subject: The Sony Hdr-fx7 Handicam Review [print this page] Filmmaking is something that is no longer reserved simply for Hollywood. Thanks to cheaper, but high quality, and readily available technology, more and more people are able to simply take their home movies and edit them on their computer. This is obviously a massive step up from simply recording straight to VHS and having that as the finished product (granted, nobody has really used this method for about ten years, but it is always important to never take today's conveniences for granted).
The Sony HDR-FX7 Handicam is one of the cameras in the line of Sony's very popular Handicam camcorders. What puts the FX7 ahead of previous models is the ability to shoot in full 1080i high definition. While this may not be such a big deal to some people who are just out to record home movies, it is a godsend to people who are trying to work their way into the video industry, as it has many of the features of a professional film camera, but features the accessibility of a consumer grade camera. Hence the term Prosumer.
The reason why the FX7 is superior to some of the newer models is the fact that it shoots on mini DV tapes. While file based recording is currently on the rise, the reason tapes are good to have on you is simply because with tapes you always have hard copies on hand to work with, whereas files can be easily misplaced and corrupted.
Another great feature of the FX7 is the ability to attach high quality lenses to it. The camera features a digital zoom, but what sets this apart is the inclusion of a focus ring, so the user can manually adjust focus instead of letting the camera auto focus (although this is an available feature, it simply looks sloppy when the auto focus is in use).
The only major drawback to using the FX7 is the sound quality. As with most video cameras, the onboard microphone just does not cut it, as the microphone only really picks up what is in front of it. Another problem for A/V buffs is the lack of an XLR port for a new microphone to be attached. However, you can purchase an XLR adapter to be able to use an XLR mic, and there are some microphones that can be used with the camera. So if bad sound is one of your pet peeves, you will be happy to know it is a quick fix.
