Sony HVR-V1U, Sony HDR-FX7, HVR-Z1U, Canon XH A1, JVC GY-HD110U, and Panasonic AG-HVX200 Compared

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Published on Sep 19, 2006 3:00 PM

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Comparisons

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Model Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/ XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
Price
$4800.00 $3500.00 $5946.00 XH A1 $3999.00 (est.) XH G1 $6999.00 (est.)  $6295.00 $5995.00
Video
Model
Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
Image Sensor
3 x 1/4" ClearVid CMOS (RGB) 3 x 1/4" ClearVid CMOS (RGB) 3 x 1/3" CCD 3 x 1/3" CCD 3 x 1/3" CCD 3 x 1/3" CCD
Gross pixels per Sensor
1120K pixel each 1120K pixel each 1120K pixel each 1670K pixel 1110K pixel 500K pixel each (Uses pixel shift to achieve higher resolution)
Effective pixels
Approx 1037K pixel Approx 1037K pixel 1070K pixel 1560K pixel NA NA
Frame Rates
1080/60i, 1080/24p, 1080/30p, 480/60i, 480/24p, 480/30p 1080/60i, 480 60i 1080/60i, 1080/50i, 480/60i, 576/50i, 1080/30F, 480/30F 1080/60i, 480/60i, 1080/30F, 480/30, 1080/60i, 480/30F, 1080/24F, 480/24F 720/24p, 720/25p, 720/30p, 480/60p, 480/24p, 480/60i 1080/60i, 1080/24p, 1080/24pA, 1080/30p, 720/60p, 720/24p, 720/30p, 480/60i, 480/24p, 480/30p
Media
Model
Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
HDV Media
MiniDV, HVR-DR60 HDD MiniDV MiniDV MiniDV Native P2 Card (SD DV to MiniDV tape)
Lens and Optical Features
Model
Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
Optical Zoom
20x (30x digital) 20x (30x digital) 12x 20x 16x  13x
Lens Mount
No No No No Yes No
Lens F-Stop
F1.6-F2.8 F1.6-F2.8 F=1.6-2.8 F=1.6-3.5 F=1.4 F=1.6
Focal Length
f = 3.9-78mm

