Sony PXW-Z150 4K XDCAM Camcorder
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Good but could be better
I have owned a lot of Sony cameras for the last 30 years. This one reminds me of the EX1 which was a work horse. But it has a couple of flaws that make me give it four stars. Lens is only 2.8 and not through the full zoom. EX1 was 1.8, huge difference and the Z150 is terrible in low light. Other is the lens only goes to F11, come on, I use F16 all the time for deep depth of field. On the positive side the picture is nice, 120fps in 1080 is great,... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A 422/4KUHD replacement for the EX3
I have been waiting for a good all-in-one camera to replace the EX3/EX1 and this is IT! So great to have HD 422 and UHD with a fantastic G series clear scan lens. Bought two for a week long job and enjoyed the small footprint and quick setup compared to the unwieldy and quirky FS7/FS5 and slow interchangeable kit lenses. The reviewer that returned his camera due to the EVF turning off didn't read the manual to know it has two settings. Too bad, b... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Data Transfer
I have made recording using the Sony PXW-Z150 camcorder but have not been able to download to my computer or view recording. I am at a point to decide within the next week to keep camcorder or return. Been unable to get any information on how to transfer data I recorded and use to make DVD's. If you are reading this and know what I need to do to transfer recording for viewing on my Lab top I would appreciate it. I have a Dell Lab Top with windows... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Terrible in low light
For cinematic shoots I use a variety of cameras including DSLRS which of course I can change out lenses. I wanted a run and gun type camera for the other shoots, videographer types, conferences, etc. While most of these type of shoots are inside, this camera is horrible in those situations.. The lowest I am able to shoot even in lighted scenes, is 18db/ really? It looks like the iris is closed when in 0db, while other cameras would do just fine. ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Works well for stage and drama productions.
Now that I have been using this camera for over a year, It performs very well for stage and drama productions. I find that low light is not a problem when leaving the camera at 0dB Gain while leaving on the auto iris. I have used it as a wide shot and as a zoom camera. It is harder to find the correct focus as a wide camera but once set, it is great. I do not like where Sony put the controls, but I just get used to it. I use a Sony RM1BP Rem... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent, Just Excellent
I've been using Sony A7S, Sony FS7, Sony A7SII, Canon C100 and BMPCC for the past few years. It's crazy to think this way but I actually enjoy the Sony PXW-Z150 more than any of those other cams. There is just something so beautiful about having a small self contained package that can do it all... 10 bit, 4:2:2, good low light, UHD, XLR audio, internal ND, slow motion and a great zoom range for only three grand. It really doesn't get better than this. I can totally see myself grabbing z150 instead of the FS7 on some jobs. It's just so much faster to use.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good 4K Machine
For semi and Professional filmmaker, this XDCAM have a lot of functions Auto/Manual control, 3ND filters, S&Q motion with 1 to 120 fps, audio microphone level 1-2/1-1/2-2 canal, 2 SD slot, good zoom X18, 3 manual rings focus/zoom/iris. The UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) 30p isawesome when you use the PP2 and PP4 unchanged from the firm. If you are a perfectionist and make short video (not long recording) you will be happier with the Sony A7RS or Sony A6300/6500. For filmmaker it's a great camera, love this machine. I recommend the Sony PXW-Z150 4K XDCAM.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Z150 update
I wrote my review on the Z150 earlier and made mention I bought a RX10 III and would compare the two, so here goes. Bottom line, to make it short...I dumped my Z150 and now shoot beautiful 120FPS action video with my RX10III. The video is every bit as good as the Z150 and the cam has a much smaller footprint. Plus with the 600mm lens I get so much more than the Z150. 4K is also great. In summation, for half the price I am more satisfied with the RX10 III than the Z150. And with a $600Sony XLRK2M I can now do sit down interviews as well.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Much Bang for the Realistic Buck
For a $3,000 camera, you get quite a bit more than $3,000 of quality. Sony sure makes great gear. I use this for recorded DVD teachings, live streaming live teachings, and shooting some cinematic scenes/films as well. It is amazing at this level and has lots of control, options, and strength of its parameters. Don't expect the same flexibility and options as a $20k or $60k camera (ie, you can't change lenses), but do expect to get everything you need and a lot more if you're not shooting top-of-the-line Hollywood productions 24/7.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Button placement is my only complaint
I have only had the z150 for about a month but so far, I am very happy with the product. I upgraded from a second hand NX5u and can definitely see the difference in picture. The single frame gives a great depth of field and although I won't be using it often, the 4k component is a nice addition. The only issue I have with the camera is having the navigation buttons on the top of the camera. I film a lot of conferences where the camera needs to be up fairly high so not seeing the buttons every time can be a struggle.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Beautiful images But....
