From the Manufacturer
From the Manufacturer Presenting the world’s first consumer 1080i high-definition camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-FX1. A revolution in form and function, the HDR-FX1 allows you to play and record interlaced high-definition video at resolutions up to 1440 x 1080 for professional quality video with vivid colors and striking detail. It even offers the ability to switch to standard DV recording and playback as the situation warrants. The HDR-FX1 is eminently portable and ergonomic. The HDR-FX1 features the real-time HD Codec Engine, which offers professional-level MPEG2 video compression, and 14bit HD DXP (Digital Extended Processor) for increased processing speed. Images are captured on three-chip Advanced HAD CCD system that provides increased detail and improved video performance without the color bleeding found in other system. Optical capabilities include a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 12x optical zoom and Super SteadyShot image stabiliz
Buy Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom at Amazon
Indie Filmmaker here, always looking out for a better camera! The Sony HDV series is an astonishing technology Don’t let people tell you that the footage is “too compressed” —- technically, it is, but once it gets on screen, it looks stunning! I haven’t done much filming with this camera —- but I have seen its footage and edited its footage Both on television and the computer monitor, I was impressed with its ‘look’ —- very detailed and extremely clear Editing was a BREEEEEZE with this footage! I edited on Final Cut Pro and could composite 5 layers all above each other, each with a different opacity, and FCP’s real time engine kept up without having to render! Thus, the compressed footage makes editing EASY - but Sony has managed to make a beautiful picture out of this stuff too For the Indie Filmmakers out there —- test one out before purchasing. . . . . I find the Sony HDV to be the most clear look out there — emulating a beautifully shot NFL game on HD. . . . . but for cinematic looks, I still may stick with the Panasonic DVX100, as there is a more cinema feel to that one hope that helps HAPPY BUYING!!!!
I am a student filmmaker and I just bought this camera from sonystyle. com. Its a great consumer camcorder. It does not offer true HD picture quality but it does offer true HD resolution. If you want a HD camera that rivals film cameras expect to spend 50 to 100 thousand dollars. The best thing about the camera is its resolution and true 16:9 aspect ratio. If you hate the 16:9 squeeze mode on other camcorders this is the camcorder for you. some people are disappointed about the camcorder lacking a progressive scan mode, 720p. its debated if 720p is true HD. the HDR-FX1 shoots 1080i which is true HD resolution. If 1080i shot progressive scan it would go outside the bandwidth limit. So if you plan to transfer it to film one should get software with de-interlacing capabilities. Over all the minor flaws will piss off professionals, but they have to realize at the moment true HD is only 1080i not 1080p. The lack of XLR inputs will also hurt the camcorder but there are ways around that to. One big worry is the amount of compression that occurs while shoot HDV on a MiniDV tape. From what I have experience the compression is not a major factor to worry about yet until I do more testing. Over all this is a superior camcorder compared to regular DV camcorders. 24p is not the only thing that give the film look. Aspect ratio and detail are very important as well. The resolution and detail is far superior to any other consumer camcorder. If detail and resolution are top of your list, than this is the camcorder for you, once the editing software comes out for it.
Hello, I bought my Sony HDR-FX1 about a month ago from amazon. com and let me just say that this camera is amazing. The resolution, when on a computer is 1920×1080. That right there is enough to sell the camera! Its great for me because i work with CG and CMI, the higher the resolution, the more accurate you can be. This is also great for blue/greenscreening as the high resolution, and the amazing color. There are several different modes to shoot in (all are customizable) you will mostly want to make sure you shoot in Cinemaframe30 or Cinemaframe24 because it will look just like film. You can also adjust how much color is allowed in, standard it is at “0″ but you can up the color so much that its more vibrant then most movies. The new willy wonka movie has broad, powerful colors and this camera can easily achieve that. I would talk more about this camera but im out of time (great DOF). So dont get stuck in the Canon Xl2 fad where you pay 3,000 more dollars for a crappier camera.