Sony Handycam HDR-FX7
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: HDRFX7
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 is an excellent high-definition camcorder from a video perspective, but it's less satisfying if you're an audio control freak.
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CNET editors' review
Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 price range: $1,799.00 - $1,999.99
- Reviewed by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 01/30/2007
- Released on: 10/15/2006
The good: Excellent overall video quality; responsive focus and zoom.
The bad: Menu navigation doesn't circle back; useless manual; anemic audio support.
The bottom line: The Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 is an excellent high-definition camcorder from a video perspective, but it's less satisfying if you're an audio control freak.
Though "budget" isn't a term that readily applies to a $3,500 camcorder, you might think of Sony's Handycam HDR-FX7 as a budget version of its older sibling, the $3,700 Handycam HDR-FX1. Like the HDR-FX1, the HDR-FX7 is a three-chip, "prosumer" HD video model; they have roughly the same design and feature set. That's where the similarities end, however, as the HDR-FX7 has completely different sensors and optics that effectively make it an altogether different camcorder.
Many of the changes make this a more consumer-friendly model--or, to be more specific, a consumer-sales-friendly model. For instance, the HDR-FX1 has a practical, 12x zoom lens with an excellent (for a camcorder) wide-angle start of 32.5mm (35mm-equivalent). For the HDR-FX7, Sony sacrifices some wide-angle attitude for a more marketing-driven 20x zoom monster.
Rather than the three CCDs of the HDR-FX1, the HDR-FX7 uses a trio of Sony's 1-megapixel ClearVid CMOS chips, the same sensor technology used by the single-chip HDR-HC3. CMOS technology typically draws less battery power than CCD does, and Sony rates the HDR-FX7's battery life at about 8 hours, compared with the HDR-FX1's 6.5 hours. Each of the HDR-FX7's sensors has a lower resolution than the HDR-HC3's, though.
Its smaller body and streamlined feature set also ground the FX7 more firmly in the prosumer category. It weighs about 3.3 pounds with tape and its 2,200 mAh NP-F570 battery. If the battery seems lost in the huge cavity designed for it, that's because the camcorder can accommodate the 6,600 mAh NP-F970 as well, for triple the battery life. The battery lasts a reasonably long time, but it won't charge while the camcorder is on, which can be quite annoying. If you think that would annoy you as well, you'll probably want to spring for the external battery charger.
Shooters accustomed to midrange camcorders will have little trouble adjusting to the HDR-FX7; using it is very much like using models such as the older HDR-HC1 or the Panasonic AG-DVX100B. When shooting at eye level, your right hand controls only zooming and snapping still photos. The bulk of the operational burden--and the weight of the camcorder--falls on your left hand.
On the lens barrel are servo-controlled zoom and focus rings and a dial for adjusting exposure. Focusing via the ring works very well, especially when used in conjunction with the Expanded Focus button that falls under your left thumb; popping into EF mode zooms the view of the middle of the area for easier manual focus. A one-push override provides an autofocus lock that you can tweak manually, which makes it much faster to focus on hard-to-lock subjects; just use the override to focus on something nearby, then manually adjust for the subject. There's also a two-step neutral-density filter control, which I really like.
Sony compromised on the location of frequently--but not ubiquitously--used options. Buttons for backlight and spotlight compensation and shot transition presets are gone, replaced by six buttons (three on the barrel, three under the LCD) to which you can each assign one of 15 controls, including Steady Shot, color bar display, and focus peaking. I think a couple of those still deserve their own keys, such as Steady Shot. However, the company did address one of our complaints about the HDR-FX1, so you can now use focus peaking and Zebra stripes simultaneously. Gain, shutter speed, and white balance still have their own dedicated buttons. And a handy Status Check button, which sits next to the custom-setting Picture Profile control, pulls up all your current settings, because there's a lot to remember.
I'm not crazy about the zoom-ring operation, however, which in typical servo fashion has no defined beginning or end point. I much prefer the zoom rocker, which has a nice, responsive feel. A lens cover is built into the bundled lens hood, which is great if you leave the lens hood on all the time. If you take it off, as I do, it's not so great.
Sony packed enough features into the FX7 that you should feel like you're getting your money's worth. It records 1080i HD video, as well as standard MiniDV, to tape. Each of the three, 1/4-inch ClearVid sensors has a 1.1-megapixel gross resolution, for effective video and still resolutions of 1 megapixel for 16:9 and 778K in 4:3 mode. The 20x Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens--one of the good Zeiss lenses--covers the 35mm-equivalent angle of view as 37.4mm-748mm (16:9) and 45.7mm-914mm (4:3), with a nice maximum aperture of f/1.6-2.8, and the camcorder supports a shutter speed range of 1/4 secpnd to 1/10,000 second. As you'd expect, it incorporates Sony's Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization technology.
Though it has a cold (unpowered) accessory shoe, it does have a powered mic minijack--a completely undocumented and ambiguously labeled mic jack and accessory shoe. In fact, the audio support on this model is seriously underwhelming; it basically consists of the built-in mic, the aforementioned jack, and a single input volume control which doesn't allow for adjusting the stereo channels individually. Call me cynical, but it seems intentionally limited to keep from cannibalizing the market for the almost identical pro model, the HVR-V1U, which provides 2 XLR inputs (and some other stuff) for another $1,000 or so. There is a headphone minijack, however.
Other ports include a LANC terminal for controlling external devices, component and HDMI output, and a FireWire (i.Link) connector. You can snap stills to a Memory Stick Duo Pro and download them to your PC via the USB 1.1 connection.
Overall, the HDR-FX7 performs quite well. It has a smooth, responsive zoom, a quick autofocus system and a usable manual-focus mechanism, combined with a bright 3.5-inch LCD that's pretty good in direct sunlight and excellent eye-level viewfinder. Similarly, the video quality in both bright sunlight and dim interiors is pretty impressive--within the limitations of the HD video format.
Because of its weak audio options, as well as a lack of time-code controls and other editing-friendly essentials, I wouldn't recommend the Handycam HDR-FX7 for budding indie filmmakers, despite the attractive price for those users. The admittedly more expensive Panasonic AG-HVX200 remains my top choice for prosumers who put the emphasis on "pro." But if you want lots of video adjustment options and have only basic audio needs, the HDR-FX7 will can make a great HD starter camcorder for early-stage wannabes.
User reviews
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Poor Review
by flashfast on February 15, 2007
Pros: Indie Films
Cons: None observed.
Summary: Sorry, but a camera being reviewed bt someone who really doesnt know production methods. If you are a serious or aspiring film maker, we all know it is essential to ...
Summary: Sorry, but a camera being reviewed bt someone who really doesnt know production methods. If you are a serious or aspiring film maker, we all know it is essential to get a seperate sound system set up - this can be done for only a few hundred dollars or even cheaper second hand or if u just get a sound guy to collaborate with you. Improvise too - a broom handle is as good as any boom for a mike. Never rely on the camera mike unnless it's for some synching for editing purposes. Innovative lighting (black and white shades are cheap), remote sound system and never touching 'automatic' can give you a cinematic quality production. No serious indie film maker should rely inbuilt mikes. The FX 7, for the price, is a superb film makers tool. At $3500 it's designed for the more serious filmmaker and not the hobbyist.
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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For under 5k the best pro camcorder you can find
by symetristudios on May 19, 2007
Pros: For under 5k this camcorder has about everything you need to get started
Cons: The internal mic is very weak.. but who uses internal mics anyways?
Summary: At first I was really studying the Cannon XL and GL series and although those where my first choices and awesome cameras I really needed a camera that would film ...
Summary: At first I was really studying the Cannon XL and GL series and although those where my first choices and awesome cameras I really needed a camera that would film beautifully in lowlight/indoor conditions. I'm a professional wedding Videographer so I needed a camera that would perform very well in those conditions and this hit the mark. Most cameras I like to use the Manuel options/focus, with the HDRFX7 I leave the focus on auto focuses dead on immediately, so I never have to worry about it becoming out of focus quickly during filming. With most camcorders I've used the option for backlight where just pity consumer stuff that never really worked well, again this is the first camera I've used where that setting works very well but if you?re a professional or serious Videographer who doesn?t have pro equipment right? Which brings us to the Mic, yes the Mic on this camera is very very poor and it can carry allot of background interference but then again if you?re a serious videographers or professional we already know not to pay attention to internal mics use pro-audio equipment, then problem solved. The headphone jack works very well too.
Overall this camera as of right now is my prized possession I LOVE IT! The pans and zooms are very smooth, the grab handle makes it easy although it makes for a much smoother ride if you use some kind of steadyrod with it, and it looks just beautiful on a tripod/dolly or just as a floating camera. The menu I never found to be hard to operate. The white bal function is very easy to work with so is the shutter speed and most of the other functions (just sit down and play with it for awhile) I also like the zebra effect it really helps when your using the white bal/shutter speed.
The playback: Sony has all the options for playback fire wire, composite, HDMI, etc. the colors are very rich and good contrast yet not loud or noisy. Also there is 6 different picture profiles 4 are preset and if you?re using this for a Wedding as I am today the portrait profile is a perfect choice for editing people sitting or walking and other 2 you can preset your own settings (just remember to have a flash card to save them)
To end with overall this camera is the best out there right now for under 5k actually you can find it easy for 2,500, I bought mine for 2465. If you?re just starting out in videography, if you?re an indie filmmaker or if you?re just a "pro-consumer" and want the best at an affordable price this is defiantly the camera for you! I love this thing.
Paul Gilmore - Chief Videographer/Creative Producer
Symetri Studios4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Magnificent camera in a very manageable package.
by mohrmh on March 17, 2008
Pros: Brilliantly crisp images, easy handling, far reaching audio.
Cons: A bit grainy in low light.
Summary: I am not one to change with the times, until those times finally present exactly what I'm anticipating. Sony has finally brought out an HD camera that allowed me ...
Summary: I am not one to change with the times, until those times finally present exactly what I'm anticipating. Sony has finally brought out an HD camera that allowed me to toss aside my VHS camcorder, the HDR FX7.
Initially I was torn, on paper, between the HDR FX1 and the FX7. However, when buying directly from Sony, they offer the very nice feature of a 30 day trial on any of their products.
So, I ordered both cameras and literally did a side-by-side comparison for a month. The result was that the FX7 won hands down.
The only situation the FX1 outperformed was in extremely low ambient light, like you would find in a living room with a couple of incandescent bulbs burning; the CMOS of the FX7 produced a grainier image than the CCD of the FX1. The FX7 is much more comfortable to use as a handheld, being much shorter and 10 ounces lighter. When holding the FX1 for an hour, shooting the kids' hockey games or swim meets, resulted in a very fatigued and aching hand. The FX1 is just too heavy and bulky to comfortably use over an extended period of time. It's really better suited for tripod shooting. The FX7, however, is a very tight little package, relatively speaking, and is quite comfortable and maneuverable. In bright light and outdoors, both cameras recorded equally crisp pictures with excellent color reproduction. The 20X lens of the FX7 that was criticized in other reviews as a sales gimmick is actually quite useful, as in allowing me to shoot from the stands the wide shots required of team sports, yet allows me to zoom in to a full frame of my son's face in his hockey helmet...nice to clearly see the big grin after a goal! The 12X of the FX1 just didn't allow for that tight of a shot from the same distance. The battery life of the FX7 is not qute as advertised, but 4 hours of continuos shooting is plenty for me. Though the FX1 does allow for a lot of customization of settings, this feature was way more than I ever need. The FX7 keeps this to just enough to not be overbearing. Relative to audio, for me, the onboard mic is wonderful...gives excellent stereo response, yet can pickup conversation from images I'm zooming in on 60 feet away. As far as playback, both cameras demonstrate very clear action shots, with no blurring or bleeding. The firewire feature lets you control all of the playback features directly through your Sony HD TV.
So, for someone who definitely wants beautiful, true HD prosumer recording, the FX7 is the camera for you.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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good starter camera for consumer thinking about a more professional camera without paying too much
by camguy321 on January 31, 2008
Pros: this camera is an excellent choice for consumers wanting to get their toes wet in more professional style shooting wet
Cons: having someone not knowing what they are talking about tell you what any of the cameras on the site are capable of
Summary: I would really like to see someone who knows what they are talking about to review this camera. The review did nothing but just tell me how many bad things ...
Summary: I would really like to see someone who knows what they are talking about to review this camera. The review did nothing but just tell me how many bad things there are on this camera. Its a low cost prosumer camera of course there are going to be less features then on a more expensive ones. try telling people what is good on the camera its a lot more helpful.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent Video Camera
by JCD0151 on January 26, 2007
Pros: Easy for the non-expert
Cons: The still images are worse than terrible!
