Sony HDR-FX7 / HVR-V1

Here's a comparison chart of the HV-1 vs FX7 and HV1 vs Z1.

Without looking at the FX7 and the street price of the V1, the V1 is looking to be the better buy of the 2. But always test before you buy.

Expandore comparison

NOTE:

the dimensions are wrong in that comparison for the Z1:

Z1U= 163x194x365 (w/o microphone)

PD170= 136x180x456 mm(including eye vf and hood, w/o microphone)

FX7= 145x156x322mm

Drew,

Am i reading these dimensions correctly?

Dimension WxHxD :

V1 - 131x184x323 (mm)

Z1 - 156x181x309 (mm)

That would make the V1 bigerr in 2 dimensions, and about 2.5cm narrower. I imagined it to be significantly smaller?

Good catch Shawn. I didn't read about the Z1U

Dimensions are wrong for the Z1.

The V1 dimensions I can't confirm and really I don't trust internet sources anymore anyways. Even a dealer has typos as it's apparent here. The feature set seems accurate though.

Good catch Shawn. I didn't read about the Z1U

Dimensions are wrong for the Z1.

The V1 dimensions I can't confirm and really I don't trust internet sources anymore anyways. Even a dealer has typos as it's apparent here. The feature set seems accurate though.

I would agree it is wrong. I just measured my FX1 cam and came up with the following approx. measures (no hood attachment)

:

WxHxD:

FX1 = 140x183x343mm

FX7= 145x156x322mm

The Z1 is probably wider b/c of XLR inputs.

Anyway, still seems with the FX7 only 2 cm (6.1%) less in length and 2.5 cm(15%) less in height (and actually 3.5% wider), we are not seeing the major size reduction folks would hope for. I would imagine the housings will not the that much smaller as a result:(

Only getting hands on the real deal will tell though.

-shawn

Shawn

I assume you are measure from the base of the camera? The factory specs always count all parts (except the V1 microphones) like battery, hood and VF cap etc.

The FX1 factory spec is 151x181x365mm, which is more accurate for comparison than home measurements. Of course the best guys to ask are the housing manufacturers who measure these guys specifically for us.

I think this is the Comparison of the two..

Dive safe

DeanB

Dean

that's just the FX7 vs FX1. The V1 isn't clear yet since I haven't seen official measurements from Sony. Not even from their DEMO DVD or brochure!

However IF this pic is to be believed, it is noticeably smaller than the PD170. The only reason why I doubt the veracity of this pic is that they show a picture of the Z1 without the microphone. And this is from sony!

Apparently the new Sony's use something called EIP's (electronic image processors) that reads the individual pixels on each CMOS chip. They then can be individually adjusted making the darker or shadowed areas in the frame more detailed. where as 3chip cameras will 'wash out' these darker parts...This benefits in helping the low light..Apparently ??

We will have to wait and see i suppose.

Crikey I'm turning into Drew...

Dive safe

DeanB

Wow Dean, that means you've smartened up.

No seriously, you don't want to be like me. You'll get into debt faster than having a russian or chinese girl friend.

To answer your question, every digital camera has some sort of DSP (digital signal processor). Sony's EIP reads the CMOS sensor pixels at a 45° angle which allows a 960x1080 sensor to be read as a 1440x1080 sensor (or so they claim). The science behind this is over my head of understanding sensors and DSP, but the results are very encouraging. The process is what they call black stretch on your camera too. Black stretch apparently stretches the dynamic range of the CMOS cameras by 2 stops.

From what I see of the demo V1, what is the best image enhancing is knee control and the prevention of smearing. Something Sony never put in the lower range for fear of eating into their higher range camera sales. Panasonic,JVC and Canon really pushed them to release the V1 with progressive scan at an aggressive price even.

Hi everybody.

Here's a recent "hands on" review of the Sony HVR-V1E (european) camera

http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=141

Bottom line:

- Looks and feels a lot like the PD170, size wise, features wise, and also in terms of location and use of buttons/knobs/levers, etc.

