Canon EOS Rebel T4i Digital SLR Camera Body & EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens with 55-250mm IS Lens + 3

After paying nearly $1000 for the Camera and kit, one of the batteries is dead and I need to get a replacement. I did not know it was dead until the primary battery was discharged and I went to use the backup. It is dead and won't hold a charge.

I contacted Amazon and they have to contact the seller and request a new battery. So my rating will change to 5 stars if they replace the battery with no hassle. If there is a lot of paperwork hassle, then my rating will reflect my displeasure.

Right now a rating of 3 seems correct for a kit that has a bad component.

I brought this camera for my son for his 21st birthday. He absolutely loves it. He takes so many pictures and he can't put the camera down. He takes the camera every where he goes. I would definitely recommend this camera to family, friends and anyone who is asking to buy a camera.

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Perfect! I am really satisfied with that order and everything! What else can I say..... Keep on the good job!

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Zacuto ZicroMount III (with Optional Camera Pin and 1/4 20 inch Screw)

1 star off for price and another 1 off because the little black arm hinges on this don't stay in place when I mount things to this. A little disappointing for such an expensive product. Should be close to perfect for that price. Zacuto does make some nice (but pricey) mounting gear, this piece just seems like a slightly weak link in their product line.

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VariZoom VZ-TFT7U Ultimate Monitor Kit with 7-Inch 16:9 Monitor, 702M Battery Kit, Case, Shoemount,

I purchased the VariZoom Ultimate Kit expecting to be able to use it with my SONY HDV camera. I think that the case and all of the parts are built very well, and very solid. There is no problem with the design of the product. It was easy to set up, and it works. The problem is that the resolution is very poor. The resolution is so poor that you cannot really tell if you are in focus, so you still have to use the viewfinder for focus, which defeats the purpose of having a 7" LCD on the top of the camera.

If you need a 7" battery operated LCD for setting up a video capture station in the field, or if you simply need to check framing, then I think it will be fine. But I would not plan to replace your viewfinder with this product. For the same money you can purchase a 20" HDTV to use as a field monitor.

This is an interesting monitor. I had some issues with the issue at hand, and some difficulty with the part that was difficult, but all in all, it allowed me to see things. It is clear and light weight, which is good. I like it. I recommend it. and it is fun, too.

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This is your monitor if you need compose shots and are on a budget. Not the best but it will work for your needs. Battery lasts fairly long but might be a good idea to buy a backup.

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Fujifilm MX2900 2.3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

Before I buy anything, I do lots of research. I did my homework on this camera and am greatly satisfied by the results. I am amazed at all the useful features. The 3X optical zoom and the 1800X1200 resolution of the pictures make it one of the few great cameras in its price range. The ability to shoot pictures using the manual as well as the automatic mode, make it an excellent camera for the person who has been using traditional SLRs and wants to move into the digital age. The quality of the color in the photos is brilliant and nearly exactly like natural colors. When I print 8X10 photos, the pictures have sharp resolution. I use a USB SmartMedia card reader. I am able to download the pictures to my PC in literally seconds. With a 32 meg. SmartMedia card, I can store 36 photos shooting at 1800X1200 resolution. This is my second digital still camera in two years and I am greatly satisfied with it. I have recommended it to three friends who also now own the camera and love using it.

I've had my MX2900 for about 3 weeks now and I love it! It's easy to use and takes great photos at high resolution and low resolution. The optical zoom is great. I can't believe how clear it is. There aren't many camera's out there in this price range that have the features this camera packs. One of the main things I like about it is all the manual options it gives you. If you like to play with shutter speed and lighting, this camera is for you! It also has great special effects built in too.

The only downside I've noticed to this camera is the serial connection for downloading your pics. This can be fixed by buying a USB card reader. It would have been nice if they had thrown in a 16mb smartcard too. Don't let these little problems keep you away from this camera.

All in all, I'd say I'm a very satisfied Fuji owner.

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Being a stickler for value, flexibility, operating costs, and above all appearance and ease, I admit this camera has it all. My first digital camera, carefully selected after months of research on C/net, auction sites, consumer reviews, amazon reviews, I am so happy that I chose the Fuji MX 2900. I have seen cameras from Olympus and Sony, but they couldn't come up to my expectations.

The three reasons why I concluded with a 4-star rating is: 1) The lens cap w/strap is a bad idea. It really is a problem putting it back on the lens after you have switched off the power. 2) The LCD screen is quite dim when composing shots. However, the actual shots are amazingly clear. 3) The Serial port is S L O W. Buy a SanDisk USB card reader for under $40 from anywhere.

By the way, the included 8MB Card is good enough for an occasional photographer. It can take 141 standard, 89 normal, 17 Fine, and 2 Hi quality shots. I took 17 fine shots at the fist go and they are incredible for potraits. Now, I am sticking to normal quality.

Also, the in-built flash is sufficient for most purposes, and I don't agree investing in an external flash unit at this time.

I am still experimenting with the manual operation. So far I am already amazed with the Auto mode.Finally, the quality of color reproduction is probably the best in class.

Way to go...FUJI.!!

Read Best Reviews of Fujifilm MX2900 2.3MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom Here

This is my second digital camera. I bought it because it has a lot of manual controls that my first camera, Agfa CL50, doesn't have. Fuji introduced this canera near the end of 1999 so its price has dropped quite a bit since then. I really like its design. The hand grid and the solid metal feel make it so comfortable in my hand. Built in hot shoe is a big plus that I can attach an external flash light. It has a 2.4 mega pixels CCD which is more than enough for my use. Image quality is good and nicely exposed. It has a full control of all shutter speeds but only two settings for aperture (4 and 8) which is the only thing I disappointed. And that's why I give it a four instead of five stars. Anyway it is a very nicely built camera in a very attractive price. All control buttons are in good positions. Oh, lastly the rechargeable battery last for quite a while after a full charge. Except it is quite pricy!

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I love the camera. The zoom works easily and the optical viewfinder means I never have the battery run down during a day of shooting. But...Fuji uses an odd TIFF file system when taking umcompressed photos and regular software won't read the file. You have to use the Fuji software and convert the file to JPEG. Their software is not user-friendly. Fortunately, I rarely take TIFF images. The JPEG images at the 1 megabyte level are fine for anything but portrait work. Excellent construciton and excellent color rendition. I've used the camera for a year and will soon upgrade to a 5 megapixel unit, keeping this as a second camera. One really irritating thing: The "close-up" setting does not go back to default when the camera is turned off, which can ruin a lot of pictures if you're not careful to turn the "close-up" off when done taking close-ups.

With that exception, the controls are easy to operate and the camera has served me well.

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Sony HDR-PJ790V High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black)

Sony HDR-PJ790V Camcorder

My feelings on this camcorder range from slightly maddening to outstanding. After all is said and done I would guess most folks will either like this camcorder or love it, depending on what is important to you. For my usage, an overall score of four stars is probably accurate.

Also keep in mind that the "support landscape" for these newer models seems to change daily, so some of what is included below may be obsolete by the time you read this.

The "eye-brow-raising" or maddening aspects of the HDR-PJ790V for me, in no particular order:

GENERAL FEEL

--------------------

The "steady-shot" technology means the "guts" of the camcorder "float" inside the housing. Literally. When you first take this thing out of the box, I will almost guarantee your first impression will be "something broke off inside during shipping". It was so bad that I sent back the first one I received since there is no way IMO any manufacturer would send something like that out to consumers. The "guts" of the camera literally shook and bounced around when you picked it up. The second unit I received had much less "internals shaking around" feeling, but still the overall effect is disconcerting. Once you power up the camera, everything feels solid but of course you won't know this until you get a battery charged up.

I still cannot get over that Sony could not find a solution to this before shipping this camcorder. Or at least post a warning sticker that states "the insides are not broken, things are supposed to bounce around when you pick this camera up and before you power it on".

PORTS AND CABLES

--------------------------

For 2013, Sony moved a bunch of functions to the Multi-A/V port on several of their camcorders and eliminated other ports (like the LANC/remote port). Hmmm. Unfortunately, if you read the "what's in the box" literature it is stated an "A/V cable" is included a cable which one would assume (well, at least I did) allows use of the multi-port for at least A/V output (i.e., RCA video/audio connectors). The manual however tells you this type of cable is sold separately. And it was not even available when I bought my unit.

NOTE:

As of this writing Sony makes two additional multi-port cables, both of which became available after I purchased my HDR-PJ790V.

The VMCAVM1 cable, which connects to the multi-port and ends in a female "D connector", into which you can plug Sony accessories such as the RM-AV2 Remote Commander, the GP-AVT1 Mini Grip or the Sony remote control tripods.

The VMC15MR2 HandyCam A/V cable also connects to the multi-port and terminates in three RCA connectors (video and audio). There are older style cables available that go from the D connector to RCA and S-Video out, if you are so inclined.

Since the multi-port controls all of these functions, why not a cable that would allow use of the A/V and remote capabilities simultaneously? Surely that is not too much to ask from Sony? Heck, my five-year old Canon camcorder can do that with two cables. StudioOneProductions does produce a cable for Sony camcorders that has RCA and LANC outputs from a male Sony "D connector", so if you have the VMCAVM1 you can use this cable pair to connect a remote and simultaneously burn a DVD (external burner) while recording with this camcorder.

Of course I'm not thrilled to spend another $50-$100 on cables to access functions of a $1500 camcorder.

So there is no longer an "A/V", remote or LANC port on these camcorders (remote functions are now controlled by three pins from the multi-port). However, having LANC/remote control is very important to me, so shame on me for not making sure there was "included" access to the LANC function before buying this camcorder. And I have to say, calling Sony tech support to get any of this info was an exercise in comedic futility you would have thought I was describing an alien space landing when talking to these folks. They (several employees) had no idea what the LANC/remote functions/ports/cables were, or what in the world they possibly could have to do with camcorders. Anyways, enough said on the multi-port subject. That area is obviously a work in progress for Sony.

QR PLATES

---------------

I use Manfrotto video heads and thus use the Manfrotto 501PL QR plates on my video cameras. When this plate is mounted on the HDR-PJ790V, you no longer have access to the battery release button. This is a minor PITA when filming (I have a have a few of the NP-FV100 batteries so it is not a huge problem as I rarely have to swap batteries). But this does mean that unless you modify a 501PL plate (I will load a pic of how I modified a plate), you can't mount it and leave it on the camcorder. Just realize there is not a ton of room for your favorite QR plate and it may interfere with the battery release button.

ONBOARD MICROPHONE

---------------------------------

Having the onboard microphone jut out from the body does help with the audio quality from this unit. Two things however first, the lens shroud (if you choose to use it) blocks the mic from most sounds in front and "down" from the camera. Secondly, due to the amount this mic projects from the main "HandyCam" body none (or none that I have found) of the bags or pouches made to "snugly" fit the generic "HandyCam" dimensions will house this camcorder. Even the bags that Sony itself sells and labels as "compatible" with this camcorder will not work, as they can't clear the mic. So plan on getting something bigger than the standard "HandyCam" bag.

RECORDING MODES

---------------------------

Sure, the manual (and BTW this is about the skimpiest manual I have seen in a long time) flatly tells you how to choose "PS", "FX", or "FH/HQ/LP" recording mode. Ummm, OK. But you'll have to unbury page 60 of the manual to find (NTSC):

**** NOTE: I recently discovered a real, newer, actual manual available in pdf form on the Sony website. I have not read every bit of it yet. Navigate through the Sony support site and enter the model number. The manual that came with my camcorder is now woefully obsolete!

AVCHD FX (24Mbps) 1920x1080/60i

AVCHD FH (17Mbps) 1920x-1080/60i

AVCHD HQ (9Mbps) 1440x1080/60i

AVCHD LP (5Mbps) 1440x1080/60i

AVCHD FX (24Mbps) 1920x1080/24p

AVCHD FH (17Mbps) 1920x1080/24p

AVCHD FX (24Mbps) 1920x1080/30p

AVCHD FH (17Mbps) 1920x1080/30p

AVCHD FX (24Mbps) 1280x720/60p

AVCHD FH (17Mbps) 1280x720/60p

MPEG2 SD HQ (9Mbps) 720x480/60i

MPEG2 SD HQ (9Mbps) 720x480/60i (24p Scan)

MPEG2 SD HQ (9Mbps) 720x480/60i (30p Scan)

(you can then choose HD, MP4 or STD, with restrictions on what goes with what).

HD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD)

SD: MPEG-2 PS

CARDS AND FORMATTING

-----------------------------------

Sony specs for this camcorder state anything Class 4 or faster for SD cards, no stated restrictions on size. I have tried three different SD cards:

WILL NOT FORMAT:

Transcend Class 10 SDXC 64Gb card (TS64GSDXC10E), but of course my four year old low-end Canon Powershot camera has no trouble handling this card.

WILL FORMAT:

SanDisk Ultra 64 GB SDXC Class 10 Flash Memory Card 30MB/s (SDSDU-064G-U46)

Sony 32GB SDHC/SDXC Class 10 UHS-1 R40 Memory Card (SF32UY/TQMN)

ON TO THE GOOD STUFF

---------------------------------

That's about it for the downsides I have bumped into so far. I can sum up a lot of the above with the notion that Sony rushed this camcorder to market, since given time almost all of the above is very likely to be addressed or is being addressed already.

If none of the above matters to you, you will probably love this camcorder.

