Sony debuts HDR-FX1000, HVR-Z5J high-def camcorders
By Donald Melanson 
posted Sep 4th 2008 2:53PM
posted Sep 4th 2008 2:53PM
It looks like those not willing to give up on DV tape for their HD recording needs now have a pair of new options to consider from Sony, which has just introduced its HDR-FX1000 and HVR-Z5J camcorders in Japan. The HDR-FX1000 (pictured above) is the slightly more consumer-minded of the two, with it boasting a not-outrageous price of ¥400,000 (or roughly $3,700), and some impressive specs all around, including a 20x optical zoom, both 24p and 30p modes, and Sony's G-series lens, which promises to deliver some top-notch images. The HVR-Z5J, on the other hand, offers some more specialized features like XLR audio inputs, PAL and NTSC compatibility, and support for the DVCAM format in addition to usual DV/HDV option. Look for it to set you back ¥554,400 (or just over $5,000) when it lands in December, with the HDR-FX1000 set to slip out ahead of it on November 10th.
[Via PC World]
[Via PC World]
As an Indie film maker, without 1080P support @ 24 fps, then I have to pass.
I believe that even the consumer type custmer would pass.
Direct to disk FTW. HDV is kryptonite!
M
I believe that the consumer type customer would pass based on the $3700 asking price before even looking at the features. Nobody is going to spend that much on a camera to take home movies or make fools of themselves on YouTube.
1080P support is not necessary to get 24P frame rates. 1080P would be 60 fps. Furthermore, the article doesn't even mention whether it supports 1080 or 720 modes - obviously it should support at least one, but it's not clear.
Most cameras do 1080/24P (to tape) by recording 1080i with 3:2 advanced pulldown so that it can be converted to 24P without any data loss. Recording 60 full frames per second would not offer any benefit, as you'd just have more doubled frames (and higher bandwidth to support it).
I'm surprised you'd pass on it due to this one possible shortcoming (which we don't have the details to confirm or deny yet), when the real benefit that puts this above most consumer cameras is the sensors - 3CCD as opposed to CMOS. Color is much more precise on a 3CCD camera, even at 480i/p modes.
I don't understand what any of this means, but I think I would buy one, Maybe three when I get ready to upgrade my cameras.
I can't imagine paying over two grand for any camera that didn't have XLR inputs. I like the HDV option, though, and remember that you can always use that firewire connection to plug into an external hard drive (not just any HD, but something like the firestore linked below.
http://www.focusinfo.com/solutions/catalog.asp?id=150
The HVR-Z5J has XLR inputs, the HVRs are the pro versions, HDR is consumer version, it was the same with the DCR/DSR standard def camcorders. I had to look at this and the HVR-V1 for a long time to spot the difference, it seems to have a manual iris ring but apart from that not much difference. Not everyone is an 'indie film maker' (yeah right) 'consumer' or 'you tube fool'. TV stations, program makers and news organisations still buy and use a lot of tape; it's cheap, robust and fits their existing infrastructure.
I'd wager that any organization that needs to share footage will be using miniDV (or DV sometimes). I've filmed events that news stations have needed footage from, and if we know in advance we use tape. You just hand them a little piece of plastic and everything works. Not so easy when you have to transfer off the hard drive into someone else's workflow.
Thank you for mentioning the tape issue. In our shop. we don't shoot on a daily basis (non-profit PR). However, we do need a footage library that we can pull from for years to come. That brings up messy issues of disk space, RAID arrays, best compression algorithms, file structure and organization, and other problems that tape solves quickly and elegantly. We don't need to ingest footage faster than real-time, so it's the perfect "solution."
As much as gadget lovers malign tape, it's still a necessity for many productions.
Nice. I think I'd wait for the RED Scarlet though.
RED Scarlet for 3000 base. Sony can't touch that.
ugh just kill hdv already, more p2 plz
ソニーにソリッドステートに記録するPME-EX1 がある。私はそれらがそれの消費者バージョンを有したことを望む。または私にiPhone を与えなさい。
Bro. There's a Engadget Japan for which to comment on. Also, the solid-state vs tape issue has already been discussed.
ちぃ～とは英語話せよバカ。
first off engadget, most of todays "HD" cameras arent actual full HD. sure they have the resolution, and while it can capture a certain amount of frames per second, the rest of the FRAMES themselves are generated using software. so regardless of what you capture the image onto, whether its a tape or a harddrive, the picture wont be true HD every frame until you step up to the pro-grade cameras.
oh and to the comment talking about how tapes are convenient, its totally true. why do you think all the major television stations still use tapes? until transferring data at unbeleivable speeds at unbelievable speeds across the country is completely reliable and hassle-free, tapes arent going anywhere.
considering how popular the PD-170 STILL is, and that most professional TV and documentary makers are using tape, and that HD is slowly becoming the norm (s l o w l y except for prosumers who want HD then post their videos on youtube) i can imagine this will be a popular camera.
if you shoot and watch enough video, you start to understand what has an impact on image quality and what doesn't. at this point, the sensors matter much more than HD, and i'm surprised this post didn't even bother to mention that it's a 3-chip, especially after sony tried to pass of the HVR-HD1000U as a prosumer camera.
considering how popular the PD-170 STILL is, and that most professional TV and documentary makers are using tape, and that HD is slowly becoming the norm (s l o w l y except for prosumers who want HD then post their videos on youtube) i can imagine this will be a popular camera.
if you shoot and watch enough video, you start to understand what has an impact on image quality and what doesn't. at this point, the sensors matter much more than HD, and i'm surprised this post didn't even bother to mention that it's a 3-chip, especially after sony tried to pass of the HVR-HD1000U as a prosumer camera.
SCARLET BABY!...
This Camera has CMOS and a rolling shutter.
Very bad (unless you like banding with flashing. skewing, distorting and warping with camera movement) but cheap to make.
Canon A1 uses CCD with a universal shutter.
Much better quality camera.
i need to buy a camera in this class and price range for my website but i prefer to record on hard disk instead of tape so i dont have to capture later. what are my options beside panasonic Pro AG-HVX200 3CCD P2/DVCPRO.? thanks
You can record digital on this It has the option to upgrade to a plug in digital recorder block similar to firestore. Its superb and sony is a genius for introducing it.
Anyone who has the money to buy anything you want go ahead but after using this camera it is a stunner and beats most other cameras hands down for quality. The lens is stunning, the new LCD is crystal clear and amazingly sharp, the new iris is a huge improvement on pulling focus and provides beautiful background blur.
The progresive is better than none and gives sony a good start in the field.
the light sensitivity is 1.5 lux at 1.25th which with the black stretch and lower noise ADC conversion gives almost PD170 quality low light footage except no wait its HD so is much better!
Hd is slowly coming in but if your buying, your buying to use now! Hence record HD and down convert to 16:9 SD its sharp as a scalpel and not only that if your a real sad winer why not record to digital AND casette in HD and DVCAM or DV AT THE SAME TIME!
Its stunning and a revalation for sony after all this time.
Rob
I can not believe how much uninformed drivel is spouted here, learn the language first then read the specs then play with it (after reading the manual at least three times then play some more and then comment......... then after you read and listened some more give your comments please. but BE OPEN MINDED, not all tools suit everyone.
regards Ed