HDV Camera Choices

daryl wrote on 11/15/2007, 9:05 PM
Hey y'all, I've been searching through the threads and have found some good information, but I'd like to ask about these 3 cameras fresh. I am looking to buy a decent HDV cam and considering the Sony HDR FX7, Sony HVR Z1, or the Canon XH A1. Any decision help on these three, or other possibilities in the same price range, would be GREATLY appreciated.
Daryl

Comments

Grazie wrote on 11/15/2007, 10:28 PM
As these are fixed lens device and if you want optical reach, the Canon is 20x.

I don't like the Canon LCD it's position, small size and its weird angular edge; yet again Canon refuse to design lens protection, saving a cap, it does NOT have a front end lens cover/shutter; I am still not convinced of the Mattbox options over the Auto focus window; I am still ignorant as to whether one can use a non-proprietary LANC for PUSH focus. I do like the many and sharable presets one can experiment with. And of course the glass is remarkable.

Being a Canon follower, I've hoped for and concentrated on crawling over the Canon A1. SONY IMHO, at this price point, have really kinda left Canon stumbling about a bit. I've been told, on this Forum, SONY have had their high end broadcast team now take responsibility of this prosumer end. Witness the plethora of features and cascade down of this price band's enrichment by the high-end-ers? SONY are getting more and more appealing. But again, why are they stopping at 14x optical on a fixed lens? Canon do 20x. If there is one thing that a fixed lens operator, without deep pockets wants - its that extra 6 on top of the 14 - yeah? Well this one does!

Interesting times Daryl. . . . interesting times.

Grazie
John_Cline wrote on 11/15/2007, 10:35 PM
FYI, the Sony V1 has a 20x lens and a very acceptable digital zoom which takes it out to 30x.

John
Grazie wrote on 11/15/2007, 10:55 PM
Quite correct John. The V1. Played with it at the IBC.

But I was referring to Daryl's short list of 2 : the Sony HDR FX7, Sony HVR Z1, : which are 3-chippers? The V1 is only a single CMOS? Yes? My thoughts are why is SONY stopping at 14x when Canon - at this 3 chip/price point range have lept to 20x.

Any thoughts John?

Grazie
John_Cline wrote on 11/16/2007, 1:46 AM
Grazie,

The V1 is a 3-chip CMOS camera. The FX7 is the stripped-down version of the V1. Both cameras have a 20x optical zoom with a additional 1.5x digital zoom for a total of 30x.

The V1 can shoot true 24p and 30p (or 25p for the PAL version), the FX7 is strictly 60i (or 50i in PAL.) The V1 has some picture modes that the FX7 does not have, nor does the FX7 have balanced audio inputs.

Bottom line is that Sony has not stopped at 14x.

John
Grazie wrote on 11/16/2007, 2:15 AM
My apologies. Thanks for the correction. I shall learn to get my facts straight in future.

Cheers,

Grazie
farss wrote on 11/16/2007, 2:36 AM
I don't know what the optical restriction is exactly however as imager size gets bigger it becomes harder to make a zoom with a large focal length ratio. A 20x zoom is pretty well unheard of for 35mm, just check out the options for stills cameras.
Also there's many more important t hings to a zoom for motion imaging than the zoom range.

Bob.
Jeff9329 wrote on 11/16/2007, 9:16 AM
Currently I think the XH-A1 is the best camera at this price point. Of course I only have the XH-A1, so I can't make a direct comparison to the Sonys.

Look at dvinfo.net, that is where I got my info, downloaded clips from all the cameras and made my decision.

Sony is currently the leader in HDV with two new awesome cameras introduced, but at higher price points. I had a hard time at the $3,000 level, I will get divorced at the $6,000+ camera level.

The XH-A1 lens is pretty good and the 20X is nice. At 20X you have to set up mostly static scenes or use pro panning skills with a good head to get a good pan.

I have got some really stunning footage with the XH-A1 with good setup. With poor setup, it's still a pretty good camera.

All the HDV cameras are still poor in low light compared to DV.
Stuart Robinson wrote on 11/17/2007, 9:57 AM
>All the HDV cameras are still poor in low light compared to DV.<

My Canon HDV is better in low light than my 3CCD Panasonic DV.

Incidentally, I protect the lens with a neutral filter.
UlfLaursen wrote on 11/17/2007, 11:53 PM
Incidentally, I protect the lens with a neutral filter

I have this too on all cameras - I think it is good money spent.

/Ulf