New Sony Camcorder Z200
- Thread starter Newsguy
- Start date
Here are some daytime shots. I wanted to shoot in the noon sun here in South Florida because it’s about as harsh as the sun can get. All S cinetone and slow mo is 4K 120.
As far as impressions, the menu system and little quirks feel like this is the FX6 camcorder. If you use an FX6 you’ll feel right at home with this camera. Also, things like the shutter speed not returning to it’s original speed when you use S&Q is in the Z200 as well. I’m used to it so I always know I have to dial it in when I return to regular speed.
Also, this camera does the AI focus thing where it detects a body. In that way it’s different from the 6. I used AF in the shot of the female paddle boarder who sits down. I noticed that instead of the little square, it created a long rectangle on her body letting you know it’s detecting her skeleton. It’s pretty cool and it locked on the whole time without fail in that shot.
Bassman2003
Veteran
Thanks for posting! Looks nice. Highlights are not too bad in the noon sun. I am sure some menu diving would offer opportunities to dial them down some more. Detail seems nice. I am not sold on S-Cinetone vs the 709 (not like709 which seems worse) from the other videos I have seen. Not sure if their gamma curves are different but since the color can be altered to taste, it might not matter after customization. There is so much in these cameras that it takes a while to settle on the best settings to get your look.
Yes, the camera is in ITU 709 by default. I’m waiting for Doug’s videos to get a good looking out-of-camera image with tweaks. You’re right, the 709 tone profile is terrible. I’m not sure exactly what the use case is. It looks very desaturated, but it also clips the highlights earlier. Definitely not a profile I would use.
Another thing I did was to map the stabilization to a user button. Any panning or tilting with even the standard stabilization enabled causes that crazy jump in the shot because it’s trying to compensate. I was hoping to be able to leave it on just for shots that are at the end of the lens, but it does have a noticeable jump when you move the camera at all.
Bassman2003
Veteran
BTW, I enjoyed your framing choices and images from the two examples. Nice job. I will be overly critical of this camera as it needs to at least equal to outperform my Panasonic PX270 & CX360 to justify the switch. I would hope that competing with 5-10 year old cameras will make it a win for the new Sony but I have seen enough product cycles to know nothing is for certain until it gets tested out. For me it is skin tone and dynamic range. I was pleasantly surprised when I switched from Canon & Lumix for still & mirrorless video to the A7sIII & A7IV so I am optimistic that the image will carry through to the camcorder. So far, your footage looks to be on the right track!
Thank you. It’s difficult to get ugly shots here by the bay. Anywhere you point the camera has something going on. We have huge iguanas around here, which I was hoping to use as a test for how close the lens could get without spooking them, but unfortunately they weren’t out.
I can’t speak for the camcorders you own, but this camera is definitely better than the HC-X2 from my testing. The e-ND is a big factor for me. It’s also sharper, even with NR set do the default medium. As far as skin tones go, it’s identical to the FX cams and Alpha cams but that’s in s cinetone. I can’t speak for rec 709 because I don’t use it on the cinema cams.
Bassman2003
Veteran
Here is a decent low light comparison with an FX6. This poster first had a version with the FX6 in high base mode but then he made one with the FX6 in low base. I would say the Z200 looked pretty decent at 33dB. Noise reduction is really the future of camera development imho. If you can nail NR, you can make images that were not possible before.
The Z200 shows more light blooming which I guess is an indicator of less dynamic range compared to the FX6. But still a good match/performance.
The Z200 shows more light blooming which I guess is an indicator of less dynamic range compared to the FX6. But still a good match/performance.
Haha, I’m the one who told him that comparing to to hi base makes no sense. I’m glad he did a lo base version, but I still think it’s nonsense to even do this since there is no comparison. You’re talking about once of the highest sensitivity sensors available vs. a 1” sensor.
Bassman2003
Veteran
I still think it is useful to see how the two cameras perform. I got what I wanted which is a single shot with changing dB values.
I guess for science. I mean as a consumer, these comparisons are useless because the user in the market for a Z200 is not looking for the FX6 and vice versa. The person comparing these 2 cams as to “which should I buy” is not a professional who understands why you’d need one or the other or both.
Bassman2003
Veteran
I would gently disagree as Sony is clearly making a family of cameras from the A7sIII to the FX series to the Z series that are designed to work well with each other. It is important to know how they compare to assign roles or just know strengths and weaknesses. I have never subscribed to the 'apples to oranges' viewpoint between cameras. I am mostly a one man band and my cameras can get used in a variety of situations but my money spends the same on all of them! I want to see them all compared to see what I am gaining or missing by spending more etc...
Ok I see where you’re coming from. In my case I have my cinema cams for certain things and my “eng” cams for others. I’ve adapted the cinema cams to do the run and fun stuff, but unfortunately there are always trade offs that way.
Bassman2003
Veteran
Disappointed that the camera does not allow the user to turn off the characters over the HDMI & SDI outputs independently. So if you need a clean feed on one output like the HDMI, you can not have preview monitor characters on in the SDI output.
For live streaming or switching setups I have come to know this is very important. My CX350 can do this and I am bummed the 5 year on Z200 can not. At least that is what B&H said in their "question" area.
For live streaming or switching setups I have come to know this is very important. My CX350 can do this and I am bummed the 5 year on Z200 can not. At least that is what B&H said in their "question" area.
Doug Jensen
Veteran
Bassman, you will be thrilled to learn that you have been misinformed by an idiot. Yes, you CAN select the overlays independently for HDMI and SDI on the Z200. I guarantee it.
Bassman2003
Veteran
Great news Doug! I really like this feature for live streaming. Especially for lacrosse where we always have a camera on a high stand. Thanks! I guess I need to start thinking about getting a loaner/rental to check out as it seems like a great camera.
Doug Jensen
Veteran
You've got some nice shots there and it makes me homesick for Florida. I'll be back by the end of the month.
The problem I see is that a lot of it is overexposed, and S-Cinetone straight out of the camera sucks. You've got to tweak it more in most to bring out the best images. Just a suggestion.
The problem I see is that a lot of it is overexposed, and S-Cinetone straight out of the camera sucks. You've got to tweak it more in most to bring out the best images. Just a suggestion.
Yeah, to be totally honest, I was hoping your masterclass would have some good straight out of camera settings. I’m shooting it this way right now for testing, but the majority of what I’ll do with this camera will likely be straight to a live u or handing the footage directly to the producer without being able to grade it.
Doug Jensen
Veteran
Me too! I'm working on it. But just like the FX6, there are barely any paint menus to work with. I think I may have come up with some good settings today. If the weather is good tomorrow I'll go out and shoot some real stuff and see how it holds up without any grading in post.
Doug Jensen
Veteran
BTW, S-Cinetone looks progressively worse the more it is over-exposed, so keeping the exposure in check is essential.