The form factor, as with just about all HandyCams, is great. When you open the display the unit turns on, another nice convenience. Power-on is not instant but it's not too bad. The Carl Zeiss lens is superb as far as I have judged. Optical zoom is sufficient for my needs.

FEATURES

---------------

Video, color saturation, autofocus and "steady shot" are all superb. I have found the Intelligent Auto function to work fairly well, in that the camcorder "senses" the scene you are shooting and selects the scene mode accordingly (the default for this setting is "on"). There is also a "Low Lux" mode where you can override (brighten) the scene mode that the camcorder selected.

You can set the customizable manual dial to control focus/exposure/IRIS/shutter speed/AE shift/white balance shift. Would have liked it to be able to turn "Low Lux" on and off. Some intelligence is built-in there as well (i.e., if you set exposure after AE shift then exposure will override AE shift).

There are other funky features (like "Smile Shutter" which automatically takes a picture when it senses someone in the video smiling). These things are way down the list of importance for me but you may make good use of them.

LCD / TOUCH SCREEN / MENUS:

------------------------------------------

The LCD monitor is vivid and sharp. Sun glare can be a big problem, but this screen is better in that regard than my older Canon. With fingers my size, touch screens and mini-controller buttons are generally a PITA for me to use. While I seem to have less "do-overs" with this touch screen than many others, I still have to repeat every second or third touch to get the function I am trying for. One nice ergonomic feature is you don't have to land your fingertip on a tiny dot of an icon most functions have the "touch" section going across the screen so you can hit it in several places.

I am not buried in the menu system a ton anyways, other than card formatting and changing video specs. So overall this is not an issue for me and I would certainly rate the touch screen as "good enough". The menu system is not too cumbersome and remembers where you last left off. Otherwise it is pretty standard fare.

BUILT-IN PROJECTOR, TAKING PICTURES WITH THIS CAMCORDER, PLAYMEMORIES SOFTWARE:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have not used the projector and have only taken one test photo, I will come back and post notes when I use these functions a bit more. I am a Mac person and have not looked into the Sony software at all as of yet, so I can't comment on the Windows PlayMemories (although I may load it in Parallels one of these days). I use Adobe Premiere Pro as my NLE and it works with these files just fine.

BUILT-IN GPS:

-------------------

The GPS function works fine when you are outdoors (near a window does not count as outdoors). Found my locations accurately. See the newer manual for usage this is a nice-to-have feature for me but I could live without it.

OPTIONAL WI-FI:

-----------------------

I ordered the Wi-Fi unit due to the included remote only working from the front of the camera. Why no manufacturers seem to think you will be behind the camera and want to use a remote is beyond me. The Wi-Fi unit is tiny and allows a smart phone to be used as a remote. You will need to load the Sony PlayMemories Mobile app for your phone (as of this writing, this app has fairly bad reviews). Then you enter the menu system on the camcorder, scroll a bit in the "Camera/Mic" section until you find "Control with Smartphone" (this selection only appears when the Wi-Fi adaptor is connected). That fires up the Wi-Fi connection (you'll have to navigate to the connection on your phone and enter the password shown on the camcorder). Once the connection is set and your phone Wi-Fi network is set to the camcorder, you are good to go.

The camera LCD stays on the menu screen and shows "Being controlled by smartphone...". So your LCD/viewfinder is now your smartphone. The allowable functions are pretty basic with this camcorder, for movie mode you can zoom, start and stop recording (other camcorder models get more options in the app). A few more options for photo mode. Response is 2-5 seconds from hitting "record" to the recording actually starting up.

I would say if most of your remote needs are met by using the included remote from the front of the camera, then the optional Wi-Fi with the current state of the mobile app is a waste of money. But if you want to start the camcorder from a distance and from behind to catch that squirrel in the act of stealing the birdfeed for instance, then the Wi-Fi is the way to go.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

---------------------------------

I like this camcorder even though it forces me to work around its limitations a bit, or the limitations of Sony as a company (i.e., not having cables or detailed manual information available when product released to market). Some features or optional features sound great (Wi-Fi), but in practice seem not that ready for prime time.

The end result of actually videotaping which is what a camcorder is meant to do after all results in files that are easy to work with in just about any NLE and have great detail and color saturation.

I suppose every generation is spoiled by really cool electronics, and at my age I am still amazed at the quality products being produced in small footprints, this camcorder included. I do think this one was rushed to market but already see signs (new manual, new cables) that Sony is willing and able to play catch up.

This will be a fantastic camcorder when Sony addresses the above issues and if and when the price drops a few hundred $. For now it's four stars from me.

I am a long term Canon user and my current stable of camcorders includes a HV20 and HV40 both of which I prize for their extensive manual controls, their HDV recording, and the use of tape which acts as an natural archival mechanism.

The PJ790V was an exciting departure from my normal routine, and I used it exclusively on a recent trip to St Louis, MO to watch my son's high school robotics team compete at the Robotics World Championships. Over 3 exciting and exhausting days, I put this camcorder through its paces.

Here are my thoughts.

###############

This is easily one of the most comprehensive camcorders I have ever come across in over 25 years of videography.

In an embarrassing abundance of riches it combines:

1] an astounding amount of internal memory (96 GB. Really.)

While the jaw-dropping 36 hours recording time is only achievable on the lowest quality setting; even at full 60p HD you get a still-awesome 7 hours. See below for notes on Recording Modes.

2] a wide and fast Zeiss 10x zoom lens (26-260 mm/F1.8-3.4)

3] mind blowing optical image stabilization technology. At the Robotics World Championships, I shot hand-held, indoors, at full zoom from the nosebleed section of the Edward Jones dome and the images were still spectacular, with hardly any camera shake (except for wild pans in my excitement.) Check out footage in the first comment below this review. This is unbelievable OIS quality.

4] built in 100" projector(imagine that!) with a 1.6' throw distance and WVGA resolution (854x480)

5] a microphone separated from its body to avoid the camera noise that plagued my HV20

6] Navteq-supplied GPS for most places you are likely to visit including North America, Europe, Japan, and Oceania. Unfortunately, it does not do navigation, traffic, or weather :)

7] PlayMemories Home software lets you trim, split, and combine videos; grab frames for stills; and to share your creation. I found it to be a very intuitive video organizer/editor and great for when you can't be bothered to load up a full editor.

Some minor quibbles:

##############

1] The touch screen takes some pressure to register. I initially thought I had a bad touch screen!

2] The zoom rocker has a perceptible delay when the camera is first turned on, which is distracting when you need to get going quickly at a sporting event.

