I feel the need to correct the reviewer below because he states that this camcorder does not record in true widescreen and that mini-DV CAN record in true 16:9. Well the latter is sometimes true with high-end cameras but not the consumer selection. The latter almost always use digital cropping to achieve 16:9 and that loses you resolution. Here's a review quote about the HDR-FX1 (and the reviewer is referring to non amateur units in the first sentence):

'Most camcorders shoot in 16:9 mode using anamorphic processing of the imager output; that is, vertical compression of the 4:3 image. The FX1 is the first consumer camcorder with 3 CCD imagers that have a physical 16:9 aspect ratio. In other words, the image is captured natively in 16:9 aspect ratio (without black bands) - this explains why the LCD display is also 16:9.'

As I own this camera and I'm very pleased with it and as it can ONLY be used in HD mode in true 16:9 I felt the need to speak up.

In conclusion: worth every cent!

Every great camera needs great editing software. I am sure most people already know, but ALL of Apple's editing programs support the HDV format of this camera natively, WITHOUT the need to purchase any additional video cards.

This is true for Apple's Final Cut Pro HD, Final Cut Express HD and even for iMovie HD!

High definition video from this camera can be edited even on an iBook with the new iMovie HD right out of the box. This is what I call truely amazing!

Addendum 3/30: To correct the guy correcting me 2 reviews above. In regular mini-dv mode with widescreen, there is definately a wider picture. Focus on one item and switch modes, you will see the picture get wider. HD mode is anamorphic 4:3 - stretched to fit 16x9, but keeps the aspect ratio so everything doesn't look stretched. I've run tests and know what I am saying. Do you?


Original review:
My first "prosumer" camcorder I ever owned and I love it. The color reproduction is phenominal and has great features. A few caveats may scare away people looking for something more, but this is more of a VERY HIGH END consumer item. Not for the novice, but someone with more shooting talent than the average person. If you want a TRUE HD professional camera, spend 15+ grand and stop knocking this one.

A bother to me was that regular mini-dv can record in true 16:9 mode. While the HD mode is anamorphic 4:3. (Stretched to fit 16:9) The wideangle lens can fix that for about $500 more.
But if you are transferring to regular DVD's, you can still shoot mini DV widescreen because DVD doesn't record in HD.

So, unless you are transferring to HD DVD, like blu-ray, you have the BEST consumer/prosumer widescreen camcorder available.
Rated at about 3lux, low light doesn't harm this baby much. I find the accessories can be pricey too, but that is the cost you pay when you go prosumer. Everything else is for beginners and amatures.

Tip: Get a long life battery. Sony 970 is recommended for longest life, but the 960 served me well for a days shooting/standby with plenty time left over. Get the light too!

Did I mention women love men with big camcorders? {:-p

I am a student filmmaker and I just bought this camera from sonystyle.com. Its a great consumer camcorder. It does not offer true HD picture quality but it does offer true HD resolution. If you want a HD camera that rivals film cameras expect to spend 50 to 100 thousand dollars.
The best thing about the camera is its resolution and true 16:9 aspect ratio. If you hate the 16:9 squeeze mode on other camcorders this is the camcorder for you. some people are disappointed about the camcorder lacking a progressive scan mode, 720p. its debated if 720p is true HD. the HDR-FX1 shoots 1080i which is true HD resolution. If 1080i shot progressive scan it would go outside the bandwidth limit. So if you plan to transfer it to film one should get software with de-interlacing capabilities.
Over all the minor flaws will piss off professionals, but they have to realize at the moment true HD is only 1080i not 1080p. The lack of XLR inputs will also hurt the camcorder but there are ways around that to. One big worry is the amount of compression that occurs while shoot HDV on a MiniDV tape. From what I have experience the compression is not a major factor to worry about yet until I do more testing. Over all this is a superior camcorder compared to regular DV camcorders. 24p is not the only thing that give the film look. Aspect ratio and detail are very important as well. The resolution and detail is far superior to any other consumer camcorder. If detail and resolution are top of your list, than this is the camcorder for you, once the editing software comes out for it.

I hooked up the HDR-FX1 (a loaner) to my HiScan Wega 36in CRT direct-view TV using RGB component input. The picture is amazing, and is equal or sometimes better than the HD broadcast from cable TV, which is delivered via set-top-box in mostly either 720p or 1080i. The HDV detail is certainly an order higher than standard DV due to format resolution, and color is deeper in saturation due to 4:2:0 color sampling. Although HDV cannot match professional HD format, I think it is good enough for consumer who just wants to make home video for showing on new HDTV. In fact the Sony is a good replacement for my year old Panasonic DVX100A.

