Review of the Sony PXW-Z200 (and Sony HXR-NX800) Pro Camcorder

27/05/2025

Review of the Sony PXW-Z200 (and Sony HXR-NX800) Pro Camcorder

Marc Franklin May 27, 2025

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This is my first product review for Creative COW. For those of you who are not familiar with my reviews from my previous media outlets, I have been writing for Streaming Media Producer, Studio Daily / Studio Monthly, Event DV, and a couple others over the last 25 years. I do not treat review units I get in as museum pieces, I take them out into the real production (or simulated) world to see how they do. I report the good and the bad. If there are problems I will let you, and the manufacturer, know.

While I only had hands on with the PXW-Z200 , the Sony HXR-NX800 is basically the same exact camcorder without the SDI out, timecode in / out, and the ability to upgrade to some future codecs. The other 95% of the features and specs are exactly the same, despite the very different model number. Since I didn't have the opportunity, to use any of the aforementioned features, this review could be considered for both.

This is the first new Sony camcorder I have tried in over about 15 years. I own the HCR-FX1, HVR-Z7u and HVR-S270u (which I had a part in the design of). The design of the Z200 is an evolution from the earlier hand held models. The thing that stands out most visually is the camcorders LCD viewfinder. Unlike the previous models that fold on top of the tip handle, this one moves to the side of the handle. What makes this LCD different is that it has a removable sunscreen that folds out to keep the screen visible in the sun. At first I thought it would be flimsy, but it is surprisingly strong, and protects the screen when folded. The regular viewfinder is on the back, the battery well is below. The media slots are on the left of the battery. There are two SDXC / CFexpress Type-A slots.

Around the corner on the left are most of the controls. You have the channels 1 and 2 audio level controls, and switches for manual or auto mode. There is a small door that goes around the Channel 1 and 2 audio level knobs and allows you to see the position of the auto and manual level controls. You can move the level controls with it closed, but you need to open it for the switches. Below that is the power switch.

Next over you have the auto/manual. While you almost never want to use the full auto, in emergencies where you are rushing to a location and need to take it out and shoot, with out set up time. I found in tests, that it dose a pretty good job. Below that there are 2 rows of buttons. The three in the left column are S&Q (special high frame rates), network, and nightshot. The two on the right are audio set and display. Network and audio set, are actually shortcuts to menu items of the same name. Between this and the touch screen it allows you to make quick changes in the audio set up, instead of going through 3 levels of menus. This is helpful if you need to make quick adjustments. One of my pet peeves in today's camera is that while they have 4 audio channels available, there's no easy way to switch between monitoring channels 1 and 2, and 3 and 4. Sony makes it easy with the audio set button and two taps on the screen.

Forward of that, you have a row for the auto iris, and ND (neutral density) auto, with the ND on off switch in between. Below on a raised section, there is an iris adjustment wheel, ND preset up / down button and a variable ND wheel. Bellow them are ISO / Gain, white balance, and shutter, that when pressed, can be adjusted with joystick on the top handle or next to the thumb record trigger. Below that is the white balance set, button, its neighbor if the standard white balance A, B, Preset switch. Last is the gain, low, medium, high switch. On the lens there is and auto focus / manual switch, and a temporary push for auto focus button.

On top of the hand hold you have zoom rocker, magnification for focus button and direct menu, that also works with the joysticks. There is a hot shoe that can accommodate lights and other accessories. There are electronics in the shoe that can interface with

On the top handle, there are the playback controls, a second zoom rocker and record button, joystick, and two assignable buttons. On the front there is a built in stereo mic, next to that are two XLR inputs, with each input having a line, mic, mic+ phantom power switch. There is a third input that is a stereo 3.5mm jack for using mics.

The kit I received for review also included a power supply, battery charger, two batteries a BP-U35 and a BP-U70, that last around 2.5 and 4.5 hours. The media they supplied for recording was a Sony 160 GB Tough CFexpress Type A card, and reader.

I added a Sony 1-542-296, short shotgun mic that I had from a vintage Sony DSR-300 DVCAM camcorder, and a shoulder strap from an old DV or Digital-8 camcorder. For being able to record in both media slots, I used an OWC Atlas 256 SDXC V90 card.

When I went to add a Manfrotto compatible tripod plate I realized something wasn't right. The bottom of the Z200 has a 3/8 screw hole, not a 1/4 like every other camcorder, including other Sonys, that I have used since 2006. Therefore I had to go to an old, giant, Bogen 3066 tripod that had one, stored under its plate.

For this review, I took the Z200 on a trip to Israel. Yes, there is a war going on, but so far the latest ceasefire has coincided with my trip, and lasted through out, but there was a mass terrorist attack that was foiled on February 20, that would have killed hundreds, had they succeeded. I did want to get to the Gaza Envelope, to see first hand the sites of the October 7 massacre first hand, and speak to survivors, but due to winter storms and issues on the ground, it was not possible this trip. I did two main tests of the camera out in the field. First I went hiking in Mitzpe Ramon National Park, (South of Be&#

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Review of the Sony PXW-Z200 (and Sony HXR-NX800) Pro Camcorder

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