HVR-Z7U
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5
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HVR Z7U
After using this camera for a month and comparing it to the HVR V1U, for event work, I totally recommend its use.
However, the SONY manual printed and pdf on CD do NOT inform the user about the "Manual enabled" settings for exposure. This affects the cam operator in many situations ie:
TO get FULL CONTROL for backlighted scenes, the user MUST have the GAIN, SHUTTER and IRIS MANUALLY SET. If one of these parameters is NOT set manually the cam defaults to AUTO mode for that parameter and you will NOT be able to get the correct exposure. THis is NOT mentioned in the manual.
The Display button is located on the top of the camera and should be able set up using the assignable buttons, but this is not the case.
The picture in HDV on a consumer hi def screen is very clean and the WB functions are VERY easy to use and intuitive.
The newer Carl Zeiss lens with its manual and servo ring
hybrid mode make this lens very different to adjust to, but I love the options it gives me and I have not had any problems with the removeable lens as yet.
Supposedly the camera doesn't handle fluorescent light well and has a rolling shutter problem but i have not experienced this as yet either.
I am NOT fond of the removeable accessory front shoe for mounting my video key light but hopefully future versions of this camera will address some of these minor short comings.
Bang for the Buck, this camera delivers a very clean image and has good sensitivity to low light and clean audio with many pro features.
I am still evaluating the MRC 1 Flash Card unit and bought the camera specifically for this purpose.
July 2, 2009
