Sony PXW-Z280 | Hands-On Review

[@brettrohlfingvideo]

it looked like the face detect recognized the face, but did not keep the person in focus while going forwards and backawards very well. The background seemed to be much sharper. Am I missing something?

[@DuffTV]

Spot on there with that observation.

[@TrafficusMaximus]

Also, you don't really see the effect of the face focus when the whole scene is at the wide end of the lens.

[@OutlawFarmersRC]

Jake you are a great presenter. Please do more and all product reviews ASAP.

[@armandanusca]

First time when I see this guy reviewing gear and he is so nice, an amazing review. Keep up the great work!

[@BandH]

Thanks for your feedback

[@SparkFosterFilms]

Sorry to be critical, but this was less professional than previous B&H reviews. Some comic relief is fine, but the review provided little information other than the controls and I/O of the camera, which we've already known about for months. What we're eager to see - and what will determine whether or not we buy this camera - are low-light and dynamic range tests, but this review didn't provide either. We would love to see those in a follow-up video. Also, practically half the review was spent talking about a totally irrelevant product - a production monitor. That was mildly entertaining, but ultimately a waste of time and should have been a separate video.

[@ethansaint]

You must be fun at parties lol

[@MechanicalTrader]

@@ethansaint business is not about "feelings" but about FACTS & Knowledge

[@FidesRex]

Why does being “professional” have to take from having fun? I rather see this than something boring

[@MechanicalTrader]

@@ethansaint Yeah, I'm the guy the pays for the party and I own the building the party is in. No Fat Women!

[@nikynikita2044]

You are 100% right I m tired that people with zero experience in video are talking about cameras creating confusing and fake ideas about gear. Just don't buy in B&H that is the only way!

[@etxkevin7452]

Was the footage out of focus with the model? The background looked way sharper.

[@momchilyordanov8190]

Well, at 3:30, during the AF test, it looks focused on the yellow leafs behind, not on the guy's face.

[@cvsdigital]

I thought the same.

[@gentlegnt]

Too damn funny!!! Love it...the whole crew. The information given was concise, informative and showed real world footage at same time. Great work to all!! 👍🏾👍🏾🥂

[@BandH]

Thanks Huie D, happy that you enjoyed

[@nikynikita2044]

You are an idiot!

[@Ramondsg]

Please make a review of Canon XF705 4k

[@bricemilleson]

But wait.....at 3:30, he wasn't in focus?? Or was your aperture cranked shut???

[@ProjectOverseer]

Awesome review 👍 As an FS7 owner I can see some family resemblance - colour from SLog grades especially.

[@alexs3187]

I’d love to see a 2/3” version.

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Like the review. Though sxs cards - ehhh.

[@caam0000]

00:21 A man with a camera, filming a man with a camera, filming a man with a camera.

[@pothyraja5346]

i love it u r reviews

[@SlowToe]

You could mention alternatives or competitive camcorders. Otherwise great overview.

[@SmartVideoBE]

You didnt said anything about lowlight... :\ is it good enough to be compared with mirrorless cameras like a7sii or gh5s?

[@BandH]

The low-light performance is superb and will rival the cameras mentioned. >Mark

[@zachhunter1479]

How good is this camera in low light compared to something like an FS5? Also, I've read a lot of negative reviews regarding this camera that sort of scared me off, but others claim that those reviews are unfounded simply because people were using it incorrectly... Can anyone provide any insight into this? How does this camera compare to the usability of the EX1 back in the day? People loved that camera, but seem to be on the fence about this camera, even though this camera is seemingly much more capable on paper than the EX1 was... So, why are so many people disappointed with this camera?

[@BandH]

This is a Three 1/2" Exmore Sensor system which should offer a very good performance in low light. To further assist you with any questions you may have please email us at [e-mail].

[@KDHildreth]

How does this compared to the PXW-FS5M2? i cannot find any comparison reviews online and it is strange that this camera is more expensive than a fs5m2 + lens.

