worth the switch? sony fx7 to canon xha1?

[rafikiwilliams]

just wanting to gather some opinions... im thinking about selling my fx7 and buy an xha1, its about a $600 price difference. Do you think its worth the hassle of selling and buying?

[Huy Vu]

The FX7 is a toy compared to the A1. It's a judgment of no contest.

[Evro]

FX7...? This is a handycam in a bigger body (much like that new shoulder mount 1000 model Sony released last year).

Don't be fooled by the small price difference, I'd even go as far as saying that the XH-A1 is a professional camcorder!!

If it's HDV compression you're looking for then the XH-A1 is the best you'll get under $4,000.

[flinty]

the fx-7 has a shaper picture it might not like P-ing like the canon but dont rubbish ok,the v1 better than the a1 for me.
to compare the fx-7 to the 1000 shows what some so called know alls know.
down sized bit of film here good enough for me http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TGPCY1O5 i only see sony cams being used in tv wildlife etc where i live

[Evro]

Sure you'll see lots Sony ENG cams around the place but at the front end where it all counts you'll see trusty Canon and Fujinon glass not Carl Zeis

The FX7 employs smaller 4:3 aspect 1/4" chips (where the FX1 had 1/3" CCDs) I don't see how you can seriously compare the image from this to the Canon A1's higher res 16:9 native 1/3" imagers. If the FX7 image looks better then it's probably due to in-camera electronic image sharpening and probably a slight saturation boost as do all consumer cameras to combat the effects of having a smaller imager and lower grade optics. Sony says: "It's for the advanced consumer user, if you're going to be interested in [the higher end] products, you are a professional film maker" said Sony USA spokesperson, Yolanda Hunt-Boes. (source - Camcorder Info FX7 review)

With the current state of camera technology the Canon A1 offers the best bang for buck. When the Red Scarlet is released then the tables might turn, no need to take it so personally.

[flinty]

Sure you'll see lots Sony ENG cams around the place but at the front end where it all counts you'll see trusty Canon and Fujinon glass not Carl Zeis

The FX7 employs smaller 4:3 aspect 1/4" chips (where the FX1 had 1/3" CCDs) I don't see how you can seriously compare the image from this to the Canon A1's higher res 16:9 native 1/3" imagers. If the FX7 image looks better then it's probably due to in-camera electronic image sharpening and probably a slight saturation boost as do all consumer cameras to combat the effects of having a smaller imager and lower grade optics. Sony says: "It's for the advanced consumer user, if you're going to be interested in [the higher end] products, you are a professional film maker" said Sony USA spokesperson, Yolanda Hunt-Boes. (source - Camcorder Info FX7 review)

With the current state of camera technology the Canon A1 offers the best bang for buck. When the Red Scarlet is released then the tables might turn, no need to take it so personally.

not personally but some here prefer the little hv20 picture to the a1
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=120797

and some say the little sr12 has a better image under MOST cercumstances than the fx1,it is well known exept under low light the fx7 has a better image than the fx1.you never commented on my much down scaled footage but i welcome some a1 footage to see to be blown away by as all i have ever seen in no way exeeds it.
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...118417&page=14

i think the fx-7 compares picture wise pretty good here to the a1 http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm i know you mention it ,this is from a canon financed site so a1s would be bound to come up trumps if possible with them.i film indoors very little so the lowlight performance does not bother me.

any way all the best

[Huy Vu]

Suffice it to say that it all depends on what your needs are, which the OP didn't tell us. If progressive 24fps is important to him, then the FX7 obviously won't cut it. There are just tons of great A1 and FX7 footages floating around; in the right hand any cameras can work wonder. The FX7 has one awesome feature and that's focus in red. I couldn't believe Sony actually put that feature in a sub 3k camera when it can only be found on the most expensive portable monitors. I've had a chance to try it out though, and personally didn't like the camera. If it works for other people, great, if not, then just buy something else.