I have been shooting with this camera for a year. Very happy to date with the images I'm getting. However, increasingly, when I zoom in on something, the camera sometimes goes nuts with the zoom roaring back and forth and the image completely out of focus. One client heard the noise and asked, What's going on with your camera? I have to turn the camera off to reset. Not a big deal in interviews and was only occasional. BUT Saturday I had to do it during a wedding and now it's beyond a quirk and I need a fix.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
In general a good camera.
Not a good camera if used indoors with not enough light. I do use it indoors, but I have to put a Frezzzi light on a pole and a Fotodiox Led light on the camera accessory shoe. Plastic caps/covers in the rear (covering USB, LAN, Headphone jack etc.), and XLR caps are not closing properly. They are loose and can be a bother during the operation time. I do not find the menu to be user friendly. Stay away from using full auto option. For those reasons, I give this camera three stars.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great camera!
Some people say that the PXW-Z150 doesn't record very well in low light. It's not as bad as you think. I shot plenty of times in low light and never had an issue. I just did a day in the life shoot for an attorney and the attorney got back to me and told me that the insurance company past on congratulations to the videographer for such a well-made video. If you don't want to spend the money for the FS5 or FS7 then you'll be happy with the Z150!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Wow! What a camera.
We needed to upgrade our cameras. After reading a few reviews about the PXW-Z150, we decided to give it a try. It is far and away one of the best cameras we've ever used. It performs better than a lot of cameras that cost thousands more, and the images are always rock solid and stunning. if you're thinking of moving up to 4K, this camera deserves a lot of consideration. Incredible camera at an incredible price.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good small 4K camera, could be a little better.
Nice small large handycam style camera with pretty good 4K. I have owned and own a lot of Sony cameras up to the F55. The Z150 to me is a 4K EX1 with not quite all the features the EX1 has. But not bad for the price. Four stars because the lens is only 2.8 and not through the zoom. And at the other end the lens only goes to 11.0, really. So is it worth it, for the price yes, it is a great camera for the price.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Just getting back into video. A good choice
There are some things I don't like (like the button controls and the buttons on the data control selector are hard for me to feel;) but the camera is so strikingly familiar to the former Sonys I've owned it's like seeing an old friend. Picture is stunning, sound without an external mixer is better than just useable, and it's a heck of a lot lighter than my Canon 5D Mk4 with a 70-200 lens. Money well spent.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Don't buy this piece a junk
I used this camera very short hours & two weeks after a year the motor zoom & focus lens want bad did not hit it or drop it & the the camera still very good shape new it cost me to fix it $1,400 dollars thats to bad from sony & 3 of my friend have same problems.. this piece Garbage worth nothing i did not buy it to loss money the price fix the lens half the cameras cost i'm very upset...DO NOYT BUY IT
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
ALL & MORE
Been buying from BH for 20+ years and this was once again a pleasure opening a box with the PXW Sony cam and having a camera that does it all in one small package- whether it hi end action, filming out of helicopters, or hand held interviews/ documenting lives important moments, this is a perfect camcorder for all round capture found it easy to use and good quality images.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good Camera for the Price
As some reviewers have stated, it's not great under low light. But you can push the gain and it's not too noisy. The menu can be hard to navigate and the LCD/Viewfinder viewing options are annoying. However, it can produce some amazing video. I also like the fact that it has a 1" sensor,records to SD cards, shoots 4K, records slo-mo, and costs only $3000.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
No I cannot recommend this Z150
The camera looses focus tracking in AUTO mode, Auto focus tracking is not a problem in manual mode. Low Light is NOT good its too noisy -- considering its a large sensor it does not handle low light well at all. The menu buttons are difficult to use on top of the camera. It does not live up the the hype, I was disappointed with the performance.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Tremendous Camera!
This is tremendous camera for a small church ministry like us! The full auto mode makes it impossible to make a mistake when it comes to managing lighting and focus. It almost feels like cheating because it is so easy to get such great quality. For us this is an expensive camera but this is worth every penny. Glad for all the help from B&H too!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great new camera
this new Sony is pxw z150 is one sweet camcorder !! I took it on a Florida vacation and it was one fun camera to have at my side. Night shots and the versatility in low light situations is a real treat ! Battery life and the Card storage lasted the whole trip! I am an amateur and I look forward to many more adventures with this camera!!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent camera
Stoiman at B&H professional video camera department helped me out and he was excellent in helping me choose the RIGHT camera. Excellent camera with great sensor and great low-light shooting ability, exactly what i needed. Thank you stoiman and the B&H team for your continued excellence in customer service and product availability.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Bad Quality
I am not sure if the camera was defective or it was just me but there was bad quality when I uploaded the clips onto my Retina display computer. I know it was not the computers problem because it is a very high quality computer. I tried many different solutions and none of them seemed to work. Other than that it was good.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