[@BandH]

The Z280 and FS5 Mark II are really two different kinds of cameras. The FS5II has an interchangeable lenses system and is geared more towards Cinema and Documentary style work. While the Z280 is meant as Sony's top offering for a Run and Gun ENG style camera. Which is the right option for you would depend on what you plan on filming with the camera. Thanks! -Joey P

[@carlossantini]

what cam did u use to record this video?

[@BandH]

Anywhere in the video where it does not say shot with the Z280, it was shot with the Panasonic GH5.

[@PrivateAccount---ji6ni]

4K isn't "probably going to look better" if you're not watching it on a 4K monitor. Which is the majority of the planet. Oh, and no commercial television stations on the same planet broadcast in 4K. The transition from analog to digital was $10 million-per-station. The transition to 4K would be stupid-expensive. Just so viewers can count more nose hairs.

[@gatlinproduction]

Is this cam good for Music Video? Like would it be about to give that movie cinnamon Kodak look

[@BandH]

This camcorder will shoot awesome looking music videos. >Mark

[@fletzyproductions1190]

The 4k version of the sony hvr z7

[@shestudiossheila7423]

Nice!

[@chrisw443]

Oh they updated the ex1

[@tylerm1115]

Your friend looks like Tyrod Taylor

[@MichaelCarson1]

Amazing

[@Guloklopo]

Thk u

[@paramountx]

What about stabilization?

[@BandH]

The Z280 does have Sony's Steadyshot feature. It offers great image stabilization! Thanks! -Joey P

[@JuanJose-cf8ps]

Lol I thought it was Messi in the tumbnail

[@josephsardone8971]

NICE VIDEO! ... IMO, it's even better than Sony's promo video on this item. ... OK, please help me if you can ... I have a rather unique, and essential need for my next camera ... and that is recording 1 and a half .. to two seconds of video (with sound) at one minute intervals (also known as "interval recording") .... Can this camera do this? If not, would there be an external device of any sort (Like Sony's HVR-MRC1K) , which if compatible with this unit, would allow it to do so Thank you for any help, or information you can offer on this question.

[@BandH]

This camcorder does offer interval recording. You will be able to record at one minute intervals, however it is limited to up to 12 frames of recording time. Feel free to email us directly at [e-mail] for additional assistance with this question. Thanks! -Joey P

[@josephsardone8971]

@@BandH THANK YOU for the response. The thing is, when you spend this much money on an item, by some means, it should be able to do what I need. It could be with external hardware, or tethered to a computer some type of software, ... or through firmware (which already exists or that can be created), and when all else fails .. just let the camera run for hours, and clip and then string together 2 second segments that are one minute apart ... Now I KNOW that would work, but that's a lot of work to do a job that should be automated in some fashion for a 7 thousand dollar camera. .. Thanks again for you thoughts.

[@KeithsTVHD1]

Nice cam but no touch screen!

[@TerenceKearns]

3:30 "it works" Um. No it doesn't. (leaves in BG clearly more in focus) The camera is way to expensive. The face detect actually works on the 6400. Can be a couple of those with a range of lenses and rig them up for the price of one of these.

[@mikerukwava9574]

Sony PXW-Z280 4K

[@keithdf2001]

