Knowlege of Video Cameras

[CuChi]

I'm looking at a couple of videocameras and I was wondering if anyone has or used to use either one of these video cameras. One is a Sony HVR-V1U and the other is Sony HVR-Z1U. Any advise will be appreciated.

Tom

[BobC]

I have used both. The V1U is a not very good in low light, but other than that I found it to be a great little camera. Used them almost exclusively for about 5 years with great success (actually have one for sale if interested). The controls were easily accessible and intuitive for me as a long time Sony user. The Z1 is larger and depending on your usage, that can be good or bad (for instance, on a monopod it was tougher to use). What I liked most about it was you could go all the way up to 18db on gain with acceptable video quality, allowing you to shoot efficiently in low light whereas the V1U got too grainy beyond 12db for my taste.