Conclusion:

########

This is one of those cameras that you can simply start using, right out of the box. It is that intuitive. I was blown away by its SteadyShot system the image stabilization is truly best in class. When you view the clip in the comment below, remember that this was shot by a tired and excited parent, whooping like a kid, in indoor stadium lighting, often at full zoom. The focus is sharp, the images are clean, and the microphone clearly captures the videographer's very vocal enthusiasm. At its highest PS video quality (see Recording Modes section below), you get stunning video that needs to be seen to be believed.

Add in its clear and bright LCD that I could easily use even in bright daylight; elegant design touches such as the USB cable integrated into its hand grip; the attention getting lens hood; and reasonable power consumption (even the tiny NP-FV50 lasted me an entire day), and you have a winning performer.

I'm more conflicted by the presence of the GPS and projector features that are great attention grabbers, but ones that I'll probably never ever use.

Happy Memories!

~Damodar

Must have accessories:

###############

1] The NP-FV50 needs help especially if you are on vacation. Check out the NP-FV70 or NP-FV100 instead.

2] BC-TRV charger I hate to leave camcorder charging overnight so this travel charger is very handy.

3] VMCUAM2 USB adapter cable lets you back up your videos to an external hard drive without needing a computer

Recording modes:

############

Sony uses video quality abbreviations PS, FX, FH, HQ, and LP that I'm clarifying for others who may be as confused as I was:

There are 4 aspects to recording video bit rate (the number of bits captured per second, in Mbps), the number of pixels in each video frame (full HD 1920x1080, or 1440x1080), frame rate (the number of frames recorded per second), and whether these frames are interlaced or progressive (whether each frame is captured in full, or whether the odd rows and even rows are captured separately.)

For highest quality capture: pick the highest bit rate, the highest number of pixels in each frame, the highest frame rate, and use progressive mode.

For the HDR-PJ790V this is [PS] quality up to 28 Mbps, 1920x1080 resolution, 60 frames per second, progressive.

The downside? All those bits take up a lot of disk space, reducing available recording time. Switching to FX or below, causes more aggressive compression that can cause compression artifacts in fast moving scenes.

My advice: stay at PS. Why compromise on quality? Just pack a external drive, and clean up space as you go.

Now, I'm done :)

Postscript: And, the East Ridge Robotics Ominous RaptorS? They ranked 20 out of 100 teams in their division (Newton). The kids had a great learning experience and the parents cheered themselves hoarse. What could be more fun! Next stop for the team the MN state championships in May!

Buy Sony HDR-PJ790V High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) Now

Pros: Fantastic Quality, Anti-Shake Technology, Great Sound Quality, Projector on camera

Cons: Touch Screen

I've only had this camera for a day or two but so far I just love it. The quality is the best I've seen in a while, really easy to use too. The projector is great and one of the best qualitys is the anti-shake feature in the camera. The camera basically floats inside of it and makes for a much smoother filming experience. The only problem I have is that it has a touch screen. Not that big of a deal but it often takes multiple taps for it to actually register.(hide)

Read Best Reviews of Sony HDR-PJ790V High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) Here

Lucky in my usual "jinx" sort of way.....Just bought myself a brand spanking new Canon VIXIA HF-M500 HD Camcorder with every option I could find for it here at Amazon. But hey, I am not complaining to get to try this Sony. I almost actually bought a much cheaper Sony model instead of my Canon. But I have to admit up front that we have had HORRIBLE luck with Sony "quality". 3 PS3 units (2 failed in 14 months) and a new 55" LCD HD TV that died with less than 400 hours (yes HOURS!) on it but it was just 2 weeks after the 1 year warranty & Sony told us to pound sand. So I no longer spend MY money on anything Sony. But to try this free of charge was like a gift from God, nothing less. (For the record I also use expensive surge protection on all of our electronics even though we live in sunny southern California).

I want to get to this right away. I give this 4 out of 5 stars and will adjust up OR down as time & experience (reliability!) dictate. I am no camcorder expert like so many who write reviews that make me dizzy when I read them. I am a point & shoot old "phart" but one who loves and appreciates nice video. I just don't want to have to go back to school to accomplish that. I have to say that my new Canon simply blows me away, and for the price I got it for on sale, STILL find it the super deal of my life (if you have to pay). I never much needed the manual to figure it out. I pointed, shot and got no less than stunning video. I also for the first time ever, finally became aware (with the Canon) just how much more stunning your video looks if you take the time to connect it to your TV to enjoy as opposed to looking at it on one of your computers. I had NO idea what I was missing. I was thrilled to have a 1/3" CMOS that blew my socks off when watching my videos on the TV.

But there was a problem, and one that I always have no matter how much I spend. Shake, jitters, bouncy video caused by me being an old goat with less than steady hands, and lately, by my latest new car, my Fiat 500C. I LOVE my Fiat convertible, bought it to try to get me off motorcycles. But it will beat you to death, plus I have done lots of mods to it so it is not a car to relax in. The videos on my Canon were simply useless, abysmal if not worse....This is where this Sony will simply blow you away.

I took the same route (driving along the local beach) with both cameras and you can actually watch the video taken on this Sony without throwing up in the process. No it is NOT perfect but it is night & day better than my new Canon or ANY of my current 5 camcorders. Simply in a league of it's own. Image quality.....I call it a tie, in fact the Canon just MAY be a bit nicer still even though it has a 1/3" CMOS and this Sony has a 1/2" CMOS (as I best understand it)? Whatever is going on, I love BOTH so much I can hardly contain myself when watching. But the Sony makes me able to use it with my new dash mount I just got here at Amazon, the ARKON CMP212 Friction Dash and Windshield Mount for Cameras with 1/4 20 Screw Thread. Even though it was useless in my Fiat with my Canon, it is wonderful with this Sony.

Low light or indoors. It is sort of a wash between the 2 except you need to know something Sony will NOT tell you. The Sony low light is only good for a maximum of 10 feet.....so be aware of that before diving into a somewhat lofty promise. My Canon seems to do about as well in low light all around. But not talking about with the light OUT, at night? In other words, inside my home during normal daylight hours, I prefer this Sony, same at night with just indoor lamps lit normally. The Sony just seems (to me) to have warmer color and I am a severe Canon fan so it pains me to say this. But it is the truth so there it is.

Again, I just can't compete with all the expert power users out there that would normally spend the kind of money this camera costs, and give you the science on this beauty. Best I can do (to be honest) is judge it by what I have experienced with it and how I use a camcorder. I DID have to read the manual to use this, to figure out how to use the included USB cable which is a WEIRD setup by the way! You have to disconnect a cable in the strap you hold the camera with and connect a bizarre supplied cable into that, then into your computer....WEIRD to me anyway. Then be prepared to download a proprietary Sony program called "Play Memories Home" and jump through some extra hoops to transfer your movies if you film using their massive and WONDERFULLY included/built in 96 GIG SSD memory. I still think I am going to faint when I film and never even DENT my memory! It makes any & all hoops well worth my effort but I bitch about nearly everything (per my wife) so why stop now? I have simply never felt so relaxed using a camera knowing I will NEVER run low on drive space. I almost blush when inserting my now skimpy SanDisk Extreme 32 GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card 45MB/s SDSDX-032G-AFFP I bought for my new Canon...It really is Heaven.

