Sony HVR-Z7U - Camcorder HDV

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

I love this camera and highly recommend it to anyone. I mainly use the camera for outdoor shoots and it hasn't disappointed yet; with the Zeiss lens, CMOS Sensor and 3 ND filters make for great picture quality in many lighting situations. It also is great indoors because it picks up light well. Another great thing is the color quality you get from the view finders, the LCD screen is super great quality making it great to get the true picture you want without using an attachable monitor. I also enjoy the fact you can record on to DV/DVC HD tapes as well as on the CompactFlash card. I do use the camera in the winter and I especially like the multiple ways to record because tapes sometimes don't work to their fullest because of the cold temperatures. The camera itself does well in the colder temperatures. It also has many inputs & outputs allowing you to have many variations to the camera. I would say my favorite thing about the camera is how you can modify it & have 6 assigned pre-sets, this comes in handy if you do shoots that are similar but slightly different in lighting and style you want. Using the pre-sets are easy to use as well as many of the other functions of the camera. Overall great camera for any type of filming!

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

Dynamite camera. Love the lens and the capabilities. Seems like the hard drive eats up the battery. SO on my first shoot I had to turn it off. While on a tripod, I found it difficult to get to the zoom rocker and had to use the small one on top of the camera which I felt was not as feathery as the big one. The lens makes noise when it zooms. This is the first lens in 35 years of being a pro that I have heard when it zooms. Usually, it's no problem, but if in a quiet location, I(and my microphone) can hear it. I thought that the tape could record HDV and at the same time, the Hard Drive could record SD. It looks like that is not the case however. I think that the Hard Drive can only record what the camera is producing for the tape drive. Bummer! I hope there is a work around for that. Also, I can't ingest the files directly into my Media 100 or FCP. They have a wrapper that I will have to get software for.
The camera is heavy. Much heavier than my old V1. Most likely because of the lens. Yikes, yes the lens is awesome. It works just like a real pro lens. I am so stoked about that. Manual/auto switch for iris on the lens and rings that control the manual iris. Manual focusing, yes! Real manual...not the floating kind like most semi-pro lenses. I am really glad I bought this camera. It was worth the extra money and if I get into real estate interiors, Sony has a 24mm equivalent lens I can pop on. Nice. Also, the standard lens is wide enough and telephotos nicely. There's also a digital extender that is actually sharp and sponge-worthy. :)

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

I've been using the "full-size" s270u since it first came out. Now, I have added the z7u to shoot second camera or anywhere a smaller body would be helpful. For thousands of dollars less, there is no apparent difference in these 2 cameras. Both are very good in low light, with amazing picture quality all around. The ability to run a tape as a "safety" while recording to CF cards for their excellent workflow is excellent, and one reason I chose these over other brands that do not include this confidence feature. Although, in over 2 years, I have never had any sort of failure of the CF cards, it is still nice to know the tape is there. The lens is beautiful, and the ergonomics of this camera (the tape loading near the back, facing the shooter and the CF card unit being on the back, right where you can see it easily are good examples) are also well thought out. I highly recommend this camera, and its big brother, the s270u.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

It doesnt get any better [...]

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

this is a great camera. better than I expected. The footprint of this camera is awesome. because of its small body I use a little more sturdier tripod just to make sure it won't fall forward.
I recommend to all my colleagues. nice cam!

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

This camera has served me well for a long time now. As far as adding comments for a review, well, comparing one camera to another is truly apples to oranges. I own many cameras for many different purposes. I currently own 3 Z7U's for the purpose of Network (ENG style) television production, where it has been used for several years now as both 1st and secondary camera packages. HDV and Tape Drives are rapidly traveling down the way of obsolescence...but people still ask for this camera!!! So obviously this is no Red 1, Alexa, HDX 900, etc... but it's 5 grand...and it's a safe haven for those production companies still trying to save a buck on gear, want to archive tapes for as long as they can, and have the option to shoot to solid state if they want...seeing as this camera has both options. Well tuned, and with a little, love, care, and taste this camera offers a great image for any documentary, or docu-tv style shoot you might have. Your DOF is of course huge, which honestly is really handy when you don't know what is going to happen next. If you need some glorious shallow DOF throw a 5D mark 2 in your bag for all your graphics beds and beauty shots...you know...whatever. They can match well enough if you put in a little time to get to know them...and remember, this is rapidly becoming a mixed medium/youtube world...use the best of whatever works for the job and the budget...good luck, and happy shooting.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

