I don't see many molds broken here
 

For that to be true (molds broken), I'd want 120 fps and true progressive recording , and I'd want it to be smaller , and all for the same price - whoops - guess I'm talking about the Scarlet . Sony and Canon and the rest better pull their knockers out 'cause if Scarlet delivers , then these types of cameras being touted as the digital cinema vanguard , will be for news gathering folks only. They just don't want to give us the whole pie at once - that's the problem. The want to piece meal out the advances one at a time so we'll , over the long haul , buy more cameras .
So it'll be left to companies like Red , and maybe Nikon and Olympus to give us the tools of the future.
I am however more interested in the cf/firewire recorder .

"Other new features include increased low-light sensitivity (down to 1.5 lux)"

Yipee!... Better low-light sensitivity than the FX1/Z1...

The US press release for the FX1000 and Z5U. It includes retail prices for the Z5 and the optional MRC1.

http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_ro...ase/37215.html

I bet the 1.5 lux (Auto Gain, Auto Iris, 1/30 Shutter) so 1/60 shutter will be 3 lux just like the Z7U.

Rolling Shutter NO PROB on the Z7U
 

You must be thinking of the EX series cameras on the rolling shutter thingy. We ran our tests on the Z7U the minute we got it and unless the flash/strobe is directly in the line of fire in the lens AND within 4 feet . . no rolling shutter. Even then, unlike the EX exactly 7 frames were affected all three times it happened out of over 100 flashes from all sorts of still flash cameras including the pro photographer. We had an awful time trying to get it to happen.

So the Z7U isn't the rolling shutter problem camera, that appears to be exclusive to the EX series of CMOS :o)

Oh and those drulling over the MRU1 . . it is everything that it appears to be AND MORE. We actually start digitizing our other two cameras (non Sony) footage "on location" with the spare Z7U at the reception through the firewire and playing back while recording with the MRU and walk in with digitized media :o)

if only the fx1000 came with XLR inputs at that price or the Z5U had a real servo lens, then i'd really cringe to want one of them.

if you cruise the EX board, seems the new firmware has resolved some of the rolling
shutter issues with the EX.

I'll bet the reason for this is due to their Z-series camcorders using a form of pixel offset (the ClearVid chips), which their EX series don't have.

Anyone know if the "microphone" input is mini jack or xlr on the fx1000? How about the z5u?

The mic inputs are Stereo Mini on the FX1000 and XLR on the Z5.

Speaking of the Z5, the North American model Z5U
has finally made it onto the official Sony site:
http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-HVRZ5U/

Wonder what the street price will be? At that list price, one can add a few bux and get a Z7U from B&H, I did.

If this was XLR selectable inputs AND under 4000, like closer to 3500 or so, I'd get two of em to work side by side with my z7u on tv shows.

I wouldn't hold your breath for that price.

The FX1000 is going for $3,199 and is considered the prosumer camera of the two.
The Z5U should come in somewhere around $4,500 or so, without the CF recorder.

The mic input is situated underneath the LCD base... Different from the FX1.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n.../IMG_40663.jpg

wow, with the z7u at just a little over 500 more at b&h who'll not get the rest of the money for a removable lens, xlr, mru, etc. heck the mru has to be worth that much alone!

Well, that puts it in a horrible place for those of us wanting to use XLR adapter boxes.
I much preferred the mic input down low. This prevents a 1/8 cable from interfering with the lens barrel adjustments.

Although from a mic mounting standpoint I understand why they would place the mic port up high near where a mic would be mounted.

I am not sure I understand where the $500 difference comes from. B & H has the Z7U at basically $6500. If the street price of the Z5U comes in at $4500, that is $2000 difference. They both have xlr's and the same size CMOS. The Z7 comes with the CF card recorder ($940 option for the Z5, available in Oct.). And the Z7 does have interchangeable lens capability. But the Z5 now boasts the widest lens offered on this class of camera and it is also a 20x zoom. And according to what I have read, the Z5 has slightly improved image processing which is supposed to deliver a slightly better image and slightly improved low light capability with less noise. So is the interchangeable lens worth $1000+ extra especially when you consider the improved image processing of the Z5? Tough call, for sure. For those on a limited budget, the Z5 seems to be a pretty attractive package.