Summary: I would think that on this caliber of camer, that sony would have made the still images a higher megapixel (They are just over 1 megapixel). I would have paid ...
Summary: I would think that on this caliber of camer, that sony would have made the still images a higher megapixel (They are just over 1 megapixel). I would have paid a additional fair amount to have a higher megapixel amount. One of the reasons that I chose this camera was so that I did not have to lug around my still camera, and a video camera. I still have to do that, because I would be embarrased for anyone to see the still images that the FX7 takes, after I spent $3,500.00 on it!
2 out of 13 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: HDRFX7
- Description: Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 1080i HDV camcorder is equipped with three-chip ClearVID CMOS Sensor technology to deliver exceptional high-def video and the utmost in creative control. For videographers on the move, the HDR-FX7 sports a compact body design, weighing in at about three pounds. It is approximately 40 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than Sony's first prosumer HDV model. Like previous HDV models, the HDR-FX7 can record and playback both 1080i HDV and standard definition DV video on standard miniDV tapes. Recorded HDV video can be conveniently edited with a choice of available HDV, non-linear editing software. Its HDMI interface offers simple, one-cord connection to compatible display devices so you can just plug and play into instead of struggling with multiple cables. The HDR-FX7 camcorder has a smooth slow record function. With its three sensors, the HDR-FX7 model can capture a six-second burst of video and play it back in 24 seconds as slow motion video. The model's dual record function allows users to capture 1.2-megapixel still images and shoot video simultaneously, with the press of a button. The HDR-FX7 camcorder sports a high-resolution viewfinder to accurately check composition, focus and image color. It also features a high-resolution, 3.5-inch SwivelScreen LCD screen with Clear Photo Plus LCD technology for superb contrast and accurate color reproduction. Ideal for the mobile videomaker, the LCD can be tilted out and swiveled for comfortable viewing in any shooting position. Both the viewfinder and LCD screen can be turned on independently or simultaneously.
General
- Product Type Camcorder - 1080i
- Effective Sensor Resolution 1.04 megapixels
- Total Pixels 1.12 megapixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/4"
- Optical Sensor Type 3 ClearVid CMOS
- Min Illumination 4 lux
- Image Stabilizer Optical (Super Steady Shot)
- Shooting Modes Normal movie mode
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- Exposure Modes Manual, Automatic
- Widescreen Video Capture Yes
Main Features
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution 1.12 megapixels
- Camcorder Effective Video Resolution 1.04 megapixels
- Camcorder Effective Still Resolution 1.2 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
- TV Tuner None
Memory / Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Media Type Mini DV (HDV)
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 37.4 mm - 748 mm
- Focal Length 37.4 mm - 748 mm
- Optical Zoom 20 x
- Lens system type Zoom lens
- Min focal length 37.4 mm
- Lens Manufacturer Carl Zeiss
- Max focal length 748 mm
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Features ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass
- Filter Size 62 mm
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 37.4 - 748 mm
- Focus Adjustment Manual, Automatic
- Zoom Adjustment Manual, Motorized drive
Additional Features
- Low Lux / Night Mode Yes
- Additional Features Built-in speaker, Histogram display, Backlight compensation, Digital noise reduction, Display brightness control
- Remote control Remote control - Infrared
- Included Accessories Lens hood
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type Electronic
- Viewfinder Diagonal Size 0.54 in
- Viewfinder Resolution 250,000 pixels
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3.5 in - Color
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x HDMI output, 1 x Composite video/audio (input/output), 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire/i.LINK), 1 x Component video output, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x S-Video output, 1 x USB, 1 x Microphone, 1 x Headphones, 1 x Control-L (LANC), 1 x DC power input
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x Memory Stick Duo
Audio Input
- Audio input type Microphone
- Microphone type Built-in
- Microphone Operation Mode Stereo
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case None
- Cables Included 1, 1 x A/V cable, 1 x Component video cable, USB cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
- Battery type - Lithium ion
Battery
- Supported Battery Sony NP-F570
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 2200 mAh ( Included )
Viewfinder / Display
- Display Form Factor Rotating
- Display Format 211,000 pixels
- Viewfinder Color Support Color
Manufacturer info
- Sony
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.sonystyle.com
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
