View Full Version : HVX vs Z1


Eric Peltier
April 21st, 2006, 10:05 PM
hello all
I just came back from a shoot in LA, filming the Women US Soccer team.
Because P2 cards are not available yet (we only had one 4gig card with us)
We decided to bring 3 cameras, one HVX and two Sony Z1.
I brought an older powerbook G4 so I can dump the footage from the P2 card every-time it was full.
We shots interviews with the Z1 and got a bunch of Broll of the team practicing with all 3 cameras.
Comparing the footage from the Z1 and HVX of the same scene (players on soccer field in full sun), the HVX looks soooo much better, I love the way the color looks. So much more details in shadows and better color rendition, the Z1 highlights blow out very quickly.
+ Those slow motion shots are amazing, the question I have is : can you set up the camera so the Film cam settings don't reset to video cam every-time you power off the camera? I can't figure this one out.

As far as handling the HVX definitely needs some improvement, I found the menu buttons very cumbersome, especially in fast shooting situation, the Z1 scroll button is easier/faster to use.
Same for the shutter button behind the flip screen, not very practical especially when you're looking at the view finder, you have to set up the camera so the viewfinder stays on when LCD is open (less battery life!)
Can't wait for bigger P2 card or Focus HD, cause 4 minutes goes very quickly.
I'll post still frames from the 2 cameras later next week to show the difference.
e.