I just used the Z1 for the first time yesterday for a corporate video shoot. It was requested by the client(a new production house) who said that he wants to go HD all the way meaning he doesn't wanna shoot any SD stuff.

Anyways, i thought the Z1 was not too bad except that i had some problems with checking focus on the LCD even with the peaking switched on. I wonder if it's becuz the LCD cannot handle the HDV resolution??

The picture was always looking soft. But overall, not too bad a camera. Feels very solid. Controls were all very accessible. The position of the LCD and tape transport needed a bit of getting used to though. Now for the XL-H1!!

So you didn't use the "Expanded Focus" feature of the cam?

I don't have a Z1 - only the lowly FX-1, but I wouldn't ever rely only on peaking to indicate correct focus!!

I'm sure Sony's designers realised this early on in the development of their HDV camcorder line. They'd have witnessed the need for a "magnification capability" for accurate focus - especially as HD resolution shows focus inaccuracy far more than DV ever could.

The usual focus methodology on these cams - when time permits, of course; is to make a very quick manual focus using the LCD for guidance, and to then hit the "Expanded Focus" button at the top of the cam - and to then refine focus for the target zone, by viewing the much larger (and easier to get accurate focus on) image now visible in the LCD.

Sounds like you may have not had enough time to truly familiarize yourself with the camera. Hopefully you'll get more of a chance to a) use the Z1 again, and get more comfortable with it's abilities, or b)read the manual for the Z1.

If you're thinking of using the XL-H1, it might pay to read up as much about it's proper operation before you have to use it in the field, so you get to enjoy the camera to it's full potential, rather than what has happened for you with the Z1.

The LCD monitor on my Z1 is incredibly sharp. In fact, it's alot sharper than the viewfinder in black and white mode. I normally use the LCD to check fine focus. Perhaps there's something wrong with your Z1's LCD screen?