Sony EX1 in Singapore yet?

[melvinchen]

We took delivery of 2 sets of EX1 sometime in early Jan. They are available, even from late 07, but only through order. Of course you can get it through well-known resellers too, but not off-the-shelf.

There're settings in the EX1 Picture Profile that allows colour and detail calibration very similar to how we calibrate broadcast cameras and is a superb great tool.

To compare EX1 vs. Z7, Z1 or HVX is abit...unfair.

The EX1 is of a different league altogether and was not designed for wedding/small event videographers but was made for professional journalism, cinematography and high-end users.

But if you really wish to compare, the closer matches are upwards...like to compare with a XDCAM-HD PDW-F355 or something would be more meaningful and that is why its marketed as part of the XDCAM family and not a HDV/DVCAM family.

A short mini-review for those who may be thinking of buying an EX1....

Picture quality wise vs. the Z1 is like heaven and earth. ISO 700 vs ISO 160 equivalent in sensitivity, and so much cleaner and higher resolution + sharper/better lens, better processor and electronics and LCD, simply no match, plus the ability to output thru HD/SD-SDI.

vs. the HVX202, I was very impressed with the picture quality of the HVX202 but the EX1 brought it up one notch...and with familiar Sony ergonomics, I would say the EX1 is probably the best handheld ever made.

vs. the PD-150/170, totally no match. Although sensitivity is rather similar, but contrast range and latitude, the EX1 exceeds all the above, Z1/HVX/PD, beats everyone hands down on that.

Just an opinion.

 

[engr]

wow john, looks like u guys r really into the high end market! Really heavy investment in a wedding video. I think held held is a little tough right? How do u guys manage with the data offload? Direct offload to a laptop I guess? What NLE are u using?

 

[samvision]

We took delivery of 2 sets of EX1 sometime in early Jan. They are available, even from late 07, but only through order. Of course you can get it through well-known resellers too, but not off-the-shelf.

There're settings in the EX1 Picture Profile that allows colour and detail calibration very similar to how we calibrate broadcast cameras and is a superb great tool.

To compare EX1 vs. Z7, Z1 or HVX is abit...unfair.

The EX1 is of a different league altogether and was not designed for wedding/small event videographers but was made for professional journalism, cinematography and high-end users.

But if you really wish to compare, the closer matches are upwards...like to compare with a XDCAM-HD PDW-F355 or something would be more meaningful and that is why its marketed as part of the XDCAM family and not a HDV/DVCAM family.

A short mini-review for those who may be thinking of buying an EX1....

Picture quality wise vs. the Z1 is like heaven and earth. ISO 700 vs ISO 160 equivalent in sensitivity, and so much cleaner and higher resolution + sharper/better lens, better processor and electronics and LCD, simply no match, plus the ability to output thru HD/SD-SDI.

vs. the HVX202, I was very impressed with the picture quality of the HVX202 but the EX1 brought it up one notch...and with familiar Sony ergonomics, I would say the EX1 is probably the best handheld ever made.

vs. the PD-150/170, totally no match. Although sensitivity is rather similar, but contrast range and latitude, the EX1 exceeds all the above, Z1/HVX/PD, beats everyone hands down on that.

Just an opinion.

wow melvin ..good sharing...have you done any editing with fcp through the sxs card?

 

[John Tan]

The EX1 is of a different league altogether and was not designed for wedding/small event videographers but was made for professional journalism, cinematography and high-end users.

But if you really wish to compare, the closer matches are upwards...like to compare with a XDCAM-HD PDW-F355 or something would be more meaningful and that is why its marketed as part of the XDCAM family and not a HDV/DVCAM family.

Picture quality wise vs. the Z1 is like heaven and earth. ISO 700 vs ISO 160 equivalent in sensitivity, and so much cleaner and higher resolution + sharper/better lens, better processor and electronics and LCD, simply no match, plus the ability to output thru HD/SD-SDI.

vs. the HVX202, I was very impressed with the picture quality of the HVX202 but the EX1 brought it up one notch...and with familiar Sony ergonomics, I would say the EX1 is probably the best handheld ever made.

vs. the PD-150/170, totally no match. Although sensitivity is rather similar, but contrast range and latitude, the EX1 exceeds all the above, Z1/HVX/PD, beats everyone hands down on that.

Great review...agreed with u as we bought this cam 1st priority is tapeless system - for express highlight, follow by sensor size - for better image quality...although we do find some fault on this cam...zooming a bit loose...flash issue...

 

[John Tan]

wow john, looks like u guys r really into the high end market! Really heavy investment in a wedding video. I think held held is a little tough right? How do u guys manage with the data offload? Direct offload to a laptop I guess? What NLE are u using?

We use Sony XDCam for shooting, Sony Bravia for viewing, Sony VAIO AR series & Sony Vegas 8.0 Pro for editing...wow never know we support Sony so much...maybe can ask Sony to sponsor us...

 

[melvinchen]

Tried to do it throught the sXs cards, but its not really perfect yet.

It doesn't even support all the modes, only 1080/50i for file import.

On FCP, we would still have to input thru SDI for better quality.

I guess Vegas might have better support for the sXs. Wow, John is really very high-end for wedding videography....solid la.

 

[John Tan]

Tried to do it throught the sXs cards, but its not really perfect yet.

It doesn't even support all the modes, only 1080/50i for file import.

On FCP, we would still have to input thru SDI for better quality.

I guess Vegas might have better support for the sXs. Wow, John is really very high-end for wedding videography....solid la.

HI Melvin, u mean macbook pro or mac pro don't have slot for expresscard? How good is the SDI?

I'm so get used to Vegas and currently no blu ray burner from Mac, heard that FCP is great but dare not go to Mac world though I still using Ipod Touch and Iphone...we r willing to invest for passion I think...

 

[KCBox]

although we do find some fault on this cam...zooming a bit loose...flash issue...

Is say better enhance CMOS!!! would like to know what you have flash issue :think:

 

[engr]

There still r flash issues but I think it is minimised a fair bit from the days of V1. Oh nice Sony set up John.. i think the workflow is fine. U r the 2nd VG I know in SG that shoots weddings in 1920x1080 25P wor.. power! I think u now need to make some $$ to buy the 2nd EX to compliment it by charging a premium for your service


SDI output will be in 4:2:2 compared to 4:2:0 colourspace when captured directly. FCP's Pro res will handle it well. Problem is it defeats the purpose of solid state recording if time is critical. However for short films/non time critical shoots this would be the best way for top quality. Vegas has no issues as it can load mxf directly without any pre rendering like FCP. Of cse there is always the option of using Black magic/AJA to get SDI inputs.

Hey bros, If possible can post a bit of clips on Vimeo?? Been seeing a lot of clips of the EX but I really like to see some of our dark HDBs. Thks!

 

[melvinchen]

How good is SDI?

Hmmm...SDI is SDI...its true broadcast digital quality, better than DV firewire's 4:2:0. Its the minimum standard nowadays for broadcast applications.

In fact to do the full 1080/25P in FCP, you gotta do it thru HD-SDI, cause the file transfer doesn't support the HQ mode in FCP, only SP, 1080i.

Yup, as someone pointed out, you can do it thru a blackmagic or AJA.

As mentioned, flash issues' a minor thing for its intended target users, the camera was not designed to do events and weddings.