Sony HVR-Z5U - Camcorder - High Definition - widescreen - 1.12 Mpix - optical zoom: 20 x - Mini DV (HDV) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The z5u is a serious piece of equipment. I've had it for a couple of weeks now, and only until today I feel I know it well enough to write a decent review.
First off, the camera looks really sleek, feels solid and very well built. Its look isn't as metallic as the Z1, but the feel is very similar.
Of course, you can use it from day one with everything on auto, but if that's all you're ever gonna do, you're better off with something much less expensive, like those tiny HD cameras that are popping up everywhere.
Speaking of day 1, your first accesory is necessarily some kind of carrying bag or hard case. Sony has a backpack that's amazing, but costs more than 500 bucks. I got the Kata bag, which is perfect. I also got the large battery, and the cables that are not supplied with the camera (Firewire, HDMI, XLR extension). Also, I got SONY HD Master minidv tapes, as well as a 6pack of regular sony minidv tapes. After some preliminary tests, I must say the image on the HD Master tapes is noticeably better...
The main menu is easy to navigate, though it has enough levels you will get lost until you explore each a couple of times. One thing is, there are a lot of things on that menu, and the button and selecting wheel are really small... or perhaps my hands are too big? My main uses for this menu have been to select progressive or interlaced modes, and 60, 30 or 24 frames per second. Also, I've used it to assign all the assignable buttons under the handle, fine tune white balance temperature, set the handle zoom speed to its lowest setting (that way the handle zoom is my slow, controlled zoom, and the rear zoom is the fast one, very practical), and altering the gain setup (I left everything on 0, less grainy that way).
The range of the G lens is perfect, since it goes from a wide angle to a 20x zoom.
The 3 ND filters are great, though I've only really used the first one for an exterior shoot, which brought out the detail of a sunset brilliantly. The picture profiles are nice too, this is where you can make all sorts of color adjustments, including gamma, depth, wb shift, etc. Here I created a profile based on cinematone 2, only I connected it to a monitor and made some adjustments to my personal taste. These color profiles are assignable to easily accesible buttons, BTW.
Both the stereo and shotgun microphones are excellent, though I haven't used them extensively enough to offer a more complete evaluation.
I don't have the optional memory unit (MRC1K), but haven't found it absolutely essential. It would be practical, but I've had no problems capturing HD video via firewire on Adobe PremierePro CS3, running on a Mac. I might purchase it though, but only after a nice tripod, a lighting kit, and a DOF adapter kit.
Will post an update when this camera has endured more serious, long term usage, but initially it couldn't be better.

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Product Description:
The HVR-Z5U camcorder is designed to enhance creativity and deliver the highest standard of optical and audio quality. Sony's newly designed "G Lens" is incorporated into the camcorder, boasting excellent resolution, color and contrast for breathtaking images that rival expensive interchangeable lenses. This new compact camcorder boasts Sony's 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system, utilizing the technology of Exmor, to provide excellent low-light sensitivity and making it ideal when high performance in limited light conditions is a requirement. The ergonomically designed body allows flexible shooting under any conditions, while maintaining Sony's worldwide reputation for quality and high performance. The standard features of the HVR-Z5U include 1080/24p/30p HDV native progressive recording modes. Sony's new cutting-edge hybrid recording system incorporates an optional HVR-DR60 or HVR-MRC1K Memory Recording Unit, which allows simultaneous recording on tape and non-tape media for improve NLE workflow efficiency. The hybrid recording system is also capable of simultaneous HD and SD recording.

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