I guess everyone already knows by now you have to buy optional Sony parts to use the WIFI? But I would rather use the supplied cable and not waste all the time WIFI takes crawling my data back & forth so I could care less, I won't be wasting my money there. I WILL however be ordering the following today:

-Wasabi Power Battery (2-Pack) and Charger for Sony NP-FV100.

Bought the same for my Canon and it is an AMAZING DEAL/STEAL. This camera is a LOT heavier than my Canon or others and I like that. Like that a LOT since it makes shooting (for me anyway) more stable. But the camera is also much larger (which I also like) but I was afraid it may not fit in the new bag I just bought here also. But it does but barely. I recommend the Canon 2400 SLR Gadget Bag for EOS SLR Cameras since it just makes it and still has room for my other cameras and my Canon camcorder which I will now be selling if this doesn't absolutely burst into flames:-)

The included remote is still mystifying me....It seems counter intuitive compared to my Canon and I have yet to master it. In addition, it ONLY seems to respond for ME if the camera is facing ME? So useless when using it to begin recording while driving. Then sometimes it works either way so will see how that turns out with time. On the projector? Well if in a darkened room I guess it is "OK"? I would NEVER pay any premium for it out of my own pocket however. NEVER...I just find it to be a novelty (for MY use) at best but then again, this is after viewing drop dead GORGEOUS movies direct to my HD big screen TV. I mean, after that? I would move Heaven AND Earth to only view my movies that way from now on. It is equal to Blu-Ray to me anyway. Simply knocks my socks off. As a result I only want to watch my movies in a way that showcases 100% of what this camera can do. Why spend this much money to watch in any inferior way?

So, would I spend $1600.00 of my own money for this? Well after using it to try out, I would IF I wasn't living on a tiny pension and I would wait for the inevitable price drop once some time has passed. I have to admit right up front however....I have NEVER had my aged old hands on ANY camera or camcorder this nice, EVER. It feels like a million bucks, looks like a million bucks, sounds like a million bucks. I am not equipped like many who spend this kind of money to write an eloquent review worthy of this perhaps, but I CAN say I feel like the luckiest man alive, EVER to have been allowed to test & review this. I am grateful beyond words. I will add to and modify this as time & experience happens. I am a harsh critic when it comes to Sony given my experiences. If this Camera holds up, it WILL go to 5 stars. Given it's price, if it fails as horribly as my past high end Sony products, it will go to a MINUS 5 stars. I won't lie, won't be bribed, even for "free". But this camcorder seems to be simply an amazing piece of equipment. Sure hope it turns out to be. I LOVE this thing.

UPDATE April 27 2013:

I just completed an exact road test of this to compare with my Canon VIXIA HF M500. Took the exact road etc and there is simply NO comparison of this camcorder to ANY other camcorder made prior on image stabilization. NONE! My Fiat 500 Convertible will rearrange your spine worse than most of my motorcycles...It is a modified car and harsh to drive but I like it that way. I just got home and looked at the raw video to compare to all my other cameras and camcorders. I simply can not believe this system that makes my video smooth when the road is so bad you can hear my car keys endlessly slapping against my dash! Yet you look at this video on the screen and the car looks as if it is "floating" along on some kind of cloud....This camera is simply a staggering piece of equipment and I am doing something I just never do. I am changing my review from 4 to 5 stars until it does something to deserve otherwise. If I had ever known there would be something that could perform like this I would simply borrow the money or finance to own it. It is that good. I am in the process of uploading the video comparison to my YouTube page. If you do a search on mikecartwrightsurfs at youtube you should find it in a few hours. For the record, ANY video looks like crap on YouTube compared to watching direct to your HD TV. But the proof of just how remarkable the image stabilization works on this is crystal clear, even online. If this camcorder doesn't burst into flames or fail in some horrific way, Sony has just EARNED me back as a customer. I had been a lifelong customer with them until so many failures as described above. The performance of this latest camcorder is just astounding and the ONLY camera on the market that makes it possible to use in my "

"unusual" car.

And for the record, UNLIKE the Wasabi charger & battery kit with 2 extra LARGE capacity batteries I bought for my Canon, this kit for my new Sony DOES display time remaining to use on the extra 2 batteries. I bought my kit here at Amazon through Blue Nook both times. Great product for just a couple bucks and wonderful Company.

Want Sony HDR-PJ790V High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) Discount?

Sonys HDR-PJ790v is an update to 2012's HDR-PJ760v(which is an updated version of the CX560v) and comes with the most substantial upgrades and sports new changes for this years 2013 Handycam line up, as well as future models to come.

The PJ790v still features a Carl Zeiss lens with improved low light performance, improved balanced optical steady shot that seems to be Sonys best yet, still features a 96GB internal flash memory, an improved Projector putting out 35 lumens(although nowhere near a home projector which is 700 lumens), and the 5.1 channel microphone has been isolated from the camcorder to deliver the best possible life like audio with no distortion from the camcorder functions. The microphone is also telescopic, it can be raised further above the camcorder to improve isolation and improve sound recording which there might not be a camcorder on the market to match Sony on this model.

It features 24.1 MP still images, Night Shot, and features the Multi-Interface terminal which has been changed from the previous Active Shoe interface on the PJ760v. Plus, this camcorder features the wifi function via the optional Wireless Adapter(Sold Seperately) to manually control your camera via a tablet or smartphone, as well as upload footage directly from your camera via a tablet or a smartphone. So you can record in either AVCHD format or MP4 format for Internet.

You can also stream content from your tablet or smartphone via the projector input on the camera. Although the USB plug-in port has been removed to put in the projector input, it's a small complaint unless you really want to store your content on an external HDD.

Overall, this is one packed out camera with loads of improvements over the previous models. The only thing is the price, I have seen this camera for at least $1400.00, which isn't bad considering the 2012 models still sell for around $1200-$1300. But this camera will retail between $1500-$1600. So, my advice would be to compare the other Sony models before you take the plunge and buy it. But overall, if you're looking for one serious investment in your camera, look no further.

Save $1.99 Off

Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (White)

I am an advanced amateur and have been shooting with an SLR since the early 70's.

I bought my first digital in 1999, a Nikon 900s, and fell in love with the technology.

I've owned many many DSLR's since Canon introduced the first affordable (it was $3k)EOS D30 many years back.

I've since owned or shot with Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Fuji, Panasonic and others I can't remember.

I have always wanted a small DSLR that could replace my Canon mid range models. Most recently the 40D.

The Rebel series was never comfortable for my large hands.

I bought this Pentax K-x on a whim as it was really inexpensive, offered a lot of features and promised very good high ISO results.

It has met or exceeded all my expectations!

I haven't been this impressed with a new camera since my 1st DSLR, that $3000 Canon D30!

It is small but comfortable to use, even in my big hands, and the pictures at ISO 1600 look like ISO 400 on other brands,

Even ISO 3200 is very usable!

The kit lens is very sharp!

As an added bonus you can use most any Pentax lens ever made which opens up a huge opportunity to try some Legacy lenses.

I have sold my Canon gear and this little Pentax does everything better and in a much more compact form.

It even shoots decent HD video.

I even was able to get a smaller camera bag.

Very Highly recommended!!

levels of details, image quality, noise, features I love everything about this little gem. Video is good too and my only complaint is that it needed a lithium-ion rechargeable battery to support more battery life when using movie\live mode. Its enough when using 4 AA lithium batteries it lasts for at least a 1000s shots plus some occasional live mode and movie usage. Ive read about Sanyo eneloop rechargeables (these should last longer) but havent tried them yet. But with regular rechargeables it doesnt last that long enough.

I love the low noise and amount of details I can get shooting up to 1600 ISO night shots (no flash), aquarium or theater images now look beautiful and I dont have to use a flash. All shot with 1600 ISO gives me enough shutter speed to get great sharp and detailed images.

UPDATE: 12/15/2009

Pentax released a firmware update for k-x dSLR that fixes battery problem.I have installed the firmware and it looks like it does fixes the problem. Now it doesnt give me half-battery orange indicator when I use my lithiums (its still green).

I havent tried it with rechargeables because I dont have any yet (still using my lithiums).

UPDATE: 04/01/2010

I bought Sanyo Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries those working out pretty well in holding the charge.

Since December I think I only recharged them two or three times and the indicator got into red just yesterday.

For more images taken with k-x visit my flickr stream

Buy Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (White) Now

I have experience using film SLRs as well as a Nikon DSLR, and I've owned a few Canon compact cameras. After quite a bit of online research, I chose this camera to be my first DSLR, and I am very, very pleased with my decision.

The K-x is small for a DSLR, and I've gotten a few surprised comments from people seeing me pull such a fancy camera out of a small messenger bag. Even so, it has a sturdy feel to it and doesn't feel too tiny in my relatively large hands. I also like the black and white body and have gotten compliments about that as well.

The camera has an AUTO PICT mode for newcomers that takes control of the focus, shutter speed, aperture, and ISO; all you need to do is aim at your subject and press the shutter button. There are also a wide variety of scene modes (macro, portrait, landscape, candlelight, kids, etc.) that are tailored for specific situations. But for people who like to take creative control, there are the typical priority modes (aperture, shutter, and ISO) as well as manual mode. The buttons are few enough that you can easily memorize how to manipulate the camera without having to dig through menus for the important functions. There's even a green button that can act as a shortcut to certain features; I like to use it for enabling cross-processing.

Speaking of which, the K-x features some digital filters (toy camera, high contrast, retro, etc.) that seem superficial but can be very interesting to use. However, my favorite mode by far is cross-processing, which causes the colors, contrast, and saturation of pictures to be randomly distorted, creating some pretty spectacular results from seemingly unspectacular subjects. Enabling this mode adds some unpredictability and fun to digital photography normally exclusive to film cameras (lomography, anyone?) or Photoshop.

Of course, the K-x also packs a lot of serious features comparable with more expensive DSLRs on the market, such as a 12 meagpixel resolution, built-in image stabilization, 4.7 photos per second shooting speed, and a broad ISO range up to 12800. It boasts compatibility with any Pentax lens, which will be useful later on when I get tired of the kit lens. I also deeply appreciate the use of AA batteries, which are cheap to buy, easy to find, and can also be rechargeable. The built-in microphone and ability to record in sharp, 720p 24fps video is also great for spontaneous moments when you need to shoot video and don't have a camcorder handy.

After using the camera for about a month, I've encountered a few setbacks. The camera has difficulty automatically focusing in certain low-light situations, requiring manual focus. Then there is the lack of manual focus assistance in the viewfinder. If you are focusing manually, you have to rely on focusing by sight, which can be difficult. This is compounded by the fact that the resolution of the screen is not extremely sharp, enough so that when you review a picture the subject may not seem blurry unless you zoom in to check. The viewfinder also does not indicate which autofocus point is chosen, making its use a bit of a gamble. Also, there's the faint clicking noise that the image stabilization makes during movie mode, and there is no jack for an external microphone. Recording movies also eats batteries, eats memory card space, and causes the camera to heat up quickly, but these problems are present in all current DSLRs anyway, so don't buy a DSLR solely for its video capabilities. These are all the small problems I've encountered, but they hardly pose major setbacks and can be easily worked around.

Overall, this camera is highly configurable and packs an enormous amount of features for such an inexpensive camera. If you have never owned a DSLR before or are searching for a powerful budget camera, I highly recommend the Pentax K-x.

Read Best Reviews of Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (White) Here

I recently upgraded from my beloved Olympus e-510 DSLR with the 14-42mm and 40-150mm kits lenses in order to get a DSLR with better low-light performance and HD video capabilities. I loved my Olympus, but image quality took a nose-dive at ISO 800, and I liked the idea of having an HD camcorder built into my camera to capture high quality family photos and home videos in one device. I eventually settled on the Pentax K-x after first buying, and then returning, a Canon T2i.

I know that the T2i costs almost twice as much as the K-x, and they're not direct competitors, but I think my experience illustrates what a great camera and bargain the K-x is and how, for me at least, it was a giant killer.

I initially pre-ordered a T2i for the $900 MSRP after reading the glowing reviews in the press about the 18MP sensor, the high-ISO performance and the killer 1080p video. When I received the T2i, I was surprised by how cheap and plasticky it felt. It's not that the T2i was likely to fall apart, but my Olympus felt and looked like a higher quality camera, even though it was about $200 less than the T2i when I bought it. I realize that the T2i is a Rebel, but for almost $1000, I expected something more solid.

Even worse was the Canon 18-55mm kit lens, which felt like a toy compared to my Olympus kit lenses. It looked cheap, and the zoom action felt very cheap, and you could hear plastic-on-plastic as you zoomed in and out. There was no lens hood included, and the optional lens hood was only about an inch deep and looked ridiculous. The front element rotated when auto-focusing, which makes using some filters problematic, and you had to switch off AF to manually make focus adjustments. My Olympus lenses did not rotate the front element, and allowed full time focus override without turning off AF. And build-wise, they looked and felt like a higher end lens. But worst of all, Canon kits lens's optical performance was lacking, rendering the 18MP sensor moot.

I could live with the cheap feel of the T2i body and the ugly jelly-bean design, but I came to realize that in order to get a lens that would match the performance of the body, I would need to shell out another $500 or more, and as a hobbyist I just didn't have the budget.

The real deal-breaker with the T2i though, was the use of Quicktime format for the HD video. Quicktime is a proprietary Apple video format, and while I must assume it works well on a new Mac, the QT videos often gave PCs problems. I'd read about this from other users, but I figured that with my high-end PCs and my computer knowledge, I would be okay. But both my new Sony Vaio laptop with Windows 7, ATI 4650 graphics and 4GB of RAM and my desktop computer with Windows XP, dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, Raptor 10K HDD and nVidia 8800GT graphics would stutter on playback of the 1080p files. And finding affordable programs to edit Quicktime HD video files is another headache. I wasn't about to buy a new Mac just to be able to work with the video from my new camera.

So back went the T2i, and my quest for a new camera continued. I was just about to pull the trigger on a Nikon D5000, when I came across the Pentax K-x.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the styling. I thought the camera looked dead-sexy in navy blue, but when I saw the white version, I was in love. One thing I liked about my Olympus was that it was something DIFFERENT than all the Nikons and Canon Rebels you see every other parent carrying to school or sports functions. I would often get questions about it from people who didn't realize that Olympus even MADE DSLRs. With this Pentax, I would again have something out of the ordinary.

Then I started reading reviews of the K-x. One of the great things about the T2i is the high ISO image quality, and according to the reviews and the sample images I was looking at, the K-x was right there with it.

And the K-x also did HD video. There were some limitations, such as 720p and lack of full control over exposure while shooting video, but I didn't really mind since the samples I downloaded looked great, even on my 110" 1080P home theater projector. And 720p files take less space than 1080p and require less processing power to playback and edit. And best of all, the K-x uses Motion JPEG video format, which plays back great on PCs and is compatible with almost any Windows video editing program. The MJPEG format does use more disk space than the equivalent QT file, but hard drives and SD cards are cheap these days, so it's not a big deal.

Another great thing about the K-x is that it has sensor-based image stabilization in the body, so any lens you stick on the camera is stabilized. My Olympus used a similar system, and I was very happy with it. The big advantage is that you can be non-stabilized lenses so they'll be smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

I ended up buying the K-x in white with the 18-55mm lens. The K-x looks and feels like a higher quality camera than the T2i, and matches my Olympus in this department. The kit lens is also a very worthy piece of hardware.

With the money I saved on the Pentax, I was able to buy the legendary Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens, a Pentax 55-300mm zoom lens, and a Sigma speedlight. The flash was new, but I got great deals on the slighty-used lenses on eBay and Craigslist.

I've been using the Pentax for a couple months now, and have taken hundreds of pictures. I am absolutely thrilled with the camera and couldn't be happier with the photos and videos I'm getting. The T2i did have just slightly more detail, but other than that I would say the K-x has equal image quality. And the 12MP RAW image files of the K-x are faster to work with than the 18MP files of the T2i and take up much less space on SD cards, so you don't have to worry about filling up nearly as fast.

That's not too much negative I can say about the camera. I would like it to have a mini-HDMI port and a standard mini-USB port, and continuous auto-focus would be nice in video mode, but no other DSLR has that yet. Stereo mics would also be nice.

I suspect that the image stabilization system may not be as good as the one in my Olympus, but I can't say for sure since my 300mm is longer than the telephoto I had with the Olympus and will therefore be more prone to shake.

I get compliments on the Pentax everywhere I go, and it's been a joy to use and own. I could not be happier with my purchase.

In the future I'll probably add a Sigma 30mm F1.4 prime and a Sigma 10-20mm ultra-wide zoom to my lens kit.

Just for the record, I'm not trying to bash on the T2i. It is an amazing camera that is currently without peer in its price range. But if you're like me and you only have about $1000 to spend, I think you will get much more value by going with a less-expensive but almost-as-capable camera like the K-x, and using the extra money on high quality lenses. My F2.8 constant-aperture lens has been a revolution for me, and I recommend every budding photographer make room in their budget for something similar.

Want Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (White) Discount?

After looking through a lot of options this camera seems to offer the best combination of price performance.

Some first impressions are:

1. Good Hi Iso Performance with little noise. (Much better then Canon Xt then I used to own that only had 1600 max iso.)

2. Able to do HD Video (720p).

Video quality is ok, I compared it to my sony SR-12 HD camcoder its definitely not the same quality but it does have a unique movie type look to it, in low light its very grainy but in good light it does fine. Its a good back up to a camcoder, although you do have to get used to manual focusing to get good results. If you shoot a lot of movies get a bigger memory card, I have a 4 gig card and it only holds around 15 minutes of video in highest quality due to recording format.

3. First thing to do when you get the camera make sure you update the firmware to 1.01 that will solve the battery issue that many people been having. You can check which firmware you have by pressing the menu button and then turning the camera on.

So far a I took about 900 pictures and about 45 minutes of video on lithium batteries that came with the camera and only now the battery indicator shows orange.

4. As with any DSLR auto mode will not give you the best results, and every camera has its own "favorite" settings where it gets most consistent results. So far Im still figuring out what works best with this particular camera.

5. No camera is perfect but to me Good Hi Iso performance, Hd video option and price. Make it 5 stars.

Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Professional Video Camcorder

Sony HVR-Z7U Review

For the last 3 years I have been using the first Sony HDV camera, the Z1U, with great results. We took it in over 21 countries for the filming of a documentary and it preformed just great. However my Z1U, as much as I loved it, was growing old, so I went for the next generation, the Z7U, that I just got a couple days ago.

The first thing to notice as I unpacked it is that is noticeably heavier. I knew that from the spec sheet, but I thought I wouldn't notice the 0.6 pound difference. Anyway, the newness of the camera and the fact that is a lot shorter than its predecessor got me excited enough to get over it.

I also noticed and liked the new frontal design where the far reaching built in microphone of the Z1U is missing. This allows for bringing the camera much closer to the airplane or car window for instance, something I will value as a documentarian.

The Lens

The removable lens hood is easily removable by the push of a button, opposed to the screw system of the Z1U, a nice little touch, to be valued when you're strapped for time.

The main advantage that I went for on this camera is the removable lens. So first thing I did I removed the Vario Sonnar 12x lens that comes with it. The process was easy and intuitive. Upon my first field test, I got to like this lens a lot better than the built in Z1U. It seems that the new model achieves a much better shallow dept of field, the nirvana of any professional. I also really liked the "Digital Extender" function, built in this lens, that brings the subject 1.5x closer when you're zoomed in to the max. First I thought in might be a cheapo "blow up the pixels" trick, but while watching the footage on a 50inch HD monitor, I could not tell any quality drop while using the "Extender".

