FX1000 has arrived - first impressions

Jeff Harper · December 7th, 2008, 12:42 AM

Juan, it is common for many of us who are new to purchasing camera gear online to find places similar to the one you mentioned. The lucky ones find out before they have an unpleasant experience.

When shopping for camera gear, I suggest you always check the prices at B and H first, because their prices are usually as low as it gets.

Sometimes you can find some items cheaper, but if a dealer is reputable their prices are not going to be more than a few dollars cheaper, since B&H sells for about as low as is normally possible.

Juan Hernandez · December 7th, 2008, 11:50 AM

yeah I've seen the price on b&h photo and is $3200.00. and this is the place where I purchased my fx1 and 1000u...... but since I saw this same company advertaising on my videomaker subscription I tough this is probably a trusted place but who knows. I think is better to spend few hundred dlls. more and to have a piece of mind . what I was thinking!!!!

Jeff Harper · December 7th, 2008, 03:14 PM

You were thinking you would like to save a few hundred dollars, of course!

Some of the questionable places actually do not rip you off exactly, but will try to upsell you.

This is how I've read that it works:

You place your order, everything will appear fine, then you get a phone call. They will tell you they are sorry but the item you ordered is not stock, but that they will have a "kit" available that includes the item you want plus a bunch of accesories at some supposedly great price.

Lets say you go ahead and buy it...well it turns out the extras you purchased are all junk and not worth nearly what you paid.

So technically they do not rip you off. And there might be consumers who cannot tell the difference.

I've had heard that often you can get your money back, but it can be difficult and time consuming.

Juan Hernandez · December 7th, 2008, 05:58 PM

Thanks again jeff, I Will buy this camera on b&h photo I just talked to them and actually got a pretty deal!!...... merry christmas to all of you... I know I will be Happy with my new camera fx1000.

Juan Hernandez · December 9th, 2008, 10:19 AM

Have any of you know if this new compact flash recorder from sony will be compatible with the fx1000.

I think this will be an awesome add on for this camera and the ability to record without tape, Im just thinking if the on camera record button will actually send any kind of signal to the recorder without using the recorder itself

thanks for all the information once again

Colin Zhang · December 9th, 2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juan Hernandez

Have any of you know if this new compact flash recorder from sony will be compatible with the fx1000.

I think this will be an awesome add on for this camera and the ability to record without tape, Im just thinking if the on camera record button will actually send any kind of signal to the recorder without using the recorder itself

thanks for all the information once again

Not sure if it will mount on directly as it will with the Z5 but it will definitely work through the firewire connection.

Juan Hernandez · December 10th, 2008, 10:41 AM

thanks, if somebody has tried to use this two things together please post some information I just want to make sure I can record without tape on the camera and using the on camera record buttton to manipulate the compact flash recorder. thanks again

sorry for some of the errors on my writting as this is my second language grettings from the mexican videoguy!

Juan Hernandez · December 10th, 2008, 04:40 PM

I was reading in the canon a1 blog that this same recorder will be able to sync with the canon, and you are able to record to it using the record button without tape to me that is wonderfull

Since this is possible from a canon camera I think that this sony fx1000 should do it also don't you think?

Martin Duffy · December 11th, 2008, 05:24 AM

Tim

Mate I am in Australia and just wanted to thank you for posting the still pics. I am really excited about getting my FX1000 that arrives here in Tasmania on Tuesday.

I have held off buying a HD cam having wanted to wait until all the specs were good for me.

I film alot of sport and dance concerts and have been so happy with my Panasonic DC-62 (shoulder version of DC-30. Great in low light, nice pics and 16X zoom plus the zoom control was as quick as many pro cameras.

Can anyone tell me what the zoom speed is like on the FX1000?

Also is the rolling shutter an issue in Standard definition as this is what I will still be recording alot of my footage in.

I have heard that doing quick pan even on a tripod can make the footage look weird. Again is this in HD but not a problem in SD?

Thanks for all the advice.

Regards

Martin Duffy
Duff TV - Hobart Video and DVD Production, Online Video Specialists

Jeff Harper · December 11th, 2008, 05:41 AM

Zoom speed is good and the rocker is smooth, very nice. The 20x zoom is fantastic.

You will have issues with quick pans. The rolling shutter is a result of the CMOS, so it will be an issue no matter what.

