FX1 vs. Z1... A Couple Questions at DVinfo.net

Eric Wotila · April 21st, 2005, 08:48 AM

Well, as I mentioned in a previous thread, I'm looking at getting an FX1 to replace my PDX10. I do a lot of professional videography (running a small production company), and I'd like to start offering HD production. $3200 is about the most I can pay for an HD camera, so the Z1 is out of my price range.

I think that the FX1 should be fine for professional use. I don't need the DVCAM recording the Z1 offers, and I don't need the XLR inputs.

What I do need is a high degree of manual control (in particular, manual focus, white balance, and exposure, and audio levels). I also frequently use zebra stripes to check exposure.

I think that based on those needs, the FX1 should be more than sufficient for me. What would I gain by getting the Z1? I know I would get DVCAM recording, XLR inputs, individual control over audio levels (Channels 1 + 2 are independent). Other than that, what reasons are there to go with the Z1?

Thanks in advance for any advice. Hopefully the FX1 will work for me! \

Dylan Pank · April 21st, 2005, 10:15 AM

There is a full comparison here:

http://www.hdvinfo.com/articles/sonyhdrfx1/compare.php

I'd say with the Z1 the killer app functions are these:

Live DV crop downconvert (outputs full screen 4:3)
Programmable timecode in DVCAM and HDV mode
Built in XLR sockets+ phantom power.
Multi format (SD NTSC and PAL, HD 50i and 60i)

There are plenty of other features that may make it worth your while, but to be frank if you don't need the above features or can work around the lack of them I'd reckon you don't really NEED the Z1 over the FX1.

I think actually the multi format ability has been what's attracted most to the Z1 over the FX1 rather than the XLR sockets.

Eric Wotila · April 21st, 2005, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan Pank

There is a full comparison here:

http://www.hdvinfo.com/articles/sonyhdrfx1/compare.php

I'd say with the Z1 the killer app functions are these:

Live DV crop downconvert (outputs full screen 4:3)
Programmable timecode in DVCAM and HDV mode
Built in XLR sockets+ phantom power.
Multi format (SD NTSC and PAL, HD 50i and 60i)

There are plenty of other features that may make it worth your while, but to be frank if you don't need the above features or can work around the lack of them I'd reckon you don't really NEED the Z1 over the FX1.

I think actually the multi format ability has been what's attracted most to the Z1 over the FX1 rather than the XLR sockets.

Thanks for the advice. I really don't need any of the above features, and I never need to do PAL work, so it sounds like the FX1 should work just fine for me.

Boyd Ostroff · April 21st, 2005, 11:00 AM

Two other nice features on the Z-1 are the ability to show the full frame (underscan) in the viewfinder and LCD and also being able to turn off all of the text display items on the LCD. I find these especially annoying on the PDX-10... it's pretty obvious when you're shooting in 16:9 mode... do we really need "16:9 WIDE" displayed in huge text across the screen? ;-)

Eric Wotila · April 21st, 2005, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

Two other nice features on the Z-1 are the ability to show the full frame (underscan) in the viewfinder and LCD and also being able to turn off all of the text display items on the LCD. I find these especially annoying on the PDX-10... it's pretty obvious when you're shooting in 16:9 mode... do we really need "16:9 WIDE" displayed in huge text across the screen? ;-)

Again, those are nice, but I can live without them. It's great to get a good comparison between the two cams--and from the sound of it, the FX1 will suit me fine. Can't wait to get it! You'll be hearing from me when I do!

Chris Jothi · April 22nd, 2005, 08:48 AM

You can always get one of these to compensate for the FX's lack of XLRs:

http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/gimme...y_hvr-z1e-kit1

It's interesting to note how Sony simply made the FX more 'consumer' by disabling certain electronic features. I'm pretty sure it is capable of showing different coloured peaking lines even if Sony has stopped it from happening (if anyone gets what I mean).

Time code differences are quite significant for some users. Without free run time code on the FX you have not got a simple solution of syncing up with another camera.

Ultimately the FX has the same picture quality, which is the single greatest feature of these cameras, and thus means if you are saving a grand, it will be one of the most satisfying purchases you could make. Have fun!

