Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom

by Sony

Product Details

Product Manual [3.91mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11.8 x 10.1 inches ; 7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00068JKR0
• Item model number: HDRFX1
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,754 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 15, 2004

Product Description

Three 1/3-inch wide-aspect-ratio advanced HAD CCD imagers for true-to-life color rendering.Play and record interlaced high-definition video at resolutions up to 1440 x 1080 for professional-quality video.12x optical zoom with Super SteadyShot Optical Stabilization System. 3.5-inch wide precision hybrid SwivelScreen LCD.Record at either 30 frames per second or, for a film-like feel, at 24 frames per second.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent!, October 8, 2005

By 

Muhammad Miguel Ali Hasan "Film Director & Po... (Sunset Beach, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Indie Filmmaker here, always looking out for a better camera!

The Sony HDV series is an astonishing technology

Don't let people tell you that the footage is "too compressed" ---- technically, it is, but once it gets on screen, it looks stunning!

I haven't done much filming with this camera ---- but I have seen its footage and edited its footage

Both on television and the computer monitor, I was impressed with its 'look' ---- very detailed and extremely clear

Editing was a BREEEEEZE with this footage! I edited on Final Cut Pro and could composite 5 layers all above each other, each with a different opacity, and FCP's real time engine kept up without having to render! Thus, the compressed footage makes editing EASY - but Sony has managed to make a beautiful picture out of this stuff too

For the Indie Filmmakers out there ---- test one out before purchasing..... I find the Sony HDV to be the most clear look out there --- emulating a beautifully shot NFL game on HD..... but for cinematic looks, I still may stick with the Panasonic DVX100, as there is a more cinema feel to that one

hope that helps

HAPPY BUYING!!!!

100 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It may not be the best camera ever but it still rocks!!, November 17, 2004

By 

Larkin Flynn "Hoodwinker" (Aspen, Colorado UDA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I am a student filmmaker and I just bought this camera from sonystyle.com. Its a great consumer camcorder. It does not offer true HD picture quality but it does offer true HD resolution. If you want a HD camera that rivals film cameras expect to spend 50 to 100 thousand dollars.

The best thing about the camera is its resolution and true 16:9 aspect ratio. If you hate the 16:9 squeeze mode on other camcorders this is the camcorder for you. some people are disappointed about the camcorder lacking a progressive scan mode, 720p. its debated if 720p is true HD. the HDR-FX1 shoots 1080i which is true HD resolution. If 1080i shot progressive scan it would go outside the bandwidth limit. So if you plan to transfer it to film one should get software with de-interlacing capabilities.

Over all the minor flaws will piss off professionals, but they have to realize at the moment true HD is only 1080i not 1080p. The lack of XLR inputs will also hurt the camcorder but there are ways around that to. One big worry is the amount of compression that occurs while shoot HDV on a MiniDV tape. From what I have experience the compression is not a major factor to worry about yet until I do more testing. Over all this is a superior camcorder compared to regular DV camcorders. 24p is not the only thing that give the film look. Aspect ratio and detail are very important as well. The resolution and detail is far superior to any other consumer camcorder. If detail and resolution are top of your list, than this is the camcorder for you, once the editing software comes out for it.

66 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best prosumer camcorder yet, but not for true professionals., January 17, 2005

By 

tron3 "-TRON3 (Serving the Users since 1982.)" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Addendum 3/30: To correct the guy correcting me 2 reviews above. In regular mini-dv mode with widescreen, there is definitely a wider picture. Focus on one item and switch modes, you will see the picture get wider. HD mode is anamorphic 4:3 - stretched to fit 16x9, but keeps the aspect ratio so everything doesn't look stretched. I've run tests and know what I am saying. Do you?

Recently shot my Uncle's wedding in Widescreen, and played the video back on his widescreen TV. The aspect ratio of the image is accurate and not stretched. Yes, this shoots in widescreen, but not in hi-def at the same time.

Original review:
My first "prosumer" camcorder I ever owned and I love it. The color reproduction is phenomenal and has great features. A few caveats may scare away people looking for something more, but this is more of a VERY HIGH END consumer item. Not for the novice, but someone with more shooting talent than the average person. If you want a TRUE HD professional camera, spend 15+ grand and stop knocking this one.

A bother to me was that regular mini-dv can record in true 16:9 mode. While the HD mode is anamorphic 4:3. (Stretched to fit 16:9) The wide-angle lens can fix that for about $500 more.
But if you are transferring to regular DVD's, you can still shoot mini DV widescreen because DVD doesn't record in HD.

So, unless you are transferring to HD DVD, like blu-ray, you have the BEST consumer/prosumer widescreen camcorder available.
Rated at about 3lux, low light doesn't harm this baby much. I find the accessories can be pricey too, but that is the cost you pay when you go prosumer. Everything else is for beginners and amateurs.

Tip: Get a long life battery. Sony 970 is recommended for longest life, but the 960 served me well for a days shooting/standby with plenty time left over. Get the light too!

Did I mention women love men with big camcorders? {:-p

NP-970 Battery:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0006G3BHW/ref=cm_aya_asin.title/002-0715528-1432846?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance