangeable broadcast quality lenses and sits on your shoulder. ... more
This a camera that tries to be all things to all people and is not for the feint-hearted.
It has been adopted as the standard kit in the UK for video-journalists in the broadcast industry and, even though it is HD capable, is largely still used in the SD DVCAM mode.
As such it produces a very good widescreen picture comparable in quality to more expensive \'broadcast\' standard DVCAM models. It does the job quite well but I feel the most useful thing I can do here for potential buyers is list its shortcomings.
Sensitivity: this camera is about 1.5 stops less sensitive than its predecessor the PD-170. Buttons: there are far too many buttons on the left hand side of this camera to make it easy to operate without having to look. Screen: the flip-screen does not show all of the picture. Lens: the quality is good but Sony still insist on putting vague controls for focus and iris control - there is no distance scale on the focus ring. The iris control is the fiddly little silver knob you can see in the picture. Headphone feed: as with all Sony camcorders the volume on the headphone socket is insufficient. Weight: this is a heavy beast - if you\'re thinking of operating hand-held for more than 3 minutes, think again. You cannot put this camera on your shoulder to take the weight, so you will either have to take up weight training or buy some kind of shoulder support or monopod to help you survive!
In summary, even though this camera is aimed at the \'pro\' market, it is actually designed to be used primarily as a \'point-and-shoot\' camera, with manual controls designed as an afterthought. If you are a pro looking for a proper, manual control creative device I would suggest looking at similar priced Canon products, or spend more and go for a Sony camera that takes interchangeable broadcast quality lenses and sits on your shoulder.
crware 14.12.2007 (14.12.2007)
Ciao members have rated this review on average:
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Review of Sony HVR-Z1E
Ease of use
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Quick review of Sony HVR-Z1E
Ive used the Z1U on a few shoots and for the money being asked, it s an ok camera... Sony is getting a little cheap with their consumer and pro-sumer cameras. this one has decent imaging, but the image breaks up easily. the audio inputs leave something to be desired... fairly typical of sony and other manufacturers for this level of camera.
Lacks true HD resolution and will not shoot 24p, which is reason enough not to buy it. instead it offers 'cineframe' which emulates 24p... which is in itself an emulation of 24fps.
As the first decent hdv camera on the market, sony made lots of mistakes. you wont hate that you have one... it has great fcp and avid integration, but the firewire ports can blow easily... costing at least $1000 to replace.
I think Panasonic and JVC are the leaders right now in these mid-range cameras. ...
artbyte 26.07.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony HVR-Z1E
Advantages: Light, durable, easy to use Disadvantages: Expensive
...the BBC, similar to the Sony PD170 in terms of use its an absolute ideal piece of kit for anyone serious about film making.
Obviously for those of you wanting a camera for the family you would want to steer clear of an idustry standard piece of equipment ( a sony Handycam would be better for that).
The z1 ia all about customising, nearly everything can be changed maually, from white balance (how white the whites are) to the iris (how much light ... ...the case. AS with all sony cameras everything through the viewfinder looks black and white, which some find annoying, I don't becasuse its easier to tell how good/poor your lighting is.
Its light but durable, with the buttons positioned exactly where you'd want them to be. Its easy to install lights or wireless mics onto the camera, and you can easily add a wide angle lens or a fish eye lens. Filters are easy to aply aswell.
The sound is ok quaility ...
crissswan 13.06.2007 (14.06.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony HVR-Z1E
Advantages: Everything is customisable, great picture quality, ease of use Disadvantages: no progressive, HDV not HD
The Z1 is a truly amazing prosumer camera, and the definity choice for anyone interested in professional video production value. I personally shot 3 short films on this camera and am still to this day, BOLWN away by contrast range and the ability to modify absolutely everything. In 15 tapes of footage I can remember not a single dropout, which is quite amazing when placed alongside camcorders. The only drawback of this camera that I can think of ... ...compressed form of HD) is that there is no option to shoot a picture in progressive mode (non interlaced, fieldlewss single frames), although this can always be achieved in post, hoping you have the correct software and patience! I would HIGHLY reccomend this camera, for its durability, weight, ease of use and picture quality. ...
GarethG 21.08.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Sony HVR-Z1E
With a unique camcorder body design and a multitude of camera features, the HVR-Z1E offers maximum operability in the field, as well as opening up a range of opportunities for creative shooting. Offered at a price comparable to Sony DVCAM camcorders, the HVR-Z1E paves the way for cost-effective but uncompromising HD program production.
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