Professional Video Camcorder is a camera that has a beautiful shape, not great and modern technology for the professional journalists and all professional actors.The Sony HVR-Z7U HDV features 1/3-inch bayonet joint interchangeable lenses, native progressive recording, and solid-state memory recording. A streamlined nonlinear editing workflow can be achieved using the supplied Memory Recording Unit, which provides HDV/DVCAM/DV file recording on a widely available CompactFlash solid-state memory card.The Professional Video Camcorder Sony into Amazon.com Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001.

New XtraFine LCD and EVF Offer High-resolution, High-contrast Images

• XtraFine LCD A 3.2-inch (viewable area, measured diagnally) type XtraFine LCD is located on the HVR-Z7U in the same position as on the HVR-Z1U. The high pixel number of approximately 921,000 dots is around four times greater than the LCD of the HVR-Z1U, and this higher resolution allows for easier focus adjustments.
• XtraFine EVF The 0.45 inch type XtraFine EVF (Electronic View Finder) has approximately 1,227,000 dots (852×3[RGB]x480). This device has three independent LEDs for R,G, and B colors. This technology allows users to check objects with remarkable color reproduction and resolution. The EVF has a selectable display mode between color or black and white.
• Common Features of the XtraFine LCD and EVF 100% full-scan display – helps you to check the entire recorded area. Plus, 6500k color temperature–standard for professional monitors.

Natural-touch Lens Operation

• Focus The newly designed focus ring offers two types of manual focus, plus an auto focus mode that can be easily switched by sliding the focus ring forward or backward. When the focus ring is in the front position, the lens works in the same way as the HVR-Z1U, HVR-V1U, and DSR-PD170. In this case, either manual or auto focus mode can be selected by the assignable button on the lens. On the other hand, when the focus ring is set to the rear position, the focus ring has a physical stop at infinity and works in the same way as a professional interchangeable lens, with fixed-focus-position and distance indicators.

• Zoom Fast, intuitive manual-zoom response is provided by an internal gearwheel mechanism that provides accurate zoom positioning. A high-quality servo-motor provides the smooth zooming performance that industry professionals have come to rely on.
• Iris The iris ring encircles the lens barrel. Manual iris adjustment is possible with an ENG-type ring system that allows fine exposure control for challenging lighting situations.

New Manual Camera settings

• Three ND filters (1/4, 1/16, 1/64) The HVR-Z7U has three built-in ND (Neutral Density) filters,which help users to reduce light intensity under bright shooting conditions.
• Negative Gain settings of -6 and -3 dB have also been added to help reduce sensitivity under bright lighting conditions. When the iris needs to be opened to create a short depth of field, a suitable brightness can be achieved with this function.
• The Smooth Gain function is a smooth transition gain system that avoids sudden brightness changes caused by manual gain-level adjustment. With this function, the brightness changes gradually when the gain-level position is switched and avoids any sudden, unwanted iris adjustment.
• The Smooth WB Feature is a smooth transition white balance system that avoids unnatural sudden color temperature changes between preset white balance settings. For example, this function is useful when you move from an artificial, low-light environment inside a building, to bright natural sunlight outside.

Shooting Support Functions

• Advanced Histogram The Histogram Indicator for brightness can be displayed on the LCD monitor and viewfinder, allowing operators to easily evaluate the brightness of captured images. A target window appears in the center of the screen and the brightness level is indicated by a vertical red line in the histogram. The zebra indicator level appears as a yellow vertical line in the histogram as reference for proper exposure.
  

  Six types of AE available

• AE Window Six types of AE (Auto Exposure) can be selected to automatically adjust the exposure to the most suitable level.
• Camera Leveling The HVR-Z7U has a built-in 3D gravity (3G) sensor, which detects the horizontal level of the camcorder and displays it via an indicator in the LCD/EVF. This digital leveler function makes it possible to obtain a horizontal level reading even when shooting without a tripod.
• Focus Marking When the focus position needs to be manually moved to pre-decided positions, you can put up to two markers (A and B) on a focus position indicator in the LCD/EVF as reference points. When the focus position becomes aligned with one of these markers, it will begin to flash. This allows you to keep your eye on the subject of your shot, without having to check the focus indicator on the lens.

Great for the price
Sony HVR-Z7U Review

For the last 3 years I have been using the first Sony HDV camera, the Z1U, with great results. We took it in over 21 countries for the filming of a documentary and it preformed just great. However my Z1U, as much as I loved it, was growing old, so I went for the next generation, the Z7U, that I just got a couple days ago.
The first thing to notice as I unpacked it is that is noticeably heavier. I knew that from the spec sheet, but I thought I wouldn’t notice the 0.6 pound difference. Anyway, the newness of the camera and the fact that is a lot shorter than its predecessor got me excited enough to get over it.
I also noticed and liked the new frontal design where the far reaching built in microphone of the Z1U is missing. This allows for bringing the camera much closer to the airplane or car window for instance, something I will value as a documentarian. 

Best decision ever.
I recieved 2 defective JVC GY-HD110′s from Amazon. Sent them back and fronted the extra cash for this one. Best decision I have ever made. Recording to Compact Flash cuts my editing time in half. The battery time is 4 times longer with the stock battery than the JVC too! I love everything about it.

Buy It or See Complete Features and Specs Sony HVR-Z7U HDV Professional Video Camcorder