Sony Z7, EX1 and EX3
- Thread starter lemontree
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engr
Senior Member
I have messed with all of em. Wat r u shooting mainly? The EX series r pretty expensive to own (batt n expensive SxS mem) but they r really capable in terms of HD and extra features like under n overcranking. Thing is they r pretty heavy n not really the best cam for run n gun. If u r doing weddings den Z7 is a better choice.
Although the Z7 is only up to HDV resolution, you still have a tape recording option and options to record in Standard Definition (DVCAM/miniDV) modes.
With the XDCAM EX series, you're limited to using SxS cards, and XDCAM mode of HD recording isn't exactly the most friendly with NLEs since it is MPEG based compression.
You will also notice that once you go tapeless, you'll have a tendency to spend a lot on hard drive storage when you start to archive more and more footage (either for yourself or your clients.) And when you have clients who want raw footage from you, you'd still have to waste precious resources and time to output back to tape for your clients if you shoot tapeless.
Price point vs functionality, I will choose to go Z7 over EX.
- Z7's F970 batteries are cheaper (& compatible with my existing gears)
- Z7's got option to record tapeless too
If it's HD quality + tapeless operations that is crucial to me, I'd opt for a DVCProHD P2 camera over the EX.
2 cents worth of opinion.
With the XDCAM EX series, you're limited to using SxS cards, and XDCAM mode of HD recording isn't exactly the most friendly with NLEs since it is MPEG based compression.
You will also notice that once you go tapeless, you'll have a tendency to spend a lot on hard drive storage when you start to archive more and more footage (either for yourself or your clients.) And when you have clients who want raw footage from you, you'd still have to waste precious resources and time to output back to tape for your clients if you shoot tapeless.
Price point vs functionality, I will choose to go Z7 over EX.
- Z7's F970 batteries are cheaper (& compatible with my existing gears)
- Z7's got option to record tapeless too
If it's HD quality + tapeless operations that is crucial to me, I'd opt for a DVCProHD P2 camera over the EX.
2 cents worth of opinion.
Anyone has comments on any of the cameras mentioned? Any experiences to share?
I'm considering a Z7 and am wondering if anyone has experiences with it.Looking forward to hear comments on them.
for event and wedding, it is best stick with ccd camcorder - z1.
For corporate or shoot under control situation, ex1 is definitely the best camera to use.
For wedding & event or oversea, when you might have to shoot for a few hours continually,
you might want to think how are you are going to back up your data.
For the last trip with ex1, i bring along one laptop and one external firewire harddisk.
need to back up into separate harddisk ...in case of theft or harddisk failure.
Ex1 is not a very friendly handheld camcorder, you might want to rent it before you buy it.
For wedding & event or oversea, when you might have to shoot for a few hours continually,
you might want to think how are you are going to back up your data.
For the last trip with ex1, i bring along one laptop and one external firewire harddisk.
need to back up into separate harddisk ...in case of theft or harddisk failure.
Ex1 is not a very friendly handheld camcorder, you might want to rent it before you buy it.
trucatus
Senior Member
If you can hold on, the Z5 is on the way. It has better lens control than Z1, if you don't need lens change, it should save you some $$$. EX is cool I have both EX1 and 3. Picture quality is so far the best comparing to Z1, Z7 and even HVX202 which I am familiar with. Lens control also very solid.
engr
Senior Member
there is a hack for the expensive SxS. We r doing trials on the solution the secret is "SDHC". That should make the EX1/3 a very attractive camera!
btw the Z5 can also work with the same Cf card writer. But the price might add up to the region of Z7 so u will have to compare the diff. I think the Z5 might make the cut due to the 20x zoom and EXMOR. We will know in a few weeks.
the secret is "SDHC". That should make the EX1/3 a very attractive camera!btw the Z5 can also work with the same Cf card writer. But the price might add up to the region of Z7 so u will have to compare the diff. I think the Z5 might make the cut due to the 20x zoom and EXMOR. We will know in a few weeks.
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there is a hack for the expensive SxS. We r doing trials on the solution
btw the Z5 can also work with the same Cf card writer. But the price might add up to the region of Z7 so u will have to compare the diff. I think the Z5 might make the cut due to the 20x zoom and EXMOR. We will know in a few weeks.
Most SDHC expresscard34 adaptors connects up by USB connection.
ie. Once plugged into your expresscard on your computer, the PCI bus reads it as a USB device.
If this happens, it is very highly unlikely that the EX1 or EX3 will recognise the card as a valid SxS card even if you have a fast SDHC.....unless you can find an expresscard34 that uses the card reading function as a native expresscard interface.
