F5: New 4K XAVC SONY PXW-Z100 for under 5000 Euro ?

Oops forgot about the BMC. Yes definitely renders the ol' 35mm adapters useless. I know I sure don't miss shooting at 60 ASA.
 
Why is this thread in the F5/F55 forums? This is a fixed lens camera, almost certainly NOT with an S35 sensor. Not with a 20X zoom.
 
Clearly people have different visions for a camera. Those that want a film look 4K will I am sure be better off with a Blackmagic camera. Those that want a 4K camera for other reasons may well like the Sony. My sole reason is to crop out a 1920x1080 or SD image with deep depth of field, operate just like NX5U with good zoom range for setup convenience in a single package etc. Its a bit like saying my BMW is better than your truck when the measure is getting a 60MPH speeding ticket !!!!
 
vanvideo said:
Why is this thread in the F5/F55 forums? This is a fixed lens camera, almost certainly NOT with an S35 sensor. Not with a 20X zoom.
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This post is perfect here.

If in fact this camera ends up being 1/2" or 2/3" I can see a lot of guys who shoot events, ENG, and other live gigs who got into the PMW series be happy to switch back to a smaller sensor that would be far more suitable in terms of camera cost, accessories costs, and overall ergonimics.

Not sure if anyone ever noticed but these forums are full of complaints about the F3 and/or other aspects (like expensive zoom lenses) all which mostly tie into the 35mm sensor size.
 
The embargo is now lifted and I can speak freely.

I saw the camera on August 28 at a double-secret briefing. It was a prototype but was actually recording and playing back 4K.

It records 4K, QHD and HD in 10-bit XAVC to Sony XQD memory cards (the faster S series cards recommended for 4K). HDSDI output as well as 4K stream over HDMI. Question was asked about lens-- it is f/1.6 20X optical zoom. There will be future firmware updates to HDMI 2.0 standard as well as Sony's long-gop XAVC and AVCHD. No SLog. It is basically 4K out of the box while also a very credible HD camcorder. Single 2/3" CMOS sensor. Has picture profiles for painting camera. Street price will be around $5500 US.

It is impressive and is creating an impressive image. One use Sony suggested was putting it in weather-proof housing as a pole cam or underwater housing. Definitely an entry-point into 4K for event and even broadcast applications.

I've had a hard time keeping quiet about this one. I see it, for example, as a replacement to my EX-1. Versatile well beyond the 4K environment. Or shoot 4K and deliver great HD.

Ned Soltz
 
Some specs from press release:

With a 1/2.3-inch Exmor® R CMOS sensor, the camcorder can create stunning 4K content (4096×2160) at 50p or 60p. The PXW-Z100 camcorder is based on the same shooting ergonomics as a conventional handheld professional camcorder, allowing users to record 4K content cost effectively.
“This new camcorder brings high-performance 4K capabilities to the entry-level of our 4K line,” said Takahiro Kagawa, Product Manager at Sony Electronics. “It’s perfect as a standalone content creation tool or as a complement to our large sensor, higher-end 4K cameras. Corporate and event producers can now deliver 4K images for a growing number of applications including large venue 4K projection and 4K monitors. Professionals now have access to the widest palette of 4K tools to tell their stories more effectively and creatively.”
The PXW-Z100 camcorder, together with the fixed 4K-compatible high-performance G Lens, weighs less than 7lbs. The PXW-Z100 uses Sony’s XAVC™* recording format first employed in Sony’s PMW-F55 CineAlta® 4K camera. MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression is used for HD (1920×1080), QFHD (3840×2016) and 4K (4096×2160) content. Image sampling is 4:2:2 10-bit, with an intra-frame system that compresses each frame individually at a maximum bit rate of 500 Mbps or 600 Mbps during 4K 50fps or 60fps recording, respectively, and 223 Mbps during HD 50fps or 60fps recording. The XAVC format is ideal for those looking to implement a high-quality, secure and worry-free workflow.
Users can select QFHD (3840×2160) and HD (1920×1080) resolutions, both of which are compatible with most 4K TV’s.
The camcorder provides extremely high sensitivity due to its back-illuminated Exmor® R CMOS sensor — even during 4K shooting. With more than 8.8 million effective pixels, the 1/2.3-inch sensor captures 4K images at 50p or 60p. The built-in high-performance G Lens offers maximum shooting flexibility, including a wide angle of 30 mm in 4096×2160 mode or 31.5mm in 3840×2160 and 1920×1080 modes and 20x powerful optical zoom (equivalent to 35mm).
The new camcorder uses state-of-the-art XQD solid-state memory cards, a format recently defined by several industry leading companies. XQD uses the ultra-fast PCI Express interface and Sony’s unique camera processor to enable stable video recording at 500Mbps or 600Mbps**. The PXW-Z100 camcorder features two XQD Memory card slots. Multiple cards can be used in various ways, such as for relay recording. When the first card becomes full, recording continues on the second card without a break.
The HDMI® interface on the PXW-Z100 camcorder can output 4K as a 50fps/60fps signal. When the PXW-Z100 is connected to a Sony PVM-X300 4K professional monitor or a 4K-compatible BRAVIA® TV, the recorded 4K image can be displayed in 4K 50fps/60fps quality. A future firmware upgrade is planned to provide compatibility with the new HDMI standard (referred to as HDMI 2.0) and enable 4K 50fps/60fps output to a wider range of devices. Other features include a 3G HD-SDI interface that supports output to an SDI of up to HD 60p. It also supports HD output during 4K recording***.
The camcorder’s paint function enables multiple image parameters to be adjusted including gamma curve, black level, skin tone detail and color. Together with other setting options, parameter settings can be recorded as a camera profile onto a memory card. The recorded camera profile can then be used to set the same parameters in another PXW-Z100 camcorder to match quality and image tones when using a multi-camera setup.
Users can remotely control focus, zoom, aperture settings and “record start/stop” using the browser function of a smartphone or tablet. Users just need to simply plug the supplied WiFi adaptor into the camcorder to enable the wireless feature.
The PXW-Z100 4K camcorder is planned to be available by the end of 2013 at a suggested price less than $6,500. For more information, visit www.sony.com/professional.


 
The sensor is 1/2.3, but it doesn't use half of it. Instead it does like a Red One does 2K -- it windows down to a 1/3" portion. So in effect, it's a single-sensor 1/3" camera. Ned says the footage is impressive, so I look forward to seeing footage. But knowing it's a 1/3" sensor certainly dampens my enthusiasm for it.
 
I knew $5000 was too good to be true for 4k 1/2" and especially 2/3" camera.. Just look at the price of the EX3, that kind of says it all right there.

The 1/3" effective area I'm a bit surprised. When I had mentioned 4k in 1/3" earlier this year many people said it wasn't possible.

I think this camera will do well, but I can't wait to see what the native ISO will be. Likely around 500-800 ISO ?
 
starcentral said:
... but I can't wait to see what the native ISO will be. Likely around 500-800 ISO ?
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It is less sensitive then the NX5U at 4K. If I remember correctly a user rated the NX5U at 320 ISO. Down-scaled will probably produce very nice detail and help vastly with noise in lowlight.
 
I still wonder which camera the quoted price of less than $5000 refers to. I suspect it may be the FDR-AX1 rather than the PXW-Z100. I am sure we will find out shortly. The FDR-AX1 is a better match at the moment for my NX5U. If the PXW-Z100 already had LongGOP and the AVCHD firmware it would be preferable. They both look to be just like my NX5U with different back and some rearranged buttons. Same battery, looks like the Lanc jack is still there etc Sensor seems very similar to the one in my Sony HX30V !!!
 
the US model FDR-AX1 is 4:2:0 and $4500, and the UK sit lists the PXW-Z100, which does not appear in American sites. Would love that cam in USA. it appears that SOny may have had two models ready to go, and there was a mixup when one was chosen.
 
will the PXW version also do 4:2:0 when required to save space? Or will we have to wait for the AVCHD upgrade next year? Please list link to PXW press release.
 
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