• Sony HVR-Z7 Handheld HDV 1080i Camcorder With Interchangeable 1/3inch Zeiss Lens

  
  

  Supplied with a two year UK warranty

  
  

  Sporting three 1/3 CMOS sensors, true 1080/25p mode and an interchangeable Carl Zeiss lens, this new camcorder will deliver unprecedented performance and flexibility to the HDV market.
  
  The camcorder also has HDMI output and is compatible with L-series Li-Ion batteries as used on the V1E / Z1E camcorders.
  
  The new camcorders use Sony’s new 1/3-inch 3 ClearVid CMOS Senso system enhanced by the technology of Exmor. With its 45-degree rotated pixel layout, the 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system offers sufficient pixel surface area while it keeps high resolution. The technology of Exmor features a unique column-parallel analog-to-digital conversion technique and dual noise canceling, resulting in high quality digital signals with extremely low noise, similar to the imaging technology used in the PMW-EX1 camcorder.
  
  The integration of the two new technologies allows the new camcorders to perform significantly better in low-light environments with sensitivity of 1.5 lux.
  
  This imaging technology is complemented by Sony’s Enhanced Imaging Processo (EIP) system to achieve high resolution, high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and excellent colour reproduction.
  
  The camcorder shooting flexibility is further increased through the ability to attach different lenses. Both models are equipped with a universal standard 1/3-inch bayonet mount mechanism to make lens changes faster and easier. Each camcorder comes standard with a 12x high-quality, multi-purpose Carl Zeiss lens for HD video, with a Vario-Sonnar coating to reduce reflections. A specially designed 8x wide-angle lens is also available as an option, to suit a diverse range of shooting requirements.
  
  These two newly designed lenses give Sony’s two new professional HDV camcorders the same functionality as popular fixed-lens camcorders like the HVR-Z1 and HVR-V1, thanks to built-in features such as auto-focus, optical stabilizer, and automatic back-focus adjustment. Natural-touch lens operation is available by the improved design of the focus, zoom and iris rings. The new focus ring offers two types of manual focus, plus an auto focus mode that can be easily switched by sliding the focus ring forward or backward. The zoom ring has gearwheel mechanism and the iris ring now encircles the lens barrel.
  
  It is also possible to use the α lens series designed for Sony Digital SLR stills camcorders with a special adaptor.
  
  The camcorders offer 1080/50i and 25p native progressive recording capabilities. The 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system and EIP technology create true 1080p images, which can then be recorded as progressive signals by the HVR-Z7E and HVR-S270E camcorders in the HDV format. The progressive HDV streams can be output from an i.LINK connector and used for progressive editing with compatible NLE software.
  
  The HVR-Z7 and HVR-S270 can switch between 1080p, 1080i in the HDV format, DVCAM, and DV recording, and both can down-convert material from HD to SD, and output the video signals through its i.LINK interface and other SD output connectors. The HVR-Z7 has an HDMI output. The HVR-S270 is available with HD-SDI or SD-SDI connectivity, and also supports embedded audio and timecode.
  
  The HVR-Z7 and HVR-S270 are equipped with new XtraFine LCD and XtraFine EVF which offer high-resolution and high-contrast images with remarkable colour reproduction. The HVR-S270 features a new LCD/EVF configuration called “Dual Finder. The LCD located on the EVF enables multiple styles of operation.
  
  The new camcorders offer the option of hybrid recording when using a supplied memory-recording unit, which attaches directly to the back of the HVR-Z7 or the side of the HVR-S270 and eliminates the need for cables. The unit automatically synchronizes with the recording action of the camcorders and a special shoe connector inputs and outputs an HDV/DV stream and supplies power to the unit.
  
  This unit captures the HDV1080i, DVCAM, or DV stream output from the camcorder and allows users to record HDV/DVCAM/DV files to a standard CompactFlash solid-state memory card, while users are simultaneously recording to tape.
  
  It will be compatible with Sony’s Professional 306x CompactFlash card as well as standard CompactFlash cards (2GB minimum capacity, 133x minimum speed) for secure recording, quick access, large data capacity, convenience, and resistance to vibrations. The recording times on an 8 & 16 GB CompactFlash card in HDV, DVCAM and DV format are approx 36 and 72 minutes, respectively.
  
  The HVR-Z7 can deliver more than 60 minutes of recording time on miniDV videotapes, and approx recording times of 63 minutes  with Sony’s DigitalMaster cassettes (PHDVM-63DM). The HVR-S270 also accepts standard-size cassettes to provide more than 4.5 hours of continuous recording, with approx recording times of 4 hours, 36 minutes on Sony PHDV-276DM videotapes.
  
  At 1/30 shutter, auto iris and auto gain.