Actually, go check it out at B&H again. If you look just under the price $6,499 it says "Add To Cart For Lower Price" and when you click that snazzy little link, the price changes to a $5,399 which is not that far away from what all are saying the Z5 is gonna be. For the Z5 without all the Z7 "bonus" features it will have to be under $4000 to interest me.

Cool. I stand corrected.

hey i only know because i bought mine in the last month or so :o)

I'd be happy if it was $2K...
A shame Sony pricing scheme is not that generous.

The question is...
Is this mini jack going to be clean or it will be full of interferences like the one on the FX7?

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/all-thing...connector.html

Whoa! That doesn't "sound" good :o)

I can't keep up with all the new camera announcements! (Grin.) I've been shooting a lot on the EX1 and am in love. Trying out the EX3 today.

The Z5 looks more like a Z1 than the Z7 does.

Heath

FX1000 on its way!
 

They've announced the follow-up to the FX1! Yes folks, the HDR-FX1000 is on its way!

In a nutshell, along with all the usual features carried on from the FX1 the FX1000 boasts:

* Film-like Progressive Scan 1080/24p, 1080/30p, or 1080/60i
* 3x 1/3" ClearVid CMOS Sensors w/ Exmor technology
* Enhanced Imaging Processor (EIP) Technology
* G Lens: 29.5mm Wide-Angle to 590mm (20x) Telephoto
* Superior low-light (1.5 LUX) shooting capabilities
* 3x built-in neutral density (ND) filters
* 3x manual rings for superior control: zoom, focus, and iris
* 3.2" Xtra Fine LCD display1 (921k pixels)
* Improved Noise Reduction (w/ Exmor col. A/D conversion)
* 2:3 pull-down to 60i for editing on most HDV software
* Minus Auto Gain Control (Minus AGC)
* HDMI Connection
* Memory Stick PRO Duo Media Slot
* Multi-Language Menu
* Switchable HDV/DV Format Recording
* x.v. Color Technology
* Histogram display

I still don't know what most of the features mean, but I'm sure I'll have fun finding out :) Anyone care to shed some light?

more information about HDR-FX1000 and HVR-Z5
 

Information about HDR-FX1000, HVR-Z5 and HVR-MRC1K
http://videokgb.ru/HVR-Z5.html

The FX1000 has been the buzz for a few weeks now. Just search the forums or Google it.

It sounds like an exciting replacement to the FX1.

This list pricing is a bit of a bummer for those of us in the $3,500ish camera market, a little higher than expected. I can't see the the Z5 (list $4,950) competing with the Canon XH-A1 (list $3,999) because it's at a higher price point. Yes, it should, be a better camera, but it leaves Sony with nothing to compete with the XH-A1. The FX-1000 still has no XLR inputs or presets. Is there another Sony camera at the $3,500 level Im missing.

Yes the FX1000 won't have XLR inputs, but it does have 6 custom picture presets. But the Z5 will have some additional picture profile adjustments that the FX100 won't.

And whiile Canon has a more in depth feature picture profile set, compared to Sony cameras, for many the Sony camera's picture profiles are more than sufficient.

Actually the XH A1 is around $3400 at most places today. The new Sony Z5 does make Sony more competitive with Canon, since now it will do 24p and has a real aperture ring like the Canon lens. There are some things about the Sony I like over the Canon but I don't see it being worth $1500 more. If you are in a production house and already have some Sony HDV decks, then I can see maybe choosing the Sony over the Canon, because to play Canon's 24 or 30F modes, the only deck that will do that is the new Sony M35, and in a production house with clients breathing over your shoulder, most people want a deck, not a camera to load footage. I'm assuming the new camera's 24p will work with older HDV decks, but who knows for sure.

I do like Sony's traditional better balance and the LCD screen up on top of the handle. Unfortunately for us but fortunate for them, Sony does seem to always be able to keep the price up. The Z1 has never gone down as much as other cameras do that have been out that long.

