Sony HDR-FX1000 unboxing video

Ever since the Sony released their HDR-FX1000 HD Handycam I’ve wanted to get my hands on one to review. As you are no doubt aware, I record a LOT of video for the website and although I am quite pleased with the results from the Sanyo HD1000 that I use at the moment I wanted to see what a proper high-end camcorder could do.

The Sony HDR-FX1000 HD Handycam

In terms of what I use a camcorder for most, unboxing videos, the main problem with lower spec. camcorders is that in order to get the best picture quality you need to record in fairly bright conditions. Not a problem in itself, however, when you consider that most of the products that I am reviewing/unboxing have extremely shiny screens then recoding in bight conditions so that you can see the device does no lend itself to being able to see what’s on that shiny screen. Recording is often a compromise.

So when thinking about getting a better camcorder for unboxings the HDR-FX1000 sounded like a good choice. Thanks to its 3 CMOS chips and the large Sony G Lens the FX1000 performs very well in lower light conditions. Whether or not this makes any difference to me in practice remains to be seen but I’m hoping for a big improvement in the video quality of my unboxings!

I’m going to spend the next few weeks reviewing the HDR-FX1000. I’ll be using it to record some videos and I’ll be sure to mention which videos I used the FX1000 for. I should have my review online in a few weeks time, it’ll probably take me that long to work out what all the buttons do. Have a look at the FX1000 unboxing video below for a quick tour of the camcorder and to see what’s included.

Sony HDR-FX1000 Specification:

• Audio System: HDV ; MPEG1 Audio Layer2 Stereo / DV ; PCM
• Built in Microphone: Stereo
• Built in Speaker: YES
• Surround Recording: NO
• Image Device: Size: 1/3" 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor
• Image Device: System: Progressive
• Exmor technology: YES
• Image Processor: Enhanced Imaging Processor
• x.v.Colour: YES
• Number of Pixels Gross (K): 1120 x 3
• Minimum Illumination (lux): 1.5
• SteadyShot (Image Stabilisation): YES, Optical
• Shutter Speed: 1/3-1/10000
• Depth (mm): 349
• Height (mm): 178
• Width (mm): 169
• Weight without Tape/Battery (g): 2100
• HDMI Output: YES
• External Microphone Input: YES
• Headphone Jack: YES
• Lens: G Lens
• F: 1.6-3.4
• f (Focal Distance) (mm): 4.1-82
• f (35mm conversion): Camera mode (mm): 16:9 Mode ; 29.5 – 590 / 4:3 Mode ; 36.1 – 722
• Filter Diameter (mm): 72
• Zoom Ratio (Optical): 20
• Memory Stick PRO Compatibility: YES
• Image Size: Max 16:9 Mode ; 1440 x 810 / 4:3 Mode ; 1080 x 810
• Still Recording during Movie (Dual Rec): YES
• 16:9 Wide (Full) Recording: YES
• InfoLITHUM System: YES
• Continuous Recording Time with Supplied Battery and Viewfinder (min): 145
• Max. Continuous Recording Time with Optional Battery and Viewfinder (min): 450
• Progressive Recording Mode: YES
• Rechargeable Battery Pack: NP-F570
• i.LINK Cable: YES
• LCD: Size (inch): 3.2
• LCD: Pixels (dots): 921600
• Viewfinder: Pixel (K dots): 1.126
• Movie Format: High Definition, HDV (1440 x 1080) / Standard Definition, DV
• Recording Media: miniDV tape
• Movie Quality: SP / LP (Standard Definition only)

The full specification can be found on the Sony website.

Don’t forget to post your comments/questions on the Sony FX1000 forum thread, feel free to let me know if you want me to cover anything specific in the review too!

Posted by: Matt