HORRIBLE. I have had several cameras in this Sony line including the two predecessors such as the PXW-x200. The thing I hate about this camera is the zoom. I film a lot of professional dance. I need very slow and smooth zooming. Generally I set the handle zoom's control to a very slow speed. It ramps up and down nicely and looks very smooth. With the z280 the slowest setting for handle zoom is far too fast for me to use. It is almost as if the engineers designing this camera have never watched a television show. I spoke to Sony about this and they know about the issue but do not even seem to care. If you film sports you might have the same problem. The rocker zoom does have the ability to do very slow speed zooms however it is easy to accidentally put too much pressure on that and cause the zoom to be way to fast--or not enough pressure and have it jerk on and off. If you use a LANC remote you will have the same issue. The slowest speed with that will be the slowest speed of the handle-zoom (again, unusable and too fast) One generally note about Sony Professional. Their repair department is horrible--let me repeat HORRIBLE. They make you pay $100 just to get a call back within 24 hours. Otherwise it may take you days just to get the authorization to send a unit in for repair. You can no longer speak to a service department tech simply by calling them. If you need a quick repair you can consider that $100 a shake down fee. You will not be treated as person, but rather a number by some uncaring phone gatekeeper. If you need your camera fixed quickly it simple will not happen because of this bureaucratic change Sony has made. Sony professional customer service is some of the worst I have ever seen. Even cell phone and cable companies are nicer and faster.

[@AdamsDuhStuff]

For $7,000 they'll care when I don't buy their camera.

[@josephsardone8971]

Keith, I take it you're sorry you bought the camera ... and I get that you're upset with Sony ... Overall though, is the camera really that bad? .. Aside from the zoom problem you mentioned, does it NOT perform the way you want it too? .. And would you buy it again knowing what you know now? Thanks, J.S.

[@keithdf2001]

@@josephsardone8971 Yes I would by the camera again (I might by another later this year) but I can't use this camera for shooting may events. I have to use my older x200 for shooting professional dance which needs slow zooms.

[@josephsardone8971]

@@keithdf2001 THANK YOU for the response! In that case, me buying this camcorder may still happen ... I'm now currently torn between this unit and the Canon XF705 which is in the same league. You don't by chance also own the Canon XF705 do you? .. So far, I've seen no negative reviews on that camcorder.

[@keithdf2001]

@@josephsardone8971 If you need very slow zoom this camera is not for you. Even with a lanc you cannot get them. I am not familiar with the Canon however I do believe the XF705 is in the same class of cameras. The Z280 does have amazing low light capabilities and very good color science. Canon is know for great color science so that should not be a selling point though.

[@MR._Mukherjee]

Wow

[@gordongurley3982]

I don't know, I'm not seeing it. Not seeing good footage out of this camera. Whatever OTHER camera you used to shoot this video looks great. Blows the Z280 out of the water.

[@mixedgrilltv7655]

i think its too overrated for the price. and they should have provided the option for both sxs and sd card media

[@MrJacobCastro]

$6,000? Not worth it at all. I'd rather buy a Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera.

[@MrTommybadger]

Your friend has his lens hood on backwards most of the time......Arrrrggggghhhhh!!!

[@tejaspics]

Crappy viewfinder. Fine for studio guys and techies.

[@RodRavenpictures]

Face detect "AF" indeed.

[@locochono77777]

i muss really say that the rocker zoom on this 8000 euro camera ist really really bad, very hard to work with it, . very hard to get clean smooth zooms, the speed changes with a minimal pushing from very slow to very fast. very hard to really control it and it ist fully unreilable . I own some of the pmw 200. 300 since years and is a world of diference. why is the big brother of suche a great cameras so bad on the rocker zoom? i was very disapointed when i ve realized how horrible is the zoom rocker... what a shame, because all othe functions are great, but fur some one like me doing news and coverage journalismus is fully unreilable, if you uses the zoom a a part of the style of recording you will have a bin problem and a pain i the ass...shame on you sony

[@SylviaElliott-c6v]

Davis Mark Miller Deborah Gonzalez Jason

[@Redcap-productions]

Not impressed with the footage!

[@thach273]

If you don't like the camcoder Please don't review it Disliked

[@EXTREMEXX]

Whit my iphone i can shot better videos.

[@MSalvadorStudios]

for real

[@nikynikita2044]

Its incredible that a guy with zero experience in creating video with camcoder is giving opinions about video cameras . B&H you have to be ashamed, I will not buy anyting from your website. That video it is not funny its pathetic.....