Sony HDR-FX7 First Impressions Camcorder Reviewby John NeelyPublished on Sep 22, 2006 2:00 PM
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Video Performance
As of this writing, we’ve only observed the video from a pre-production HDR-FX7 model under suboptimal lighting conditions, so we can’t yet comment on the camcorder’s video performance, but we can report on what we think the video will look like given the camcorder’s specs, and its feature set. We expect the video performance of the HDR-FX7 to be quite good, thanks to the 3 x 1/4-inch ClearVID CMOS sensor arrangement. This camcorder is the first HDV camcorder to use a 3-CMOS arrangement, and each sensor produces 1120K gross and 1037 effective pixels in native 16:9 mode.
Based on the stellar performance of the single-CMOS HDR-HC3, which turned in the highest resolution scores we’ve seen in a consumer camcorder to date, we are eager to get this new camcorder into the lab. The single ClearVID CMOS on the HC3 measures 1/3” and has a higher gross (2100K) and effective (1991K) pixel count in 16:9 mode than the HDR-FX7 at 1120K and 1037K pixels respectively, which contributed to its amazing resolution. With three sensors, we expect the HDR-FX7 to turn in better color performance which should provide you with lots of information to work with when picture controls are engaged. ClearVID is a Sony technology that tilts each pixel at a 45 degree angle to improve the perceptual quality of the image, but does not boost actual pixel count.
In its one-sensor incarnation, the CMOS also increases the number of green pixels by a factor of 6 because green is the color the human eye perceives in the most detail. In contrast, the 3-CMOS arrangement gives each color – Red, Green, and Blue – its own sensor. While we would expect better color performance from a 3-sensor camcorder, the EIP’s (enhanced image processor) on the two camcorders also differ, so we’ll have to wait and see how the video images actually compare.
Another worthwhile comparison is the HDR-FX1, the FX7’s 3-CCD counterpart at the top of the Handycam line. While Sony officially refers to both of these camcorders as consumer models, most buyers and market observers place these camcorders at the low end of the prosumer category. Although the two camcorders use different imagers, both come in at 1120K gross pixels, while the FX1 has a slightly higher effective count of 1070 in 16:9, compared to 1037K for the FX7. According to Sony, the three ClearVID CMOS sensors should turn in superior performance in normal lighting conditions, while the three Advanced HAD CCD’s are better in low light. Once again, we’ll need to wait until we get the HDR-FX7 in the lab to take a stance on how the two camcorders video performance actually compares.
Low Light Performance
Low light performance is an area in which the HDR-FX7’s CMOS sensor will not perform quite as well as Sony’s 3-CCD HDR-FX1, in part because of the 72mm diameter lens on the older camcorder. The FX7’s lens measures 62mm, and has a slightly lower light gathering ability. The FX7 has a minimum illumination rating of 4 lux while the FX1 records at 3 lux. A 1 lux difference may seem insignificant, but it’s a consideration for shooters who work in the field, such as ENGs and documentary filmmakers who are often forced to work with available light.
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