z1 or FX1

FX1: Cheaper prosumer

HDV (1080i, Cineframe 30, Cineframe 24)
SD 60i


Z1: Professional

HDV (1080i, Cineframe 30, Cineframe 24, Cineframe 25)
SD 60i, 50i
NTSC/PAL Switchable
XLR's
Added image control options


I think that about does it as far as differences go. Everything else is the same.
 
do u think u could tell the difference in image quality?

and with the fx1 and the Z1 can u change u put wide lenses on them?
 
With the exception of the different colour controls, the lenses, CCDs, and compressors are identical. For the same settings a Z1 and an FX1 will produce an identical image. The Z1 just happens to have more settings.

-Spiff
 
I went with the FX1 because i just couldnt justify the price difference for my needs, ill mess with the colors in post. the biggest difference was loss of XLR inputs for me, but a $130 adapter took care of that. you can attach wide lens adapters to both cameras.
 
I went with the FX1 for the same reasons as letsburnbridges. Of course, when I bought mine in November '05, there wasn't a Z1 available, but there was enough information out there for me to know I didn't need one.

-Spiff
 
how do you like this camera ?
Click to expand...

I love it.

Did you have problems with the MPEG2 codec when there are movements ?
Click to expand...

You have to compare what you get out of an HDV camera for the price. While the MPEG-2 does introduce artifacts at HD resolutions during high-movement scenarios, in the vast majority of these cases the artifacts are quite small (only visible at zoom levels of 300% or more on freeze frames), and when down-converted in post to SD resolutions are essentially gone, with improvements in colour space.

HDV is a consumer format - but it's a pretty darn high-end consumer format, and the vast majority of consumers would be happy with it. If you're looking to get pats on the back from pros - forget it. As a camera the FX1 is very portable, and, by merit of the 60i, very flexible for guerilla applications.

Go to the store, try it out, and look at the footage on a proper monitor. Work out all the costs involved with ownership, and compare the utility of the cameras to your shooting style. If the camera meets your needs, and you know you will be happy with it, buy one. Tomorrow, there will be a better camera, and that is always the case... but tomorrow, you could get hit by a car. So make your movie today and do the best job you can with the best tool for the job. And... if you do a good job, you won't have to justify your choice of camera to anyone - they'll be too busy enjoying the movie.

-Spiff
 
I do promo DVDs and some 30 sec TV adv.
What i liked from the footage i saw on the internet are:

The color seems much tighter than DV.
The image seems free of noise.

What are the costs involved in the ownership ?

thanks
 
What are the costs involved in the ownership ?

HDV at present requires a pretty bleeding edge system. While the operating cost is the same as DV, the cost of additional hardware and software is significant, and should be included in a breakdown of how much the footage is worth to you.

Since buying the FX1 (it being my first camera), I had to purchase a case, a tripod, additional batteries, an additional charger, additional filters, upgraded my hard drives, bought an additional monitor and upgraded my NLE to support HDV. I will probably be buying additional software support in the near future, and my later decide to upgrade my CPU, motherboard and RAM. In addition to this, there's the operating cost of DV tapes, and depending on the standard of tapes you buy, this can be pretty expensive as well (though I use cheap low-end tapes at about $6 each).

-Spiff
 
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