The auto focus can be troublesome with this cam, but mostly is fine.

If there is a better alternative at this $3200 US, I'd like to know what it is.

Norman Gaddis · December 11th, 2008, 10:05 AM

"If there is a better alternative at this $3200 US, I'd like to know what it is."

The Panasonic HMC150. A cleaner image. XLR audio. Tapeless on cheap media. Better balance and lighter. Only $100 more (Amazon has it for $3299 at the moment). A far better warranty (3 years!). No rolling shutter. Independent control of the audio channels.

I recently bought both cams. If I had it to do all over again, I would forego the FX1000 and buy 2 HMCs. I may eventually sell the Sony and buy another Panny. For me, the only real advantage for the Sony is its zoom. 20x is great. Keep in mind this is coming from a guy who's shot nothing but Sony since the mid-90's.

Khoi Pham · December 11th, 2008, 10:16 AM

Hi Norman, which one has better low light? which one has more vertical smear when shooting into bright light? When you said cleaner picture, is this with no gain? if you put both on 6db gain does the Pany has cleaner picture or brighter picture? Do you mind posting some pict under low light at 0db, 6db and 12 db?
Thanks.

Jeff Harper · December 11th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Yes Norman, how is the low light? I'm in dark areas a lot. How does your footage match up with the Sony? I do not see tapeless as an advantage, but would be glad to have the ability to record to both simultaneously would be great.

Jeff Harper · December 11th, 2008, 11:09 AM

Never mind Norman, I found your post....Khoi, go here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/archive/i.../t-138345.html

Norman Gaddis · December 11th, 2008, 03:06 PM

The FX1000 is definitely brighter. At 6db gain, I can't tell much difference in the noise. When you bump it up to 12 db, the Sony is still brighter than the Panny but with slightly more noise. The FX has better detail. Here are a couple of stills from both cameras at 6 db. To make the comparison as fair as possible, the DRS (dynamic range stretch) on the Panny was turned off and black stretch was off on the Sony.

I pointed the Panny directly at 3 light bulbs on my office ceiling fan and couldn't get it to smear.

http://www.gaddisvideo.com/Pan6db.bmp

http://www.gaddisvideo.com/Sony6db.bmp

All things considered, I think the HMC is a better value.

December 11th, 2008, 05:24 AM	#99
Martin Duffy Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 156	FX1000 and filming sport Tim Mate I am in Australia and just wanted to thank you for posting the still pics. I am really excited about getting my FX1000 that arrives here in Tasmania on Tuesday. I have held off buying a HD cam having wanted to wait until all the specs were good for me. I film alot of sport and dance concerts and have been so happy with my Panasonic DC-62 (shoulder version of DC-30. Great in low light, nice pics and 16X zoom plus the zoom control was as quick as many pro cameras. Can anyone tell me what the zoom speed is like on the FX1000? Also is the rolling shutter an issue in Standard definition as this is what I will still be recording alot of my footage in. I have heard that doing quick pan even on a tripod can make the footage look weird. Again is this in HD but not a problem in SD? Thanks for all the advice. Regards Martin Duffy Duff TV - Hobart Video and DVD Production, Online Video Specialists

December 11th, 2008, 10:16 AM	#102
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	Hi Norman, which one has better low light? which one has more vertical smear when shooting into bright light? When you said cleaner picture, is this with no gain? if you put both on 6db gain does the Pany has cleaner picture or brighter picture? Do you mind posting some pict under low light at 0db, 6db and 12 db? Thanks. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

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December 7th, 2008, 12:42 AM	#91
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Juan, it is common for many of us who are new to purchasing camera gear online to find places similar to the one you mentioned. The lucky ones find out before they have an unpleasant experience. When shopping for camera gear, I suggest you always check the prices at B and H first, because their prices are usually as low as it gets. Sometimes you can find some items cheaper, but if a dealer is reputable their prices are not going to be more than a few dollars cheaper, since B&H sells for about as low as is normally possible.

December 7th, 2008, 11:50 AM	#92
Juan Hernandez New Boot Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Holladay Utah Posts: 22	yeah I've seen the price on b&h photo and is $3200.00. and this is the place where I purchased my fx1 and 1000u...... but since I saw this same company advertaising on my videomaker subscription I tough this is probably a trusted place but who knows. I think is better to spend few hundred dlls. more and to have a piece of mind . what I was thinking!!!!

