Reviews for Sony Handycam Digital Camcorder - 3.5" LCD - CCD1.1 Megapixel Video - 12x Optical Zoom - MPN: HDRFX1 
By member:
nealritz
- Jan 5, 2005
Sony Handycam Digital Camcorder - 3.5" LCD - CCDStrengths: Great looking. Superb picture recorded and on the LCD screen. Easy to operate once you read the manual a few times. Weakness: No volume control for external mike. My HDV-EX1 is all that I expected. I knew before purchasing that it did not have any XLR mike inputs, but went ahead anyway. Great looking pictures. Easy to operate although the many menus and customizing features take some understanding. 89% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
gowgirl
- Dec 11, 2005
Excellent Camera!Strengths: 3CCD Incomparable resolution Built in lens cover Simple to operate Lightweight Handle makes it easy to take low angle shots 16x9 filming Weakness: Price of accessories Manual is rather simplistic No NightShot capability Limited zoom capability compared to Canon Not true 24p No MiniDV cassette, software or firewire included Overall, a solid camera that is great for transferring to digital medium. As most reviews will indicate, this is not a 24p camera unlike the Panasonic DVX 100a, and hence, it will not replicate the quality of actual film. Ultimate output remains outstanding, although before deciding on which camcorder to purchase (usually compared to the Canon GL, Canon XL2, Panasonic DVX-100a/100b), look at the accessories that you will require. Sound options are limited for those who require an XLR jack. If your end product will be displayed on a television or HD monitor, this is great. If you are seeking to transfer to 16mm, this may not be the ideal option. HD is still very new technology at this point. 74% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
exitalivescenes
- Mar 31, 2005
Sony Handycam Digital Camcorder - 3.5" LCD - CCDStrengths: its astonishing respond to light in min. illumination situation gives a real richy cinematic look speciallty through the gamma control besides its built in Real time HD codec engine for HDV-DV switch Weakness: leak of a phantom powered XLR mic inputs though i believe capturing the audio through the camera is not professional,i use a MOTU Traveller in captiring audio track on an 8 channel phantom powered trk The Sony's HDR fx1 HDV comes mounted with a Carl Zeiss lens with a comparably long focal length 4.5-54 mm that gives an outstanding film look image and offers a manually controlled zoom levels which cconsequently gives helps in building a rich chot movments moreover i believe its iris dial up control builds an outstanding film look ..Besides its HDV format is meant to be a revoution in the high defination video recording with an intrlaced 1080i or 720 progressive scanning ...frankly i was comparing the Sony's FX1 with the Panasonics ag DVX100a and i found the sony's outstanding 35mm film look very encouraging to sacrify the 24p buzz which can be compensated through any non linear editing software ..eventually i use an Apple Final cut pro HD 4.5 for the 24p conforming and i was never caught from professionals by shooting on a miniDV camcorder , am always asked how did i support a 35mm panavision camera ;))! 70% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
waltjh_1069807539
- Oct 21, 2005
HDR-FX1 HDV Digital CamcorderStrengths: Extremely professonal camera; video could not be any better Weakness: weight; if using for a long time can get heavy. Utilize a tripod This digital video camcorder was recommended by a college professor. The camcorder does everything you would expect a professional camera to do. There is nothing to dislike about the camcorder. Sound and picture quality is outstanding. It is actually quite easy to use. 67% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
Reply by member: DirectorHopefull
Nov 12, 2005 Ummm. it all seems good... but can u hook it up to a computer and edit the film u just shot? And How is the zoom? is there more Optical than digital zoom? plz write back to me A.S.A.P.
Reply by member: waltjh_1069807539
Nov 12, 2005 The camera can be hooked up directly to your computer. I have a MAC, but it should work just as well with a PC. Zoom is great, no sure about optical vs digital.
Reply by member: DirectorHopefull
Nov 13, 2005 Thanx. My last question is does it come with wires to hook it up and editing software? you've been a big help, im probably gonna get this camera for chirstmas. thnx again
Reply by member: waltjh_1069807539
Nov 14, 2005 The camera comes with the cables to hook up to the PC. It did not come with editing software. I purchased a package, the camera and a lot of extras: tapes, tripod, carrying case, etc. Instead of making the actual purchase online, I called the seller with the lowest price and tried to negoiate a lower price. They did not lower the price, but they did give me a 4 year extended warranty. Give it a try.
