Shoot review of Z5U
 

A very nice review:
Shoot Review: Sony HVR-Z5U

Reviving an old thread here but I made my choice and I chose the Z7. I got to play with a FX1000 before I got the Z7. I really liked the Z5/FX1000 lens and somewhere down the line, I will probably wish the standard lens on the Z7 went wider and longer like the Z5. That hasn't happened yet but there is no doubt that the Z5 lens offers some advantages. But I am extremely happy with the Z7. After playing with both, I would choose the Z7 again. There are very subtle reasons I like the Z7. I prefer the buttons and the ND filter control of the Z7. Plus, I think the Z7 winds up being a camcorder that is easier to build on for professioanl applications. For example, the Mike Tapia mount for Nikon lenses. I can't fully explain why, but for some reason, the Z7 just seems to fit me better than the FX1000 I played with. No buyers remorse at all. On the contrary, I find that I am more enthusiastic about shooting than I have been in a long time. I haven't been this excited since I got my first Betacam. This is a really neat toy.

welcome to the Z7 family, keep posting as you keep shooting

This may seem trivial, but how does the LCD viewfinder compare between the two?
I haven't seen the Z7's, but the Z5's is fantastically sharp.

They are the same.

...and neither are as good as the Z1's in direct sunlight. But then they're sharper (more dots that give off less light) and you can buy a snazzy magnetic 'Hoodman' because Sony recognises this unavoidable backwards step. Nicely multi-coated though.

this is b/c it is a glossy LCD, if I had my way it would be more matte like the Z1, but still better way than the Z1 & I never had any problems w/ the Z1 LCD

If you were going to with one camera, either the Sony Z5 or Sony Z7, which would it be and why?

Both cameras are very similar, with the size and weight edge going to the Z5.

And the customability, because of removable lens, goes to the Z7.

I don't know if I would rather have a fixed lens or a removable one. As for a removable one you have to make sure that you set your backfocus, or auto focus (I usually always go manual) will be off and blury.

Actually, you can have backfocus problems with the cameras with fixed lenses also. And instead of trying to adjust it yourself or through the cameras menu, you just get to send it in for service. I feel the choice is basically between a fixed lens and an interchangeable lens. If you will NEVER change the lens on the Z7 for any reason, then the Z5 is probably the better choice. But if you think you would like to buy a 1/3" broadcast lens or a lens mount adapter for Nikon lenses, or Sony Alpha lenses or whatever, then you really need to get the Z7.

Although the Z5 and Z7 both start out equal in the gloom (F/1.6 at wide-angle), the Z5's lens ramps hugely whereas the Z7's doesn't. So in practical filmmaking terms the Z7 is far better when the lights go low.

Surely a big consideration must come down to whether or not you want the CF unit?

It's included with the Z7, but an optional extra with the Z5. Since the price of Z5 plus CF recorder is similar to the Z7, it would seem logical that if you want the unit, buy the Z7, if you just want a tape camera, you can save quite a lot of money by getting a Z5.

David thanks for the info.
I decided yesterday to go for the Z7. As I definitely want to use the CF unit as well as tape. And the big difference is that I thought long and hard about if I wanted a removable or permanently attached lens. I decided removable for 2 reasons...

The obvious on is the ability to use 35mm glass with it.

The second, is a maintenance one, as if anything ever happened to the lens, like it cracked, I woudl only have to replace a new lens on it as opposed to having the entire camera serviced.