35mm equiv.
f = 37.4-748mm at 16:9
f = 4574-914mm at 4:3
f = 3.9-78mm

35mm equiv.
f = 37.4-748mm at 16:9
f = 4574-914mm at 4:3
35mm equiv.
32.5mm-390mm at 16:9
4.5mm-54mm at 4:3
f = 5.4-108mm f = 5.5-88mm f = 4.2 mm-55 mm
Minimum illumination
4 lux 4 lux 3 lux 4 lux NA  3 lux
Filter Diameter
62 mm 62 mm 72 mm 72mm 72mm 82mm
ND Filter
1/4, 1/16 1/4, 1/16 1/6, 1/32 1/6, 1/32 1/4, 1/16 1/8, 1/64
LCD/Viewfinder
Model
Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
Viewfinder
Color .44" 252K pixel 16:9 Color .44" 252K pixel 16:9 Color 252K pixel Color 0.57" 269K pixel Color 230K pixel Color 0.44" 235K pixel
LCD
Color 3.5" 211K pixel Color 3.5" 211K pixel Color 3.5" 250K pixel Color 2.8" 207K pixel Color 3.5" 250K pixel Color 3.5" 210K pixel
Audio
Model
Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
Microphone IN
2 x XLR 3.5mm stereo mini jack 2 x XLR 2 x XLR 2 x XLR 2 x XLR
Headphone
3.5mm stereo mini jack 3.5mm stereo mini jack 3.5mm stereo mini jack 3.5mm stereo mini jack 3.5mm stereo mini jack 3.5mm stereo mini jack
AV Out
Yes Yes        
Zoom
Model
Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
Zoom Controls
Ring, Grip and handle levers Ring, Grip and handle levers Ring, Grip and handle levers Ring, Grip and handle levers Ring, Grip and handle levers Ring, Grip and handle levers
Adjustable Zoom Speed
Yes, handle lever, speeds 1-8 Yes, handle lever, speeds 1-7 Yes Variable or multiple constant speed settings Yes Yes - 3 speeds
Manual Controls and Handling
Model
Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
Shutter Speed
60i: 1/4 - 1/10,000
24p: 1/3 - 1/10,000
60i: 1/4 - 1/10,000 1/4 - 1/10,000 1/4-1/15,000 1/6-1/10,000   1/4-1/2000
White Balance
Auto, one-push auto (2 positions) , indoor (3200 K), outdoor (5800 + 15 steps, approx 500K per step) Auto/One Push, A/B Preset Manual, Auto, One Push Auto, 3200K, 5800K Manual, 2 custom presets Auto, A, B, Preset Manual, 2 custom presets
Zebra Patterning
70, 100 70, 100 Yes 70-100 in steps of 5 60, 70, 85, 95, 100 50-105 in steps of 5
Exposure Range
F1.6-F11 (24 step) F1.6-F11 (24 step) F1.6-F11 (24 step)  NA NA  NA
Gain
0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18dB 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18dB 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18dB -3dB-36dB 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18dB Up to 18dB (60i/60p)
Up to 12dB (30p/24p)
Ring Controls
Focus, zoom Focus, zoom Focus, zoom Focus, zoom, iris Focus, zoom, iris Focus
Customized Keys
6 assignable buttons, 2 users 6 assignable buttons, 2 users 6 assignable buttons Yes   3 assignable buttons
Color Bars  Yes Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes Yes
Still Features
Model
Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
Still Resolutions
1.22 MP 1.22 MP NA 1920x1080, 1440x1080, 848x480, 640x480 NA NA
Still Media
MemoryStick DUO MemoryStick DUO NA SD, MMC NA SD
Ports
Model
Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
HDV/DV
i.LINK (IEEE1394) i.LINK (IEEE1394) i.LINK (IEEE1394) IEEE1394 IEEE1394 IEEE1394
HDMI out Yes Yes NA NA NA Yes
S-Video IN/OUT
Component, Mini and S-Video Component, Mini and S-Video Component, Mini and S-Video Yes Yes Yes
Composite Video IN/OUT
Composite (Mini) in/out Composite (Mini) in/out Composite (Mini) in/out RCA/BNC jack RCA Composite in/out
Audio OUT
Stereo Stereo Stereo RCA Stereo mini jack  
Accessory Shoe
Yes, cold Yes, cold Yes, cold Yes, hot Yes, cold Yes, cold
Other
Smooth Slow Record, 1.5x Digital Zoom Extender, AF Assist Smooth Slow Record, 1.5x Digital Zoom Extender, AF Assist        
Other
Model
Sony HVR-V1U Sony HDR-FX7 Sony HVR-Z1U Canon XH A1/XH G1 JVC GY-HD110U Panasonic AG-HVX200
Dimensions
  175mm x 156mm x 322mm
(5 3/4" x 6 1/4" x 12 3/4")
151mm x 181mm x 365mm
(5 15/16" x 7 1/8" x 14 3/8")
163mm x 189mm x 351mm
(6.4" x 7.4" x 13.8")
235mm x 232mm x 315mm
(9 1/4" x 9 1/8" x 12 3/8")
168.5mm x 180mm x 390mm
(6 11/16" x 7 1/8" x 15 3/8")
Weight
1.5 kg (3.3 lb.) 1.6 kg (3.52 lb.) w/battery 2.1 kg (4.7 lbs.) w/o battery XH A1: 2.26 kg (4.98 lbs.) w/battery
XH G1: 2.33 kg (5.14 lbs.) w/battery
3.1 kg (6.9 lbs.) including lens, battery, microphone and tape) 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs.) w/o battery
Power Consumption
DC 7.2 V (battery pack) DC 7.2 V (battery pack) 7.4 W VF, 8.0 W LCD, 8.4 W VF+LCD  7.4V DC 7.2 V  7.2V DC