Sony HXR-NX800 (PXW-Z200) for filming sports (surf video)? First impressions.

[@jasoncancel3340]

Definitely make sure you watch this in 4K. I had KZbin on Auto so it kicked it to 720p and it looked bad, but once in 4K, the video was MUCH better.

[@OldSurfDad]

Thanks, pinning this comment.. My talking head portion is filmed in like 720 so it looks like crap, but all good..It's about checking the video. Cheers!

[@JimWeslager]

Use the S&Q feature at 120 fps with a 180 degree shutter angle for awesome slow motion video on a 24 fps timeline. Amazing camera and great video quality.

[@enrightm]

Thanks for the breakdown. I love the shoot from lower angle tip too.

[@dag221]

Ordered one yesterday for primarily shooting nature and motorsports. The pro's far outweighed the cons as I don't care about shallow depth of field or low light performance nearly as much as I care about ease of use and the convenience of the single lens and power zoom etc. The ability to reasonably shoot hand held is a huge thing for me when jumping out of the car to shoot wildlife which is not going to stick around for me if I don't get the shot quickly. If it performs half as well as I think it well I will be happy.

[@OldSurfDad]

This is essentially my story in a different application. Pro surfers are like wildlife in that they don't want to wait around for you either. Haha. Good luck and please share your experience. I am pretty excited to give it a few more sessions and make videos mixing in this and other cameras and angles. Cheers!

[@NYCIndieFilmmakerSujewa]

looks great. I've been using these prosumer type cams for making fiction features for a long time now. this new cam looks good for that purpose.

[@djcrazygatl]

Great Video and I subscribe because right before you were finished you said you're going to El Salvador!!! Great choice to choose footage!! Surf City!!

[@OldSurfDad]

Thanks for watching and subscribing. Surf City has some great waves, but its El Salvador and the people there that keep me coming back.

[@andyarts8382]

Thanks so much for making this video. Curious on what your thoughts would be for Wildlife video? I'm in the Canadian Rockies and film bears etc but often hiking around and my sigma 60-600mm and the heaver tripod it wearing down this old body. Looking or another alternative..

[@OldSurfDad]

I feel you on the "wearing down this old body"! For the surf video featured, one has to hike about two miles down a trail and through some soft sand. My NX800 is definitely lighter than my old setup. The camera weighs less than 5 pounds and is really all I need now. I think your sigma lens alone weighs more than that, but there are tradeoffs of course. We do completely different types of shooting, but yet I think related in the requirements for the job. There's less bokeh with the NX800, but so much more on offer. I love the ease of use and versatility all in one package and the focus is great. Shooting bears and wildlife sounds pretty fun and exiting, but I imagine it takes time to find the situation and hopefully not as 'run and gun' as it sounds! Ha! The heaviest thing I have to carry is my tripod (E-Image 2-Stage Aluminum Tripod with GH06 Head) that weighs about 12 1/2 pounds. Now that my camera is lighter I'm hoping to get a lighter tripod that can give me the same solid foundation. I like the NX800 a lot right now and would recommend it, but ultimately depends on what your needs are. I'll be doing a follow up review after a few more projects and I get to know the camera better. Thanks for your comment. Cheers!

[@andyarts8382]

@@OldSurfDad All great info. For me it is actually run and gun...hahah or run and bearspray...So timing is everything. They don't hang around for very long. I look forward to your future post especially the tripod you choose. Mine is 17lbs..ugh. But sturdy.

[@rafamellinsosurfe402]

Excellent review! Thanks so much for this!

[@OldSurfDad]

Hey thanks Rafa. I just watched your Mentawai video and it made me miss Macaronis! I love that wave. Good video. Cheers!

[@JimWeslager]

There are a few ways you can adjust the camera to focus on your desired subject, such as the surfers, without using manual focus. Options include using the “tracking using human detection” settings, “tracking a specified subject”, or using the “autofocus area/position” setting to flexible or zone. You can also adjust the AF subject shift sensitivity and lock on to your subject. Lots of options to consider. For manual focusing, “using manual focus temporarily” section of the manual provides the details you may consider. Works well when you need to quickly manual adjust focus, then quickly return to AF mode for focusing.

[@OldSurfDad]

Thank you for this! I will be diving in soon before my next shoot. Appreciate it!

[@bentleycallahan8935]

This was very informative. Thanks for your perspective. If you have the time to offer an opinion… I’ve been using a friends Sony alpha a6700 mirrorless with a PZ lens to do some short form videos for some local youth sports. I really need to get my own equipment and have been considering the same borrowed setup of a6700 + pz lens; but also feel that (even though more expensive) the nx800 might be the best overall tool to start and grow with. Thoughts?

[@OldSurfDad]

Hi Bentley thanks for watching. I don't know the 6700 or the PZ lens very well to compare. Hopefully someone with something similar can weigh in, but that set up has the plusses (different lenses) and minuses (more accessories needed to make it better for shooting sports). If you like the setup your friend has and your getting the results start there, but I feel like for sports the NX800 is hard to beat and a great starter camera to do a lot with. Btw I just saw a video series by Doug Jensen that is a masterclass on the NX800. It also has an interesting preview. The preview is on KZbin, but the masterclass is behind a paywall and $80. Im going to do it to get the most out of the camera. Hope that helps and good luck with your project! Cheers

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Great video from a Canon XF605 shooter--thanks and I'm now a subscriber to your channel.

[@OldSurfDad]

Thanks for watching. Yeh, the XF605 looks like the Canon version of the NX800. How do you like the Canon?

[@craigw.scribner6490]

@@OldSurfDad I've had it for over two years now and I like it a lot! I shoot and edit football sideline highlights videos for our high school and middle school teams and the versatility of the XF605's zoom lens and excellent autofocus make it an ideal tool for the job. I think the Sony duo would be great too for my needs, and they are even less expensive than the 605.

[@realCAMERALERO]

Watson makes good replacement batteries for camcorders and such that are much more affordable than Sony batteries. I've been buying them for my staff for years. Manual focus for the surf framed by the flowers. ;)

[@OldSurfDad]

Thank you! I was thinking there might be a way to assign a focus lock button, but if not manual focus is the way to go. I’ll check out the Watson batteries. Appreciate the suggestion!

[@realCAMERALERO]

@@OldSurfDadI've been a television photojournalist for more than 36 years using fully manual lenses so autofocus does not compute for me. LOL Even when I use a small camcorder I switch it to fully manual. I've been very satisfied with Watson batteries. The ones I buy for my staff to use range from the 2-pin NP-types to full size gold mount batteries. Very affordable and I've never noted any issues with them.

[@RyanPerrella]

Nice video Dave, I appreciate all the particulars that you need in a single camera. I love the fact that this thing has the KZbin livestream function, the fact that you can get video to a viewer without having to import files into a computer and edit and transcode and upload is just so amazing to me and I love it on the A7IV, but to your point, I love that all this camcorder goodness runs off a single battery. Clear Image Zoom is enabled by a setting, then you will have an extra 1.5x your 20x optical for 4k 10 bit. Also with the Sony PDF manuals, I get those onto an iPad that I use with my cameras and load it into the Books app. Thanks for sharing.

[@OldSurfDad]

Thank you for watching and especially this comment. I got sidetracked on another project, but looking forward to trying this the next time there's some swell. Stoked on Clear Image Zoom!

[@surf-pixels]

Nice! Simple is best sometimes, love it! What fluid head do you use?

[@OldSurfDad]

www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1046963-REG/e_image_eg06a2_2_stage_aluminum_tripod_gh06_fluid.html

[@CHTFilms]

No touch tracking focus like a7s3 and all their mirrorless bodies?

[@OldSurfDad]

I honestly don't know the A7s3 to know the difference, but the focus seemed to work really well. I did not use manual focus for the shots used in this video and am getting better at that when its appropriate. Like I said..new to camcorders and have a lot to learn.

[@CHTFilms]

@OldSurfDad I meant when you wanted to keep focused water waves instead the focus goes to the flowers you just have to enable the touch tracking focus and click on the screen on water waves and it won't lose them from focus. My a7sIII is brilliant with AF and it's touch tracking option, and this Z200 even has AI chip for AF which is at least 20-30% better 👌

[@OldSurfDad]

@@CHTFilms Thank you! I'm about to jump into the Doug Jensen course for this camera. I had another project the last month that kept me from focusing on the NX800 (pun not intended I think) Ha. Appreciate the tip!