By member:
plutodarks
- Jan 5, 2006
Awesome QualityStrengths: dude, this is great, the pictuer is damn clear, and try the HDR mode, it's aweseom. I think this is the best HD camcorder on the market right now. Weakness: Battery, you need to get a extra battery, get the highest one that's 970, with that you can shoot all day you want. the only thing that's unfortunate is that when you shoot in the HDR mode you have to use this camera to import to your computer. I am hoping sony can get a external exporter for this camera. Regardless, if you are looking for a HDR camcorder or just a great quality camcorder this is the ONE. 67% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
sredford
- Jan 19, 2006
Excellent Camcorder with a few DrawbacksStrengths: High Definition, Focus Ring, Zoom Ring, Iris Knob, Lens, Lens Hood, Many buttons for on the fly adjustments Weakness: Lack of Smooth Zoom when using Zoom Rocker, Lack of Ability to set crawling zoom speed, Lack of XLR audio, SwivelScreen LCD display is too small, Expanded Video feature does not work while recording Overall, this is a very impressive camcorder. It has a great balanced feel in the hand, and is much lighter than it looks. The High Definition Video is astoundingly clear and for the price, this camera does an excellent job. The Zoom Ring and the Focus Ring have a very solid feel and they help a great deal for quality shooting. The Zoom Rocker also works nicely and is capable of a crawling zoom that lasts for just under 2 minutes, but you have to practice precise holding of the Zoom Rocker to achieve this. Sony should have allowed the user to control the max zoom speed to allow this to be done easily. The Handle Zoom Rocker (there are 2 zoom rockers) does allow you to slow down the zoom speed in the menu, but it still zooms rather quickly at the slowest speed setting. The other frustrating thing with the Zoom Rocker is the somewhat abrupt stop it makes when finished zooming – it is absurd that a camera of this expense lacks the 'smooth zoom' feature of the more expensive Z1U. It is also absurd that it does not have built-in XLR jacks at this price. My only other complaint relates to focusing the camera. The 3.5in SwivelScreen LCD display is actually too small to really determine if you are in focus. Sony has a neat Expanded Focus button that shows you only one quarter of the display which really helps for determining if you are in focus, but you can not use it while recording, so it is a great feature that is pretty much useless unless you are in standby mode. Despite these drawbacks, this is a great camcorder. 64% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
Kavehjoon
- Sep 1, 2005
HDR-FX1Strengths: Superb picture quality. beautiful images on the 16X9 LCD screen. Good performance in low light conditions. Great cinematic look. Weakness: lack of audio control for external microphone. It was difficult to adapt to the HDV system once we shot our first project. we had to figure out how to images into FCP and see the footage while digitizing the footage. WE love the footage quality and we cannot go back to regular DV now. 64% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
syusufali
- Mar 31, 2006
Sony HDR-FX1 HDV ReviewStrengths: Focus Ring and Zoom Ring, several buttons for on the fly adjustments and High Definition! Weakness: Zoom is a littly shaky and LCD screen could be bigger This is a great camcorder packed with awesome features. 55% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
whtwxm12
- Jan 3, 2006
review on product HDR-FX1Strengths: useful for our people Weakness: too large, not flexible I think it's also a good photo tool, and it is also give me some good experience on our trip. But the price of it is too high for me. 20% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
reviewgist.com - Jan 15, 2010
Best PAL Camcorder For Ease Of Use
Video is Good according to 11 Camcorder experts. -- "pretty awesome video"-camcorderinfo.com -- "outstanding video"-camcorderinfo.com -- "I can say that I was incredibly impressed by what I saw."-camcorderinfo.com Read more to find expert opinions on more features like Optics, Battery, Interface, etc. Top
TopTenREVIEWS.com - Jan 5, 2009
Sony HDR-FX1
Sony HDR-FX1 receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 3.24 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #18 MiniDV camcorder of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a product's... Top
bestcovery.com - Dec 3, 2008
Best Professional and Prosumer Camcorders
Bestcovery experts have rated the Sony HDR-FX1 HDV Digital Camcorder as a best pick for the Best Professional and Prosumer Camcorders. Bestcovery's experts recommend the best products and services for a particular need based on extensive research and evaluations. Click below to see Bestcovery's full review of this product. Top
testseek.com - Oct 22, 2008
Sony HDR-FX1
Testseek.com has collected 10 expert reviews for Sony HDR-FX1 and the average expert rating is 85 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions. Top
videomaker.com - Nov 1, 2004
Sony HDR-FX1 HDV Camcorder
Government-mandated HD television broadcast standards and the widespread availability (if not affordability) of HD televisions contribute to creating a demand for HD content. While Sony's HDR-FX1 is not meant to compete with $20,000 professional HD solutions, for small shops, local event videographers and elite hobbyists, high-def home video is a reality. Top 
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ZD1 upgraded version of this camera
Strengths: Viewfinder and Eyepiece available at the same time Great images if not underexposed. See Sony site for other differences. I felt additional money was worth the upgrade
Weakness: Have to take protection filters off when using WA Lens Needs some kind of shoulder pod design to handhold for long periods.
I am a professional cinematographer who bought this camera to shoot a personal documentary. It is light, easy to understand and has the potential to shoot beautiful images.The camera needs to be experimented with (while hooked up to a professional monitor) to see the differences between modes.
94% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful?