Hi, I make only documentaries around the world, often in the rainforest.
I look for the best image quality. In your opinion what is the best image quality between Sony FX1 or Sony FX7? 3CCD or 3 CMOS?
Thanks a lot

Hi Adriano

I don't think you'll find a huge difference in picture quality between these two models... Certainly not enough to base a choice of camera on...other than perhaps the low light capacity which would be better on the FX1.

However the ergonomics of each model is quite different.
FX7 is smaller and lighter. The FX1 is quite a bit bigger which may be an issue for hand held shots for you...

I've owned an FX1 and now have a Z1 and find them both excellent cameras. I love the top mounted LCD screen and the excellent aperture wheel. I personally find the larger camera easier to use, especially with a shoulder support...

Finally if you want the best audio, the Z1 has far better audio functions than the FX1. I used to had a Sign video box on my FX1 but the extra adjustments, phantom power, trim, etc you get on the Z1 has improved my audio quite a bit.. worth considering if your budget stretches to one!!!

Regards
Gareth

Hi Gareth, thanks for your interesting reply. Now I use Sony VX2000 and its size satisfies me. Can you tell me if Sony FX7 is smaller than Sony VX2000?
The interesting matter for me is the Sony FX7 sucks less power from batteries.
I never worked with a very small camera and if Sony FX7 is too small I am worried.
A different question: I have the feeling that Sony FX1 will have a short life.
I don't like about FX7 is the CMOS is 1/4. FX1 has 1/3 CCD.
Thanks again.

The vx2000 and fx7 are roughly the same size.

Hi

As Evan says if you are happy with the size of the VX2000 then you'll be fine with an FX7...

As to the life of an FX1... well all cameras these days have a short life, as technology gallops... If you wait for the next thing just around the corner, you'll be waiting more than shooting. It's a fine camera... and that won't change, evenif it is replaced in the next couple of years.

Finally having used the FX1, as I said above, I'd no longer opt for a camera that doesn't have XLR inputs... I wasn't convinced until I got the Z1 of the advantages..

cheers
Gareth

I have a FX1 and the audio issue came up as soon as I recorded a somewhat loud concert. Even though I manually set the input so that the peak levels didn't go in the red, the audio still came out distorted. I bought the Beachtek DXA-FX for the XLR inputs and a Rode videomic and now by sound is outstanding.

Check out this link from the FreshHDV Blog...

It a google translation comparison of the FX1 and FX7... The original page is in German//

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fxsupport.de%2F12.html&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

I have a FX1 and the audio issue came up as soon as I recorded a somewhat loud concert. Even though I manually set the input so that the peak levels didn't go in the red, the audio still came out distorted. I bought the Beachtek DXA-FX for the XLR inputs and a Rode videomic and now by sound is outstanding.Sorry this is off-topic....

I have exactly this same problem. With my Videomic on my standard-def DV cam i manually set the levels at a loudish concert recently and carefully made sure it wasn't "red-lining".

But..it still came out completely distorted. I think the Videomic level just overloads the cam's pre-amp and thats that even if you turn levels down.

Looks like I might get a Beachtek box then or something like yourself.

Can i ask if you mean you're still using Videomic with an XLR box?? It would make more sense i guess to use a balanced mic like NTG2 or NTG1. But i guess Videomic would work fine as long as you had a minijack-to-XLR converter.

Sorry this is off-topic....

I have exactly this same problem. With my Videomic on my standard-def DV cam i manually set the levels at a loudish concert recently and carefully made sure it wasn't "red-lining".

But..it still came out completely distorted. I think the Videomic level just overloads the cam's pre-amp and thats that even if you turn levels down.

Looks like I might get a Beachtek box then or something like yourself.

Can i ask if you mean you're still using Videomic with an XLR box?? It would make more sense i guess to use a balanced mic like NTG2 or NTG1. But i guess Videomic would work fine as long as you had a minijack-to-XLR converter.

The problem is not with the videomic. The FX! do not have a way to set attenuation. I have a Canon GL2 and it has a way to set a limiter and there's no problem with distorted audio. The Sony is another story. The Beachtek allows you to hook up an external mic and you can set the attenuation and get around the distortion problem.

Even if I believe the reasons for the distortion might be somewhere else in the FX1, you should partner it with a better mixer/preamp to get better audio results.

Something like the SD Mixpre should provide excellent results, or the ENG44.

The preamps are better and the control capability even more. They also have limiters, which are essential to avoid overload.

You also get into the FX1 with line levels, which are usually flatter.

THe FX7 is a 1/4" chip while the FX1 is a 1/3" chip.
The FX1 has a better image by far.

THe FX7 is a 1/4" chip while the FX1 is a 1/3" chip.
The FX1 has a better image by far.

Because of the different technologies, you cant just compare the sensor size.

That's like saying a 2.5 litre engine is better than a 1.8 litre engine. There's more to it than that.

THe FX7 is a 1/4" chip while the FX1 is a 1/3" chip.
The FX1 has a better image by far.Jim - As Justin said there's relatively little validity in comparing these CMOS and CCD sensors.

In fact, take a look carefully at all the comparison shots of FX7 and FX1 , very competently done on this site :

http://www.fxsupport.de/12.html

and you will see that your statement "The FX1 has a better image by far" is essentially wrong.

Camcorderinfo did a recent review of the FX7. As I remember it, the video quality was great a high light levels, but worse than the FX1 at moderate and low levels.

I have been shooting with a sony FX7 & FX1 for over 2 years. Most of the time we shoot HD and it gets edited DV. But we do edit HD sometines and the FX1 is the camera you want to do this with. It holds whites better with out blowing them out. I also shoot with Sony 900 series. At times the FX1 can look just as good. Its all in the lighting. If you know about lighting you can make a any camera look good to a point. But I wouldn't trade a 900 for a FX1 and I would not trade a FX1 for a FX7. This is not from a web page test its from someone that shoots most every day.

Actually personally i feel the test are not very fair because the settings are different. I thought a more accurate test would be using same settings. Then we can gauge the brightness and quality when both cameras are shot at same shutter speed, sane F-stop and at the same gain level.

[QUOTE=Stu Holmes]

http://www.fxsupport.de/12.html

QUOTE]

I have been shooting with a sony FX7 & FX1 for over 2 years.

Sony FX7 has shipped two years ago? Are you sure? I thought it was news, some mounths ago. Can you give me some info please?

I think what Jim meant was he has been uses the FX7 and FX1 but for Fx1 he has used it two years already.
Sony FX7 has shipped two years ago? Are you sure? I thought it was news, some mounths ago. Can you give me some info please?

I have these two as two offset angle cams' and i've been happy with both of them honestly.
However the snapshots in aforementioned .de site are not truely representative of what you'd expect. I think it's fx7- biased. fx1 does better in almost all mid-to-low lightening. fx7 has slightly noticeable resolution edge in full light. but this is not a substantial advantage.

My original plan was to phase out fx1's with fx7's over a period of time. But it's now changed. we'll be keeping fx1s and not procure any more fx7s only because there is not a substantial advantage and added cost would not justify.
we do both day and night shooting.

SC

But what about the FX1 vs the V1? Has anyone done comparative tests?

Is the V1 better than the FX7?

It's a fact that low budget filmmakers as we all here are (I think), we should be looking for cameras that perform well in moderate to low light levels.

Anybody HAPPY with FX-7,
I TEST THE CAM IN THE SONY STORE UNDER LOW LIGHT CONDITION WITH A 10W SONY LIGHT , 18 DB IT LOOKED JUST FINE NOT TO MUCH NOISE,
( I HAVE WITH PD-170)
DID ANYBODY SHOOT A WEDDING OR ON EVENT UNDER LOW LIGHT CIONDITION?

Hi Ruben,
Welcome to the community; could you please turn off your caps? It's generally considered that you're yelling at folks when all letters are capitalized.

Carlos, there is a *tremendous* amount of information and opinions on the V1 vs the Z1/FX7 vs the FX1 in low light. At the top of this page is the "Search" function, and using it will turn up a couple hundred posts.

Due to CMOS vs CCD, the FX7 is less sensitive than is the FX1 in low light.

Carlos, there is a *tremendous* amount of information and opinions on the V1 vs the Z1/FX7 vs the FX1 in low light. At the top of this page is the "Search" function, and using it will turn up a couple hundred posts.

Due to CMOS vs CCD, the FX7 is less sensitive than is the FX1 in low light.

Douglas,

Of course I can do that. Just thought there might be someone here, like you :), who may have compared both CMOS cameras to each other.

What I mean is that perhaps it's not too fair to compare the FX1 to the FX7 but to the V1 instead. Am I wrong?