December 7th, 2008, 03:14 PM	#93
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	You were thinking you would like to save a few hundred dollars, of course! Some of the questionable places actually do not rip you off exactly, but will try to upsell you. This is how I've read that it works: You place your order, everything will appear fine, then you get a phone call. They will tell you they are sorry but the item you ordered is not stock, but that they will have a "kit" available that includes the item you want plus a bunch of accesories at some supposedly great price. Lets say you go ahead and buy it...well it turns out the extras you purchased are all junk and not worth nearly what you paid. So technically they do not rip you off. And there might be consumers who cannot tell the difference. I've had heard that often you can get your money back, but it can be difficult and time consuming.

December 7th, 2008, 05:58 PM	#94
Juan Hernandez New Boot Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Holladay Utah Posts: 22	Thanks again jeff, I Will buy this camera on b&h photo I just talked to them and actually got a pretty deal!!...... merry christmas to all of you... I know I will be Happy with my new camera fx1000.

December 9th, 2008, 10:19 AM	#95
Juan Hernandez New Boot Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Holladay Utah Posts: 22	Have any of you know if this new compact flash recorder from sony will be compatible with the fx1000. I think this will be an awesome add on for this camera and the ability to record without tape, Im just thinking if the on camera record button will actually send any kind of signal to the recorder without using the recorder itself thanks for all the information once again

December 10th, 2008, 10:41 AM	#97
Juan Hernandez New Boot Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Holladay Utah Posts: 22	thanks, if somebody has tried to use this two things together please post some information I just want to make sure I can record without tape on the camera and using the on camera record buttton to manipulate the compact flash recorder. thanks again sorry for some of the errors on my writting as this is my second language grettings from the mexican videoguy!

December 10th, 2008, 04:40 PM	#98
Juan Hernandez New Boot Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Holladay Utah Posts: 22	I was reading in the canon a1 blog that this same recorder will be able to sync with the canon, and you are able to record to it using the record button without tape to me that is wonderfull Since this is possible from a canon camera I think that this sony fx1000 should do it also don't you think?

December 11th, 2008, 05:41 AM	#100
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Zoom speed is good and the rocker is smooth, very nice. The 20x zoom is fantastic. You will have issues with quick pans. The rolling shutter is a result of the CMOS, so it will be an issue no matter what. The auto focus can be troublesome with this cam, but mostly is fine. If there is a better alternative at this $3200 US, I'd like to know what it is.

December 11th, 2008, 10:05 AM	#101
Norman Gaddis New Boot Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Buford, Georgia Posts: 23	"If there is a better alternative at this $3200 US, I'd like to know what it is." The Panasonic HMC150. A cleaner image. XLR audio. Tapeless on cheap media. Better balance and lighter. Only $100 more (Amazon has it for $3299 at the moment). A far better warranty (3 years!). No rolling shutter. Independent control of the audio channels. I recently bought both cams. If I had it to do all over again, I would forego the FX1000 and buy 2 HMCs. I may eventually sell the Sony and buy another Panny. For me, the only real advantage for the Sony is its zoom. 20x is great. Keep in mind this is coming from a guy who's shot nothing but Sony since the mid-90's.

December 11th, 2008, 11:03 AM	#103
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Yes Norman, how is the low light? I'm in dark areas a lot. How does your footage match up with the Sony? I do not see tapeless as an advantage, but would be glad to have the ability to record to both simultaneously would be great.

December 11th, 2008, 11:09 AM	#104
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Never mind Norman, I found your post....Khoi, go here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/archive/i.../t-138345.html

December 11th, 2008, 03:06 PM	#105
Norman Gaddis New Boot Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Buford, Georgia Posts: 23	The FX1000 is definitely brighter. At 6db gain, I can't tell much difference in the noise. When you bump it up to 12 db, the Sony is still brighter than the Panny but with slightly more noise. The FX has better detail. Here are a couple of stills from both cameras at 6 db. To make the comparison as fair as possible, the DRS (dynamic range stretch) on the Panny was turned off and black stretch was off on the Sony. I pointed the Panny directly at 3 light bulbs on my office ceiling fan and couldn't get it to smear. http://www.gaddisvideo.com/Pan6db.bmp http://www.gaddisvideo.com/Sony6db.bmp All things considered, I think the HMC is a better value.