I'm getting ready (pockets burning) to take the plunge and wondered about the 2K price difference when you add all the toy's.

JJK

DSE,
do you mean that because of the extra functions you CAN get better pciture quality or that in a given operating mode there's something better in the Z1?
We have several of both and as far as we're aware the optics, CCDs and signal processing are the same. Basically similar to the difference between the VX 2100 and the PD 170.
All that aside though there are some HUGE advantages to the Z1. Not only do you get balanced audio you get a format agnostic camera, being able to shoot PAL or NTSC is in my opinion a big benefit. In fact you could ignore the whole HDV thing and justify buying the camera just to shoot DV25 in PAL or NTSC.
I'm currently working on a project that involves having footage shot in various parts of the world. There isn't the budget to fly crew all over the place with a kit of gear. All we need are guys in those locations with Z1s and the problem is solved. I'm guessing as we become more of a global village being able to shoot in either PAL or NTSC will become a big benefit.
Bob.

In my research I cam across several sites offering comparisons. You have probably found some as well but just in case here are a few of them.

PDF Comparison

More information on the differences here

Thanks. My last stupid question---Can the Cineform codec capture form it OK-- I have only seen mention of the FX1 that the codec will recognize.

JJK

I've been capturing from Z1 same as FX1 and also done DV captures from camera and the new VCR.
In that respect there's no differences that I've heard of anywhere.
Bob.

Well, the obvious - allbeit dumb answer:

2 letters

Dave

Actually 3 letters.

Just in terms of the greater electronic variables, the Z1 has the ability to get a better image. The glass, the processing, etc are all identical between the two. But you have greater overall control with the Z1, and therein lies the value.
Just for point of clarification...When talking HDV, consider getting out of the habit of using PAL and NTSC in our descriptions, since the only difference is framerates now. Same colorspace, same resolution. It's 50i or 60i. Nitpicky, but it's important as a delineator. Sony, JVC, Panasonic all seem to be pushing this direction, and on the other communities, folks are gravitating in that direction as well.

DSE mentioned "yes" to the first thread. Is the quality of the Z1's lens superior to that of FX1 ?

I was beginning to get worried, DSE, with all of the "glaring" differences between the two. I thought I remember that the lens and processing was to be the same, which was my main concern.

I bought an FX1 in December, total leap from hobby to semi-serious, "in all my spare time". Took me a week to take it out and play with it for fear of breaking something!

FX1 is fine for what I will need with it.

Dave

I kinda think it's the 80/20 rule. The FX1 will be fine for 80% of the people jumping into HDV. The remaining 20% need the T/C, the better audio options, the more expanded visual options, and the additional memory spots. The 20% that use the Z1 will use 80% of the additional features...
There is nothing wrong at all with the FX 1, we're considering buying a 3rd HDV cam, and it likely will be the FX1 since we can control all three via a LANC anyway. We aren't making movies for television in most of what we do. What docs we're working on are already shot on the XL or PD anyway, so it will be a while before we need the additional profiles. But the audio is pretty important to us, and I got a good deal on the Z1 from a vendor we do a lot with.

Oh dear DSE, you misread what I was saying!
I was talking about shooting DV NOT HDV, hence the use of the term PAL and NTSC where there's more than just the frame rate difference to contend with. The whole thrust of what I'm trying to get people to see is that even if the HDV thing doesn't excite you the Z1 is a damn good DV25 camera AND the only one that can shoot 4:3 or better still 16:9 in PAL and NTSC.
I agree, once you're in HD (or HDV) the term PAL or NTSC is largely meaningless. I think to further add to that confussion not all PAL countries have gone to 50i and all NTSC countries gone for 60i or something like that for HiDef.

Gotcha. Sorry if I misread.
JD55, the lens is exactly the same. The mechanics of the two cams are exactly the same in terms of optics and sHADs, so in terms of what the CCD's see, it's the same. Just a few more image processing options in the Z1 that make it a potentially better cam.