HVR-Z1 and HDR-FX1 Specifications Comparison Table by Published on Nov 10, 2004 3:00 PM

The HVR-Z1 has all the same capabilities of the HDR-FX1 except for Long Play DV recording (SD LP). It does add full DVCAM record and play support on MiniDV-sized tapes. It adds and expands on many features including NTSC and PAL, dual audio level control, two XLR inputs, more color and gamma options, and user programmable time code functions. Please consult the linked-to comparison table for specifics.

	HDR-FX1	HVR-Z1
Hyper Gain	No (0-18dB)	Yes (over 18db, probably over 24dB)
CinemaTone Gamma	1 setting	1 curve for bright light, 1 curve for shadows.
CineFrame	24 and 30	24, 25, and 30
Viewfinder	Color	B/W or Color
Peaking Level	Fixed	Adjustable
Color for Peaking	White	White, Yellow, Red
4:3 zone marking	No	Yes
AllScan/UnderScan	No	Yes
Mic input	Stereo mini plug	XLR x 2 with 48 volt phantom power
Audio Gain Control	Dual channel, Single control	Individually adjustable
Tape Speeds	DV SP, DV LP, HDV SP	DV SP, DV DVCAM, HDV SP, HDV DVCAM
DVCAM	Record No	Record Yes, Play Yes
Time Code	Not user adjustable	Yes, resetable user bits and regeneration
Battery charge	External charger optional	Includes external battery charger and power supply
Tape Head Hour Meter	No	Yes
PAL support	No	NTSC and PAL
SMTPE Color Bar	One, but not true	Two, true (full screen and partial)
Assignable Buttons	3	6
Assignable Functions	6	14
Body Color	dark gray	pitch black
MSRP	$3,700	$4,900
Availability	Now	Feburary 2005
Audio Format	MPEG1 layer 2	MPEG1 layer 2
CCD size	1/3 inch	1/3 inch
Number of CCDs	3	3
Optical Zoom	12x	12x
MPEG Group of Pictures (GOP)	15	PAL:12, NTSC:15
Included Software	No	No
Component Output	Yes	Yes
Component Input	No	No
Composite/S-Video	Input/Output	Input/Output
I.Link IEEE 1394	Yes, S100 (Specs, $1199)	Yes, S100
4:3 SD DV recording	Yes	Yes
16:9 SD DV recording	Yes	Yes
HDV recording	16:9 only	16:9 only