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Filed under: Cameras •Production •

Review: Sony HVR-Z5U 1/3” 3-CMOS HDV Camcorder

Conclusions

With the HVR-Z5U, Sony brings the same level of resolution, quality, and flexibility to its fixed-lens lineup as the Z7U and S270U deliver with interchangeable lenses.

The Z5U lets you shoot to tape or to CF card, or both at the same time, so you can work with the familiar tape-based workflow or the solid-state file-based workflow as you see fit. Its HDMI output connects with third-party capture cards and portable recorders for full digital recording at better than HDV quality levels, too.

It handles standard-definition DV and DVCAM as well as 1080-line HDV, so you’re able to handle SD and HD gigs with equal ease. And while the stock Z5U is a 60 Hz-only camcorder, it (and the Z7U and S270U) can be upgraded to 50/60 Hz “WorldCam” functionality for an additional $300.

The Z5U’s3 CMOS imagers deliver a reasonable tradeoff between resolution, sensitivity, and noise, delivering beautiful images with only the occasional telltale artifact that they aren’t full-res sensors. Its controls over color, exposure, knee, gamma, and detail give you ample ability to change the look of the picture. Smooth Slow Record gives you 4x slo-mo capability, albeit in short bursts with sub-SD resolution.

The HVR-Z5U’s basic image quality is equal to that of the Z7U and S270U, but it’s $1200 cheaper than the Z7U, as well as being slightly lighter in the hand.

The Z5U’s 20x G lens goes a bit wider and longer than the Z7U’s stock lens, and it has less chromatic aberration. On the flip side, the Z7U’s 12x Zeiss has lower distortion. What’s important to you?

The Z5U handles like a grown-up handycam, with Sony’s superbly smooth servo lens controls and with controls placed in the same positions you’ll find ‘em on other handycams. The Z7U strives more to be a miniature “big” camera in its design philosophy.

The Z5U has both built-in stereo mikes and a separate shotgun; the Z7U has only the shotgun.

If you need interchangeable lenses (and I don’t mean “do you think it would be nice?”, I mean “do you really have plans to swap lenses?”) then the Z7U is the one to get. If you’re happy with the range of the Z5U’s lens, why pay more for functionality you’re not going to exploit?

In short, it’s hard to pick winners in the battle of the high-end Sony HDV cams. Beyond that, it’s silly. The Z5U simply expands the choices in the 1/3” ClearVid CMOS lineup.

Pros

• 20x G zoom.
• ISO 400 nominal sensitivity (ISO 200 at -6dB gain).
• 800+ TVl/ph resolution with acceptably smooth, natural detail.
• DV, DVCAM, and 1080-line HDV recording.
• Upgradeable to 50/60Hz “WorldCam” flexibility.
• Interlaced and true progressive modes.
• Killer EVF and very good LCD; good peaking control.
• Best-in-the-business viewfinder data displays.
• Sensible ergonomics and superb, silky-smooth lens servos.
• Sony Steadyshot with several “firmness” settings.
• Comprehensive Picture Profile tweaks, most with 15 steps of adjustment.
• Very good shotgun mike included along with good built-in stereo mike.
• HDMI output.

Cons

• Lens has a fair amount of distortion through much of its range.
• Resolution drops with increased gain.
• Smooth Slow Motion clips have low resolution and many compression artifacts.
• Lens servo rings aren’t end-stopped, labeled, or calibrated.
• Expanded focus function can’t be used while recording.

Cautions

• 25 Mbit/sec HDV can break up when heavily stressed.
• Progressive modes not playable on older gear; may not yet be accessible in all NLEs.
• CMOS rolling shutter.
• Z7U & S270U in-viewfinder tilt indicator isn’t present in the Z5U.
• HVR-MRC1 CF card recorder is optional; it’s not included with the Z5U.

Other Resources

Sony’s pro HDV site.

HVR-Z5U brochure (PDF).

Upgrade a Z5U, Z7U, or S270U with WorldCam (50 Hz) capability.

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Adam, I feel abit of a fool.

I now see my post was inappropriate, apologies.
To explain myself:
I’m part of that wave of small start companies of one. Focusing on weddings.
Working a metro area of 3.2 million with over 50 other wedding video Co.
No whine, I love having the opportunity to create. It’s a huge high.
I do work solo and my pockets aren’t deep.
Every decision needs to be the best for the money going out.
As a startup my old pre-DV cameras were not an option.
I went HD. My second camera buy was the (new at the time) Sony V1U.
I now have learned (for my needs) a rolling shutter camera only adds to an already crazy complex shooting environment. Adding insult to injury the back flange issue and low resale value.
My fault and apologies in posting my frustration.

Posted by bob r  on  05/08  at  07:46 AM

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No worries, Bob. In contrast to the V1, the current crop of HDV (and AVCHD and AVC-I and XDCAM EX) CMOS camcorders have a couple of improvements: vastly better sensitivity, and higher mass (thus less likely to show any jellocam artifacts from high-frequency wiggles).

For the flash issue, if the $8000 (street price) AG-HPX3000 is out of your price range, The Foundry’s Nuke software may have a fix; FreshDV has a 10-minute NAB video about it at <http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/freshdv/story/nab_2009_video_foundry>, but it might be quicker (!) just to Google it and see if it’s any help.

Posted by Adam Wilt  on  05/08  at  01:07 PM

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Thanks!
I’ve been looking for a way to correct (apples motion, smoothing) tracking jumps when there is a photo flash for a very long time.

Posted by bob r  on  05/11  at  06:58 AM

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Thanks for this great review of the Z5U.  This is by far the most extensive and informative piece on this camera, and will help with my purchase decision.  My PD170 has served me well, but perhaps it’s time to make the move to HDV.

Posted by Gerry Fraiberg  on  06/02  at  10:23 AM

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