- Image quality (in average light conditions) very similar to Z1 when doing 1080i. The 1080p image seems to have its own pros/cons (see review).

- Not tested in low light conditions, though :-(

Hope that helps,

Nick

Nice one Nick..

It looks like camcorder porn to me...

Soon my precious, SOOOOON !!!!

Dive safe

DeanB

Guys, Nigel's copy of the camera is a pre-production model and it's a preview and not a review. So until the real production models are out, there isn't going to be much point getting too excited about it, either way. I have to say that his preview isn't detailed. Without samples and vids, it's hard to understand what he's talking about.

Hi everybody.

 

Here's a recent "hands on" review of the Sony HVR-V1E (european) camera

 

http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=141

 

Bottom line:

- Looks and feels a lot like the PD170, size wise, features wise, and also in terms of location and use of buttons/knobs/levers, etc.

 

- Image quality (in average light conditions) very similar to Z1 when doing 1080i. The 1080p image seems to have its own pros/cons (see review).

 

- Not tested in low light conditions, though :-(

 

Hope that helps,

 

Nick

Well I had better add something I suppose.

From what I hear the progressive mode is softer and less detailed than interlaced mode.

But is it as good as the FX1/Z1....

Was the VX2100 as good as the PD150-170..??

I think as stated a million times that Sony would be shooting themselves if the V1 was better than the Z1. But maybe not, maybe so...

Personally if it's close and cheaper then that's good enough for little ol me..The possibilty of different lenses for the V1 has been mentioned which will be a bonus.

But I'll wait for the next batch A2, Z2, V2.. Or will I..

Someone house the new babies and get a report out...That's the only way.

Dive safe

DeanB

I like the idea that it has the option for progressive or interlaced. That was a concern to me. That it has no internal mic could be a problem if you want to have the audio of whales or the unique sound of a monk seal. If they make housings large enough for the external mic, it will be huge.

Steve

By the way, BH has the HDR-FX7 in stock and is shipping now.

B&H has stock of the Sony HDR-FX7 at $2799.95. The HVR-V1U is going for $4199, the price has to be by email.

I will be reporting from DEMA about housing options.

HI guys,

I have been following this thread with great interest. I currently use a Sony PC 330E in a S&S VX300 housing. I have used this for sometime, but am becoming more and more frustrated as I do not have any control over colour balance. Red Sea is fine, but get into the water at Sulawesi or the Caribbean and trouble begins. I spend many hours tweaking the colours on editing!

I have just had a bit of a pension windfall and am looking to upgrade to a reasonable HDV camera. I must say the FX1 looks very tempting - well tried and a choice of housings. Now the choice gets harder as the FX7 and the new Canon are on the scene. No housings at present although Amphibico are working on it. The FX7 seems to be smaller and lighter as hopefully will be the housing. Quite important with the ever reducing weight limits on aircraft. I must say I am really a Sony man, although I did use a Canon Optura/MV1 in an Amphibico housing as my first digital camcorder.

I would welcome your thoughts on whether I should wait for the FX7 or buy the FX1 now. This would be for amateur/hobbyist use.

Many thanks

Roger Eve

Hi Roger,

Welcome to wetpixel and also welcome to the 'goodship' totally confused...

If you look through the debates you will find people like yourself asking the same questions and getting either:responses they like, responses they don't or no responses at all.

It all depends on what you want to do and achieve with your new purchase...Are you a video, holiday hobbyist or do you want to enter festivals or sell your wares and go pro..Questions are answered in these forums..Take a look.

Good luck

Dive safe

DeanB

....

I would welcome your thoughts on whether I should wait for the FX7 or buy the FX1 now. This would be for amateur/hobbyist use.

 

Many thanks

 

Roger Eve

By wait, I guess you mean wait for the housing guys. I just got the FX7 from B&H. Like you, I am an amateur hobbyist. I chose the FX7 over the FX1 because of the smaller size.

I have a trip at the beginning of Feb. The FX7 is physically very similar to the VX2100 so I'm hoping Gates, Amphibico, L&M etc., release their housings in the next month or so.