Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U

50 reviews

May, 2013

Positive
Portability (16)
Usability (4)
Image quality (3)
Build quality (2)
Design (1)

Negative
Value for money (8)
Zoom (4)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 50 reviews from magazines and websites. People are impressed by the design and build quality. The image quality and usability are also mentioned favorably, whereas the zoom and value for money get less positive views.

portability, usability, image quality, build quality, design

value for money, zoom

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 81/100 = Very good quality.

See all Sony Camcorders

Review analysis

(Based on 50 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(52% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (40% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (4% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (no reviews)
(4% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Portability
Show positive (94%)None yet(Show all)

Value for money
Show positive (12%)Show negative (35%)(Show all)

Usability
Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)

Zoom
Show positive (7%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)

Image quality
Show positive (30%)None yet(Show all)

More features

Showing 42 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 42 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (12)

Expert review by: Andy Yardy (microfilmmaker.com)

Sony HVR-Z7U

When DV and DVCam technology was first introduced to the market, I was one of the first to adopt it. As a freelance shooter and editor, it opened a whole new world of work for me. I could do productions that before were impossible. So when HDV cameras...

Chosen to be Microfilmmaker Magazine's lead camera analyst and reviewer due to his expertise in camerawork, Andy Yardy has over 10 years experience shooting documentaries in the most remote portions of the globe. Based out of LA, he creates films under...

Feb, 2009

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Consumer review by: Gorifyny (cnet.com)

Not a review but a comment.

I don't understand the reviewer's comment about SLR lenses covering only a 4x3 field. Their field is much larger for even the APS formatted lenses than the 1/3-inch sensors of the 150, regardless of the aspect ratio. Moreover, all lenses I am familiar...

Low-cost solid-state storage. Reportedly has very good imaging

Uncertain what format is being recorded - I think HDV only supports 1440 pixels per line at 1080i

Nov, 2008

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Consumer review by: (amazon.com)

Amazon review summary for the Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U

alaTest has collected and analyzed 11 user reviews of the Sony HVR-Z7 / Z7E / Z7U from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products on Amazon.com.

portability, usability

value for money

91% of reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2013

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Consumer review by: tammy (amazon.com)

one issue to be aware of

We order the HVR-z7E, since we wanted the Pal system, but instead recieved HVR-Z7U/Z7N. After 2 weeks of frustration and writing back and forth, we learned that the model, which was sent to us had both functions. It is working both Ntsc and Pal. The...

Aug, 2012

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Consumer review by: B. Mujanovic (amazon.com)

The parts for this camera has been destroyed in flooding!!!!!!!

Hard to believe but everything is possible with Sony. I needed the part for my Z7U, I called Sony and they told me that most of the replacement parts for this camera were destroyed in the Flooding in Tayland and they will be no available any more in...

Jan, 2012

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Consumer review by: J. Lee (amazon.com)

Sony Z7U

I'm loving this camera. There are times when bringing a "smaller" camera into a clients business that this camera may not have the "pro-appearance" factor - but none of the clients have been disappointed with the results. The footage I've taken with...

Nov, 2010

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Consumer review by: J. Lee (amazon.com)

Sony Z7U

Nov, 2010

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Consumer review by: MediaMan (dell.com)

A great device

I love this unit

Jul, 2009

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Consumer review by: LouRo (sonystyle.com)

HVR Z7U

After using this camera for a month and comparing it to the HVR V1U, for event work, I totally recommend its use.

Great sensitivity, CF card capable with HDV/DV tape archive possible

button layout not perfect

Jul, 2009

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Consumer review by: daffodils (ciao.com)

Sony HVR-Z7

The newly announced Sony HVR-Z7 looked like a really great camera to begin with. It is designed to compete with the likes of the XLH1, and as such it has interchangeable lenses, which is something users of this level of camera from Sony have been...

Recording Format Mini DV (HDV

Screen, adopts high brightness [3.5 inch LCD

Apr, 2009