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Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U

Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U
Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7USony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7USony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7USony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7USony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7USony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7Ureddot design award winner 2010
alaScore 82

51 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 51 reviews of Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the durability and zoom. The portability and usability are also mentioned favorably. Some have doubts about the color and price.

size, usability, portability, zoom, durability

price, color

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 82/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 51 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (51% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (29% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (7% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (11% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

size
  Show positive (86%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
usability
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (94%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (15%)Show negative (85%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (89%)Show negative (11%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (88%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)
color
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
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Showing 41 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 24 of 41 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (10)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 3 user reviews of Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 5.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers are impressed by the portability and durability. The zoom and usability are also appreciated, whereas opinions are divided on the reliability. Many are negative about the price.

size, usability, zoom, durability, portability

price

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 11 user reviews of Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 2.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the portability and durability. The zoom and usability also get good feedback, but reviews are divided on the reliability. Many are negative about the color and price.

size, usability, zoom, durability, portability

price, color

45% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : James Morris (trustedreviews.com)

Sony HVR-Z7E Camcorder

 

Occasionally we like to take a look at what the pros are using and Sony's HVR-Z7E camcorder undoubtedly ranks among the best.

The lofty price of the HVR-Z7E will put it out of the reach of all but the most serious videomakers. Corporate and events cameramen will long for it, but may struggle to justify the expense. Nevertheless, it points the way forward for professional...

Mar, 2008
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Expert review by : reddot (red-dot.de (UK))

HVR-Z7 HDV Camcorder

 

The HVR-Z7 is a technically sophisticated video camera with bayonet mount for interchangeable lenses. The grip is slanted on the lens' block side so as to obtain an optimum grip and weight balance while operating the camera. Tilted placement of the...

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Expert review by : James Morris (digitalartsonline.co.uk)

Sony HVR-Z7E

 

Sony's HVR-Z1E has become a classic, and is now the standard tool of the independent videographer - so the HVR-Z7E has a lot to live up to.

Excellent lens bundled. CompactFlash recording as well as tape. Great low-light performance. Top-notch overall image quality.

No separate power input.

The Sony HVR-Z7E is a successor to the HVR-Z1E's crown. But the lens flexibility is attractive, and the Compact Flash recording system is a workflow champ. It's not cheap, but should be your first choice if you can afford it

Apr, 2008
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Expert review by : Andy Yardy (microfilmmaker.com)

Sony HVR-Z7U

 

When DV and DVCam technology was first introduced to the market, I was one of the first to adopt it. As a freelance shooter and editor, it opened a whole new world of work for me. I could do productions that before were impossible. So when HDV cameras...

Chosen to be Microfilmmaker Magazine's lead camera analyst and reviewer due to his expertise in camerawork, Andy Yardy has over 10 years experience shooting documentaries in the most remote portions of the globe. Based out of LA, he creates films under...

Feb, 2009
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Consumer review (reevoo.com)

Sony HVR-Z7E

 

Fantastic camera. Great results from it so far. Love the prorgessive scan CMOS chip in it. Also the picture presets have been quite handy. Plus the ease of switching between auto and manual modes is a big bonus - although use it on full manual to get...

Focussing can be a little tricky at times. Best advice is get a monitor and use that too. Also - no BNC out...bit of a pain, but I can deal with it. Umm thats about it for the bad methinks. I love my new camera.

Feb, 2010
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Consumer review (reevoo.com)

Sony HVR-Z7E

 

Fantastic camera. Great results from it so far. Love the prorgessive scan CMOS chip in it. Also the picture presets have been quite handy. Plus the ease of switching between auto and manual modes is a big bonus - although use it on full manual to get...

Focussing can be a little tricky at times. Best advice is get a monitor and use that too. Also - no BNC out...bit of a pain, but I can deal with it. Umm thats about it for the bad methinks. I love my new camera

Dec, 2009
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Consumer review (reevoo.com)

Sony HVR-Z7E

 

To get a crad based and tape back-up 25p HD camera that works seamlessly with our 270e's is just amazing at this size and weight and price.

To be picky its probably 1 stop on the F-stop out compared with the 270e but apart from that its identical.

Oct, 2009
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Consumer review (dell.com)

A great device

 

I love this unit

Jul, 2009
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Consumer review (sony.com)

HVR Z7U

 

After using this camera for a month and comparing it to the HVR V1U, for event work, I totally recommend its use.

Great sensitivity, CF card capable with HDV/DV tape archive possible

button layout not perfect

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Consumer review (productreview.com.au)

Sony should be ashamed.

 

I payed over $12,000 for this camera with a few accessories, and from the first time I used it this camera had issues, one of the main issues this camera has is the pixelation of footage in dark events with strobes and camera flashes going, the picture...

Great design, easy to carry.

A bit heavy on the hand after a while if holding it.

Feb, 2014
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Price comparison for Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U