Z1 or FX1E at DVinfo.net

Ollie Walton · April 18th, 2010, 05:58 PM

Hey guys i no you hear this all the time

But i am saving up for a new HD cam,

I already had hd100e but i sold it due to the quality of the image.

I am looking for either an fx1e or Z1E however i have compared the both and used both of them

what are the differences all i could find was that there were xlrs for Z1 and a tiny bit more menu options.

With the FX1e the chips are the same, same lens and the image quality is exactly the same, the only thing is the FX1e needs a beachtex adapter but this can only be attached to the bottom of the camera eliminating any tripod shots am i right? which puts me off

Hmm anybody got an FX1E or Z1 to pass on advice?

Thanks a lot guys for reading

Happy Filming :)

Brett Griffin · April 18th, 2010, 07:02 PM

Ollie,

Having the Beachtek doesn't eliminate tripod shots. You can mount the tripod plate to the beachtek no problems.

I own both cameras, and yes it is much easier to have the XLR on camera, having the Beachtek is not a problem. Comparing the 2 camera, yes there are quite a few menu differences, some of which vary the final picture quality, however, with both cameras on the same picture profile, you will get the same picture quality and you could always do the adjusting later in post for your desired look.

Adam Gold · April 18th, 2010, 07:45 PM

Already discussed many times:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ml#post1464416

Wendy Marberry · April 19th, 2010, 08:18 PM

I didn't see it mentioned in the other thread, but you have the ability to do free-run time code on the Z1, but not on the FX1. Also if you have multiple cameras you can sync them all together, which makes syncing tracks a breeze (even across tape changes or camera shut downs). Maybe not an issue if you're only shooting with one camera. But could add to the appeal if you go to sell it someday.

Martin Wiosna · April 19th, 2010, 08:55 PM

I use a Rode NTG2 mic with my FX1 and I have to say for the application, I don't see XLR mics being that much better, certainly not enough to justify the almost $1000 dollar price difference.

Tom Hardwick · April 22nd, 2010, 12:45 PM

I've got both cameras Ollie, and there's no way I'd pick up the FX1 if the Z1 was available. The black stretch, the numerical zoom readout, the XLRs, the menu audio options, the white balance fine tune, the extra assign buttons make the difference in price well worth it in my view. I do like the LP mode in SD on the FX1 though, as this has saved me on long shoots.

tom.

Ollie Walton · April 22nd, 2010, 05:16 PM

Thats great what is black stretch exactly. Is to do with more light you can consume

Tom Hardwick · April 23rd, 2010, 12:48 AM

Oh, I forgot focus assist! A huge Z1 improvement over the FX1, and I use it all the time. Also the hours meter on the Z1 lets you know exactly how old the camera is if you're buying second hand.

Black stretch is a menu toggle on/off. Point your Z1 into the sunlit garden and switch black stretch off and that's what the FX1 gives you Note the shadow areas. Now switch it on and magically it will open up those shadows, showing you detail that was just a black hole on the FX1. Ideal at weddings where all the suits wear dark jackets.

tom.

April 18th, 2010, 05:58 PM	#1
Ollie Walton Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 156	Z1 or FX1E Hey guys i no you hear this all the time But i am saving up for a new HD cam, I already had hd100e but i sold it due to the quality of the image. I am looking for either an fx1e or Z1E however i have compared the both and used both of them what are the differences all i could find was that there were xlrs for Z1 and a tiny bit more menu options. With the FX1e the chips are the same, same lens and the image quality is exactly the same, the only thing is the FX1e needs a beachtex adapter but this can only be attached to the bottom of the camera eliminating any tripod shots am i right? which puts me off Hmm anybody got an FX1E or Z1 to pass on advice? Thanks a lot guys for reading Happy Filming :)

April 18th, 2010, 07:02 PM	#2
Brett Griffin Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 80	Ollie, Having the Beachtek doesn't eliminate tripod shots. You can mount the tripod plate to the beachtek no problems. I own both cameras, and yes it is much easier to have the XLR on camera, having the Beachtek is not a problem. Comparing the 2 camera, yes there are quite a few menu differences, some of which vary the final picture quality, however, with both cameras on the same picture profile, you will get the same picture quality and you could always do the adjusting later in post for your desired look. __________________ www.griffinvideoproductions.com.au \| Sony Z1 and FX1 \| Windows 7 x64 \| i7-920 OC 3.6GHZ \| 12gb DDR3 \| CS5.5 Master Collection

April 18th, 2010, 07:45 PM	#3
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Already discussed many times: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/all-thin...ml#post1464416 __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."

April 19th, 2010, 08:18 PM	#4
Wendy Marberry New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 12	I didn't see it mentioned in the other thread, but you have the ability to do free-run time code on the Z1, but not on the FX1. Also if you have multiple cameras you can sync them all together, which makes syncing tracks a breeze (even across tape changes or camera shut downs). Maybe not an issue if you're only shooting with one camera. But could add to the appeal if you go to sell it someday.

April 19th, 2010, 08:55 PM	#5
Martin Wiosna Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: thomaston, ct Posts: 141	I use a Rode NTG2 mic with my FX1 and I have to say for the application, I don't see XLR mics being that much better, certainly not enough to justify the almost $1000 dollar price difference.

April 22nd, 2010, 12:45 PM	#6
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I've got both cameras Ollie, and there's no way I'd pick up the FX1 if the Z1 was available. The black stretch, the numerical zoom readout, the XLRs, the menu audio options, the white balance fine tune, the extra assign buttons make the difference in price well worth it in my view. I do like the LP mode in SD on the FX1 though, as this has saved me on long shoots. tom.

April 22nd, 2010, 05:16 PM	#7
Ollie Walton Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 156	Thats great what is black stretch exactly. Is to do with more light you can consume

April 23rd, 2010, 12:48 AM	#8
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Oh, I forgot focus assist! A huge Z1 improvement over the FX1, and I use it all the time. Also the hours meter on the Z1 lets you know exactly how old the camera is if you're buying second hand. Black stretch is a menu toggle on/off. Point your Z1 into the sunlit garden and switch black stretch off and that's what the FX1 gives you Note the shadow areas. Now switch it on and magically it will open up those shadows, showing you detail that was just a black hole on the FX1. Ideal at weddings where all the suits wear dark jackets. tom.