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Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2014-08-12T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Best Camcorder I've Every Owned

I've been a professional Wedding Videographer since 1987 both in NY and south Florida. I have easily done over 4000 weddings. I told Paul Armato over a year ago that I needed an HD version of the PD170. Z5U was it. PD170 lux was 1.0, Z5U is 1.5, but picture quality is better. You can tweek the AE from -7 to +7 WHILE SHOOTING. You can also adjust the color temperature over a wide range WHILE YOU ARE ACTUALLY RECORDING. Comes in very handy while shooting in twilight and in environments with many color temperatures like sunlight coming into room or the wide variety of uplighting used these days. If you are used to shooting on a Sony Camcorder, the learning curve is ZERO. I have purchased over 20 professional camcorders from Paul Armato over the years and would not think of going to anyone else.

Dale S.

2012-04-15T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

I plan to buy another one soon.

Amazing camcorder with great professional features. Excellent image and fantastic in low light situations. Lens with great coverage. Another great product from Sony.

JAIRO C.

2011-01-14T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great Camera!

Very nice camera! It uses memory cards and tapes. Great for backing up material. The image quality is awsome!

Dave

2010-08-05T21:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

Sony Z5u Weekness

Z5U Better than Cannon but Wider lens cuts down the 20X to about 15X they should have made it a 25x. Smith slow mode suffers picture Quality fast. Menue wheel poor position and function bad as well.Mrc unit limits you to batttery size. Construction seams good but not great.And the new Avchd Model same problems except Battery size.But more recording time.

William K.

2009-04-07T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great camera

Beautiful pictures. Small, so it is unobtrusive for wedding and event videography. Comfortable to hold, easy to switch tapes fast with the transport on the left side.

Peteelew

2009-03-29T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great images--a little hard to get used

The camera has wonderful capabilities, many features, but as with anything with a lot of features, it is hard to master.

Peteelew

Sony HVR-Z5U Specifications

  • Lens

    Sony G Lens, 20x (optical), f = 4.1 to 82mm, f = 29.5 to 590 mm at 16:9 mode, f = 36.1 to 722 mm at 4:3 mode, filter diameter: 72mm

  • Built-in filter

    Clear, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64

  • Imaging system

    1/3 inch-type, progressive 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system with technology of Exmor

  • Picture elements

    Approx. 1,037,000 pixels (effective), approx. 1,120,000 pixels (total)

  • Focus

    Auto, manual (focus ring/one push auto/infinity/AF assist/focus macro)

  • White balance

    Auto, one-push auto (A/B positions), indoor (3200 K), outdoor (selectable level -7 to +7, approx. 500K/step), manual WB Temp (selectable 2300K to 15000K, 100K/step)

  • Manual shutter speed Auto

    1/60 - 1/2000

  • Manual shutter speed Manual

    60i/30p: 1/4 - 1/10000 24p: 1/3 - 1/10000

  • Gain

    -6, -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 dB

  • Minimum Illumination

    1.5 lux (auto gain, auto iris, 1/30 shutter)

  • Recording format

    HDV1080/60i/30p/24p, DVCAM, DV SP 480/60i (NTSC)

  • Play out/Down conversion format

    HDV1080/60i/30p/24p, DVCAM, DV SP 480/60i (NTSC)

  • Playback/Recording time HDV/DV SP

    Max. 63 min with PHDVM-63DM cassette

  • Playback/Recording time DVCAM

    Max. 41 min with PHDVM-63DM cassette

  • Audio/Video output

    10-pin connector A/V OUT jack (component, composite and unbalanced audio x2ch with the supplied cables)

  • HDV/DV input/output

    i.LINK interface (IEEE 1394, 4-pin)

  • XLR audio input

    XLR 3-pin female x 2ch

  • Headphone

    Stereo mini jack (°3.5 mm)

  • LANC

    Stereo mini-mini jack (°2.5 mm)

  • Digital video output

    HDMI connector

  • LCD viewfinder

    0.45 inch-type (Viewable area measured diagonally), approx. 1,226,880 dots (852 x 3[RGB] x 480), 16:9 aspect ratio

  • LCD monitor

    3.2 inch-type (Viewable area measured diagonally), XtraFine LCD, approx. 921,600 dots, hybrid type, 16:9 aspect ratio

  • Power requirements

    DC 7.2 V (battery pack), DC 8.4 V (AC adaptor)

  • Power consumption HDV

    Approx. 7.1 W (with ECM-XM1 / LCD viewfinder ON)

  • Power consumption DVCAM/DV

    Approx. 6.8 W (with ECM-XM1 / LCD viewfinder ON)

  • Battery operating time HDV

    395min (NP-F970)

  • Battery operating time DVCAM/DV

    415min (NP-F970)

  • Operating temperature

    32 to 104 °F (0 to 40 °C)

  • Storage temperature

    -4 to 140 °F (-20 to 60 °C)

  • Dimension (W x H x D)

    Approx.6-3/4 x 7-1/2 x 17-7/8 inch (169 x 188 x 451mm) (with lens hood, microphone and large eye cup)

  • Weight

    Approx. 5 lbs 1 oz (2.2 kg) (w/o tape, battery)

  • Warranty

    Sony warranty

About Sony HVR-Z5U HDV High Definition Professional Camcorder - (930H) SKU#1566235

FEATURED REVIEWS

Great images--a little hard to get used

By Peteelew

The camera has wonderful capabilities, many features, but as with anything with a lot of features, it is hard to master.

Great Camera!

By Dave

Very nice camera! It uses memory cards and tapes. Great for backing up material. The image quality is awsome!

The HVR-Z5U camcorder is designed to enhance creativity and deliver the highest standard of optical and audio quality. Sony's newly designed "G Lens" is incorporated into the camcorder, boasting excellent resolution, color and contrast for breathtaking images that rival expensive interchangeable lenses. This new compact camcorder boasts Sony's 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system, utilizing the technology of Exmor, to provide excellent low-light sensitivity and making it ideal when high performance in limited light conditions is a requirement.

The ergonomically designed body allows flexible shooting under any conditions, while maintaining Sony's worldwide reputation for quality and high performance. The standard features of the HVR-Z5U include 1080/24p/30p HDV native progressive recording modes. Sony's new cutting-edge hybrid recording system incorporates an optional HVR-DR60 or HVR-MRC1K Memory Recording Unit, which allows simultaneous recording on tape and non-tape media for improve NLE workflow efficiency. The hybrid recording system is also capable of simultaneous HD and SD recording.

Sony HVR-Z5U HDV High Definition Professional Camcorder - (930H) SKU#1566235 Features

