Which Pro Hd Camcorder?
Which camcorder should I get, the Sony Professional HVR-A1U or the Sony HDR-FX7? Which one has the best picture quality and other features? I'm using it for snowboarding.
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The Sony HDR-A1U is actually a sibling to the consumer HDR-HC1. The A1U is in the Pro category because it was equipped (as an afterthought) with an XLR adapter that mounts to where the HC1 had a flash for stills. The ring around the lens barrel is shared by the manual zoom and manual focus capabilities. The tape mechanism is a bottom loader which makes it challenging to get the full tape out and a new tape in when the A1U is mounted to a tripod or a tripod quick release plate – unless you buy a special spacer or use some other work-around. The A1U has some firmware in the chips that allow some features additional to what the HC1 had. It has 10x optical zoom.
The Sony HDR-FX7 is a high-end consumer – some would call Prosumer – grade camcorder with a 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo mic jack that can use XLR mics by adding an XLR adapter from juicedLink or BeachTek. (Its pro sibling is the HVR-V1U). The manual zoom and manual focus rings are separate rings and there are more easily accessed manual controls on the outside of the camcorder when compared to the A1U/HC1. The tape mechanism is a top loader, so not issues when tripod mounted or a quick release plate is attached.
In good light, the video from both will be quite similar as they are both recording DV or HDV to miniDV tape (best available quality). If you are caturing daylight snowboarding, your bigger woory is keeping the camcorder from getting condensation and keeing the camcorder warm to continue operating properly. Electionics have operating environmental requirements – outside these environmentals and anything electronic can have issues – especially batteries keeping their electrical flow going.
The FX7 will do a lot better in low-light. The FX7 is a bigger camcorder than the A1U/HC1 because the lenses are bigger – that’s why it does better in low light. The FX7 has a top handle that the A1U/HC1 does not have.
Between the two, I would suggest the A1U – even with all its faults – it is smaller and lighter than the FX7. I suggest that with the $ saved getting the A1U, invest in something like a PortaBrace Polar Mitten to keep the camera and battery warm and reduce the potential for internal condensation. Make every effort to use a tripod, monopod or other steadying device (table, chair, whatever…). Never (or very rarely) handheld. It is also small enough to mount to a helmet… You can take the XLR adapter off.