Sony has categorized the HDR-FX7 as a consumer camcorder, despite the very un-consumer MSRP of $3500 and a very prosumer design and manual control suite. Ah, were it only so that people shopped by imposed categories. Instead, of course, they shop by price, and Canon’s XH A1 makes a very persuasive contender at a mere $500 more. How can Sony compete? The FX7’s ClearVID CMOS sensors make a great impression in bright light, but under low light conditions the performance falls to pieces. The FX7 has a pleasing, portable feel and solid image controls, but the XH A1 offers a great deal more control and makes it more accessible. The XH A1 has a ton of great audio features and the Sony FX7… doesn’t, omitting XLR inputs and external audio level controls. We like the HDR-FX7 in itself. It comes from a good family, improving in some points over the HDR-FX1, and harkening back to the DCR-DVX2100 and even XV1000. But in a comparative, competitive market, it simply can’t hold a candle to its mainchallenger.
The good: Excellent overall video quality; responsive focus and zoom.
The bad: Menu navigation doesn't circle back; useless manual; anemic audio support.
The bottom line: The Sony Handycam HDR-FX7 is an excellent high-definition camcorder from a video perspective, but it's less satisfying if you're an audio control freak.
Key Features
Recording System:NTSC
Optical Zoom:20x
Media Type:Mini DV
Resolution:1.1 MP
Screen Size:3.5"
Weight:58 Oz.
Recording System:NTSC
Optical Zoom:20x
Media Type:Mini DV
Resolution:1.1 MP
Screen Size:3.5"
Weight:58 Oz.
Optical Sensor
Sensor Type:3 ClearVid CMOS
Sensor Size:1/4"
Sensor Type:3 ClearVid CMOS
Sensor Size:1/4"
Lens System
Focus Adjustment:Automatic
Focus Adjustment:Automatic
Exposure
Exposure Modes:Automatic
Exposure Modes:Automatic
Camera Flash
Flash Type:None
Flash Type:None
Memory / Storage
Supported Flash Memory:Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo
Supported Flash Memory:Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo
Display
Screen Details:LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3.5" - color
Display Size:3.5"
Screen Details:LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3.5" - color
Display Size:3.5"
Microphone
Microphone Operation Mode:Stereo
Microphone Operation Mode:Stereo
Battery
Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific
Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific
Resolution
Effective Still Resolution:1.0 MP
Effective Still Resolution:1.0 MP
File Format
Digital Video Format:DV, MPEG-2
Still Image Format:JPEG
Digital Video Format:DV, MPEG-2
Still Image Format:JPEG
Other Features
High Definition Video Support:1080i
High Definition Video Support:1080i
