Sony HDR-FX1: High Definition Video Has Arrived!

Conclusion: To Buy Or Not To Buy

The Sony HDR-FX1 impressed us greatly. It's perfect in terms of image quality, has good sensitivity, and features professional-level ergonomics. Its innovations are such that it will remain a benchmark in the market for years. But does that mean you should make the move to high definition?

You must remember that buying an FX1 implies investing not only in a pricy camera, but in a whole series of other expensive products. To appreciate its quality you need a flat-screen television set or HD-compatible video projector, and to edit the HDV video you need a powerful video-editing computer - these can add several thousand dollars to the total bill.

Many people will wonder if it makes sense to invest in a Panasonic AG-DVX100A or a Sony DCR-VX2100 when the Sony HDR-FX1 can shoot both in DV and HDV for $3,990. It's a legitimate question, but it's not a simple one to answer. One reason is that the Panasonic AG-DVX100A has dropped to $3,400 and also has an XLR port for a professional microphone, which the FX1 lacks. Another is that regular DV is compatible with all editing software, and even an entry-level computer costing $600 is enough for dealing with it, unlike HDV. Finally, we must point out that image quality isn't just a matter of the number of pixels on the screen; color rendering and sensitivity are also important, and in these areas, the AG-DVX100A and DCR-VX2100 don't take a back seat to the HDR-FX1.

To help you make this difficult choice, here are four good reasons to buy and not to buy this video camera:

Buy it if:

• You want to show your video on an HD flat-screen TV or a home cinema setup
• You have a computer powerful enough to do editing
• You want a camcorder that can shoot both in DV and HD
• You want to shoot in native 16:9

Don't buy it if:

• You want a camcorder with an XLR port
• You don't have a powerful enough computer to edit HD
• You don't have an HD-compatible TV
• You feel a DV camcorder can already produce images that are of acceptably high quality