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SonyHVR-Z1U HDV Camcorder SYNOPSIS: We've already reviewed the FX1 and found it to be a darling of a camcorder, as has the most of the rest of the world. Since you can expect the same audio/video quality from the Z1U, the $1,400 price disparity raises the inevitable question: when should you spend the extra dough and buy the professional version? In addition to producing outstanding quality in both DV and HDV modes, key advantages of the Z1U include DVCAM support, professional audio support, and new image adjustment capabilities like skin detail, black stretch, hypergain, and enhanced color correction. PRICE: $4,900
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When it comes to 3CCD camcorders, Sony's practice is to offer consumer and professional versions of the same camera, starting with the highly regarded DCR-VX2000 and DSR-PD150, and continuing with the HDR-FXl and HVR-ZlU. With both duos, though the professional model has some extra features, the cameras share all critical quality-related components, including the lens, CCDs, and most internal circuitry, and they produce equivalent picture quality. However, the professional camera always costs substantially more.
For example, at the time I wrote this review, the FXl cost about $3,500, and the ZlU about $4,900, a premium of $1,400 (all prices from Express Video Supply, Inc., www.evsonline.com). We've already reviewed the FXl and found it to be a darling of a camcorder, as has the most of the rest of the world. Since you can expect the same audio/video quality from the ZlU, the price disparity raises the inevitable question: when and why should you spend the extra dough and buy the professional version?
Here we tackle precisely that issue, breaking the ZlU's exclusive features into three classes: features that save you money, features that enable additional capabilities, and features that can refine or improve audio/video quality. Let's start with the hard currency.
MONEY-SAVING FEATURES
Two ZlU features provide direct cost savings: the dual XLR connectors and the AC-adapter/charger. I'll deal with each issue in turn.
The FXl has a 1/8'' stereo microphone input connector with one control for both left and right audio volume that can supply plug-in power for inexpensive consumer microphones. In contrast, the ZlU has two XLR connectors that can supply phantom power to professional microphones,...