Reviewed by
Jennifer Boylan , Casual

Price Paid
$3000.00 at Online

Photography Experience
2-5 years , People

Summary
I love this camera! It takes really nice pictures that are clear. The camera is easy to use and really lightweight to carry around. I am so happy I bought it!

Strengths
Very clear!

Reviewed by
Eric L. , Intermediate

Price Paid
$4400.00 at Dumoulin in Montreal

Summary
The camera gives exceptionnal image clarity. It is a true HD camcorder with exceptional results in low light. If your subject is under very low intimate lighting (like 1 or 2 candles) it will require a little (I mean little)light to get acceptable results. Yes, it is a little pricey but do not doubt its HD capabilities. It is a true HD camcorder. My finely tuned Toshiba 65' rear projection television can't fool anyone. At last! You can now clearly witness the advancement of technology with this camera. It makes my Sony PC101 Mini DV camcorder seem like your grandpa's regular 8 movie camera!!
All kidding aside, you can't dispute the results. If you are a begginer but have a decent size wallet then get this one. Don't worry about the manual controls available on the unit. They are just that: available. The automatic color ajustments, aperture control, etc do not need adjusting in most situations.
The camera is larger that your conventional camcorder but I find it makes it easier to handle. Especially with the great locatin of the LCD screen and handles. No XLR audio input, but at my intermediate level, no need of any. Sound is superb (again, i'm knowledgable but not a professionnal). I thnik I got it at a 'good' price. Retails at $4999 can$ in a Sony store.

Strengths
Image quality is superb. Easy transfers to DV on your computer until HD editing software becomes available for the consumer level editor. Ease of use and understanding of the controls. Great lens giving astounding color results

Weaknesses
It's a Sony. I keep buying Sony but the service in Montreal lacks efficiency. But not to worry, I bought a 5 year warranty with Dumoulin, a reputable electronic store chain in Montreal. Shoulder strap provided is a joke! I wouldn't even trust it with my Grandpa's Regular 8 mm camera! It's insulting!

Similar Products Used
No

Customer Service
Sony customer service. Need I say more? 3/10. Just buy extended warranty if unit is bought in a reputable store.

Reviewed by
CinFX , Intermediate

Price Paid
$3800.00 at Dumoulin

Summary
I am a JVC JY-HD10 user for 1 year now. When you learn how to use that camera, it is a pretty amazing camera. Sony has learn from the errors made by JVC that we have to thanks for the first wave of HDV camcorders.

The HDR-FX1 is a AMAZING camera. DV is comparable to the PD-150 or 170. HDV is better than the JY-HD10 for a few reasons. The 1080i features gives you the ability to use that camera handheld. The JVC was intented to be treated like a 16 or 35mm camera. The use of a tripod was really recommended for that progressive mode camera. You'll have to read a bit the user manual of the Sony to fully understand it, but it is a revolution for the sony prosumer market. Top loading tapes, new LCD location, really nice viewfinder, zoom , the ability to set the speed shutter and the iris independantly ( not available on the JVC ) and a few other things. All i can say is if you have 4000$ to put on a camera, don't think twice. This is the one. I've compare on the same tape, back to back footage from JVC DV5000, JVC JY-HD10, a small 1CCD sony handycam and the HDR-FX1. In the HDV format the Sony is first ahead of the JVC. In the real competition, the DV format, the rank is:
HDR-FX1
DV5000
JY-HD10
1CCD Handycam

Save some money: Don't buy a wide angle with the FX-1. Just shoot everything in HDV 1080i and transfer it in DV ( pretty easy to do with the camera ) You'll have a great result.

Sorry for my english, i am a french speaking person

Eric Nolin
CinFX
Visual FX for TV and Movies

eric.nolin@polygame.com

Strengths
HDV is superb
DV is superb
Wide angle aspect is really acceptable for a Sony

Weaknesses
No XLR input
No HDV capture software

Similar Products Used
JVC JY-HD10