• Sony HVR-Z5 HDV Camcorder

  
  

  Supplied with two year UK warranty

  
  

  Sony’s newly designed G Lens is incorporated into the camcorder, boasting excellent resolution, colour and contrast, for breathtaking images.
  
  3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system utilising the technology of Exmor provides excellent low-light sensitivity.  This new compact camcorder is ideal when high performance in available light conditions is a requirement. 
  
  The ergonomically designed body allows flexible shooting under any conditions, while maintaining Sony’s worldwide reputation for quality and high performance.
  
  The HVR-Z5’s standard features include 1080/25p HDV native progressive recording modes.

  
  

  Sony’s new cutting-edge HYBRID recording system offers use of an optional HVR-DR60 or HVR-MRC1K. 

  
  

  This allows simultaneous recording of HDV and/or standard DV/DVCAM to dual media for improved NLE and archive workflow efficiency. 

  
  

  Sony is continuously developing and expanding its HDV line-up in response to professional user feedback.

Sony’s Exclusive New High-performance G Lens

Discover the exceptional optical performance of Sony’s “G Lens”. This sophisticated lens incorporates Sony’s unique optical technology and unparalleled quality control.  Moreover, it’s been optimised to perfectly complement the advanced image sensor and image-processing technology.  Achieve the best content possible with the utmost precision of Sony’s “G Lens”.

Major G Lens Features on HVR-Z5E

The 29.5mm wide-angle “G Lens” (equivalent to 35mm film) on the HVR-Z5E offers a field of view that’s ideal for shooting situations ranging from broad landscape shots to conditions where sufficient distance from the subject is difficult to obtain.  A 20x optical zoom also enables shooting over a wide zoom range.

Two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements reduce chromatic aberrations caused by differences in light refraction to minimise colour fringing. The advanced 10-group, 15-element lens structure also includes compound aspheric lenses for images that are crisp and clear, even when shooting movies at high zoom ratios.

Advanced optical lens technology makes the most of Sony’s 3 Clear Vid CMOS Sensor to realise sharper images with higher resolution and less noise even when shooting in very low light.

The six-blade iris diaphragm is nearly circular, enabling the creation of extremely beautiful background blur.

Natural-touch Lens Operation

Newly designed focus, zoom and iris control functions provide convenient lens operation. The iris ring, located next to the zoom ring as with traditional professional lenses, allows users to adjust exposure with great precision. The zoom function is variable and can be controlled by using the lens barrel ring, the lever at the lens grip or lever on the camera handle. Additionally, once you select the high-speed zoom mode, you can zoom from wide to telephoto 1.5x faster than with the HVR-V1E.   

The HVR-Z5 also provides 3 built-in ND (Neutral Density) filters and allows the use of an optional 0.8x wide conversion lens.

Cutting-edge Imaging System for New Camcorders:

1/3 Inch-type 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor System

The newly developed 1/3-inch type 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system has 45-degree rotated pixels on each chip in order to increase the signal density, while each pixel maintains sufficient surface area. In combination with Enhanced Imaging Processor™ (EIP), the 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system achieves high resolution, high sensitivity, wide dynamic range and excellent colour reproduction. The pixel shift interpolation technique has been traditionally used in small 3CCD camcorders. However, it normally requires the combination of all three colour element (RGB) signals to maximise resolution. If an object lacks one or more colour elements, the resolution of the object may be degraded.  The 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system is different because it can always produce maximum resolution, regardless of the balance between colour elements, thanks to its unique and sophisticated interpolation technology.

Enhanced Functionality with the Technology of Exmor

The new HVR-Z5E includes cutting-edge features such as Sony’s Exmor technology, which utilises
the full potential of the 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system. Exmor features the column-parallel A/D conversion technique and the
dual noise cancelling method also used in the Sony’s top-of-theline models. Multiple A/D (analogue to digital) converters on each
pixel row convert analogue signals to digital as soon as they are generated, unlike traditional technology that only has one A/D
converter on each chip. Exmor technology can eliminate the influence of external noise that enters the signal chain during
transfer to the A/D converter, resulting in high-quality digital signals with extremely low noise. This significantly enhances
shooting in low-light environments. By adopting this groundbreaking technology, the new 1/3-inch 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system enables the HVR-Z5 to achieve a low-light sensitivity of just 1.5 lux*

 At 1/25 shutter, auto iris and auto gain

Switchable Recording and Playback – HDV1080i/DVCAM/DV

The HVR-Z5 can switch between HDV 1080i, DVCAM and standard DV recording, providing the ultimate flexibility to suit your
production needs. 

Built-in Down-converter for SD Production

The HVR-Z5 can convert material from 1080i down to 575i and output the video signals through its i.LINK interface and other SD output connectors. This allows users to edit recorded material with a compatible non-linear editing system using current DV editing software, as well as record SD signals to an external VTR.

Letterbox mode is not available from the i.LINK connector. i.LINK is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connector. Not all products with an i.LINK connector will necessarily communicate with each other. For information on compatibility, operating conditions, and proper connection, please refer to the documentation supplied with any device with an i.LINK connector. For information on devices that include an i.LINK connection, please contact your nearest Sony service centre. 

Versatile Audio Input Selection

The HVR-Z5 features versatile audio input selection with a newly designed high-quality built-in stereo microphone, as well as two XLR audio input channels for professional microphones or connecting to an external-line audio source.  By adjusting the INPUT ASSIGN switch located on the side panel of the HVR-Z5E, you can easily assign the 2 audio input channels to the built-in stereo microphone, external-line audio, or dedicate one channel to each and record them separately or mixed. When assigned to one channel, the built-in stereo microphone acts as a wide-directional monaural microphone. The high-quality ECM-XM1 monaural microphone is a supplied accessory with the HVR-Z5E.

Camcorder section

Lens
Sony G Lens, 20x (optical), f = 4.1 to 82mm, f = 29.5 to 590 mm at 16:9 mode, f = 36.1 to 722 mm at 4:3 mode, filter diameter: 72mm
 
Built-in filter
Clear, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64
 
Imaging system
1/3 inch-type, progressive 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system with technology of Exmor
 
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 - 1/2000
Manual 1/4 - 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/25p, DVCAM, DV SP 576/50i (PAL)
 
Play out/Down conversion format

HDV1080/50i/25p, 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 (component, composite and unbalanced audio x2ch with the supplied cables)
 
HDV/DV input/output

i.LINK interface (IEEE 1394, 4-pin)
 
XLR audio input

XLR 3-pin female x 2ch
 
Headphone

Stereo mini jack (ø3.5 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 (852 x 3[RGB] x 480), 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. 2.2 kg (5 lb 1 oz) (w/o tape, battery)
 
Dimension (W x H x D)

Approx.169 x 188 x 451mm (6 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 17 7/8inch) (with lens hood, microphone and large eye cup)
 
Power requirements

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

HDV Approx. 7.1 W (with ECM-XM1 / LCD viewfinder ON)
DVCAM/DV Approx. 6.8 W (with ECM-XM1 / LCD viewfinder ON)
 
Battery operating time

 
HDV  395min (NP-970)
DVCAM/DV 415min (NP-970)

Operating temperature

0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F)

Storage temperature       

  -20 to 60 °C (-4 to 140 °F)