[@LMActionsports]

I picked up the NX 800 the day after it was released and then truly happy with the results. I only shoot in normal rec-709 mode 4K 60 and I use a small color lut that just makes the colors pop and I been really happy with it. I do mostly motorsports ATV and dirtbike woods, racing and motocross. And the camera truly blows me away with the focus accuracy. I picked up two Bp-u60 batteries by Watson on Amazon and I get about 330 minutes of use. Like you I am new to camcorders but I do own a Sony FX 30 and two other Sony wireless cameras that I use for my photography business. And this camcorder just makes it a lot easier to use than my FX 30. The built-in ND filters is my favorite part. At the racing event, I put it on auto ND filter while I keep everything else in manual and it does a great job. Is it the best camera for low light? That will be your opinion, noise does show up early and the ISO/DB. But so far I’ve been happy with it when I used it at a wedding to film the first dance. All in all it’s a great addition and so many people complimented me on the quality of the video footage. I posted two videos on my channel if you wanted to see. Have a great day. Thanks for sharing.

[@OldSurfDad]

Hello my friend! You inspire me to get this camera! Very happy so far. Will check your videos now. Appreciate you man. Btw, do you have a link to the watson batteries you bought? Not sure which ones to get and amazon is throwing me so many choices none of which list the NX800. Thank you!

[@RyanPerrella]

When you have low light, pull out the full frame camera, this thing is for daylight, anything outside and far away, if it were dark you wouldn't have a use for the 30x 4k zoom capability. I get hung up on the low light too, but with this zoom range, if it were FF it would be unmanageably big.

[@DuffTV]

Camcorders are the king content gathering machines.

[@RyanPerrella]

Especially one with live-streaming baked in.

[@cameraheadstudios]

Yes, camcorders are still here in 2024. Great video.

[@OldSurfDad]

Thanks for watching. Yep, I never thought I’d be buying a camcorder- haven’t had one since the 90s! Ha

[@OceanLuvKitty]

Sony no baloney! Kudos and congrats 🤙

[@OldSurfDad]

🤙

[@valentinazubova7743]

Thanks for sharing. Nice machine.👍.

[@evomedia8611]

This camera is definitely a good choice for filming surfers. I use it (and before with the Panasonic CX350 and the Sony X70) to shoot sports. I definitely want to the zoom range and small sensor over the big sensor and prime lenses for things like this where I have zero control over what's happening in the shot and I need to be ready to get shot however and whenever it happens. I do have 2 FX6's for more proper, planned shoots (commercials, corporate content) and an FX3 (usually lives on my gimbal). It's about the right tool for the job. This is the most reach you're going to get with the zoom from a camera like this. I use clear image zoom punch in all the time, and there's a very slight difference, but only really noticeable if you pixel peep. You'll need to spend exponentially more on a box lens like what they use for NFL, World Cup, Formula One, or NASCAR and that's just not practical for most of us. Regarding your dirty frame with the bokeh'ed flowers in front, I would switch to manual focus for that shot. If you don't have a LANC remote yet, getting one of those is going to rock your world like getting that counterbalanced tripod head did. I use the Libec ZFC-L. For baked in look straight out of camera, S Cinetone seems like the go-to these days, and it looks great to me.

[@OldSurfDad]

Dude! How did I not know about the Lanc remote! Very cool. Thanks for that suggestion!

[@BONLEV]

when you use clear image zoom do you also lose extra light or not? or does it stays at F4.5 in clear image zoom. I also have a FX6 , A7IV and considering this camcorder for the s-cinetone. My sony Z280 doesn't match well with my other sony cams.

[@RyanPerrella]

Great suggestions, LANC remote was may favorite new thing when I got my first deluxe Sony camcorder. To get 24-500mm in a APS-C or Full Frame is going to cost 2x to 4x the weight and space and cash, so 1" sensor is great with killer zoom, this camera is a really nice package.

[@OldSurfDad]

@@BONLEV I would assume you lose some light if it defaults to 4.5, but again, I'm new to this. Hopefully someone with more experience could answer. I rarely have low light situations shooting surfing in daylight so not a huge thing for me personally, but there's a lot of folks that shoot weddings so that may be more important for those gigs.

