FF VG900 hands-on !

joe1946

joe1946

Veteran
A full-frame camcorder for roughly 3 grand? Meet the Sony NEX-VG900 Handycam -- the company's first 35mm HD video camera. Taking cues from its Alpha A99, which was just announced today, Sony brought that camera's 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor to a camcorder form factor, delivering shallow depth-of-field and much improved low-light sensitivity in a more practical package. The VG900 is compatible with E-mount lenses, and it's a fine stills shooter (like the A99, it's capable of 14-bit RAW captures), but it's best suited for high-end video production, where it offers 1080p recording at 24 or 60 frames-per-second through a sensor that features 45 times the area of a conventional camcorder. This model even adds some of Sony's picture effects from the stills line, such as soft focus and miniature mode, while certain filters, like partial color and high-contrast monochrome can even be added to video. Also on order for today is the NEX-VG30 -- the successor to the VG20 -- which offers many of the same features, but with a 16.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor instead. If you're looking for a capable Handycam and don't want to spring for full-frame, this is your match. Both models include 270-degree swivel 921k-dot touch-enabled TruBlack LCDs and XGA OLED eye-level electronic viewfinders, along with Sony's new Multi Interface Shoe, which enables XLR microphone inputs through an optional accessory. The Handycams offer a new zoom seesaw level with multiple speeds for smooth, silent lens adjustments. There's also digital zoom functionality, which is likely to be more appropriate for the VG900, since that model's full-frame sensor has the pixels to spare. That flavor is quite costly, coming in at $3,299 without a lens, though an LA-EA3 mount adapter is included so you can attach full-frame-capable A-mount lenses. The VG30, for its part, will retail for $1,800 body only, or $2,700 when paired with Sony's new 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS power zoom lens -- a $300 savings, considering that optic's $1,200 standalone price tag. The VG900 is slated to ship beginning in late October, while the VG30 will hit stores in November, but you can take a closer look right now in our hands-on gallery below.
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http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/12/sony-nex-vg30-vg900-hands-on/

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A convenient seesaw lever allows slow, smooth zoom capability that is almost impossible to achieve when zooming manually, for added creative control and pro-quality imagery. Yielding impressive results, the lever adjusts optical zoom when using compatible E-mount lenses that feature a built-in zoom drive and controls electronic zoom when using the camcorder with fixed focal lenses. As an extra refinement, the NEX-VG900 camcorder switches automatically from full-frame operation to APS-C mode when an E-mount or A-mount DT lens is attached. This allows users to get the most out of their collection of lenses that are optimized for cameras with a smaller APS-C image sensor. The camcorder also comes supplied with the LA-EA3 adaptor that lets photographers use full-frame A-mount lenses at their designated focal length.
Extensive manual settings and options combined with ergonomic refinements give videographers greater control and comfort. Aperture priority, shutter speed priority and manual exposure are all customizable while white balance can be adjusted to suit any scene. Similarly, iris, shutter speed, and gain adjustments can easily be made via direct access keys. And the camcorder’s pro-style display peaking function is complemented by a one-touch focus magnification button on top of the grip.
Superior audio has always been a crucial part of the E-mount Handycam camcorder lineup. A unique Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone features four omnidirectional capsules that supports stereo or 5.1 channel surround. Recording levels are adjustable, with accurate visual confirmation provided by an audio level meter on the LCD display. There’s also a headphone jack for direct monitoring of sounds being recorded. The new Multi Interface Shoe provides compatibility with accessories including the optional XLR-K1M adaptor kit that adds a high-quality mono shotgun mic and two pro-standard XLR connections.
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http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/0...-VG-30-APS-C-model-and-18-200-power-zoom-lens

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I know yOuTube is accessible and all... but, I wish these companies would take an extra step to present footage in a better way.

That said, VG900 actually looks decent so far. Hope someone else has the camera and plans to put something on Vimeo.
 
This seems interesting, but will reserve judgement until real world footage is out. Sony demos always seem much better than what we really get. Lens versatility is awesome, as most on a budget are dealing with full frame still lenses. 24mm is actually wide again. Oodles of cheap 28 - whatever zooms, you could grab a minolta kit zoom for next to nothing for walk around lenses. No problem to adapt to nikon, pentax or nearly anything. Option to shoot in APS-C mode. Can shoot exteriors at deep stops and long lenses and still be reasonably shallow if that is a goal.

For emulating the full anamorphic look you can easily use longer lenses and stop down to 5.6 or so. I hope they see the target market as those that go gaga over the 5d look, and make a superior product, not the usual consumer crippling.

As for Handycam, you could always print a cine-alta sticker and slap that on the screen door, I doubt there will be enough of these on the streets that a client would recognize it as a consumer camera, it would definitely have a wow factor at weddings and such.
 
When did companies start making 3-d video intros for camera footage?!? Wow...

But this little guy looks fun. I'd love to have one of these around for family and vacation videos.
 
As someone that had extra cash to burn, I had bought the VG-10 when it came out. It was riddled with moire' and aliasing plus it was soft. But.... I will say that I loved the ergonomics of the camera. Didn't stay with the camera for long but when I shot with it the camera was comfortable in the hands. I don't think I will look into the NEX900 but I'm hoping they made improvements in the image both in Res and moire/aliasing. I do applaud SOny for being aggressive in lunching cameras lately. They are pushing boundaries packing large sensors into small frames....
 
Any guess as to the cable on the left side of the audio adapter. It seems to loop from the back left and plug into the front of the adapter and above the hotshoe, odd. At first I thought maybe the accessory shoe was only providing power, and needed to be jacked into the standard stereo in, which would be lame, but it appears to plug back into the adapter, hmmm.

If nothing else sony continues to provide fodder for the forums while waiting for the BlackMagic production to get up to speed.
 
Spec sheet shows no control of image with the VG30/900 - just like the VG20. Cinematone and standard - love it - cause that's all you're getting. Check that, you can also use toy camera, sepia and so on in video. Lame. Very disappointing. Another VG dud. It does however show the ability to adjust contrast, sharpness and saturation on the A99, all things considered that looks like a better FF option.
 
The A99 is a showstopper for me since the VG900 should work with a myriad of DSLR lenses using low cost E mount adapters.
 
The resolution and detail are just pathetic. Awful. I could shoot side by side with my old canon 550d and you will notice no difference. Well maybe that's too harsh but a first generation NEX is equal to this.
 
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