HDR FX1 HDV Camcorder User Review!

admin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:07:52 +0000

This weekend, I Got my hands on one of these babies for a no-budget short film. Loved it. So easy to use, and the picture is great. It’s true, the finished look is not “cinematic”, which is a
fair criticism, but for the price it is great if you’re looking to upgrade to a high-def digital picture. Watched the playback on a 16:9 widescreen TV before editing and it was beautiful. However, you can’t rely on the auto-functions. Tried using auto-focus and auto-iris at the start, but ended up doing both manually for the most part. A small complaint considering a real filmmaker shouldn’t be using them anyway. Otherwise, a great camera.

This is my first “prosumer” camcorder I ever owned and I love it. The color reproduction is phenomenal and has great features. A few caveats may scare away people looking for something more, but this is more of a VERY HIGH END consumer item. Not for the novice, but someone with more shooting talent than the average person. If you want a TRUE HD professional camera, spend 15+ grand and stop knocking this one.

A bother to me was that regular mini-dv can record in true 16:9 mode. While the HD mode is anamorphic 4:3. (Stretched to fit 16:9) The wide-angle lens can fix that for about $500 more.
But if you are transferring to regular DVD’s, you can still shoot mini DV widescreen because DVD doesn’t record in HD.

So, unless you are transferring to HD DVD, like blu-ray, you have the BEST consumer/prosumer widescreen camcorder available.
Rated at about 3lux, low light doesn’t harm this baby much. I find the accessories can be pricey too, but that is the cost you pay when you go prosumer. Everything else is for beginners and amateurs.

I have been using the DCRVX 1000 for over 10 years and it has done well. However, the FX1 is so far superior in every way. The only feature I miss is the “overlap”. So far, the color, the detail, the feel (a bit heavier than the VX1000) are even better than I expected. HD is as close to reality as possible. I have 2 weddings that I will soon record, and I feel confident that the FX1 will perform without fail. I recommend this camcorder for the very serious videographer. It is priced $2 thousand less than the VX1000 sold for in “96 at $5 thousand. Technology has improved while costs have fallen. A good buy at 3 grand.

Camera is way better than the sony HC1. Night shooting is great and colors appear natural and there is not much noise or smudging of colors. Would recommend it in a heartbeat. My 37 inch 1980×1080 LCD becomes an window when I hook up this camera to it.

HDR FX1 HDV Camcorder Review – You Got To Get This Camcorder!

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:08:27 +0000

Product Description

Sony Handycam(R) HDR-FX1, the first true 1080i high definition camcorder, is the perfect introduction to the world of high definition video. Record your most intimate moments in the highest quality. With advanced features such as the newly developed wide 3 sensor 1/3″ CCD, 72mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens and Real Time Codec engine, the HDR-FX1 is equipped to handle every video task. Relive your memories in vivid HDTV quality colors and clarity. This may not be the camera to use for family and touring. If you’re into professional or serious creative use, this camcorder offers vast opportunities that were previously unavailable at this class. You’ve been waiting for your chance. Here it is! 3.5 LCD Viewing monitor Manual control of camcorder functions allow settings of the camera to be adjusted so that creative effects can be achieved while filming 12x Optical Zoom with 4-way zoom capability for different situations Widescreen LCD monitor lets you see every detail as you shoot in 16 – 9 mode High-performance Down Conversion Function Precision DV- wide Recording Personal Menu Battery Information Continual shooting time Sony iLINK (HDV/DV) Connector for easy video transfer to a PC or Macintosh computer for DV edit and enhancement – and back again SteadyShot Active Lens System (Menu) Shot Transition Picture Profile – 6 Picture Profiles – You can set each of 6 Picture Profiles with Color Level/Color Phase/Sharpness/Skin Tone Detail/AE Shift/AGC Limit/Auto Iris Limit/WB Shift/AWB Sensitivity/Cinematone Gamma/Cineframe.

Product Features

•    12x optical zoom with Super SteadyShot Optical Stabilization System
•    Record at either 30 frames per second or, for a film-like feel, at 24 frames per second
•    3.5-inch wide precision hybrid SwivelScreen LCD
•    Three 1/3-inch wide-aspect-ratio advanced HAD CCD imagers for true-to-life color rendering
•    Play and record interlaced high-definition video at resolutions up to 1440 x 1080 for professional-quality video

Technical Details

•    Brand Name: Sony
•    Model: HDR-FX1
•    Media Type: Mini DV (HDV)
•    Video Input: Camcorder
•    Audio Input: Microphone
•    Optical Sensor Size: 1/3?
•    Maximum Aperture Range: F/1.6-2.8
•    Lens Type: Zoom lens
•    Display Size: 3.5 inches
•    Optical Sensor Resolution: 1.12 MP
•    Shooting Modes: Normal movie mode, Digital photo mode
•    Optical zoom: 12 x
•    Viewfinder Type: LCD
•    Optical Sensor Technology: Super HAD 3CCD
•    Microphone Operation Mode: Stereo
•    Depth: 14.4 inches
•    Weight: 4.4 pounds
•    Height: 7.1 inches
•    Width: 5.9 inches

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HDR FX1 HDV Camcorder User Review!

HDR FX1 HDV Camcorder Review – You Got To Get This Camcorder!