[@godsakes]

I'm hoping sony makes a smaller version similar to the AX700/NX80/Z90 series or just update that series with a newer sensor with 10bit SLOG3

[@bn888bn]

me too

[@RyanPerrella]

I wish the handle could be removed from the NX800, that would make it much smaller in the bag. I too want a 10-bit replacement for my AXP-FDR55 which has 20x optical on an internal gimbal and even has a legit projector built into the flip screen, the sensor is 1/2 the size of this but wow it is small compared to the NX800.

[@tjdalyvideo]

Excellent review thanks! I’m considering 28-135mm servo for my FX6 vs this idea hmmm…

[@RyanPerrella]

Sacrifice image quality for 4x the zoom range, that's a tough decision, if you don't already have a B cam, get this for it's range and it's ability to stand in as a second camera. I was hoping the 28-135PZ was old enough that it may be time for a MKII, I love that focus clutch mechanism on that lens.

[@OldSurfDad]

Thanks for watching. Someday, when my budget has room, I plan to go back that direction, but I think this camera is a bridge to that place.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Thank you for this. Does it have time code like the 200?

[@OldSurfDad]

Thanks for watching! No, the NX800 does not have dedicated timecode input or output as I understand. That's something I don't use and if it's important to you, I'd get the Z200.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

Thanks for the great video and the quick response.

[@ronaldbaldus4761]

How is the sound quality? I want to film myself playing keyboards for KZbin videos. Thanks.

[@OldSurfDad]

I haven’t used it with an xlr mic, so I really don’t know.

[@OldSurfDad]

I haven’t used it with an xlr mic, so I really don’t know.

[@DavidGoldschlag-k2e]

If you want to get better zoom, shoot in 4K and edit in 1080HD. You can push in using DaVinci or any editing software, but you don't lose resolution. The only tradeoff is your output is in 1080 and not in 4K.

[@OldSurfDad]

Great advice! Much appreciated.

[@RyanPerrella]

Clear Image Zoom works seamlessly without having to make any such compromise.

[@skatearmyy]

Sick Camera! Great for Surf Footage, Skateboarding & OnlyFans,,,😎

[@OldSurfDad]

OSD Only Fans 😂

[@skatearmyy]

@@OldSurfDad LOL, I had to throw a little humor in there,, Super Rad camera, you would be the Hero Of the Surf community if you covered the Sunset Pro, as Some of the biggest names in the game are on the heat card and the Woke Surf League will not cover it. Mabey an excuse for you to go to Hawaii??

[@OldSurfDad]

@@skatearmyy I want to go to Hawaii...depends on my schedule here in California with some other projects. Let's see. And thank you for your kind words and being a part of the channel...Appreciate you!

[@kennyadvocat]

Do you like this model better than the PXW-Z150? Not sure if I should upgrade.

[@OldSurfDad]

I don't have a PXW-Z150, but maybe someone in the comments can help

[@petrub27]

Focus is incredible? The sensor is so small that all is in focus anyway. The log starts at 1600, noisy. Low light is shit. U can use a Sony fx30 with tamron 18-300, larger sensor, better image, same zoom, cheaper price

[@csamd9049]

No, of course not, the background is always blurred. The FX30 is a useless marketing camera with reduced capabilities, and the image is worse, just like the Tamron 18-300 is a useless photo-optics - this bundle will not even cope with the tasks set.

[@petrub27]

@@csamd9049 are you drunk? how is sony fx30 useless?

[@csamd9049]

@@petrub27 lack of video optics, weak autofocus, very weak and inconvenient amateur controls, worse image quality (except for unnecessary strong lighting), weak image stabilization, inconvenient amateur ergonomics. FX30 in such a shooting there will be many frames taken that are defective.

[@petrub27]

@@csamd9049 only if you are drunk, thou

[@OldSurfDad]

You may be right. I think these limitations work for what I’m doing. I would rarely ever use this in lowlight shooting surf and the ability to stream is a great feature.. I hope someone sees this comment that is on the fence and realizes the cons. Btw I’m new to this what does “the log starts at 1600 mean? I know it’s ISO 1600, but I believe I can adjust this…hmm?