Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom | 
| Brand: Sony
List Price: $6,274.50
Buy New: $3,243.47
You Save: $3031.03 (48%)
New (2) Used (2) from $2,499.95
Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 1561
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 12
Display Size: 3.5
Maximum Focal Length: 54
Minimum Focal Length: 4.5
Shipping Weight (lbs): 7
Dimensions (in): 17.6 x 11.8 x 10.1
MPN: HDRFX1
Model: HDR-FX1
UPC: 822766009000
EAN: 0822766009000
ASIN: B00068JKR0
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 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 |
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Product Description
Sony Handycam(R) HDR-FX1, the first true 1080i high definition camcorder, is the perfect introduction to the world of high definition video. Record your most intimate moments in the highest quality. With advanced features such as the newly developed wide 3 sensor 1/3" CCD, 72mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens and Real Time Codec engine, the HDR-FX1 is equipped to handle every video task. Relive your memories in vivid HDTV quality colors and clarity. This may not be the camera to use for family and touring. If you're into professional or serious creative use, this camcorder offers vast opportunities that were previously unavailable at this class. You've been waiting for your chance. Here it is! 3.5 LCD Viewing monitor Manual control of camcorder functions allow settings of the camera to be adjusted so that creative effects can be achieved while filming 12x Optical Zoom with 4-way zoom capability for different situations Widescreen LCD monitor lets you see every detail as you shoot in 16 - 9 mode High-performance Down Conversion Function Precision DV- wide Recording Personal Menu Battery Information Continual shooting time Sony iLINK (HDV/DV) Connector for easy video transfer to a PC or Macintosh computer for DV edit and enhancement - and back again SteadyShot Active Lens System (Menu) Shot Transition Picture Profile - 6 Picture Profiles - You can set each of 6 Picture Profiles with Color Level/Color Phase/Sharpness/Skin Tone Detail/AE Shift/AGC Limit/Auto Iris Limit/WB Shift/AWB Sensitivity/Cinematone Gamma/Cineframe
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 It may not be the best camera ever but it still rocks!! November 17, 2004
Larkin Flynn (Aspen, Colorado UDA)
96 out of 115 found this review helpful
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.
Best prosumer camcorder yet, but not for true professionals. January 17, 2005
tron3 (New Jersey)
67 out of 82 found this review helpful
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
excellent! October 8, 2005
Ali Hasan (Eagle County, Colorado)
54 out of 58 found this review helpful
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!!!!
amazing editing software IS out for this camera January 30, 2005
Markus Wernig (Los Angeles, CA United States)
38 out of 65 found this review helpful
Every great camera needs great editing software. I am sure most people already know, but ALL of Apple's editing programs support the HDV format of this camera natively, WITHOUT the need to purchase any additional video cards.
This is true for Apple's Final Cut Pro HD, Final Cut Express HD and even for iMovie HD!
High definition video from this camera can be edited even on an iBook with the new iMovie HD right out of the box. This is what I call truely amazing!
Sony 1080i camcorder delivers October 27, 2004
FCC (CA USA)
34 out of 38 found this review helpful
I hooked up the HDR-FX1 (a loaner) to my HiScan Wega 36in CRT direct-view TV using RGB component input. The picture is amazing, and is equal or sometimes better than the HD broadcast from cable TV, which is delivered via set-top-box in mostly either 720p or 1080i. The HDV detail is certainly an order higher than standard DV due to format resolution, and color is deeper in saturation due to 4:2:0 color sampling. Although HDV cannot match professional HD format, I think it is good enough for consumer who just wants to make home video for showing on new HDTV. In fact the Sony is a good replacement for my year old Panasonic DVX100A.
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