Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

Our volunteer group has produced hundreds of multi-cam shoots since 1994 for the local school district. We've gone from using the local public access facility's remote van and shared edit suites, to having our own portable studio and NLE system in 2001. Now we've made the leap to HD with (4) NX-5U cameras and a TriCaster 450 Extreme. No, we can't cablecast in HD, at least not yet, but we can author to Blue Ray for special occasions.
Using the HD-SDI outputs and custom-made 300-foot cables (with tally and intercom) we've just wrapped our second shoot. The camera operators love not having to worry about focusing quickly (these camcorders are amazingly quick to AF), and they prefer the color VFs (even if smaller than our old B&W studio monitors on the JVC DV-550s we replaced). We purchased (2) of the Sony wide angle lens adaptors, and can almost see the entire basketball court on a full wide shot from our center camera! Awesome!
Image quality we've experienced so far blows away anything we ever saw with our old system, and with the TriCaster we're spending far less time in post. We can get our programs 'on the air' much more quickly, even with the real time transfer to our Ultra Nexus and PEG Central.
For our money, these are the only cameras that fit our needs. Oh, and the 128Gb flash memory unit is great for single-camera shoots. Combine that capacity with the 'big' InfoLithium battery, and your arm will give out long before the battery or memory.
I will be very surprised if I don't see more of these cameras in similar applications soon. We intend to wear ours out!

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

Fast, easy to use and affordable. My best purchase yet.

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

"Don't judge a book by its cover"

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

Awesome picture quality.Native video is really great.simplified operations and fast file transfer between cam and system.playback operation is impressive.
Was a great buy!

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

nice cam in rec on memory card and hard disk
good screen
nice nd filters
only the prob is the body weight

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

We bought 6 NX5's to replae our Z1's - 4 out of 6 had to go back to the factory for focus/lens replacement. It's a shame that sony would sell a camera that has all the makings of good camera in this price range and yet it's poorly manufactured and comes to you in the box malfunctioning.
Even after warrantee replacement the 20x zoom is soft at the end of the zoom.
After 25 years of Sony we are looking to change brands.

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

This camera was an upgrade for me from the Sony PD-170. It has similar low light sensitivity (a little less sensitive but still good). Much better than the PD-170 at controls, this brings back the pro features that I missed with the 170. You have white balance toggle, gain control, you have the iris control back on the lens as with focus and zoom. You have independent audio level adjustment dials as opposed to having to use the spin wheel like on the 170. This cam also offers the SD/HD SDI output which means you can use this camera in a professional multi-cam set-up or if you need to feed out on fiber or satellite you can. The 20x zoom is nice on it as well. And of course, you get all the settings for versatility amongst clients - especially broadcast. You have 1080i, 1080p, 720p, in 60, 30, or 24 fps and you can shoot 720x480 SD if you want to.

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

Use for:
Run & Gun Shoots
Documentary Style Reporting
HD TV/CableCommercials
Hidden cam
For the price this is by far the best hd camcorder package out there. We did our homework and the NX5U kept coming up on top. Packed with usable features like the ability to record HD and SD at the same time. One to sd cards and the other to onboard solid state drive. This also gives us the ability to have redundant copy being recorded at all times! Great lens, very usable and camera performs exceptionally well in low light. Built-in ND filters a big plus. Rapid focus. Iris ring, XLR audio, Image stabilization works very well also. Extremely pleased with camera overall.
The NX5U does seem a little front heavy as with most of the prosumer models in this price range. Liked it so much may purchase another as backup or second field unit! Would recommend this camera.

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

Good to work whith Premiere Pro CS4
Need very good computer for rendering

But the lcd is veryy small, why put a small lcd whith this type of quality product???

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

I am still learning to use this camera, but everything I have done with it so far has been a pleasure. It logs and transfers into FCP7.03 beautifully and the images are lovely. My main use for it will be for student events at school and in a theater, and this has not yet been tested.
It is a little heavier than the GL2 I am replacing with it, and longer too, so carrying it around is more noticeable.

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

very good, let us have time to learn all features.
I have a dream : to make film with the beautifull world of nature.
With this camera, I will have a chance to get.

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

For the most part I love the camera. Until I discovered the back focus issue. I sent the camera to Sony and they didn't seem to think anything was wrong. BH replaced the camera with a new one. Same Problem. I believe every owner will have same issue. My problem is I lost 2 major contracts that lost me over $8,500. The focus issue isn't obvious in the field. However in my sporting events or any shoot for that matter. If you set up your shot Zoom and manually focus. Then zoom out for your wide shot and the camera doesn't hold the focus. The same is true if you focus on your wide shot and then zoom in for the tight shot it again goes out of focus. I've been a loyal customer of Sony since the early 80's and am dissapointed that this product has not been resolved and yet they continue to sell with the defect in place. Dean Kaus Kaus Photography, Video and DJ

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

After shooting my first event with this camera...I was shooting a wedding and at the reception, while looking at / monitoring my audio meters, I noticed that my U.V. meter display from the NX-5 were acting irresponsively sometimes and it took me all night to find out what that was.

Here it is...

It is the ZOOM that is causing a temporary freezing effect on the audio meters! Meter drops to half and reads verrry slowly.

The problem occurs on all 3 Zoom locations: Top zoom, ring zoom and right zoom. And will STAY that way another 2 loooooong SECONDS after you let go the zoom.

Now, what does the ZOOM have to do with the AUDIO? That's exactly what i was asking myself...But this is what is happening.

If you use ANY of the camera's zooms it will mess up you audio meter. NO! IT DOES NOT AFFECT RECORDING but eventually it WILL however affect your ability to get clip / distortion free audio since you can't no longer rely on the meter while zooming. It just makes it VERY difficult to monitor audio when this is happening and it is VERY disturbing and annoying.

This is unacceptable for critical audio monitoring if you really are a professional videographer. Audio means EVERYTHING on my productions.

Continuing, I was doing interviews and as you know, every person speaks different. It was driving me crazy not being able to monitor that and the ceremony and ESPECIALLY, the reception. All of us (true professionals), EVERY SECOND COUNTS when monitoring audio. There is a video of this problem on you tube so you can see. Search for "Sony HXR NX-5 Major Software Bug!"

NOTE: I bought this 10 days ago. My camera came already shipped with the Version 3 (the most up to date firmware) Maybe the problem is with THAT particular version?...Or is it all of firmware versions 1, 2 and 3?...I DID have another 3 friends with NX-5 to test. Same issue, same Version 3. I NEED THE VERSION 4 without this bug!!! Lets's see if Sony cares... I guess I like the camera and i am not changing it for the fact that it can record in 2 locations no tape.

This camera has very poor audio features on the menu. Many features found on most sony camera of this price range are no present on the NX-5. Disappointing. Audio menu on playback now only offers 1 (ONE)option there which is :stereo" or "mono". What happened to features like L only, R only, combine channels found even on Z1u and the Z7u?

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

This camcorder does everything that it is advertised to do, and it does it all well.

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

I'll start straight with this:

What I love about it.

1- Motorized Zoom on lens and it is smooth like the Canon XH Series. (I also was a Canon Video user XL-2, XL-H1 and XHA1s)

2- I own Sony cameras such as HVR Z1u-Z7u and PMW EX-3 to compare. Unlike the Z-1u and Z-7u, the NX-5's Lens Image Stabilizer is as good as CANON L Glass (Canon 5D Mark II, Canon XL-H1, etc),(Sony usually have poor image stabilizers and this one ROCKS! STEADY!!About time a descent IS. You will be very pleased.

3- TAPE IS FINALLY DEAD. SD and Flash combined are beautiful instead of tape / Card.... 100% peace of mind. I feel now like I am the most confident Videographer with this type of dual recording. What could possible go wrong as far as footage loss and Data corruption? Unless your camera gets stolen or you let it fall in the pool, you are safe.
This is the primary reason I bought this cam. I used to own the Sony Z-7 (just sold on an auction) which by the way have much better blacks than thie NX-5. I put BOTH cameras side by side, SAME PICTURE PROFILE ON BOTH. The Z-7 wins for black levels thus keeping shadow details at the same time. I am NOT happy with the black levels from the NX-5. I tried EVERY combination of picture Profile and now is about 90% close. No, I don't like to do POST. It makes the rendering take long. Everything I shoot requires NO post / recompression (white balance, exposure etc).

4- On the NX-5, the playback is FAST, rewind, FF is a joy. Next clip plays instantly! Very good response. Every video has a thumbnail.

5- When playing back video on camera, you can hide the display COMPLETELY. Not a SINGLE character on screen. Just the video itself! Not even the "play" Icon. CLEAN.

6- Comes with a descent size battery.

7- A LOT less noise then previous HD Sony cameras for sure. video is clean even at a wedding reception when they dim the lights to unacceptable levels. Of course you need a video light. I don't care how good the camera is in low light. The video light pops detail and vivid colors. I bought at B&H a Frezzi light fully dimmable 2 years ago and I love that light.

8- The mic supplied is excellent.

9- This camera is ridiculously easy to use (menus and settings)

10- Peaking and Zebra can be used at the same time. peaking features White, yellow and red. I use the yellow and set to low..

What I HATE about it.

1- Poor Gamma / Blacks. Can be pretty close to the Z-7u. IMPORTANT!! Before you say anything...I own a Sony Z-7 which by the way have much better blacks than this one. I put BOTH cameras side by side, SAME PICTURE PROFILE ON BOTH. The Z-7 wins for black levels thus keeping shadow details at the same time. I am NOT happy with the black levels from the NX-5. I tried EVERY combination of picture Profile and now is about 90% close.

2- Inconvenient protective rubber caps on XLR jacks. Does nothing by getting in the way. Now I need 2 hands instead of one to plug stuff having to get that thing out of the way while the other inserts the cable in, not nice when you are hand holding.

3- Lacks a LOT of features on picture profile and Menus compared to the Z-7u.

4- Auto gain does not display what gain it is (-3, 0, +6?) My Z7 did and I miss that.

5- Seven hundred dollar 128GB box (option) if you want it. It is just absurd... That should be retailed about 4 times the price of a CF 32GB card, by $250...not 700! I've seen a shoe mount from Lite panels costing $150! It's a piece of metal hardware painted in black... But for peace of mind, I bought the extra recorder the time I ordered the camera. What the heck.

6- I hate the 20X lens zoom. Nothing that a 12X can't get enough zoom power. probably 12% less. On a 20X you lose 3 stops and have to use either a temporary "auto gain" if you don't want it to go dark in the end. on a 12X lens like the Z-7, you only lose 1 1/4 stops. I'd rather sacrifice zoom power than f stops lost.

I also don't like the rough fine sandy finish. it is difficult to clean as it will always get residue from any cleaning cloth, even lint free somehow leaves something to brush off. The Z1u and the EX-3 have a nice and smooth finish surface.

7- Who needs a touch screen? I will never touch mine and that was added to the cost making this LCD I'm sure.... Did you know that the more grease from your fingers the LCD has, the more the LCD coating will most likely peel off? Yes, it is in the Manual for those 98% of you who don't read manuals! Besides fingerprints being a ugly sight to see on LCD, fingerprint marks on the LCD will cause slight pink cast where it is when filming a white dress or background.

8- NO TIME LAPSE?! Why?? That dual flash recording is PERFECT for that, much better than time lapsing on tape which will destroy your the heads.Well I guess I have to bring my 5D Mark II. More stuff to carry...

9- No programmable shot transitions. The ancient Z-1 u got it and so does the Z-7u.

10- Another feature I miss: No K degrees in 100 step increments on Profile mode for custom white balance which is an awesome feature. No need to use custom A or B. This camera is capable of doing that but does not display in fine tune K degrees, just from -7 to +7 and each stop is drastic instead of the 100 by 100 K of the Z7u.

BOTTOM LINE: I love it 70% and hate it 30%. There is a lot of room for improvement on this. If the features missing from the Z-7u were all here, I would be happy to pay 5 grand for this camera.

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

I was so eager to get the NX5, until i finally got it like 2 weeks ago. I have only tested it out once, and the image quality is amazing, i can't say i fully understand all the functions of the camera so far being that i have never used a high end pro summer camcorder, but so far. I'm now in the process of learning the camera and it's functions, afterwards i would probably be able to provide a bette review, but as far as image quality goes, i find it to be great, no complaints on it so far.

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

I AM A SEMI PRO VIDEOGRAPHY THAT SPECIALIZES IN COMMERCIAL VIDEO AND WEDDINGS. GREAT CAMERA, GREAT PRICE!

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

This camera makes really easy to shoot in a pure hd!!

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

-Great bulit and awesome video quality .
-I love how I can record SD to my memory cards and HD to the Sony HXR-FMU128 FLASH RECORDING UNIT
.
-Love the optional Sony HXR-FMU128 FLASH RECORDING UNIT which allows me to record 11 hours of full HD. I have a Panasonic HVX-200A and I hate the expensive P2 cards which gives me very limited recording even with 64GB and 16GB cards.
-Composite, component, HDMI, SDI connections
-Great in low-light
-Great Zoom

Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:

This camera is great for what it is. IT is my first sony, and while I like it, I dont like having to scroll through menues to add simple things like exposure comp and to be able to take control of auto and manually fix exposure when I need to quickly. Other than that, its been great. Files are big, but its great in good light, and workable in low light.