Bryan McCullough · April 22nd, 2005, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

and LCD and also being able to turn off all of the text display items on the LCD.

I've never understood this.

On my FX1 I can hit the 'display button' and all the text is removed from the LCD (with the exception of 'REC'). Is there something I'm missing about the Z1's feature?

Boyd Ostroff · April 22nd, 2005, 11:10 AM

That's interesting, I've never heard that before. When I've asked I was told that the FX-1 couldn't make everything turn off but the Z1 could. Personally, yeah I would also like to make that "REC" go away but I don't think that in and of itself justifies the price difference :-)

Bryan McCullough · April 22nd, 2005, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Ostroff

That's interesting, I've never heard that before. When I've asked I was told that the FX-1 couldn't make everything turn off but the Z1 could. Personally, yeah I would also like to make that "REC" go away but I don't think that in and of itself justifies the price difference :-)

Does the 'REC' go off on the Z1?

Seems like that would be something you'd want to always be there.

April 21st, 2005, 08:48 AM	#1
Eric Wotila Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cadillac, MI Posts: 129	FX1 vs. Z1... A Couple Questions Well, as I mentioned in a previous thread, I'm looking at getting an FX1 to replace my PDX10. I do a lot of professional videography (running a small production company), and I'd like to start offering HD production. $3200 is about the most I can pay for an HD camera, so the Z1 is out of my price range. I think that the FX1 should be fine for professional use. I don't need the DVCAM recording the Z1 offers, and I don't need the XLR inputs. What I do need is a high degree of manual control (in particular, manual focus, white balance, and exposure, and audio levels). I also frequently use zebra stripes to check exposure. I think that based on those needs, the FX1 should be more than sufficient for me. What would I gain by getting the Z1? I know I would get DVCAM recording, XLR inputs, individual control over audio levels (Channels 1 + 2 are independent). Other than that, what reasons are there to go with the Z1? Thanks in advance for any advice. Hopefully the FX1 will work for me! \

April 21st, 2005, 10:15 AM	#2
Dylan Pank Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 611	There is a full comparison here: http://www.hdvinfo.com/articles/sonyhdrfx1/compare.php I'd say with the Z1 the killer app functions are these: Live DV crop downconvert (outputs full screen 4:3) Programmable timecode in DVCAM and HDV mode Built in XLR sockets+ phantom power. Multi format (SD NTSC and PAL, HD 50i and 60i) There are plenty of other features that may make it worth your while, but to be frank if you don't need the above features or can work around the lack of them I'd reckon you don't really NEED the Z1 over the FX1. I think actually the multi format ability has been what's attracted most to the Z1 over the FX1 rather than the XLR sockets.

April 21st, 2005, 11:00 AM	#4
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,790	Two other nice features on the Z-1 are the ability to show the full frame (underscan) in the viewfinder and LCD and also being able to turn off all of the text display items on the LCD. I find these especially annoying on the PDX-10... it's pretty obvious when you're shooting in 16:9 mode... do we really need "16:9 WIDE" displayed in huge text across the screen? ;-)

April 22nd, 2005, 08:48 AM	#6
Chris Jothi Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 74	You can always get one of these to compensate for the FX's lack of XLRs: http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/gimme...y_hvr-z1e-kit1 It's interesting to note how Sony simply made the FX more 'consumer' by disabling certain electronic features. I'm pretty sure it is capable of showing different coloured peaking lines even if Sony has stopped it from happening (if anyone gets what I mean). Time code differences are quite significant for some users. Without free run time code on the FX you have not got a simple solution of syncing up with another camera. Ultimately the FX has the same picture quality, which is the single greatest feature of these cameras, and thus means if you are saving a grand, it will be one of the most satisfying purchases you could make. Have fun!

April 22nd, 2005, 11:10 AM	#8
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,790	That's interesting, I've never heard that before. When I've asked I was told that the FX-1 couldn't make everything turn off but the Z1 could. Personally, yeah I would also like to make that "REC" go away but I don't think that in and of itself justifies the price difference :-)