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Sony FX1 quality??

post #1 of 13
3/20/07 at 8:26pm
Thread Starter 
I'm toying with the idea of picking up an FX1... I have heard that there is a minor problem with them in terms of dealing with quick flashes of light (camera flashes tends to make them pixilate a bit). Does anybody know of anything else I should be aware of?
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post #2 of 13
3/20/07 at 10:13pm
Actually, that's the problem with the HDR-HC1. It has something to do with CMOS imagers and a phenomenon known as "rolling shutter". It seems that Sony may have fixed this on newer CMOSes marked as ClearVid. All HDV camcorders are subject to some pixellation from flashes though.
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post #3 of 13
3/20/07 at 10:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackbill View Post

I'm toying with the idea of picking up an FX1... I have heard that there is a minor problem with them in terms of dealing with quick flashes of light (camera flashes tends to make them pixilate a bit). Does anybody know of anything else I should be aware of?

I would go with the HVR-Z1U instead. Although neither camera resolves more than 960 lines. Only the CineAlta line are full 2.2mp imagers. The other cameras use nearest neighbor interpolation to synthesize the 1920 pixel scanlines.
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post #4 of 13
3/21/07 at 1:26am
We found the that photo flashes can cause problems with both the Sony Z1 and A1 (pro versions of the FX1 and HC1). Its not pixelation, but rather the top or bottom half of the picture can get washed out for a frame.

To be honest, it isn't much of an issue while the footage is playing at normal speed. It's just when you freeze frame or slow down the footage that it stands out.
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post #5 of 13
3/21/07 at 3:10am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the help people. The Z1U is a nice cam but if I get this, then (sadly enough) it will be a bit of a compromise with the wife... it needs to be automated to a certain extent and I think the FX1 is a good compromise in that direction. The FX1 (from what I have heard anyway) offers full manual behavior as well as a certain amount point and shoot ability.
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post #6 of 13
3/21/07 at 4:33pm
You can place the Z1 in full auto mode if you like. There are just a lot more buttons that shouldn't be touched.

For a fairly complete comparison, have a look here:

http://www.hdvinfo.net/articles/sonyhdrfx1/compare.php
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post #7 of 13
3/21/07 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for that... It's clear that the Z1 is a better deal.... it's also more expensive! Gonna have to think about this carefully... I wasn't prepared to spend that much... but there are some nice features on the Z1 that I would use. I was thinking of selling my HC3 and put it on this new cam, but the wife wants to keep it... so the whole bill is coming out of the back pocket.
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post #8 of 13
3/21/07 at 6:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackbill View Post

I'm toying with the idea of picking up an FX1... I have heard that there is a minor problem with them in terms of dealing with quick flashes of light (camera flashes tends to make them pixilate a bit). Does anybody know of anything else I should be aware of?

The biggest problem with the FX1 (I had one) IMO is the huge size & weight. Unless you're using this thing professionally, I'd steer away from it. I and many others sold it primarily because it was just way too tiring to hold for any period of time. A tripod is a must for this unit.

Images from the much smaller Canon HV10 and even the Sony HC1 were either as sharp or sharper. My current Sony FX7 is also sharper than the FX1, but not as good in low light.
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post #9 of 13
3/21/07 at 7:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Ross View Post

The biggest problem with the FX1 (I had one) IMO is the huge size & weight. Unless you're using this thing professionally, I'd steer away from it. I and many others sold it primarily because it was just way too tiring to hold for any period of time. A tripod is a must for this unit.

Images from the much smaller Canon HV10 and even the Sony HC1 were either as sharp or sharper. My current Sony FX7 is also sharper than the FX1, but not as good in low light.

But that's just the point... I'm looking for something a bit bigger and more professional. The FX1, as you point out is a bit sharper, and the HC1's they're not making anymore, so the used models that are left out there are REALLY used. Don't get me wrong, I have ABSOLUTELY NO objections to saving a few bucks with a used model... but the mileage has to be relatively low.

The FX1 seems to be a good balance between low light, price and sharpness (from what I have gathered anyway). The Z1 sure look nice, but...

I don't know Ken... I still have some time to decide.... I don't need it for another couple of months anyway.... I'm just getting some ideas together here.... but thanks for the input.

BTW; what's the low end lux on the fx7 anyway?
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post #10 of 13
3/21/07 at 8:04pm
Keep in mind that the FX1 is quite a bit more than a 'bit bigger'. I don't think you can really appreciate how much bigger and how much heavier it is until you hold it and use it. Trust me, this thing is not for casual use and not for use without a tripod.

I think the FX7 is a better choice since it's got both better color and better sharpness. I don't recall the actual lux rating (I don't take those too seriously), but I can tell you the FX1 is a bit better than the FX7 in low light, but not enough to make a decision based soley on that. On the other hand, the FX7 is better in low light than the HC1/HC3 or HV10.
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post #11 of 13
3/22/07 at 5:38am
Thread Starter 
Well, as I said before, i'm not really concerned about the weight...it will most likely be on a tripod anyway.

The wife has decided that we ARE NOT getting rid of the HC3... she's gotten used to it and she likes the night vision feature for the nature shoots..... and I certainly have no objections to owning multiple cams!

So, in rethinking this issue... it would be great to get into multi cam shoots... have one cam on a tripod capturing the overall scene, and another hand-held getting better into the detail of the scene.... (the wife does most of the shooting while I enjoy the editing part more) and multi cam edit sounds like some great fun.

But whatever the cam... it has to be pretty good in low light.

I started looking at this whole thing mainly because I have access to a FX1 at a pretty good price.... and I'm not too sure I want to drift too far from that.
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post #12 of 13
7/29/08 at 9:05pm
I was considering the FX1 as well until I read about the Z1U. If it weren't for the price driff, I would get the Z1U.
Tonight I held both the FX1 and FX7 in my hands and the FX7 is smaller/lighter, but I found the FX1 more appealing to me because the look/feel plus the fact that it performs better in low light (so I've been told). Unless a Z1u can't be had for under 4k, I will get the FX1.
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post #13 of 13
7/30/08 at 5:34am
sony fx1 a little big i think
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