NAB is coming, so it’s new camera announcement time! Sony PMW100 XDCAM
The camera announcements are starting to spread like wildfire as the NAB convention in Las Vegas approaches. Yesterday we heard about Sony’s new FS700 camera which improves on their already-popular FS100 indie film camera.
Late last night, news from Sony on their new mini XDCAM PMW100 hit their Facebook page. This is a really exciting journalist’s camera.
UPDATE: Got to see this camera at the Sony booth at NAB. It’s much larger than it looks in the handout photos and is quite wide, so even though its smaller than an EX1, the packed for travel size is going to be about the same. Quite a bit bigger than a Canon XF100. However, it is lighter than an EX1 and easier to hand-hold.
It’s tiny, has a 10x zoom, full broadcast codec with HDSDI, genlock and timecode, uses SXS or SD cards, manual controls, xlr’s, and there’s even a firewire port on the back (and it will shoot in DVCAM, so maybe it’s even possible to livestream off it, but details are scant at the moment.)
This is a direct competitor to the JVC HM150 and Canon XF105 cameras. Supposed to be available in May at a list price of $4500.
Sony PMW100 XDCAM
Sony XDCAM PMW100 rear view
Sony XDCAM PMW100
Here’s the press release:
“PARK RIDGE, N.J., April 3, 2012 — Sony is introducing the full-featured yet light and compact PMW-100 handheld camcorder. The new PMW-100 joins Sony’s XDCAM HD422 line-up as the smallest and lightest camera in the XDCAM family.
“Advancements in digital imaging technology have enabled journalists and professional videographers to cover stories by using portable devices such as cell phones, DSLRs, and consumer camcorders,” said Tatsuro Kurachi, senior manager, Professional Solutions of America, Sony Electronics. “However, when compared to traditional shoulder-mount camcorders, there is still a significant gap in image quality, ease of editing, and data management. The PMW-100 achieves the best of both worlds, by recording full broadcast quality MPEG HD422 video within a hand-held form factor.”
Equipped with a newly developed 1/2.9-inch “Exmor” CMOS sensor, the camcorder delivers excellent picture performance and also achieves minimum illumination of 0.08lx. Featuring a 5.4-54mm (40-400mm in 35mm equivalent) zoom lens, the versatile PMW-100 allows users to work in virtually any production environment where mobility and flexibility is critical.
The PMW-100 combines exceptional picture fidelity with portability and outstanding manoeuvrability based on the proven XDCAM workflow, giving professional users a new level of productivity. The development of the PMW-100 is a natural step in the progression of the XDCAM line, and its development is in direct response to customer feedback for a light and compact camera that will not only perform well on its own, but also alongside other XDCAM cameras such as Sony’s PMW-500.
The PMW-100 supports full HD video at 1080i, 1080p and 720p up to 50 Mbps MXF record and playback based on the MPEG HD422 codec using the standard MPEG HD422 Long GOP compression technology. It is also switchable to MPEG HD420 35/25Mbps or even DVCAM 25Mbps recording, which similar options in the market do not offer. The PMW-100 can also record high quality 24-bit four-channel audio at uncompressed 48kHz, ideal for pairing with the new optional ECM-MS2 stereo microphone.
The camcorder offers a high level of flexibility using a variety of recording media including high speed SxS PRO memory card as well as Memory Stick, SD cards and XQD cards as an “emergency” secondary media. The new application software “SxS Memory Card Management Utility”* will provide additional operational convenience with SxS memory cards, such as data back-up functions and the life time indication of the card in use.
Focusing on a subject and reviewing recorded footage is simplified with the camcorder’s full color 3.5-inch WVGA (852×480) LCD, a much higher resolution than those found in other small handheld camcorders. The Slow & Quick Motion function lets users create artistic fast and slow-motion footage from 1 fps to 60 fps in 720p mode and from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080p mode.
The camera also incorporates HD/SD-SDI output, Composite Out, Genlock input, time code in/out, i.LINK (HDV/DV) in/out, and A/V Out.
The PMW-100 XDCAM camcorder is planned to be available in May, with a suggested list price of $4,500.
* “SxS Memory Card Management Utility” will also be available via download in May.”
