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Tag: camcorder

  • Sony’s New PMW-100 XDCAM Camcorder

    Sony has introduced its full-featured handheld PMW-100, that captures broadcast standard 50Mbps video. The compact size of the new camera makes it ideal to work in tandem with Sony’s larger PMW-500 XDCAM HD422 shoulder camcorder, for applications including news gathering, documentaries and events. Below is Sony’s official promo for the PMW-100, describing it’s compatibility, quality and mobility:

    The PMW-100 looks to be catered towards working broadcast professionals, with features including a 1/2.9-inch type Exmor CMOS sensor, providing low-light sensitivity with a low noise level, while maintaining compactness. The camera records MPEG-2 HD (4:2:2) at 50Mbps, 4:2:0 at 35Mbps, and standard definition DVCAM at 25Mbps, which ensures compatibility with existing Sony XDCAM workflows. There is also a 15 second video buffer to facilitate instantaneous shooting, and up to 4 hours of 50Mbps HD footage can be logged using 2 64 GB SxS cards in dual slots, without having to bring in an external recorder.

    sony pmw-100

    Standard professional features include dual locking XLR inputs, recording four channel 24-bit uncompressed 48kHz audio, HD/SD-SDI output, composite output, Genlock input, time code input/output, i.LINK (HDV/DV) input/output, and A/V output. The PMW also supports native variable frame rate recording, for slow and fast-motion effects, along the lines of the new Sony FS700.

    The PMW-100 is fairly unique as a handheld, in that its codec can meet broadcast bitrate standards, without requiring an external recording device. This compactness, along with its compatibility with existing broadcast equipment defines its function as a broadcast tool. Tatsuro Kurachi, senior manager of Sony Professional Solutions of America, states, “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 – 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.”

    The PWW-100 should be out in the U.S. in May, for about $4500.

  • Sony Announces New NXCAM Camcorder

    Sony Announces New NXCAM Camcorder

    Today Sony announced its NXCAM HXR-NX30J, a palm-sized prosumer camcorder that includes optical camera-shake stabilization and a built-in projector.

    The HXR-NX30J incoprorates a 1/2.88 Exmor R CMOS sensor, and is capable of recording 1080 AVCHD at 60p, 60i, 30p and 24p, and 720 60p. Footage is stored on a 96GB internal flash drive, with an SD card slot to supplement storage. The internal drive can store 9 hours of HD footage, and 24 hours in SD. The camera sports a fixed Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T 26mm wide-angle lens with 10x optical zoom, and includes a built-in video light.

    The included “Balanced Optical Steadyshot” technology appears to incorporate Steadicam-like stabilization for the entire optical system, which looks to be legitimate:

    The HXR-NX30J also includes powered dual XLR inputs on a detachable rig, adding to features that make the camera optimal for event videography. The only thing that seems a bit suspect is the built-in projector that can generate an image of up to 100 inches. Seems a bit gimmicky for a camera with a likely MSRP of about $2,650, but it’s not exactly getting in the way of anything, as an extension of the camera’s touch-screen LCD monitor. The general form of the camera looks to be along the lines of Sony’s original TRV-900 / PDX10 progression.

    Hat tip to The Verge.