No one can ever really know what Sony's thinking, but the conventional wisdom is that it appears that the FX1000/Z5 is the end of the pro/prosumer HDV tape line, and the HC9 was the final HDV consumer cam.

The FX7 remains the best bang for the buck of any HDV tape cam, bar none. You won't find anything else close for the price. Probably why they brought it back after discontinuing it a couple of years ago. But I'd act fast -- no telling how long it might still be available.

__________________
Adam
Proud owner of 8, no, 7, no, wait, now NINE Sony HDV cams. Checking into rehab next week.
"There are no experimental failures. There's only more data."