HDR-FX1 and HVR-Z1U Feature Set Comparison
an article by Chris Hurd
Sony’s first pair of HDV camcorders share the same chassis design and a number of identical features. There are, however, about forty-odd differences between them. Here’s a fairly comprehensive chart which compares the two. The HDR-FX1 is a consumer model; the HVR-Z1U is a professional version. This page has been substantially modified and expanded since I first put it online back on October 20th. Please note that the information here is still early and subject to change. As inaccuracies in this data are brought to light, I’ll correct them as well as ammend any additions as they’re discovered.
Scroll down for the entire list, or go directly to a particular section:
Camera Head · Optical Group · Displays · Audio Group
Time Code · Other Features · Power & Price
| |
 |
 |
| Camera Head: |
HDR-FX1 |
HVR-Z1U |
| Recording Format: |
HDV / DV (SP) / DV (LP) |
HDV / DVCAM / DV (SP) |
| Pixel Count: |
3 x 1.12 million total (3 x 1.07 million effective) |
| Realtime HD Codec: |
Yes |
Yes |
| HD – SD: |
Built-in Down Conversion |
| Switchable 50/60 Hz: |
No |
Yes |
| CineFrame 30: |
Yes (NTSC only) |
Yes |
| CineFrame 24: |
Yes (NTSC only) |
Yes |
| Stream Type: |
Packetized Elementary Stream at 25 Mbps |
| Component Output: |
480i, 1080i (NTSC only)
576i, 1080i (PAL only) |
480i, 576i, 480p, 1080i |
| Lens: |
12x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar, 72mm filter dia. |
| Equiv. 35mm f.o.v.: |
40mm to 480mm in 4:3 / 32.5mm to 390mm in 16:9 |
| Shutter Speeds: |
1/4 sec. to 1/10,000 sec. in Program AE Mode |
| Super SteadyShot: |
Yes |
Yes |
| Zoom Ring: |
Manual, non-perpetuating |
| Smooth Zoom: |
No |
Yes |
| Auto / Manual Focus: |
Yes |
Yes |
| Exp. Focus Off Mode: |
Auto Only |
Auto or Manual |
| AF Assist: |
No |
Yes |
| Viewfinder: |
0.44″ 16:9 LCD w/ 252 kilopixels |
| EVF Color: |
Color only |
B&W / Color |
| Peaking Indicator: |
Yes |
Yes |
| Peaking Color: |
White |
White / Red / Yellow |
| Center Marker: |
Yes |
Yes |
| 4:3 Safe Zone: |
No |
Yes |
| Color Bars: |
One (1) |
Two (2) |
| Mirror (Reverse Disp.): |
Yes |
Yes |
| All Data Displays Off: |
No |
Yes |
| Status Check: |
Audio Output, Video Output, User-Assigned Functions |
| HDV Rec. Format: |
2ch. 16bit 48kHz Mpeg 1 Audio Layer II |
| Onboard Mic: |
Built-in, Stereo |
| Ext. Mic Clamp: |
No |
Built-in |
| Vol. Control Dials: |
One (L+R linked) |
Two (L/R separate) |
| Audio Limiter: |
No |
Yes |
| Audio Monitor: |
No |
Yes |
| Time Code Reset: |
No |
Yes |
| Rec Run / Free Run: |
Rec Run Only |
Rec Run & Free Run |
| Zero Set Memory: |
Yes |
No |
| D/T Char. Record: |
No |
Yes |
| Edge Crop 16:9 Out: |
No |
Yes |
| Quick Record: |
No |
Yes |
| Color Correction: |
No |
Two (2) Target Colors |
| Assignable Functions: |
Six (6) |
Fourteen (14) |
| Select Setup Level: |
No |
Yes |
| Manual Iris: |
Yes |
Yes |
| Hyper Gain: |
No |
Yes |
| Man. Shutter Speed: |
Yes |
Yes |
| Personal Menu: |
Yes |
Yes |
| Flicker Reduction: |
Yes |
Yes |
| Accessory Shoe: |
Removeable; “cold” (unpowered) |
| Battery Included: |
NP-570 (2200mAh) also available: NP-F770, NP-F970 |
| Charge Batt on Cam: |
Yes |
No |
| Weight w/batt: |
4 lbs 10 oz (2.1 kg) |
N/A |
| Availability: |
November 2004 |
February 2005 |
I’d say this chart is at least 90% complete. There are still a few unknowns, however, and a few things that have been left out, as well as some possible minor errors. I’ll make corrections and add updates as new data is verified, so stay tuned. Many thanks to Jos Svendsen, Scott Anderson and Mike Tiffee for their assistance with this page!
Written and thrown together by Chris Hurd.
Please direct questions to the HDV Info Net Community Forums.
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