UPDATE: Sony HDR-FX1000 and HVR-Z5U Announced for US

Read our comprehensive review of the Sony HDR-FX1000 here.

A week after Japan jumped the gun and announced the camcorders, Sony's U.S. division finally followed up with the official confirmation that the HDR-FX1000 ($3199 MSRP) and the HVR-Z5U ($4950 MSRP) will indeed be released for the U.S market. They also confirmed than the HDR-FX7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $2599) will be reduced to $1999, and that the DCR-VX2100 (Review, Specs, $3049.00) (Review, Specs, $1980), after four years on the market, would be discontinued.  (View photo gallery of HDR-FX1000)

When asked why Sony was continuing to invest in tape-based camcorders at this price range while other manufacturers are pursuing non-tape methods, Bob Ott, Vice President of Marketing for Pro Audio, Video, and Optical Networks responded: "The perception that the industry is moving away from tape is a perception. It’s not definite." He continues, "The question is, 'Where’s your master?' A wedding is a once in a lifetime shoot. Would you want to talk up to the bride and tell her that you accidentally erased the footage?"

Sony is pursuing non-tape HD camcorders in both higher and lower price ranges, such as the PMW-EX3 ($13,000 MSRP) and several consumer camcorders ranging in the $800 - $1300 range.

All of the camcorders specs released in last week's news carry over to the U.S. models. The HDR-FX1000 will be available in November, and the HVR-Z5U will follow in December.

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The new Sony HDR-FX1000

Sony Japan today announced the release of two new camcorders, the HDR-FX1000 (¥400,000) and the HVR-Z5J (¥554,400). The new pair of HDV-based camcorders are targeted at the prosumer and professional crowds, respectively. Though nearly identical in footprint and design, the HVR-Z5J features additional frame rates, audio and color controls, and other features for the professional. The FX1000 is due to hit stores in Japan on November 10th, with the HVR-Z5J following in December.

The HDR-FX1000 and the HVR-Z5J use the same core optics and sensor system, featuring 3 x 1/3-inch CMOS sensors. The lens is fixed (non-removable), and is the first to bear Sony's G Lens name in an effort to create a cohesive branding across its camcorders and DSLR lines. The lens has a 20x optical zoom, with an aperture range of f/1.6 - 3.4. Positioned around the lens are three control rings: focus, zoom, and iris. There are also three built-in ND filters (1/4, 1/16, and 1/64).

The camcorders include a 3.2-inch LCD with a resolution of 921,000 pixels. This is a major increase over the HDR-FX1's LCD, which only offered a 250,000-pixel resolution.

The HDR-FX1000 is aimed at the prosumer category, those that avidly pursue videography, as well as freelancers for weddings, sports, company events. The FX1000 features progressive 24P and 30P, as well as 1080/60i, though the video is not outputted as native progressive. There are options for choosing between various gamma presets and other color controls.

The HDR-FX1000, a side view (above), and a top vew (below).

The HVR-Z5J is a significant upgrade from the FX1000 is terms of the control it offers for professionals. There are two XLR inputs not found on the FX1000, both offering phantom power. The Z5J is capable of both 50i and 60i to switch between NTSC and PAL formats. Video can be recorded natively at 1080/60i, 30P, 24P, HDV, DV, and DVCAM. It also offers simultaneous output to the HVR-MRC1K compact flash card recorder, with embedded timecode. (The FX1000 does not have the proprietary connection for the compact flash recorder.) The HVR-Z5J has an expanded set of gamma controls and cam be synced across multiples cameras on a shoot.

The HVR-Z5U features upgraded audio controls		Both camcorders have rings for iris, focus, and zoom.

 

The HDR-FX1000 is scheduled for release on November 10th at a ¥400,000 price point. The HVR-Z5J will follow in December for ¥554,400.