Recently I’ve gotten to use the Sony Z200 a new 4k camcorder with a 1” sensor. And I wanted to show off the cameras ability in away that really suits its design. I’ve been wanting to interview a glassblowing artist for the longest time. It’s a tremendously interesting craft/artform and getting to see someone who’s skilled at it is even more interesting. So I did a bunch of google searches and found a great subject in Sydni. Sydni is a glassblowing artist working out of The Harbourfront Centre in Toronto Canada. Her work focuses on themes of memories and nature (https://www.sydniwithart.ca/).
Overall the z200 is a solid camera. Having a fully purpose-built video camera with a built in zoom lens is really refreshing to shoot with in comparison to interchangeable lens video and mirrorless cameras. such a breeze to shoot with. the zoom range is amazing. when working fast like i was on this shoot not having to change lenses was a real benefit.
Cameras like the Fx6 are great and I do think I would use that more often than the z200 because its full frame and the variety of lenses you can attach, but the integrated lens of the z200 is so effective and keeps the camera small. Though the fx6 is relatively compact it is heftier than the z200.
The 1” sensor for sure has its positive and an negatives. The thing is 1” sensors are great for bringing down price and size of a cameras, but they suffer so greatly in low light situations. Could I have used lighting in the glass studio when I was shooting? Yes. But it would have made it awkward for myself and my subject to move around each other. and honestly i really wanted to lean into the idea of shooting like a news crew or super low budget doc work to see how the camera did in a low light situation.
A lot of the time I had to shoot at 1000 ISO which was mostly ok. However when having to push up to like 3200 ISO the image starts to break down in the shadows.
So the z200’s lens has 20x optical zoom (24-480mm 35mm equiv.) and does f2.8-4.5 which is genuinely impressive, its just the sensor that doesn’t quite keep up in the shadows.
Anyways, Im getting to use the new Z300 in a couple weeks and I’m stoked to try it out. Its all of what the z200 is but considerably beefed up.