In terms of overall features, the closest competitor to the XH-A1 is the Sony V1U. If Sony would upgrade that camera with the 1/3" Exmor sensors and corresponding low-light response, that would be stiff competition for the XH-A1. But the FX1000 should do okay for those willing to use an XLR adapter, and it presumably offers the same "picture profile" presets of the FX1. Factor in the high-resolution LCD monitor and this is competition for the XH-A1, just without build-in XLR.

re Z5

Peaking. Does it have color selectable peaking like the V1 or is it just white peaking like the Z7 & EX1?

Push Autofocus button. Does this work like the EX1 (push it and it hunts until it finds focus) or does it work like the Z7/ V1 push it and it focuses until you let go.

I am also interested in adding a teleconvertor to it. What system/ size is the front? Will any on the current Century / Schneider optics lenses fit it?

If anyone gets to play with one of these cams please check these features out!

Thanks!

Thanks for the info. I think the FX-1000 will really be a nice camera, especially when it sells for a little under the list price after the introduction period. As long as the FX-1000 has a mini audio jack with manual levels and a good pre-amp, all is well. And the XLR/overall sound on the Canon is not earth shattering anyway.

If you don't know what these mean, try this one: smile shutter.

See http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_ro...ase/35580.html.

Smile, and have fun!

What kind of issues have you had with Canon's XLR inputs?

I'm guessing $3200 U.S. is as low as you'll see this thing sold at. If anything, the price may go up if it's selling like they want it to. Especially if the Z5 sales are sluggish.

The V1u's price dropped from $5000 to about $3700 in a matter of months, back in early 2007.

heath

Z5 Review
 

I know B&H has their review for the US model, but I was directed to this review for the European model.
Review is y Kevin Cook

Sony : HVR-Z5E Reviewed by IoV's Kevin Cook : United Kingdom

Actually Rick, it's not unusual for Sony to lower their price a few months after the initial release.

After all Sony is has the listed price the same as B&H, and we all know that B&H usually can see products at lower prices because they do so much volume. They just can't advertise the lower price online.

I wouldn't be surprised if the price came down a couple hundred and it settled in at $2,999 or so. I think eventually whenever the RED Scarlet comes out, that Sony and Canon might have to seriously look into changing their pricing structure on a lot of their product line.

Competition is good.

Hey, you're right. And if you want to save $200 you can still get a VX2100 for the bargain price of $3k. :)

Advanced Amateur / Professional | Sony | SonyStyle US

I just think the FX1000 at sub $3k will come later rather than sooner (if it does at all) because they're putting the Z5 out of reach. Maybe they'll do that with the Z5 too - who knows?

By the time the Scarlet actually shows up folks will have worn out their FX1000's. :)

All good points Michael.

[QUOTE=Rick Steele;937595]Hey, you're right. And if you want to save $200 you can still get a VX2100 for the bargain price of $3k. :)

Yeah I was kind of joking about the Scarlet. Never know when Red will release their cameras. I think that the original RED was in development for over a year before they were finally able to deliver any for use.

Actually I see the the Z5 coming down in price a little too after its initial release. And while the Z5 might be expensive for your needs (I think you mentioned that you need to purchase 3 HDV cameras next year), the overall price of the Z5 is very attractive, when compared to the original Z1 or the now released Z7 and EX1.

I am eying a Z5 and maybe a couple FX1000's to eventually replace my 3 FX1s.

Gonna wait a bit, until user reviews and feedback is in after the initial release though.

Before I get any new cameras, I'm going to pickup 2-3 MRC1's to use with my FX1's.
Going tapeless (for quick editing), along with tape for archival purposes is the most appealing to me right now. My FX1's still produce great images, so a new camera right now is not of major importance for me as it is for you.

Yes, I'm looking at 3 new cameras no latter than next February/March. A couple of FX1000's can be in the budget but I'm getting old and fat and really need that 3rd one to cover my slow lazy arse. The cost of this one will be tight though. I need some rich relatives to croak. :)

Going tapeless would be a dream but I'm wondering if the FX1000 will work exclusively with CF only (i.e. not needing the heads recording to an actual tape in order for the MRC1 to work).