Hello, I bought my Sony HDR-FX1 about a month ago from amazon.com and let me just say that this camera is amazing. The resolution, when on a computer is 1920x1080. That right there is enough to sell the camera! Its great for me because i work with CG and CMI, the higher the resolution, the more accurate you can be. This is also great for blue/greenscreening as the high resolution, and the amazing color. There are several different modes to shoot in (all are customizable) you will mostly want to make sure you shoot in Cinemaframe30 or Cinemaframe24 because it will look just like film. You can also adjust how much color is allowed in, standard it is at "0" but you can up the color so much that its more vibrant then most movies. The new willy wonka movie has broad, powerful colors and this camera can easily achieve that. I would talk more about this camera but im out of time (great DOF). So dont get stuck in the Canon Xl2 fad where you pay 3,000 more dollars for a crappier camera.

The quality of the HD video is equal to that of HDTV cable and DBS channels.

Indie Filmmaker here, always looking out for a better camera!

The Sony HDV series is an astonishing technology

Don't let people tell you that the footage is "too compressed" ---- technically, it is, but once it gets on screen, it looks stunning!

I haven't done much filming with this camera ---- but I have seen its footage and edited its footage

Both on television and the computer monitor, I was impressed with its 'look' ---- very detailed and extremely clear

Editing was a BREEEEEZE with this footage! I edited on Final Cut Pro and could composite 5 layers all above each other, each with a different opacity, and FCP's real time engine kept up without having to render! Thus, the compressed footage makes editing EASY - but Sony has managed to make a beautiful picture out of this stuff too

For the Indie Filmmakers out there ---- test one out before purchasing..... I find the Sony HDV to be the most clear look out there --- emulating a beautifully shot NFL game on HD..... but for cinematic looks, I still may stick with the Panasonic DVX100, as there is a more cinema feel to that one

hope that helps

HAPPY BUYING!!!!

I just recently purchased this camera, and haven't had a chance to use it professionally yet. I did use it to shoot a school event for my daughter. I shot with two cameras and the picture quality of the fx1 was beautiful(actually too good to edit in with the other camera's shots). I will definitely be buying a second one soon!! Only for the serious videographer this camera would be overkill for someone looking to shoot home videos.

Camera is way better than the sony HC1. Night shooting is great and colors appear natural and there is not much noise or smudging of colors. Would recommend it in a heartbeat. My 37 inch 1980x1080 LCD becomes an window when I hook up this camera to it. Great buy!

exelent

I only have one question about this camera.

Can i transfer the film captured from this camcorder onto a computer and re-use the memory after deleting once transfered?

Can someone please just answer me that.

Right now that is the only thing holding me back from buying this. I make a lot of movies and just want a new camcorder so i can get better quality images. So, All i want to kno is if i can transfer the data onto a computer with this camcorder!

thank you

truly a dream come true. even received a phone call to tell me when they would be delivering it since it is a higher dollar item. very professional.

Got my hands on one of these babies this weekend for a no-budget short film. Loved it. So easy to use, and the picture is great. It's true, the finished look is not "cinematic", which is a fair criticism, but for the price it is great if you're looking to upgrade to a high-def digital picture. Watched the playback on a 16:9 widescreen TV before editing and it was beautiful. However, you can't rely on the auto-functions. Tried using auto-focus and auto-iris at the start, but ended up doing both manually for the most part. A small complaint considering a real filmmaker shouldn't be using them anyway. Otherwise, a great camera.

I have been using the DCRVX 1000 for over 10 years and it has done well. However, the FX1 is so far superior in every way. The only feature I miss is the "overlap". So far, the color, the detail, the feel (a bit heavier than the VX1000) are even better than I expected. HD is as close to reality as possible. I have 2 weddings that I will soon record, and I feel confident that the FX1 will perform without fail. I recommend this camcorder for the very serious videographer. It is priced $2 thousand less than the VX1000 sold for in "96 at $5 thousand. Technology has improved while costs have fallen. A good buy at 3 grand.

Sony HDR-FX1 3-CCD HDV High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom

Just one word of warning, the camera can get heavy, especially if you use the standard battery it makes the camera very front heavy, but oh well.

This camera is totally customizable in which it is either all auto, manual or some of both. It has 5 presets that are customizable. The cool features about these presets are that you can get a 24p, 30i (cineframe and cinetone), and 60i modes. The 30i refers to the "film" setting. You can record in true 16:9 widescreen or standard 4:3 letterbox. The high def mode will only do 16:9. I wouldn't listen to anyone who says the widescreen is a stretched 4:3, because its not. You can also hook in headphones, and an XLR adapter. This comes with a 2-hr battery.

I'm a video production major and I love this camera. It not really just a consumer camera, but a professional consumer camera. I highly recommend it, its well worth your money.

My wedding cinematography studio purchased this camera just about a year ago. We love it! The quality is outstanding - the 16:9 is so beautiful.
Easy to learn. Good weight and feel. The LCD is HUGH!!!! We are planning to purchase two more early next year!