Sony HVR-Z5U - Camcorder HDV Profissional

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

As a legal videographer this camera meets all the requirements along with an excellent quality video and audio system. Setup and operation was very straight forward. Along with the HVR-MRC1 Memory Recording Unit the simultaneous recording to minidv and cf media is a plus. It is everything I need and more. A minor negative is the menu thumb wheel being a little awkward to use. Over all a very good choice for my needs.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

It's the perfect prosumer camera for start-up level videographers. If you're someone whose been a long time home-movie maker waning on the cusp of bigger things then the Z5 is perfect for you. But, it's also great for professionals, in fact I use it extensively in shooting outdoors features, such as a fishing show I work on. The directional it comes with isn't perfect, but it still provides adequate quality audio when you're in situations where a proper boom might not be possible, such as in a boat two miles deep in a swamp. The only problem is that the wheel-system it uses to access the menu functions can sometimes be difficult to use, especially when it's cold, but that's a minor nit-pick and the only one I can think of. All in all the Z5 is everything that the budding videographer could hope for and maybe a little bit more.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

I'm a freelance photographer that covers breaking news, weddings, concerts, variety show etc. I love everything about this camera! I wish it had a 1/2 chip but the price, you get amazing pictures and audio!

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

Just started a one-man video production company and this camera does everything I could ask of it. Beautiful picture, easy to use. Love it

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

Love so Easy to handle
the Quality, bright picture
clear sound

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

I'm a profesional outdoor videographer and this camera can not be beat! It's portable, user friendly, great in low light and quick to set up! I'd definately recommend this camera and buy it again!

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

Got the camera out of the box and started shooting. The camera is great, no complaints. Cannot go into detail since I just shot 3 tapes.
Only dissappointment is when I went to download the footage from camera to computer, there is no cable included.
I searched everywhere for the cable, called sony, and they said it does not come with one.
I cannot understand why sony would not include an essential cable, worth about $15, with a $4000 camera.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

I love all the changes that were made to the latest in Sony's HD offering. The Compact flash drive is a great addition.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

I bought this camera in early Feburary 2012, and it's the new "Z1U". There are some subtle improvements. The new LED screen has a richer resolution. One of the things that threw me a bit was the menu scroll sheel (now located on the side of the camera rather than in the back).

The scroll wheel is harder to operate than the previous one and you'll want to have your eyeglasses on to operate it. It used to be metal colored, now it's black and harder to see.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

Used in mostly stage productions where lighting can be problematic. Low light ability is good. When compared to the Sony PD170/150 it is not as sensitive, but it satisfies our "stage" needs. In fact the PD170s were a little too sensitive. Great "wide angle" coverage with on board lens. Function buttons are very small and hard to find "on the fly" i.e., "push auto focus button" when in manual focus, white balance button; and the "assign" function buttons. We cut small soft self-adhesive velcro spots to place on these function buttons in order to find them easier.
On board battery cannot be installed when using the AC adapter. This makes the switch over to battery from AC awkward compared to the PD 170/150, VX2100 and even the DSR250s. Only three gain positions can be programmed (your selection) as opposed to dialing a full range on the fly. However, the transition to various gain positions is visually smooth. Manual iris control is on a ring and is easy to find. The Camera menu is similar to that of the PD170.Image quality is good. Four star rating is because of small function buttons that are hard to locate when shooting on the fly, otherwise I would give a 5 star rating.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

It has all what I was looking for and even more. Perfect for event videography.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

THIS CAMERA TELL YOU HOW TO USE IT BY ITSELF.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

I use this camera primarily for industrials, promotional and music videos. It's well built, has all the controls in traditional Sony configuration. But most importantly, this camera comes with an HDMI output pre-HDV compression. This means that if you attach an Atomos HDMI recorder to it you can record 4:2:2 HD. That's right, REAL high definition footage, not watered down, barely-HD HDV.

That's why I bought it 2 years ago. I knew HDV was a transitional format, but I needed a good camera for an upcoming job and didn't want to pay for an EX1. With the HDMI out, this camera has an extended it's usable life.

The only thing I don't like about the Z5U is the small sensor size and the relatively low quality of the 120fps. Of course the fact that it can ACTUALLY shoot 120 fps or 240 fields is fantastic, so maybe I'm just being picky. But I use the feature, and every time I use it and try and match it to the HDV/HD stuff I've shot, it always comes out looking bad. But still pretty cool.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

Since this is my second Z5u purchase, I would imagine it speaks for itself. A great camera for the price point. Beautiful full HD pictures, clear and crisp. Good low light capability and offers operational options from full auto to full manual. Three rings for focus, iris and zoom; 2 xlr with fantom power option. Peaking option really helps with the focus while using the LCD. Has the features I look for and at a price point I could afford.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

I love it when customers think I am using a much more expensive camera! Many of my customers have commented on the amazing clarity of this camera. For HDV users, this is THE camera. The three CMOS sensors deliver a sharp, vivid image with low-noise for their size. SONY's color profiles give you lots of flexibility in getting the look you want. Of course, each profile is completely customizable. These are the same color profiles found on SONY's higher-end cameras. The Z5U has performed very well while shooting outdoors in various weather conditions from -11 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a rock-solid camera that delivers a great image for an affordable price.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

No complaints, there is a reason it is so highly rated!

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

I decided to finally upgrade from my 12 year old Sony DSR PD-150 and PD-170 camcorders for the occassional high definiton assignments. The video quality of the HVR-Z5U was gorgeous when used taping a First Communion ceremony in which the church's ambient light was plentiful, as well as in any outdoor situation. The shocker came when I taped the reception segment of a wedding the following weekend. As soon as the subject was out of range of my on-camera video light during candid zooms of people dancing, the image was dark, grainy and off-color. If you're used to the amazing low-light capability of the PD-150 or PD-170, be prepared for disappointment.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

I used to have Canon XH A1s that I paid for throught the nose at B&H 2 years ago. I regret and regret and regret and regeret for buying the canon because that camera produced lot of noise and very poor in low light compared to its price.

Finally, I was able to sell it back to B&H for few hundred bucks to get Z5U. This camera is great in Low light, and the image is great and sound quality is amazing. The best thing, I can shoot in full HD and convert to SD via firewire to edit even with Avid Liquid which has not been updated for years. The LCD is wide and clear. I love the zoom lense and the AF mode. If you wantto add and external microphone which is not even necessary, this camera comes with a powerful sony mic for professional shooting.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

For alsmost year I was searching for a camera to complete my HD camera series, to make the switch to HD/BLU-RAY. I found that most cameras even those priced over 5 Grand, Had weak sound quality/features, only one can meet my expectations of this area, the Sony HVR-Z5U.
After I bought this camera and I see that this is my best investment because without having good tools you cannot make an excellent video product.
Thank you B&H for collecting the
right feedback for helping me choose the product that would exceed my expectations.

Comments about Sony HVR-Z5U Professional HDV Camcorder:

This camcorder is only used by professionls.