This camera is smooth, i recommend this camera to anyone that wants a good HDV camera.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

I recently upgraded to this camera from the HVR-V1U and I'm glad I did. the extra cost is well worth the additional features and boost in lens and sensor quality. This camera has worked well for me in Corporate, broadcast and production for DVD projects.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

The camera is used to capture events, speakers and promotional materials. I like the dual recording function to help the workflow move faster. Great HD camera at a great price.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

We use the Sony Z7U to shoot documentary and local interest programming for local and national PBS broadcast. The camera produces great HD imagery with user friendly controls and a compact reasonably priced package. There are several customizable options that make the Z7U work for you. We have had some issues with some lens malfunction and getting help from Sony can be a slow and frustrating process.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

If your looking for a Pro Camcorder, good for multi cam shoots, something that records to both card and tape, and you want to change lenses. This is a great starting camera.[@] This is a wedding video I shot with the HVR-Z7U (No post production effects. All stock footage.) This video got me my first Job at a wedding company. So i have my camera to thank for that. I would like to warn you before you buy this camera. This is not a $5,000.00 camera. Its a $3,000.00 camera with a very nice lens. And even thought you can switch lenses. The only lenses I want to use like most, is something with a shallow focal depth for a more film like feel. Your going to need something like a Letus box plus the low mm lens to achieve that look. In other words, if your going to buy a $1,000.00 lens, you with need a $1,000.00 adapter for the quality and look. So the fact you can change the lens, doesn't give you the freedom you think. You could just buy a Canon 60D and shoot 35mm full HD video on DSLR and you would save tons of money.SO, if your more well rounded as a cameraman, and if your thinking of spending $5,000.00 go with the AG-AF100. its like the HVR-Z7U but with a 3/4'' sensor instead of a 1/3'' sensor. Its almost a full inch, which means you have an image sensor a little smaller than a 35mm film strip. "Sick." And with the way that Panasonic placed the sensors in the camera, there is no need for a Letus box. you could use a Zeiss Compact Prime Cina lens with a simple ring adaptor.[...]Hope this was helpful. and good luck.Thomas Mazzulla[@]

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

the camera will be used for DVD productions. Very easy to use.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

I have had many months experience using this camera and have found it to be an excellent semi professional grade camera. It has a great feel and the ability to record both to tape and CF card make it a wonderful way to extend recording for a long event.

I use this camera specifically to tape magicians performing at the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood and I'm very glad I purchased it.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

Went from a small handheld to this awesome camera. Sort of intimidating but it seems to work very well. It has numerous options which assist in making a quality video

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

I am a former Z1 user for video journalism in television news so thought this was a good investment. I wasn't keen on the fuss I had to go through to program the buttons for the one push auto focus, and getting there was a bit of a trial, but now it works a treat. The lens is so much better than the Z1, and the picture quality is great. The button layout is pretty similar to the Z1, so it feels pretty easy to make the change, but as I am still playing with it, a full review is difficult. So far, I like this camera a lot.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

The color, low light possibilities, everything else is great too. For the money I don't believe you can find a better camera. The free digital compact flash recorder snapped on the back is an amazing bonus which works on or off the camera. If your equipment has a firewire output hook the HVR-MRC1 up to its own power supply and record away. Of course the memory stick keeps track of your settings for this camera and can transfer those settings to your other similar Sony cameras so all of your work looks the same if you want it to. This camera makes me want to see the world through it. It's hard to put it down and when it's in its case I think about getting it back out. You'll love it!

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

WEEDINGS,AND GOOD IN LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

I use the camera for professional wedding videography services. I LOVE this camera. It's amazing in low light situations. My only complaint would have to be the weight; it feels much heavier than the previous standard Sony camera I was using.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

Easy to use, great sound, good in low light

Comments about Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Camcorder:

I love this camera! I've read through the manual at least twice and operated the HVR-Z7U on three different type of shoots, [...]. The camera is a little heavier than my VX2100, but fantastic to work with. I really like all the features the Z7U offers, especially the ability to record HD or SD video on CompactFlash.