The focus ring is large and handy and must be pushed forward for "Auto focus". This is handy as you shoot, but it is guaranteed to move the shot if you're on a tripod shooting. I remember that the centrally located AF button of the Z1U could be moved without any jerk while shooting. The other disappointment is that there is no Autofocus push button, unless you go trough a convoluted programming procedure from the book.

The zoom is handy and smooth, and what I liked the most is that the servo zoom is a lot smoother than the older one. More than that, the servo zoom on the handle bar can be programmed to various speeds and once it reaches the upper or lower limit it will ease to a stop. Totally cool and professional.

The iris is located as third ring on the lens. I liked that too, and there is an Auto Iris button, but I like doing my own exposure.

The Camera

There are 3 ND filters as opposed to two and they work like a charm. I was able to shoot a sunset reflection on the water without closing the iris at all or being overexposed...

There are 3 gain levels and they are programmable as a new feature. I dindt change the DB levels but I used them all and could not see any image graining even on the "H" setting. I wish that was the case with the Z1U. So, yes, the low light performance of the new Z7U is net better, a Godsend for a documentarian that can't always control the lighting.

The white balance seems to be the same, not much to do there, same with the menus, and status check. The picture profile has a number of sophistication's such as "black gain" and color depth that were a bit above my comprehension without further reading.

The display and the outputs

The first major disappointment was the smaller LCD screen. More than that the colors on it were pale and while is it worked well in the sun, it was still simply too small. I got in trouble a lot in the past by not seeing where the focus was, so I was hoping on a larger display. Sony says that is superior since it has more pixels, but I'd preferred it bigger.

The VCR functions are the same, and the HDV tape is in the back facing the cameraman, not upwards. This is great if you're changing tapes in the rain or a sandstorm like it happened once while I was in Egypt.

The most valuable new output is the HDMI of course. I connected it directly to my plasma TV and it looks just great. I also liked the full size firewire connector.

The new Sony Compact Flash recorder unit is small and it fits in the back, over the battery compartment so you'll need to remove it first if you want to change the battery. That is OK I guess. The unit is small and luckily it takes the wide available CF card. Thank you Sony for not requiring us to buy your overpriced Sony Stick and other non-compatible "Sony Only" kind of cards. And thank you for having a dual kind of output storage. I am a "tape" faithful for storage and backup purposes, but it is nice to have the CF option. I have not tried it yet.

The biggest disappointment happened when I tried to playback on the new camera tapes recorded by the old Z1U. As soon as I put them in, the Z7U ejected them out. They were recorded in the "1080I 60FPS" a format fully compatible with the Z7U. This is highly troublesome since I have hundreds of tapes filmed on 5 continents that I might have to re-digitize one day should my hard disks crash. What am I to do, buy an $3000 VTR?

Sound

The included microphone is nice and sensitive, but I rarely record more than the ambient sound on the built in mic. There are 2 XLR inputs, nothing new there. I like that the mic is easily detachable and can save space while packing the camera. Also with an XLR extension cord it can be used for interviews on a table mount if you're lacking a lapel microphone... This couldn't be done with the old model.

The camera also has the capability to take still pics even while shooting. It has an SD Ram slot and a button can be assigned for picture taking. I never cared much for this feature since you can extract just as good pictures from the HD Video files.

Conclusion

The new HVR-Z7U is a pretty good piece of equipment for the $6000 USD price tag. Despite a couple of shortcomings I don't regret getting it. I really hope Sony will come up with longer lens soon that would make the main new feature "interchangeable lens" so much more valuable. So far Sony offers just some one wide lens for this unit. That's disappointing, great cinema and nature shots require long lens and none are available specifically for this camera. Sony offers some options that require adapters and reduced functionality for use of their still camera lenses with the Z7U, but I am skeptical about using such non specific products.

Mitch Anderson

Mitch Anderson is the producer of the film "The World Without US" . This feature-length documentary debates the implications and consequences of US military involvement in the world today.

The World Without US With Niall Ferguson

I recieved 2 defective JVC GY-HD110's from Amazon. Sent them back and fronted the extra cash for this one. Best decision I have ever made. Recording to Compact Flash cuts my editing time in half. The battery time is 4 times longer with the stock battery than the JVC too! I love everything about it.

Buy Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Professional Video Camcorder Now

I'm loving this camera. There are times when bringing a "smaller" camera into a clients business that this camera may not have the "pro-appearance" factor but none of the clients have been disappointed with the results. The footage I've taken with this have been on national broadcasts and look dazzling!

And, it has proven to be a workhorse by working in cold temperatures, long days, high altitude, and even me when I'm crabby! I'm psyched with my purchase close to a year now of this Sony Z7U and it has payed for itself many times over. I'm glad I have this camera over the Canon or Panasonic in it's class!

No problems (knock on wood)

Thanks Sony!

-jl

Read Best Reviews of Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Professional Video Camcorder Here

Pros: Great footage in low light situations, after factory settings are changed.

I have two Z7Us and 2 MRU units, I have the same issues with both units.

Cons: MRU (Memory Recording Units)continually drop frames. I have to constantly re-synch videos. (I am using the recommended Compact Flash Card)

Out of the box settings are horrible. 1. Must change the internal settings on db (gain) or footage will be unusable due to noise. 2. Color is drab & lifeless until settings are changed.

Manual does not provide needed information to master this camera, or change the needed settings out of the box. I purchased a DVD to help setup this camera. Would highly recommend purchasing a DVD if you choose to purchase this item. Try the one by Vortex Media which is an excellent product.

LCD screen VERY inaccurate on exposure. If you purchase this product, plan to purchase a monitor and use the Zebra setting to gauge exposure. Otherwise you footage will be far overexposed. I lost my complete first shoot due to the inaccuracy of the LCD screen.

Computer will not recognize the cameras if the MRU units are attached. Therefore, when archiving footage while live streaming, you must record to tape. Two afternoons and two technicians later and after reading the manual cover to cover, I found this out on my own.

I would NOT purchase this unit again. Continually dropping frames is a deal breaker. Sorry Sony. My Panasonic camcorders with P2 cards are much better units, much more accurate LCD screen, and have had zero problems with dropped frames. I've had far more problems in the first month of shooting with these units than I did in 8 years of shooting with my Canon GL2s.

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I love it, man! what a difference, I just love this cam, got it about a month ago and shot about 4 weddings with it already.

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Foscam New Version FI8918W Pan & Tilt Wireless IP Camera + Bonus 9dbi Antennas - Infrared Night Vis

Very easy to use. The instructions are good but the follow along video instructions are even better. The only complaints that i have are that the DNS system that talk you through setting up is outdated. The company no longer supports or offers the free version. It is now a yearly fee, though the cost is under $30 a year (as of december of 2012). and there is nothing describing how to long in over the web and view the cameras.