Sorry to post this: I have to say that Z1u is discontinued, as sony says. Sony Product Detail Page - HVRZ1U (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-hdvsite/cat-broadcastcameras/product-HVRZ1U/)

Well, it had a long and useful life... R.I.P.

Not bad... I think it was on the market for almost five years. I got mine in June 2005 and it is still going strong.

It's odd the way they indicate that it's discontinued in the text there. They still have links to the Z1 on their HDV product page here: Sony | Product Catalog - Sub-Category Landing Page (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-broadcastcameras/cat-hdv/)

B&H still has them in stock for $4,200.

That certainly is an "understated obituary..." I would have expected the A1U to go first...

I think this increases speculation that maybe Sony will have some new tapeless cameras coming...

Shame to see the Z1 go but I have my Z5 and Ive got to say its a huge improvement. Mind you one less CCD option which could be bad for some.

Interesting to see what they bring out next.

Seems like they already have a nice HDV handycam lineup with the z5 and z7, both of which can go tapeless. The one niche which the z1 fulfilled was the ability to shoot both PAL and NTSC right out of the box. In fact, I bought my z1 specifically to do a PAL project since I didn't want to sink money into a SD PAL model that I would probably never use again.

Its been a great camera, it had such a long life!

I bought a Z1 in 2006 and still get a lot of good use out of it. I recently bought a Z7 and believe that the Z1 shoots an equal quality picture compared to the Z7 except for low-light conditions. I had one opportunity to use the Z1 as a PAL machine when someone from Denmark contracted for services.

The one niche which the z1 fulfilled was the ability to shoot both PAL and NTSC right out of the box.

This is the absolutely singular reason I bought the Z1. So I take it that this niche has not been filled by any of these newer models. Like you, I need the ability to shoot both formats on a regular basis and although Sony would probably like me to buy two different format cameras, I think I could be working with the Z1 for a while yet ...if there are no other options.

I didn't expect to stay with the Z1 for so long, but I wasn't particularly enthralled by the Z7 when it arrived because of its 'rear-end-shunt looks and I didn't need interchangeable lenses that didn't offer a super-wide.

I whooped when the Z5 came out as I realised this was the Z1's true successor - until I saw how it performed under the barrage of electronic flash that constitutes an all-day wedding.

So I'm back to the Z1. The HMC151 looks to be a good replacement but I'm rather against taking sideways steps. The Z1 is just so damn confident.

tom.

So I take it that this niche has not been filled by any of these newer models.

Well the EX1 can shoot in 50i and 60i formats, but only as hi definition (although you can downconvert in-camera).

This is the absolutely singular reason I bought the Z1. So I take it that this niche has not been filled by any of these newer models. Like you, I need the ability to shoot both formats on a regular basis and although Sony would probably like me to buy two different format cameras, I think I could be working with the Z1 for a while yet ...if there are no other options.
Sony has an option you can have them do to the Z7 to add to its capability to shoot PAL. After you buy the camera you can send it in to Sony or an authorized technician and for, if I remember right, $500 they modify it for you. After that it is just like the Z1 shooting both PAL and NTSC.

Interesting Wesley. Thank you.

"After that it is just like the Z1 shooting both PAL and NTSC".

Can it also shoot PAL/NTSC, DV, DVCAM, 4x3, 16x9, 50i and 60i on to tape and not the dreaded AVCHD?

AVCHD? Unless I've missed something along the way, the Z7 is an HDV camera just like the Z1. It will record to tape, memory cards, or both simultaneously.

Wesley - thanks. I thought that was possible and even looked around on Sony's site for it before my previous post but couldn't find a reference. Is this also possible with the Z5?

It held its place in the HD world, Sad to say but my V1 is probably next..... awesome camera though. GM

Sorry to post this: I have to say that Z1u is discontinued, as sony says. Sony Product Detail Page - HVRZ1U (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-hdvsite/cat-broadcastcameras/product-HVRZ1U/)

That's odd. I just clicked on the link and it doesn't say anything about being discontinued.

Maybe they brought it back already... like Ford and the Taurus.

Hi, Charles . . .

The Z1U has been axed by Sony. The link you sent even mentions that it's history. At the very beginning of the overview of the camera the text reads, "Please note: Effective immediately the HVR-Z1U camcorder is discontinued."

Sony is moving on.

Ian Cmapbell

We still use those Z1u cameras. It'll be sad to know they're retiring. Great cameras!

The first generation Sony cameras such as the Z1U, A1U (and consumer version HC1) were all well thought out and very well built and reliable. I've used all these cameras and loved them. The newer models have had all kinds of issues which the first cameras didn't seem to have. I guess the first models were truly legacy products. I wish I had better luck with the newer additions to the Sony HDV line-up. The first cameras out of the gate are well worth hanging on to.

Ian

This is the absolutely singular reason I bought the Z1. So I take it that this niche has not been filled by any of these newer models. Like you, I need the ability to shoot both formats on a regular basis and although Sony would probably like me to buy two different format cameras, I think I could be working with the Z1 for a while yet ...if there are no other options.

What I have heard is the Z1 uses software to do both NTSC & PAL, so which ever one isn't standard for your model could look a little worse.

But if you move up to the Z7 + world cam upgrade (which is pretty cheap, even costs less than most consumer cameras), you can do the NTSC & PAL switched on a more hardware basis, which will provide better picture in either format (is my understanding).



I whooped when the Z5 came out as I realised this was the Z1's true successor - until I saw how it performed under the barrage of electronic flash that constitutes an all-day wedding.


I have a Z7 and since it takes a lot less light than the Z1, I think it produces a better picture in low light situations even w/ the flash banding.

Flashes are pretty annoying on CCD or CMOS, and I would take the partial frame flash w/o ANY gain, than a full frame flash + 12db of gain.


I think Sony might lose some people w/ the lack of CCDs on the new cameras, but for all the advantages the new cameras bring at the same price point, I think they are well worth it.

I loved shooting with a Z1, but boy did that baby eat up a lot of light. Add to it that the Z5 & Z7 shoot progressive & accept the CF recorder, I don't miss the Z1 too badly.

Hi, Charles . . .

The Z1U has been axed by Sony. The link you sent even mentions that it's history. At the very beginning of the overview of the camera the text reads, "Please note: Effective immediately the HVR-Z1U camcorder is discontinued."

Sony is moving on.

Ian Cmapbell

Okay. I see it now. Bummer dude. I think I'll keep mine. It's pristine.

What I have heard is the Z1 uses software to do both NTSC & PAL, so which ever one isn't standard for your model could look a little worse.

But if you move up to the Z7 + world cam upgrade (which is pretty cheap, even costs less than most consumer cameras), you can do the NTSC & PAL switched on a more hardware basis, which will provide better picture in either format (is my understanding).

I have never heard this before, and frankly I find it very difficult to believe. I think it's all just software (or firmware, if you prefer) inside these cameras. I originally bought my Z1 mainly for the PAL capability and did a large PAL project. I never noticed any quality issues there and neither did anyone else. I've never seen a review which indicated that a Z1u shot inferior PAL or a Z1e shot inferior NTSC.

Where did you see this claim? And just what do you think "NTSC & PAL switched on a more hardware basis" means?