  • Sony's Exclusive High-performance "G Lens": Discover the exceptional optical performance of Sony's "G Lens". This sophisticated lens incorporates Sony's unique optical technology and unparalleled quality control
  • The 29.5mm wide-angle "G Lens":(equivalent to 35mm film) on the HVR-Z5U offers a field of view that's ideal for many shooting situations, ranging from broad landscape shots to conditions where sufficient distance from the subject is difficult to obtain
  • Two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements:reduce chromatic aberrations caused by differences in light refraction to minimize color fringing
  • Advanced optical lens technology:makes the most of Sony's 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system to realize sharp images with higher resolution and less noise compared to the HVR-Z1U even when shooting in very low light
  • The six-blade iris diaphragm:is nearly circular, enabling the creation of extremely beautiful background blur
  • Natural-touch Lens Operation: Newly designed focus, zoom and iris control functions provide convenient lens operation. The zoom function is variable and can be controlled using the lens barrel ring, the lever at the lens grip, or the lever on the camera handle
  • An Ideal Handheld Camcorder Design: Sony has responded to professional user feedback to create the ideal handheld camcorder with ergonomically designed body-weight balance and a well-planned layout of buttons and connectors to reduce stress on camera operator
  • Two Screw Holes for Secure Connection: To provide a more secure connection between the camcorder and tripod plate or other accessories, two screw holes have been incorporated into the base plate of the camcorder
  • 1/3 Inch-type 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor System: The 1/3 inch-type 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system has 45-degree rotated pixels on each chip in order to increase the signal density, while each pixel maintains sufficient surface area
  • Enhanced Functionality with the Technology of Exmor: The new HVR-Z5U boasts cutting-edge features such as the Exmor technology which utilizes the full potential of the 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system
  • Expanding the HDV Format as a Global Standard: The HDV 1080i specification uses one of the "MPEG2 Long GOP" compression profiles. This highly efficient and robust "MPEG2 Long GOP" codec - which is also used in Sony's XDCAM HD and XDCAM EX series - enables users to record stunning-quality HD video
  • Switchable Recording and Playback - HDV1080i/DVCAMTM/DV: The HVR-Z5U can switch between HDV 1080i, DVCAM and standard DV recording, providing the ultimate flexibility to suit your production needs
  • Built-in Down-converter for SD Production: The HVR-Z5U can convert material from 1080i down to 480i and output the video signals through its i.LINK interface and other SD output connectors
  • 24p/30p HDV Native Progressive Recording Mode: The camcorder features 24p/30p native progressive recording mode. The 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system and EIP create true 1080p images, which can then be recorded as progressive signals by the HVR-Z5U in HDV format
  • 24p/30p Progressive Scan Mode: In these modes, the 1080p image captured by the 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system is also recorded as an interlaced signal by dividing each frame into two fields
  • Ready for HYBRID Solution with HVR-MRC1K: The camcorder is ready for HDV/DV HYBRID operation with the optional HVR-MRC1K Memory Recording Unit. In HYBRID operation, you can simultaneously record video footage to tape and to a standard CompactFlash card
  • XtraFine LCD Panel: A 3.2 inch-type XtraFine LCD is located on the camcorder in the same position as on the HVRZ1U. It has approximately 921,000 pixels (1920x480) which is 4x greater than the LCD of the HVR-Z1U and this higher resolution allows for easier focus adjustment
  • XtraFine EVF: The 0.45 inch-type XtraFine EVF (Electronic View Finder) has approximately 1,227,000 pixels (852x3 [RGB]x480)
  • InfoLITHIUM L Series Battery Compatibility: The HVR-Z5U uses the same batteries as the HVR-Z7U, HVR-Z1U, HVR-V1U and DSR-PD170, so you can use your existing chargers and batteries
  • HDMI Output Connector: Uncompressed digital HD video and audio signals are output from the HDMI connector. You can see stunning HD images on an HDMI-compatible monitor display
  • Two Accessory Shoe Connectors: The camcorder features two accessory shoe connectors. One is a cold shoe on the top of the microphone unit at the front and the other is a screw-hole type shoe located on the handle
  • Versatile Audio Input Selection: The camcorder features versatile audio input selection with a newly designed high-quality built-in stereo microphone, as well as two XLR audio input channels for professional microphones or connecting to an external-line audio source
  • One-touch Clip-type Microphone Holder: A one-touch clip-type microphone holder makes it easy to attach and remove the microphone for quick storage
  • Smooth WB (White Balance): The Smooth WB feature is a smooth transition white balance system that avoids unnaturally sudden color temperature changes between preset white balance settings
  • Picture Profile Function: Up to six different picture-quality settings, including gamma and color settings, can be registered in the memory as Picture Profile

What's in the box:

  • HVR-Z5U HDV High Definition Handheld Professional Camcorder
  • Lens Hood with Shutter
  • MiniDV Tape
  • RMT-831 Remote Commander
  • Shoe Adaptor
  • ECM-XM1 Mono Microphone
  • Aftermarket Battery
  • Item Note: Camcorder has a Focus Defective Error (Code: C32:60); "Cosmetic Condition is G." Missing Large Sized Eye-Cup; AC-VQ1050 AC Adapter/Charger; Mic Holder; Component A/V Cable; A/V Multi-Connecting Cable; Accessory Shoe kit