Moreover, the SxS may be like the P2 where the memory modules inside is actually in a RAID0 configuration....if that's the case, it's even highly unlikely that the SDHC card solution via an expresscard34 adaptor will work.
Nevertheless, do keep us updated on your findings and experiments.
:thumbsup:
Anyone has comments on any of the cameras mentioned? Any experiences to share?
I'm considering a Z7 and am wondering if anyone has experiences with it.
Hi there
Z7 is HDV series SONY Video Camera
while EX1, EX3 is XDCAM EX Series Video camera
You can not compare different varient in this way.
Regards
Desai
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jaegersing
Deregistered
Don't see why not. You can compare anything really, even apples and oranges. So comparing different video cams should be possible, especially when they are not too far apart in terms of pricing.
Anyway, if there is confusion about all the different variants available I think you have to "thank" Sony for that. They've released so many different cams recently that seem to be aimed at very similar markets, so if customers are wondering what's going on it's hardly surprising.
alternus
Member
I'll recommend the Z7. I've been using 2 of them for the past 6 mths for weddings. Low light shots are comparable to the VX and PDs, and much better then my old FX1s.
But I do not go beyond 15dB. Anyway, I do not use videolights on my camera.
The greatest benefit is the tapeless recording. If I do not use concurrent tape and CF recording, the CF footages are 100% clean. No artifacts, no dropped frames. And the recording is instant when you press the button. And the high speed transfer helps with my same-day-edits tremendously. Now I have my 6-7hrs of recording transferred to my PC on the same day!
When i calculate the savings in tape, its worth it (for videographers who use only 2-3 tapes per wedding, maybe not so). Anyway, 32Gb CFs are cheap at $150 each. 2.5 hrs recording.
Weight dsitribution is really good too (compared to my FX1s which are too light and back heavy). if you grab the hand bar on the top lightly with the LCD opened out, the camera is horizontally balanced (you can verify this with the balancing meter on the LCD). As the lens now makes it front heavy, the camera is very stable if I do short hand-held moving shots by hold the handle bar with your right hand, and the lens hood with your left. Such shots were very shaky with my FX1s as their CG were at the back of the camera.
Main drawback is also the weight. I've not really heard of anyone using the Merlin with the Z7 (altho I've heard of the Merlin with the EX1!). I've been using the Glidecam 4000 (hand held)with my Z7s for weddings. Because of the design of the Glidecam, i guess no average guy can sustain more than 3 mins. My longest is about 2 mins plus? Its about wrist strength, not bicep strength. I'll see how I can modify the Merlin to balance my Z7 when my Merlin comes in a few day's time...
But I do not go beyond 15dB. Anyway, I do not use videolights on my camera.
The greatest benefit is the tapeless recording. If I do not use concurrent tape and CF recording, the CF footages are 100% clean. No artifacts, no dropped frames. And the recording is instant when you press the button. And the high speed transfer helps with my same-day-edits tremendously. Now I have my 6-7hrs of recording transferred to my PC on the same day!
When i calculate the savings in tape, its worth it (for videographers who use only 2-3 tapes per wedding, maybe not so). Anyway, 32Gb CFs are cheap at $150 each. 2.5 hrs recording.
Weight dsitribution is really good too (compared to my FX1s which are too light and back heavy). if you grab the hand bar on the top lightly with the LCD opened out, the camera is horizontally balanced (you can verify this with the balancing meter on the LCD). As the lens now makes it front heavy, the camera is very stable if I do short hand-held moving shots by hold the handle bar with your right hand, and the lens hood with your left. Such shots were very shaky with my FX1s as their CG were at the back of the camera.
Main drawback is also the weight. I've not really heard of anyone using the Merlin with the Z7 (altho I've heard of the Merlin with the EX1!). I've been using the Glidecam 4000 (hand held)with my Z7s for weddings. Because of the design of the Glidecam, i guess no average guy can sustain more than 3 mins. My longest is about 2 mins plus? Its about wrist strength, not bicep strength. I'll see how I can modify the Merlin to balance my Z7 when my Merlin comes in a few day's time...
Z7 is good, but I have problem dealing with the restaurant march-in when so many cameras are flashing away. Using time-mapping in after effect is not a workable solution.
May I ask how do you go about handling this?
You can opt for the metal gimbal upgrade that comes with additional counter weights.
Technically you can still use your regular gimbal with additional weights, but the question is how reliable is the plastic gimbal for balance.
For most of my steadicam shots, I am using my Z1 for it, and it's always at the weight limit...the drawbacks of overloading the Merlin is not good...I get lots of vibration issues..
Let me know if you managed to balance up your Z7 on the merlin. :thumbsup:
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