Digital 8 Camcorders Digital8Camcorders.com is your one-stop source for information about digital 8 camcorders.

1. 

   Samuel Okwoyo
   May 7th, 2010 - 22:42

   I bought this item for $3115 based on the picture as it is on this review page. When I received the item, it was supplied without the shotgun microphone. When I called the seller, I was informed that the item is sold without the shotgun microphone. I insisted that it was a wrong item advertised. The blame was passed on to Amazon.com who put up the picture as it appeared. You are therefore misleading prospective buyers by putting up wrong pictures on your website. Otherwise I was not going to buy the item at the price I paid if it wasn’t the way it was. I am disappointed.

   Sam Okwoyo
   Rating: 1 / 5
2. 

   S. Matar
   May 8th, 2010 - 01:28

   I have filmed and edited with this camera for 3 years and it is still the top of the line and current professional standard for HDV cameras. Its professional XLR sound capabilities set it apart from all the other camera in its price range.

   The versatile aspect ratios and shooting abilities in any condition make this camera a must have for any professional and amateur indie filmmaker.

   Very durable and strong construction with lots of manual control buttons quickly accessible to the cameraman. The menu is easy and intuitive.

   Great for weddings and events of any kind! I cant tell you how many times over this camera has paid for itself and given me the competitive edge in a highly technical and fast paced job.

   Rating: 5 / 5
3. 

   Ali Hasan
   May 8th, 2010 - 02:13

   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!!!!
   Rating: 5 / 5
4. 

   Martin Lisius
   May 8th, 2010 - 04:12

   I’ve used my Sony HVR-Z1U HDV camcorder in some very extreme conditions, and it it comes through on a regular basis. I shot Hurricane Katrina video footage during the storm (for StormStock) in driving 100 mph rain. At that time, I had purchased and was using a rain coat for the camera. It never failed. Previously, in Hurricane Dennis, the unit failed in the rain, without the coat. The screen went black. I dried it off with a hand dryer and it came back to life to be called back into action with Katrina.

   My HVR-Z1U has shot hurricane video, tornadoes, lightning, and other storm footage, often in the rain and dust. And, it keeps on going.

   The unit prefers mid-range lighting. It can shoot good footage if you give it that.

   Sony can improve this unit by adding SDI to output to HDCAM. I’d also like to see true 24P added and maybe variable frame rates.

   This camera is just a couple options away from being a professional system.

   Martin Lisius
   
   Prairie Pictures, Inc.
   Rating: 4 / 5
5. 

   Kasem Kharsa
   May 8th, 2010 - 04:37

   I’ve chosen this camera for my short film after viewing some rough footage at a local studio. The colors that this camera can capture in DV mode are jaw-dropping! It comes with all of the manual controls you could hope for and they’re very intuitive. I highly recommend this to independent filmmakers if you’re able to rent them in your area. It does not offer the ‘truest’ cinematic feel but if you do some research on the web you’ll find resources for things you can do in pre & post production to get the feel you’re looking for regardless of the camera you use.

   For more filmmaking resources & sample footage of the z1, visit my website and click ‘resources’.

   And for more updates on using this camera for my short film, visit my website and click ‘films’.
   Rating: 5 / 5

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