Z1U user thinking of switching to XL2... at DVinfo.net

Bill Edmunds · August 15th, 2005, 08:50 AM

I have owned the Sony Z1U since May and am still 50/50 about it. There is a lot I love, but the latitude of the camera is quite poor; it needs very good lighting and good conditions to make a good image. As a wedding videographer, I find its low light abilities to be a problem. I want a native 16:9 camera, and the oly other option for my budget is the XL2. I did comparison between the two units at a pro video store and found the XL2 to be substantially better in these conditions. I would love to hear any comments users have relating to the two units (or an FX1 and XL2) with regard to low light and overal latitude.

Another question: XL2 in 30p versus Z1U in 1080i on an HDTV.... discuss.

Jay Gladwell · August 15th, 2005, 12:31 PM

Bill, like you, I am underwhelmed with the Sony camera. I used one day on a commercial shoot with a friend and I simply wasn't impressed with what I saw. I was tickled to get back to my XL2!

Jay

Ash Greyson · August 15th, 2005, 02:39 PM

For non-HD delivery in 16:9, the XL2 is in a class of it's own...

ash =o)

Mikey Williams · August 15th, 2005, 06:56 PM

i shoot weddings with an XL2 and i find that it is very hard to challenge the steadiness of the XL2 "handheld" compared to a vx2000 which i used to shoot with. That helps in those run and gun situations where u don't have time to grab a tripod. The low light is not bad, and the gain is very clean on the camera when used manually. I also love the 4 channel audio for when mics are used...i love it for weddings, it also looks a lot more professional.

Ben Hurst · August 15th, 2005, 07:10 PM

I have only seen a demo of the Z1U at the Sundance Digital Lab and I wasn't impressed by the design compared to the XL2. Also, I think, especially for weddings, there really isn't a need for HD yet. Unless that is what your clients are asking for which most laypeople don't even know or care. The demonstrators at the lab were going on and on about how the colors were better than the XL2 but I can get colors that are close enough on the XL2. I don't really think those guys had even touched an XL2, they were just there to sell a product. Anyway, in my opinion the XL2 is the best. I immediately got rid of my DVX100 when I first saw the potential. There.

August 15th, 2005, 08:50 AM	#1
Bill Edmunds Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conway, NH Posts: 574	Z1U user thinking of switching to XL2... I have owned the Sony Z1U since May and am still 50/50 about it. There is a lot I love, but the latitude of the camera is quite poor; it needs very good lighting and good conditions to make a good image. As a wedding videographer, I find its low light abilities to be a problem. I want a native 16:9 camera, and the oly other option for my budget is the XL2. I did comparison between the two units at a pro video store and found the XL2 to be substantially better in these conditions. I would love to hear any comments users have relating to the two units (or an FX1 and XL2) with regard to low light and overal latitude. Another question: XL2 in 30p versus Z1U in 1080i on an HDTV.... discuss.

August 15th, 2005, 06:56 PM	#4
Mikey Williams Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Squamish, BC, Canada Posts: 28	i shoot weddings with an XL2 and i find that it is very hard to challenge the steadiness of the XL2 "handheld" compared to a vx2000 which i used to shoot with. That helps in those run and gun situations where u don't have time to grab a tripod. The low light is not bad, and the gain is very clean on the camera when used manually. I also love the 4 channel audio for when mics are used...i love it for weddings, it also looks a lot more professional. __________________ Mikey Williams Down To Earth Productions

August 15th, 2005, 12:31 PM	#2
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	Bill, like you, I am underwhelmed with the Sony camera. I used one day on a commercial shoot with a friend and I simply wasn't impressed with what I saw. I was tickled to get back to my XL2! Jay

August 15th, 2005, 02:39 PM	#3
Ash Greyson Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,689	For non-HD delivery in 16:9, the XL2 is in a class of it's own... ash =o)

August 15th, 2005, 07:10 PM	#5
Ben Hurst New Boot Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 22	I have only seen a demo of the Z1U at the Sundance Digital Lab and I wasn't impressed by the design compared to the XL2. Also, I think, especially for weddings, there really isn't a need for HD yet. Unless that is what your clients are asking for which most laypeople don't even know or care. The demonstrators at the lab were going on and on about how the colors were better than the XL2 but I can get colors that are close enough on the XL2. I don't really think those guys had even touched an XL2, they were just there to sell a product. Anyway, in my opinion the XL2 is the best. I immediately got rid of my DVX100 when I first saw the potential. There.