  
  

  In HDV format

1/3-inch 3ClearVid CMOS Sensor

The new camcorder will incorporate new 1/3 3ClearVid CMOS Sensor system for optimum picture quality. Thanks to the unique grid arrangement of the photo diode sensors, in which each is rotated by 45 degrees, sensor resolution has been optimised while maximising the photosensitive surface area.

The sensor works in combination with the Enhanced Imaging Processor to provide high sensitivity, low noise and a wide dynamic range. The 3ClearVid CMOS Sensor also eradicates picture smear and is less demanding on power consumption, thus delivering longer battery life.

Flexible Lens Options

The handheld camcorder is supplied with an interchangeable HD Carl Zeiss lens with 1/3 bayonet joint mechanism, allowing the flexibility of attaching existing 2/3 or 1/2 lenses with a standard lens adaptor. Lenses from the popular Digital SLR – a System from Sony can also be used with a special adaptor.

Native Progressive Recording Mode

The new HDV camcorder has both native progressive and interlace recording modes. In the native progressive recording mode, the 1080/25p image is recorded in HDV format. It is ideal for film-makers on a budget.

Full Compatibility with Current SD Systems

HDV/DVCAM switchability offers future-proof purchase for current DVCAM users. The built-in down-converter offers DV signals through the i.LINK connector to your current DV non-linear editing system.

Other Useful Features

HDMI output – uncompressed HD signal and embedded audio can be output to HDMI-compatible devices.

Utilises existing infoLITHIUM L Series batteries. (As per DSR-PD170P, HVR-Z1E and HVR-V1E).

63mins HDV recording on DigitalMaster Tape. 

Supplied Lens

Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar  zoom lens,12x (optical), f = 4.4 to 52.8 mm, f = 32.0 to 384 mm* at 16:9 mode, f = 39.5 to 474 mm* at 4:3 mode, filter diameter: 72 mm

Built-In Filter

Clear, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64

Imaging System

1/3-inch, progressive 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system with Exmor technology
 
Picture Elements

Approx. 1,037,000 pixels (effective), approx. 1,120,000 pixels (total)
 
Focus

Auto,manual (focus ring/one push auto/infinity/AF assist/ focus macro)
 
White Balance

Auto, one-push auto (A/B positions), indoor (3200 K), outdoor (selectable level -7 to +7, approx. 500K/step), manual WB Temp (selectable 2300K to 15000K, 100K/step)
 
Manual Shutter Speed

Auto 1/50 - 1/1750

Manual 50i/25p: 1/3 - 1/10000
 
Gain

 -6, -3, 0 , 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 dB
 
Minimum Illumination

1.5 lux (auto gain, auto iris, 1/25 shutter)
 
VTR Section

Recording format                                                                                                                                                                                            

HDV1080/50i, DVCAM, DV SP 576/50i (PAL)
 
Play Out/Down Conversion Format

HDV1080/50i, DVCAM, DV SP 576/50i (PAL)
 
Playback/Recording Time

HDV/DV SP Max. 63 min with PHDVM-63DM cassette

DVCAM Max. 41 min with PHDVM-63DM cassette
 
Input/Output Connectors

Audio/Video Output

10-pin connector A/V OUT jack (composite, unbalanced audio x2ch with the supplied cable)
 
Component Video Output

Component out jack (special connector)
 
HDV/DV Input/Output

i.LINK interface (IEEE 1394, 6-pin)
 
XLR Audio Input

XLR 3-pin female x 2ch
 
Headphone

Stereo mini jack (3.5 mm)
 
LANC

Stereo mini-mini jack (ø2.5 mm)
 
Digital Video Output

HDMI connector

Built-In Output Devices

LCD View Finder

0.45-inch type (Viewable area measured diagonally), approx. 1,226,880 dots (852x480x3[RGB]), 16:9 aspect ratio
 
LCD Monitor

3.2-inch type (Viewable area measured diagonally), XtraFine LCD, approx. 921,600 dots, hybrid type, 16:9 aspect ratio

General

Mass

Approx. 2.4 kg (5 lb 4 oz) (w/ the supplied lens, w/o tape, battery)
 
Power Requirements

DC 7.2 V (battery pack), DC 8.4 V (AC adaptor)
 
Power Consumption HDV

Approx. 7.0 W (with ECM-XM1 / LCD EVF ON)
 
Power Consumption DVCAM/DV

Approx. 6.8 W (with ECM-XM1 / LCD EVF ON)
 
Operating Temperature

0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F)
 
Storage Temperature

-20 to +60 °C (-4 to 140 °F) 

Supplied Memory Recording Unit

Recording Media

CompactFlash card (2GB or bigger, 133x or faster) (not supplied)
 
File System

FAT32
 
File Format HDV

.M2T
 
File Format DVCAM/DV

.AVI (DV-AVI, type 1) or .DV (Raw-DV)
 
Connectors

special hot shoe

i.LINK-6pin (on the supplied cradle)

DC power input (on the supplied cradle)

info LITHIUM L series battery slot (on the supplied cradl