Hi Ruben,
It would be really interesting to see some samples of the FX7 in 18db in lowlight condition. Is it possible to post a very short clip?

thanks
ys

Anybody HAPPY with FX-7,
I TEST THE CAM IN THE SONY STORE UNDER LOW LIGHT CONDITION WITH A 10W SONY LIGHT , 18 DB IT LOOKED JUST FINE NOT TO MUCH NOISE,
( I HAVE WITH PD-170)
DID ANYBODY SHOOT A WEDDING OR ON EVENT UNDER LOW LIGHT CIONDITION?

Hi, if you use Sony FX7 with a Wide Angle Lens, can you tell me how much the image quality deteriorates? Is it better to purchase Sony or Century Optics?
In your opinion is it benner 5X or 6X?
thanks

Hi, i don't have the cam i was just testing , at the Sony Store

Hi, i don't have the cam i was just testing , at the Sony Store

I have just known if you use Sony FX7 with Wide Angle, it deforms the images a little bit. Is it tre?

I have just known if you use Sony FX7 with Wide Angle, it deforms the images a little bit. Is it tre?

If you use any wide angle lens on a fixed lens camera also set to wide, it will deform the image a "little bit." Cheap lenses will distort moreso, but the entire purpose of a wide angle in most situations is to see more than the human eye might normally see, hence the concept of "deformed."

My HC1 looks great in low ..even almost dark room when viewed on it's miserably small (and low-res) LCD.

fx1 and fx7 have larger, more pix LCDs but far far far from what you want to evaluate your low-light footages with.
You have to view them on a decent HDTV to see what the difference is all about.

Good luck,

Sam

If you use any wide angle lens on a fixed lens camera also set to wide, it will deform the image a "little bit." Cheap lenses will distort moreso, but the entire purpose of a wide angle in most situations is to see more than the human eye might normally see, hence the concept of "deformed."

No, you have not understood my bad english. I have jut read on Internet by a FX7 owner that without any additional wide angle lens on a fixed lens camera, when he shots in wide angle he sees deformed images. I'd like to know more about this problem. Thanks

Got the fx-7 will be shoting 2 jobs this weekend will keep you posted ,i saw the v1u at Armatos looks identical (without the extras)
i tried some testing ,if you own a sony cam looks like the 2100 in shape litle lighter , the viuwfinder is very good sharp image indor and outdor the colors are vivid the zoom very smoth ,the low light not bad with 20w sony light i shoot some stuff on dv did some editing on matrox rtx100 ,play the DVD on my 16:9
60inch hi def screen tv and looked very good , i shot some 1080i format but i can't edit yet so i conected direct to the tv via hdmi and look very nice in hi def,
the real test is low light condition at the job on saturday...

Got the fx-7 will be shoting 2 jobs this weekend will keep you posted

the real test is low light condition at the job on saturday...

Hi Ruben,
thanks for your interesting reply. I will wait for your next test.

Shot my first job on the fx7........not to good under low light conditions in a wide angle shots especialy , but great if you are close to subject amazing details (looked to me like the old IKAGAMI colours)
in general i had a hard time the all night with setting in low light and i mean the room was dark , the camera feels really good the 20x zoom is great , but at this time i will go back to my pd-170 until the low light issue get's better,
i'ts a shame.....

Hi Ruben,
How bad is it compared to FX1?
When you mention "not too good" does that mean even you have increased to 18db its still not bright enough or its very noisy?

Thanks!
YS
Shot my first job on the fx7........not to good under low light conditions in a wide angle shots especialy , but great if you are close to subject amazing details (looked to me like the old IKAGAMI colours)
in general i had a hard time the all night with setting in low light and i mean the room was dark , the camera feels really good the 20x zoom is great , but at this time i will go back to my pd-170 until the low light issue get's better,
i'ts a shame.....

Correct the 18db is not anough for the wide shoots lot's of noise on the blacks and anything dark, (never had the fx-1 )

Hi, I'd like to purchase the Sony FX7 but I have just known this report about FX7:

We have had to have several of the lenses replaced due to ingress of
dust (it is not practical to strip and clean them). Now admittedly several
of our clients have been using them in very dusty environments (typically on shooting house rebuilding projects for life-style type broadcast shows) but we never had any similar problems with the PD-150/170. Sony initially
claimed the lens seal(s) had been damaged due to mishandling (i.e. dropping the camera) but they are now admitting that the lenses are not sealed against dust entry anyways.

Does anybody have similar problems with Sony FX7?
thanks

Adriano,
This simply is not true. The lenses are sealed against dust. What you have read is a rumor or statement by someone, but it's not from Sony. All cameras can be gotten into by dust or water if the exposure is heavy enough. This is why there are dust jackets and raincoats for cameras.