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Introducing the Sony HVR-Z5E Camcorder. This amazing device has an incredible feature that attracts many filmers to it; the type 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor system, making use of EXMOR technology, delivers high performance filming even when the lighting conditions are difficult. This camera’s low-light sensitivity makes it a great camcorder for recording indoors and still delivering in result.

The Sony HVR Z5E is definitely a doorway to exploring your creative side. The Z5E is equipped with the highest quality audio and optical and with Sony’s G Lens the video results have excellent colour, resolution and contrast.

The Z5E has had some careful thought put into it’s body design and in comparison to its predecessor, the Z1E, the most noticeable change is the position of the grip. It has been moved slightly further forward and now allows for better handling with the camera sitting comfortably against your shoulder and the weight more evenly distributed. Total weight without batteries is 2.2kg.

The Z5E is equipped with a 3.2 inch XtraFine LCD with around 920,000 pixels with a 100% coverage at a colour temperature of 6500K.
The Electronic View Finder, 0.45 inch with around 1,227,000 pixels, has three separate LEDS. One for green, one for red and one for blue. These independent LEDS allows you to monitor each object with incredibly accurate colour reproduction accuracy. You are able to switch the Electronic View Mode to display in either colour or black and white. Matching the LCD, the EVF displays 100% coverage with a 6500K colour temperature.

When compared to the predecessor Z1E, the Z5E has a newly developed focus, iris control and zoom. The iris ring, positioned next to the zoom ring as is the norm with professional lenses, gives you incredibly precise adjustment ability for exposure.

Zoom is made easy by giving you three different options of control. You may use the barrel ring, next to the iris control, there is a lever on the lens grip and there is a lever on the camera handle. If you select the high speed zoom option you are able to go from wide to telephoto one and a half times faster than you could with the previous model. You are also able to use a 08.x wide conversion lens.

The Sony HVR Z5E can be changed between recording HDV 1080i, DVCAM and normal DV Recording. This gives you the flexibility and control to suit your personal needs. (also; 60Hz operation for 1080 / 60i / 24p / 30p and SD 480i is available when you request a service upgrade, which is charged)

You are able to edit your recordings with a compatible, non-linear, editing system with the use of DV editing software. Also, you are able to record SD signals to an outside VTR.

To go into more detail about the type 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor: each chip has 45 degree rotating pixels which increases signal density. The ClearVid CMOS Sensor, when combined with the Enhanced Imaging Processor, delivers incredible high sensitivity, high resolution and wide dynamic range with brilliant colour reproduction.

The Sony Z5E has been equipped with a high quality built in stereo microphone. You also have the availability of two XLR audio input channels if you would like to use external audio sources or professional microphones. Using the Input Assign switch found on the side panel you are able to tell the camera how to utilize the audio input. You have an option to dedicate each of the two input channels to record the built in microphone and the external audio separately or mixed together, which ever option you choose.

The Z5E is able to take both tapes and memory cards (MRC-1 that allows memory card use is an optional extra which would be purchased seperatly) and can record to either one or both of these option at the same time. This gives you a better versatility when working on a project and the option to ‘back-up’ automatically as you are going along.

While you are shooting you can connect the Z5E, via the HDMI output connector, to any HDMI compatible display monitor. You will be able to see high quality HD images as during your shooting a pre-compressed 1920 by 1080i / 4:2:2 signal is output through that HDMI connector.

To assist with white balance control, Sony has included a Smooth White Balance feature. It helps to avoid those sudden and unnatural colour temperature bursts when moving from indoor lighting to outdoor lighting and visa versa.

There is also a feature called Smooth Gain which aids in the same way and avoids colour temperature bursts when adjusting manual gain level settings.

The Automatic Gain Control function can be set to your own liking by telling the camera what you want the highest and lowest gain to be. You have an option to make use of Minus Gain settings as long as your MINUS AGC is turned on.

The Sony Z5E has two accessory shoe connectors available. One of them is a cold shoe (found at the front of the camera on top of the microphone unit) the other is a screw hole type connector (found on the handle). The screw hole type connector can be transformed into a cold shoe connection if need be.

There is a Histogram Indicator which can be shown on the LCD and the Viewfinder and will show you your brightness path. This helps you to easily examine and evaluate the brightness of your images and gives you more control over what you are shooting.

Sony has given you the option of saving up to six picture quality settings in the camera and setting them as profiles. This makes for easy change between your favorite settings.

A fantastic feature on the Sony HVR Z5E is the Colour Extraction mode which allows you to select and retain up to two colours while all the other colours remain black and white. Colour Revision allows you to change the Hue of the specific colour chosen by the Colour Extraction tool. Not only is this a great feature for your creative side, but it ensures better green screen and blue screen shooting.

In most camcorders the brightness of the video image will increase in sync with the colour level becoming more vivid. However, in the Sony Z5E the video brightness and the colour level are processed independently of each other and therefore have no effect on each other giving you more flexibility in the style of shooting.

You have the option of changing the sharpness of a subject or item with a specific colour via the WB Shift options. This is especially helpful when filming people and making skin tones look more natural.

Other features include; Smooth Slow Record, allowing you to preview fast filmed snips in extra slow motion and Shot Transition which allows for a smoother automated scene transition.

There are seven Assign Buttons allocated for you to program to your favorite quick access functions.
The Sony HVR Z5E is clearly packed with fantastic options and features to ensure that you have every opportunity to excel when filming.