Z1 discontinued at DVinfo.net

Alin Avramoni · August 9th, 2009, 11:57 PM

Sorry to post this: I have to say that Z1u is discontinued, as sony says. Sony Product Detail Page - HVRZ1U

John Cline · August 10th, 2009, 07:50 AM

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

Boyd Ostroff · August 10th, 2009, 08:12 AM

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

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

Dave Blackhurst · August 10th, 2009, 12:13 PM

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...

Jonathan Palfrey · August 10th, 2009, 12:22 PM

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.

Boyd Ostroff · August 10th, 2009, 01:07 PM

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.

David Dwyer · August 11th, 2009, 02:12 AM

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

Wesley Cardone · August 12th, 2009, 07:27 AM

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.

Dugi Barr · August 13th, 2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

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.

Tom Hardwick · August 13th, 2009, 08:45 AM

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.

Boyd Ostroff · August 13th, 2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dugi Barr

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).

Wesley Cardone · August 13th, 2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dugi Barr

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.

Dugi Barr · August 13th, 2009, 02:14 PM

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?

Boyd Ostroff · August 13th, 2009, 05:23 PM

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?

Garry Moore · August 14th, 2009, 06:36 PM

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

August 9th, 2009, 11:57 PM	#1
Alin Avramoni Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Timisoara, RO Posts: 35	Z1 discontinued Sorry to post this: I have to say that Z1u is discontinued, as sony says. Sony Product Detail Page - HVRZ1U __________________ HVR-Z7U, D80

August 12th, 2009, 07:27 AM	#8
Wesley Cardone Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chelsea, Michigan Posts: 104	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. __________________ Wesley Cardone www.WCardoneProductions.com, Detroit and Lansing, Michigan

August 14th, 2009, 06:36 PM	#15
Garry Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Aurora, IN Posts: 45	Z1 and beyond It held its place in the HD world, Sad to say but my V1 is probably next..... awesome camera though. GM

August 10th, 2009, 07:50 AM	#2
John Cline Major Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Posts: 333	Well, it had a long and useful life... R.I.P.

August 10th, 2009, 08:12 AM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	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 B&H still has them in stock for $4,200.

August 10th, 2009, 12:13 PM	#4
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	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...

August 10th, 2009, 12:22 PM	#5
Jonathan Palfrey Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Torbay, UK Posts: 170	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.

August 10th, 2009, 01:07 PM	#6
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	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.

August 11th, 2009, 02:12 AM	#7
David Dwyer Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester, North West Posts: 565	Its been a great camera, it had such a long life!

August 13th, 2009, 08:45 AM	#10
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	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.

August 13th, 2009, 02:14 PM	#13
Dugi Barr Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Esher, Surrey Posts: 89	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?

August 13th, 2009, 05:23 PM	#14
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	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?