PC World - Business Center: Sony Unveils Two High-def Camcorders (http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/150645/sony_unveils_two_highdef_camcorders.html)

Sony HDR-FX1000, In Japan Now : Akihabara News .com (http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-16651-Sony+HDR-FX1000+now+in+Japan.html)

can't waiting for the HVR-MRC1K compact flash unit for my XH-A1.

HVR-MRC1K (http://www.sony.jp/products/Professional/c_c/hdv/products/hvr_mrc1k/index.html)

Is the Z5 a fixed-lens version of the Z7? If so, it seems priced a bit high...

I'm assuming the memory recorder is the same one used on the Z7/270. It would be nice if Sony came out with one that would record JVC ProHD 720 24p as well. Probably too much to hope for.

Here's the official Sony Japan product page for the Z5J:

HVR-Z5J | �¤•i�î•ñ | HDV | ‰f‘œ�§�ì‹@�Þ | •ú‘—�E‹Æ–±—p | ƒ\ƒj�[ (http://www.sony.jp/products/Professional/c_c/hdv/products/hvr_z5j/index.html) (fancy URL!)

The Z5 seems squarely aimed at the Canon XH series... dedicated iris, zoom and focus rings and a 20x lens.

I guess this means another we're going to add another forum to our Sony HDV lineup. How am I going to organize this thing? There's the HVR-A1, the V1 / FX7, the Z1 / FX1, the Z7 / S270, and now the Z5 / FX1000. D'oh!

Chris, maybe you should just call it the "Sony HDV Super Section" ...

At least this is a clear indication HDV is here to stay for quite some time ...

Looks like z1 and fx1, with a few additions.

Still trying to hunt down some *good* Z5 photos and product lit...

Meanwhile here's the full brochure for the FX1000 (in Japanese):

http://www.ecat.sony.co.jp/products/catalog/HDR-FX1000.pdf

And here's a photo of the HDR-FX1000.

Update: added a photo of the HVR-Z5.

What's astonishing to me is that Sony is not only coming out with more and more prosumer HDV gear, but that they're not retiring the older models, like the Z1, A1 or the V1. How many slices are they going to cut this particular market segment into?

Must be rough on their service centers and parts distributors, to keep track of all the different models!

I sure hope they don't retire the Z1 since it is CCD and that equals no rolling shutter artifacts.

screw buying the new cameras, I'll take two CF recorders please! available later this month, whoooohooooo!

screw buying the new cameras, I'll take two CF recorders please! available later this month, whoooohooooo!
I agree with you 100% Scott, bring on the CF recorder.

While I would like the 24P available in the FX1000, I still would prefer my FX1 to the newFX1000, because it uses CCD's and not CMOS sensors.

But the CF recorder, will help things out a ton. No dropped frames (not that I ever got any major ones), fast transfers, and longer record times to card without having to switch tapes.

screw buying the new cameras, I'll take two CF recorders please! available later this month, whoooohooooo!

Amen to that.

Sony is rolling out cameras faster than lightning! The price of the Z5 is too close to Z7 if they are looking at beating Canon XH-A1. Yeah, I think Z1 is still quite a treasure as it is the last CCD cam left from Sony!

are you guys talking about the cineform hdmi recorder ?

How many slices are they going to cut this particular market segment into?

All of them.

If you're interested. Check out this link to get an insight into their business strategy: Malcolm Gladwell on spaghetti sauce | Video on TED.com (http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/malcolm_gladwell_on_spaghetti_sauce.html)

Basically, Sony isn't trying to build the perfect camera, instead they are trying to build the perfect variety of cameras.

Sony is rolling out cameras faster than lightning! The price of the Z5 is too close to Z7 if they are looking at beating Canon XH-A1. Yeah, I think Z1 is still quite a treasure as it is the last CCD cam left from Sony!

Amen to that, I can't think of any other Sony prosumer HD CCD cams (other than the brother, the FX1)...

IMHO, it looks like the Z5 is an upgrade from the V1 and not the Z1, in spite of not carrying a "V" designation. One other way to look at it is that it is a detuned Z7 with the V1 non-interchangeable lens and no internal CF card recorder. I would guess that the street price will be similar to the current V1 street price. I wish Sony would get away from those servo controlled lenses.

