Sony PXW-Z150 4K XDCAM Camcorder

I run a YouTube channel, for which I am basically a one man band. I do all my own camera work, using tripods - and I almost always employ multiple cameras, either for alt angles or PiP elements. Also, most of my video is shot outdoors, where there is little if any control over lighting and other environmental concerns. Because of this, I need to rely heavily on the quality and consistency of my gear.I have been using Sony cameras for many years, but at the beginning of 2020 it was time to upgrade from older equipment, and I selected the PXW-Z150 based on its features and favorable reviews. I have been using it for just about a full year now, week in and week out, producing YouTube videos in real-life environments. This is not a "I just got it and it smells nice, so here's a glowing review", but rather the opinion of a guy that demands a lot from his cameras and has made this one earn its keep for 11 months.I use auto settings in as many ways as possible, because I work alone and the more time I spend fiddling with camera settings is time I'm not producing content. But there are times when I need to override those settings to deal with environmental needs, or to get the desired images I'm after. There are also certain functions that I use exclusively in manual mode. The point is - this camera has the flexibility to allow me to make those choices, and it is sophisticated enough to allow for incredible detailed control.I almost always use a wireless lav mic with the camera, and it works great when using auto leveling, letting the camera set the recording level for me. I have not really used the built-in mic, so I can't provide any meaningful feedback for it. If I want external audio on the camera I generally use a shotgun mic (a Sony).I use manual focus 95% of the time because I want the camera focused on what I am holding in front of me - not on my face. The focus assist button that provides two levels of magnification to help you get the tack-sharp focus you need is indispensable! I also use the white balance control to be sure I'm properly balanced for ambient light - and when outdoors (which is most of my work) I use the neutral density filters a lot. It is great having them built in.The slomo mode is great, but I don't use is as often as I initially thought I would - I wind up using a GoPro at 240fps when I want slomo footage most of the time - still, it's a nice feature and I wouldn't want to part with it. I really like the monitor screen being up high - this was one of the reasons I chose this camera, and it has been well appreciated. XLR inputs and controls are great. But I'll confess - I don't typically use many of the available functions the camera has, I've settled into a standard configuration and use the camera for productive purposes.But the overwhelmingly fantastic thing about this camera is the image quality. As I mentioned, I have used other Sony cameras for many years and I trust the brand and its quality - but this camera simply blows the others away. I don't usually shoot in 4k because my other cameras didn't support it (that might change now), but the full 1080p HD from this camera is so remarkably good, I've never felt I needed to.The camera is sturdy, reliable, has a perfect blend of professional controls and easy-auto functions, and yields footage far exceeding others in quality. Perhaps the only small downside is that it does not have a still image mode, and there are times that would be useful. But the best compliment I can pay to this camera is this: After nearly a full year of constant use with the PXW-Z150, I just bought another one - not as a replacement - but so that I can have a matched pair of top quality cameras for my work.

I simply love this camera. The imagines it has captured are remarkable. I shoot mostly in 4K and usually at 24 fps. I have punched in on the image numerous times in post and have been more than happy with the results.

I really love this camera. Sure, there are better video cameras out there, in just about every respect you can think of. But this one has found a great combination of features at its price point.The things I like:* Large image sensor -- you can actually get a little bit of a shallow depth of field, and really crank the gain in low-light situations when you need it.* It produces a really good quality image* It is quite flexible -- there are a lot of configuration options* The ClearImage Zoom actually works pretty well* Generally good build qualityThe things that irritate me:* 4K recording is 8-bit 4:2:0 instead of 10-bit 4:2:2* 4K recording is limited to 24/25/30 frames per second. A 60fps option would be nice.* It can only output 4K to two destinations at a time. So you can output via HDMI and the LCD monitor at the same time until you start recording, then one of those gets shut off. Seems like a silly little limitation.* Unlike most of other Sony's cameras, it doesn't have dedicated buttons/switches for Gain, Shutter, and White Balance. These functions do have a button, but all that button does is enable a little up/down toggle switch to make adjustments. The way Sony's other cameras do this is much better.* I wish it had more dedicated buttons for some of its features, like Zebra, Peaking, WB preset, instead of having to use menus to adjust those features.* The placement of the Menu and menu navigation buttons is horrible. They're on top, under the LCD (when it is closed), making it really hard to make adjustments when the camera is mounted on a tripod. Again, Sony's other cameras do this much better.* You can't turn the Digital Extender on and off while recording.* The WiFi remote control functions will only work by creating a new WiFi network. It won't connect to an existing network.* The WiFi control functions take over the camera completely. It would be nice to be able to control the camera both remotely and locally at the same time.But aside from its quirks, the camera really is fantastic for the price. I love it enough that I've purchased three of them.