Sony designed the HDR-FX7 for aspiring pros and beginners as an entry-level production camcorder.  This camcorder is capable of recording impressive high definition videos and still images with ease.

The camcorder boasts a 20X zoom and Super Steady Shot Optical stabilization system that will enable you to compose an impressive video trouble-free.

The HDR-FX7 is a modified version of the HDR FX1 that Sony released earlier.  The major transition from a former three CCD imaging sensors to new CMOS sensors that produces higher image resolution is the major difference between the two models.  The HDR-FX7 also has a smaller modified body compared to the HDR-FX1.

The HDR-FX7’s heart and core are the three ¼ inch ClearVid CMOS sensors with 1.12 Megapixels that provides stunning details and clear videos and still images.  Sony HDR-FX7 is the world’s first HDV 1080i consumer level camcorder and player to include the three CMOS sensor technology to its system.

The camcorder records on standard MiniDV cassettes, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo media.

Selling at the range $1700-$2200, the HDR-FX7 is a lower-priced prosumer camcorder with good quality for its value – high definition videos, images and ease in operation.  This is considerably less expensive than the Panasonic’s AGHVX200.  In comparison, the HDR-FX7’s video quality is also better than the Panasonic’s AGHVX200 and the HDR-FX7 is lighter weighing only 3lbs. (physical dimension: 145×156x322mm) with lens hood attached and a built in mic.

Its high quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens enables the camcorder to provide high quality 20x zoom that maintains image clarity and color while eliminating unwanted glare and flare in videos and still images.  These high-precision professional lenses utilize the most latest and advanced optical multi layer coating to eliminate flares and ghosting in the outcome images, whether in video mode or still-image mode.  Its lens enables the camcorder to provide great performance when taking videos, even in a low-light environment.  The lens has an aperture of 1.5-2.8 and you may set it in three ways: Full Range auto / manual (ring) / one touch.  A notable aspect of the camera’s manual zoom and manual focus ring it its ability to provide precise and detailed control over the amount of zoom and overall focus of the image with a simple turn of the rings.

Perhaps the camcorder’s most significant advantage and strong point is its optical stabilization system provided by Sony’s Steady Shot Image Stabilization System that controls even the higher range of shake and vibration frequencies to eliminate blurring of video images.  Unlike some digital stabilization systems (like that of Panasonic’s camcorders), the optical stabilization system of Sony achieves a higher level of smoothness without degradation in the video’s quality.  The optical image stabilization of Sony is definitely more preferable than the electronic image stabilization of many camcorders, and this feature enables the HDR-FX7 to take even telephoto work more easily.

Another great feature of the HDR-FX7 is its 3.5 inch wide Hybrid Clear Photo LCD plus display with 252K pixels – an alternate to viewing the videos thru its view finder (viewfinder has 252K pixels as well).  The 3.5 inch LCD of the HDR-FX7 easily matches the resolution of other prosumer camcorders in the market.  The LCD displays sharp, colorful and detailed playback of videos or monitoring recording.  Impressively, the HDR-FX7 performs accurately, with high quality, even when viewing in dark, sunlight or bright light places.  Sony also mounted it to the HDR-FX7’s body, ideally located in a position a couple of inches lower compared to the Canon XH A1’s LCD position.  The ideal lower position of the LCD screen on the HDR-FX7’s body enables the user to film and record videos without the LCD obscuring the viewing path.

The HDR-FX7’s picture profile capability allows its user to adjust the scene (color, sharpness, balance, etc) manually into any one of its six presets buttons so you can recall them by a simple touch of a button.  This is useful when shooting scenes repeatedly under the same condition saving you the hassle of resetting the options and settings every time.  For ease of recording, these six assignable buttons are convenient to store commonly utilized recording options.

Although the camcorder records still images in high definition (up to 1440×810), its quality is ordinary, compared to the other camcorders in the market.  The still image quality at 1.2 Megapixels is mediocre, compared to results from other camcorders like the Panasonic’s AG-DVX100B.  Although the camcorder’s dual record capability allows you to capture still images and store them directly to the memory stick duo media while recording videos, the JPEG formats will only be good to serve as reference for setting the video modes properly.

The battery on this camcorder is excellent.  A Lithium Ion battery (NP-570 comes with the package) that is small enough to fit in the battery slot without protruding powers it, and it will give you about 8hrs of continuous power.  Impressive!  This length in battery life comes from the HDR-FX7’s CMOS chips that have very low power consumption.  The battery compartment also has a good design that can accommodate longer-life batteries without any inconvenience.

The HRD-FX7 conveniently shows a 10% interval display when the battery is charging.  It also displays the approximate recordable time left when using the LCD screen on the viewfinder – very convenient features.

Shoot like a pro with the Sony HDR-FX7 high definition camcorder at a lower cost.  Its ease of use with good handling and light weight are its main advantages – Sony always excels in producing user friendly camcorders.  However, Sony did not make this camcorder for video enthusiasts, but for professionals with low budgets and the skills and experience needed to take advantage of the camera’s features.  Enthusiasts can find the HDR-FX7 lacking in manual controls and versatility compared to, let’s say, the Canon XH A1 – the XH A1 is more expensive by $500 and weighs about 2 lbs more in comparison to the HDR-FX7.  However, if you have a low budget and like to use more of the automatic modes than manual then this is the camcorder for you.

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Technical Specifications

Video

• Format : Real Time HD Codec Engine, HDV/DV Recording
• Video Recording System : MPEG2 (HDV); AVI (DV)
• Video Signal : NTSC color, EIA standards