According to one article I found both cameras use 1/3" CMOS sensors, so these are effectively CMOS replacements for the FX1 and Z1U with a better zoom range to boot. Also note that the Z5J is apparently dual PAL/NTSC capable like the Z1U, so worth a few extra bucks for that.

If the FX1000 has the sensitivity of the Z7U at an FX1 price, it could be a good tool for event videographers who want excellent low-light performance at reasonable cost. And with the optional CF recorder it offers handy transitional options for those interested in solid-state recording without being forced to give up tape. It's just too bad Sony doesn't put XLR inputs on the FX series cameras.

"They can have my CCD cameras when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers."

hahahahaha

In all seriousness, the Z5J looks like a good buy, but at close to 5K, whew. I think
I would take the Z7 for the interchangeable lenses. In fact, I almost did, thankfullly
i waited. Isn't the Canon XH-A1 close to getting an upgrade as well? Sure will be interesting
to see what they come up with.

Has anyone spotted the difference between the new CF recorder, the MCR1K, and the existing one announced with the Z7/S270? Some of the articles say it will fit onto the Z5, implying it won't fit directly onto the FX1000. Can that be right?

Why are people shedding tears because the new cams are CMOS, not CCD, and swearing to keep their CCD-fitted Z1s and FX1s for years and years? Are CCDs really so much better? I thought CMOS had a few advantages, like less smear from bright lights and greater exposure lattitude for clearer shadows, etc.

These cams look to me like fixed-lens versions of the Z7 to replace the Z1 and the FX1, and I'd expect them to sell for the same sort of prices as the Z1 and FX1 do now (once the inital bruhahah has settled down). I'de also expect a few bargin offers on the last stocks of the old models in the January Sales.

So what will Canon do? The XH-A1 has competed with the FX1 and Z1 by offering better resolution, working (albeit non-standard) progressive modes, balanced and unbalanced audio in the same cam, and a longer zoom, at a price in between the old Sonys. Price cuts first and a new model at NAB '09??

Mark, do a search on the effects of the rolling shutter. For me, one of the main reasons to get the Z7 was for the CF recorder. My FX1/Z1s still deliver incredible pictures. Seriously, would any of your clients notice if you spent big bucks on new cameras? I doubt it. and I doubt they would pay any higher price either. Now that the recorders are out, if something were to happen to one of my cams, i would have to go Canon for the CCDs.

...Seriously, would any of your clients notice if you spent big bucks on new cameras?...
One or two of my viewers noticed when I switched from an XM1 to an XH-A1. I'm very lucky that the only person I have to please is myself, and I won't replace what I've got unless/until it goes wrong. The CF card recorder could be really handy though, to cover the occassional tape glitch.

yep, that would be a noticeable change. I should have clarified that going from one
3 chip HD camera to another 3 chip HD camera, most won't notice.

According to one article I found both cameras use 1/3" CMOS sensors, so these are effectively CMOS replacements for the FX1 and Z1U ....The reference to CMOS Exmor is in the official FX1000 product brochure (linked above), so I think you're right... these seem to be the CMOS replacements for the FX1 and Z1.

Has anyone spotted the difference between the new CF recorder, the MCR1K, and the existing one announced with the Z7/S270? Some of the articles say it will fit onto the Z5, implying it won't fit directly onto the FX1000....There's no mention of it in the accessories section of the FX1000 brochure, so it's most likely not compatible, unfortunately.

This seems like a nice 2nd cam. What do you guys think? Good price too.

The inclusion of their EXMOR processor should really improve the low light abilities like it did on the SR12.

Basically a fixed lens z7u with fx branding and and z5 branding. Sony wants everyone's market! The xha1 has come competition? Interesting time, these are cams I honestly didn't predict. Gotta call my sony rep for fun now!

Everyone who wrote me asking about the MRC1 being sold separately, like I said september!

Edit: Also no Zeiss branding! But I never believed they were actually zeiss lenses in the first place, I've always thought that they bought either the rights to the design or to the coating, so that probably changes nothing.

are you guys talking about the cineform hdmi recorder ?

No these are the Sony versions.... so far from what I read the recorders are firewire implimented
versus HDMI... so the sony ones are not in the same ballpark as the future cineform and
the CD XDR/Nano.. But the Sony ones are at a nice cost level for what they do...

Like the FX1000, the Z5 includes HDMI output... it's about time the pro cameras get this.

Everyone who wrote me asking about the MRC1 being sold separately, like I said september!
So the CF recorder mentioned in the Z5/FX1000 announcement IS the same as the gadget included with the Z7? That makes more sense. If it's not available separately yet, then that explains why my searches for "Sony CF Recorder" on my favourite video equipment shops didn't find anything. Funny, I thought it was on sale already... Hey-ho!

Is the Z5 a fixed-lens version of the Z7? If so, it seems priced a bit high...

I'm assuming the memory recorder is the same one used on the Z7/270. It would be nice if Sony came out with one that would record JVC ProHD 720 24p as well. Probably too much to hope for.

Brian a collegue of my has tried it and says it works but I need to call him and double make sure he was shooting hd

Too many new releases...so is this leaning towards being a new version of the V1 or Z1?

ha, my Sony rep just replied back to me and said it won't work without a Z5.

I'm really unimpressed with these releases feature-wise.

Same old, same old.

I read there's no real progressive. Why is that? I don't understand their passion with interlaced video. Canon consumer cameras have real progressive, right?

And the prices are through the roof, the FX7 was a good buy at $2500, this FX1000 should be no more than $3000, being already expensive at that.

I don't do weddings, events and such, my main interest is short movies and commercials, I thank god RED Scarlet showed up.

Why are people shedding tears because the new cams are CMOS, not CCD, and swearing to keep their CCD-fitted Z1s and FX1s for years and years? Are CCDs really so much better? I thought CMOS had a few advantages, like less smear from bright lights and greater exposure lattitude for clearer shadows, etc.



One thing I have noticed with the CMOS is problems with my DIY 35mm vibrating adapters. With my little HV20, I have had some shots get a wiggly jello effect. I am assuming this is related to rolling shutter, and a specific frequency of the vibrating screen. I don't see this occuring on my FX1.

This new accessory caught my eyes. I can't tell if it's gonna be cool or gimmicky.
VCL-HG0872K??????????? | ePROSHOP : SYSTEM5 (http://www.system5.jp/ec/html/item/001/040/item39013.html?recommend)

Looks like only one stage and doesn't rotate.

ha, my Sony rep just replied back to me and said it won't work without a Z5.
Scott, did he give you a reason for this.
Besides the fact that they want you to buy a Z5.

Because if it is the same CF recorder that is being used with the Z7, then it will work with other cameras that have firewire.

Also if it won't work with anything else but a Z5, then how some the unit is being sold separately and before the release of the Z5 camera?

We can guess all we want, but it wouldn't be the first time that a rep didn't know what they were talking about. We'll just have to wait until these units come out.

Brian a collegue of my has tried it and says it works but I need to call him and double make sure he was shooting hd

Really?!! Please do let me know what you find out from your friend. That would be fabulous news if that were true. This is one of the few Sony gadgets that looks to be MUCH, MUCH cheaper than the competition. Compare the street price of Sony's CF recorder to that of the Firestore FS-5 or the Edirol F-1. If it could do ProHD 720 24P, I'd be thrilled!

This new accessory caught my eyes. I can't tell if it's gonna be cool or gimmicky.
VCL-HG0872K??????????? | ePROSHOP : SYSTEM5 (http://www.system5.jp/ec/html/item/001/040/item39013.html?recommend)

Looks like only one stage and doesn't rotate.

Yeah I can't tell if that's just a mattebox or it's a wide lens with a mattebox built in? The "0872" in the name makes me think it's an .8x 72mm, but I don't see much of an element.

man, i know he wants to sell me a camera :-). I still want one, but I don't want to
give up CCDs. How will the recorder work? will it require a firewire cable on older
cameras? I wish someone had some closeup pictures of the connectors.

Really?!! Please do let me know what you find out from your friend. That would be fabulous news if that were true. This is one of the few Sony gadgets that looks to be MUCH, MUCH cheaper than the competition. Compare the street price of Sony's CF recorder to that of the Firestore FS-5 or the Edirol F-1. If it could do ProHD 720 24P, I'd be thrilled!

Yeah when I know for sure I'll drop you a line.

man, i know he wants to sell me a camera :-). I still want one, but I don't want to
give up CCDs. How will the recorder work? will it require a firewire cable on older
cameras? I wish someone had some closeup pictures of the connectors.
Looking at pictures of it here, it looks ALOT like the same CF recorder that the Z7 uses.

HVR-Z5J | �¤•i�î•ñ | HDV | ‰f‘œ�§�ì‹@�Þ | •ú‘—�E‹Æ–±—p | ƒ\ƒj�[ (http://www.sony.jp/products/Professional/c_c/hdv/products/hvr_z5j/feature04.html)

http://www.sony.jp/products/Professional/c_c/hdv/products/hvr_mrc1k/index.html

And as I said it is the same CF module, then it will work with recorders with firewire ports. As there are users that have been using the Z7 module with Canon A1/Sony FX1, with success in both SD and HDV.

And as I said in an earlier post, a Sony rep told me that they would be releasing the Z7 Cf recorder for public use, sometime n SEP-OCT area. Which would be right in the ballpark of when the Z5 CF recorder is slated for release.

Coincidence? You decide. =)
After all Sony will sell a TON of these units if they release them. It would probably turn out to be one of their most successful accessories EVER. And we all know that Sony loves to make money. Even at the expense of their own products.

on the sony cams, will you have to plug in an extra cable? will it mount to the battery
compartment like it does on the Z7? crap. I still want a new camera :-)

ha, my Sony rep just replied back to me and said it won't work without a Z5.

Scott just by looking at it I can tell that it's the same piece. The only part of the name that has changed is the addition of the "K", which could be used only in japan anyway. Over hear it's called the MRC1.

It's two pieces the piece with the CF card slot hooks onto the back of the Z5 and Z7 and is powered by the cam. When using it on another camera you just put it on the included sled, put an L series battery on there and put it on a bracket that goes on your shoe mount (when I've used it I just used a longer cable and chucked it in a pocket) and you're off the races.

Remember the vast majority of hdv cameras are sony models so it makes no sense for them not to include the back piece and have it interface with only the Z5 and Z7, especially when the Z7 already ships with it. The back part also appears in the japanese pictures so it's all good!

on the sony cams, will you have to plug in an extra cable? will it mount to the battery
compartment like it does on the Z7? crap. I still want a new camera :-)

If it's like the Z7 module, then it will connect onto the back of the Z5 (like the Z7 does).

And on any other camera, whether it be Sony, Canon, JVC etc, you would have to mount the module onto any other camera via firewire and mount elsewhere, like on the handle via a handle bracket, velcro, whatever.

right, the back design of the Z5 and Z1 should be the same, so there should be no
reason to have to take up the hotshoe to mount it. IF that's not the case, it might
be worth the cost of a new camera just to avoid the hassle of being tethered to a device
hanging off the camera. That's a pain.

right, the back design of the Z5 and Z1 should be the same, so there should be no
reason to have to take up the hotshoe to mount it. IF that's not the case, it might
be worth the cost of a new camera just to avoid the hassle of being tethered to a device
hanging off the camera. That's a pain.
Scott the Z5 and Z7 should have the same back.
The Z1 has a different back, where the battery compartment isn't as deep as the Z7. So the module would not be able to attach in the same manner.

See this article to show that you can indeed use this recorder with other cameras via firewire port. This was the statement that was called out.

"The memory recorder can also connect to other HDV camcorders using a standard IEEE1394 cable."

Sony launches two DV-tape hi-def camcorders News - PC Advisor (http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=103912)

Will either of these cameras record progressive footage?

Yes, from what I've read the FX1000 will shoot progressive but record to 60i, while the Z5 will shoot and record true progressive. For both models I think it's only 24p and 30p.

Heys check this page and it clearly shows that the mrc1k can be used with other cameras so it is definetly indentical to the z7 part:

HVR-MRC1K | �¤•i�î•ñ | HDV | ‰f‘œ�§�ì‹@�Þ | •ú‘—�E‹Æ–±—p | ƒ\ƒj�[ (http://www.sony.jp/products/Professional/c_c/hdv/products/hvr_mrc1k/function_2.html)