Finally Sony is releasing a camcorder that will live side by side with the FX line. It has S-cinetone, variable ND, and a 20x fixed lens (24-480 FF equivalent). It has a 1” sensor that’s downsampling 5K. Uses the new AI autofocus features as well. If the image quality is solid, this may be an excellent buy for run and gun shoots that will cut nicely with any of the FX cams for talking heads.
CAMCORDERS: New Sony Camcorder Z200
- Thread starter Newsguy
- Start date
Finally Sony is releasing a camcorder that will live side by side with the FX line. It has S-cinetone, variable ND, and a 20x fixed lens (24-480 FF equivalent). It has a 1” sensor that’s downsampling 5K. Uses the new AI autofocus features as well. If the image quality is solid, this may be an excellent buy for run and gun shoots that will cut nicely with any of the FX cams for talking heads.
jmone
Well-known member
Just watched the ProAV TV video "review" as I'm a potential customer. Couple of big SLOG3 drawbacks that they covered:
- minimum ISO is 1600 and on a "sunny" day in the UK the eVND was not strong enough to stop it clipping
- SLOG was noisy and they had to apply NR in post on almost every clip (and this was the same outdoor shots in bright sunlight).
Sounds weird to me but....
- minimum ISO is 1600 and on a "sunny" day in the UK the eVND was not strong enough to stop it clipping
- SLOG was noisy and they had to apply NR in post on almost every clip (and this was the same outdoor shots in bright sunlight).
Sounds weird to me but....
Zack Birlew
Veteran
Seems like the perfected Sony 4K camcorder to get but I can't help but feel that they should have pushed for 6K or 8K at this point, maybe they'll have this as the last 4K hurrah and then bring out the new ones, we'll have to see. I think the resolution upgrade would really help bridge the gap and make camcorders a big deal again.
Yes, pro AV did mention that Sony made it clear that this is not the replacement for the bigger camcorders. Maybe the top spec version will bring higher resolution and dual iso.
NorBro
Major Contributor
Always happy to see another camcorder, truly, truly - but I don't think anything drives me more crazy in the camera world than camcorder aperture ranges.
It's been f/2.8-4.5+ forever and I don't think they will crack this one...at least not without using a smaller sensor like the Z280 unicorn.
I know it's packing and managing for 4000 bucks, but surely there has to be a little bit of a size/engineering/price breakthrough at some point to at least bump it down to f/1.8 like on Sony's 1" ZV-1 II.
It's been f/2.8-4.5+ forever and I don't think they will crack this one...at least not without using a smaller sensor like the Z280 unicorn.
I know it's packing and managing for 4000 bucks, but surely there has to be a little bit of a size/engineering/price breakthrough at some point to at least bump it down to f/1.8 like on Sony's 1" ZV-1 II.
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drboffa
Well-known member
Nice to see Sony keeping the camcorder idea alive!
I haven't seen the tests yet, but I wonder if the noisiness in slog3 is similar to what happened in the older Sony FS cameras—i.e., they required overexposing by 1-2 stops for a clean image. I had a Sony camcorder years ago and it was crazy noisy in slog3 at "recommended" exposure levels.
I haven't seen the tests yet, but I wonder if the noisiness in slog3 is similar to what happened in the older Sony FS cameras—i.e., they required overexposing by 1-2 stops for a clean image. I had a Sony camcorder years ago and it was crazy noisy in slog3 at "recommended" exposure levels.
Bassman2003
Veteran
Thanks for the post. Looks nice. I was hoping for this camera to be released at NAB as it is now too late to switch for this football season. It does tick all of the boxes. I will be looking to see if the digital zoom transitions smoothly from optical in real time when filming in 1080p. If so it will be very useful for sports. I also want to see how generous they are with the color correction options in the menu. Do we get the full monte or not?
Low light performance will also be a focus as this seemed to be a weakness of the camera it replaces.
They seem to be pushing it out the door for IBC as the * noted the ring on the lens will have iris control via a firmware update in 2025. That is a pretty big thing. So you will not be able to manually control the iris with the ring until next year!
Low light performance will also be a focus as this seemed to be a weakness of the camera it replaces.
They seem to be pushing it out the door for IBC as the * noted the ring on the lens will have iris control via a firmware update in 2025. That is a pretty big thing. So you will not be able to manually control the iris with the ring until next year!
Yep. I’m also eyeing this for NFL season as it would get better range than my 2/3” cam and weight about a third. Seems like many features get unlocked in the summer or 25. Also MXF for the 200 version
Bassman2003
Veteran
i would not be surprised if there was no follow up "big" camera as mentioned earlier. These 1" models can have excellent image quality if they lean into them. We will have to see when the cameras are out in the wild. By 'lean in' I mean great imager, great processing and plentiful menu choices.
We will see if Panasonic has anything coming up or have they raised the white flag?
We will see if Panasonic has anything coming up or have they raised the white flag?
Bassman2003
Veteran
Here is the CVP video review -
They answered my question about smooth transition between optical and digital zoom. Yes, they showed a zoom from 24mm to 40x in HD which was quite impressive. If Sony has a full color correction matrix in the menu I am sold.
They answered my question about smooth transition between optical and digital zoom. Yes, they showed a zoom from 24mm to 40x in HD which was quite impressive. If Sony has a full color correction matrix in the menu I am sold.
It’s funny, I had seen a German review (Videoaktiv?) on YouTube and was immediately turned off to this camera. I don’t understand German, but the images were so bad, and skin was so clipped, that I literally shut off the video. Then I saw this CVP video and saw them shooting outdoors in Cinetone and realized that the German channel had a toddler running the camera for their review.
cpreston
Veteran
I'm really surprised they didn't go to a constant f/2.8 zoom. I have the Canon XF605 and the f/4.5 zoom is the biggest downside to the camera. That extra stop is really needed for both low light and a decent amount of reduction in depth of field. The extra weight and cost would be well worth the faster lens.
Bassman2003
Veteran
Bassman's ready for the CX350 II...going back to Panasonic, going back home.
You know me so well... Norbro, I have to say, the Sony mirrorless cameras have really affected my love for Panasonic. Along with the auto-ND, I think it will be Sony this time around if it has the color controls which satisfy my OCD for accuracy.Bassman2003
Veteran
There is an iris wheel on the side of the camera. I missed it the first time. Might be just as good or better unless you are doing the large cam one handed operation approach. But often this does not work with the little cameras.
To be honest, ever since variable ND, I rarely touch my iris once it’s set. If I’m outside, I’d set it to 4.5 and ride the ND.
I read that a firmware update will allow assigning to one of the two big wheels on the lens.