New Sony cameras rumored for IBC

nutmegger

nutmegger

Well-known member
Plenty of Internet buzz about rumors of two new Sony cameras to be announced at IBC in September. A FX8 and a Z380. If true, the Z380 should make Doug Jensen happy.

cameratimes.org

Sony FX8 Full-Frame 12K Cinema Camera Expected Ahead of IBC 2025 - Camera Times

As the IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) in Amsterdam draws near, all eyes are on Sony and its upcoming announcements, which promise to shake up the professional video landscape once again.
cameratimes.org

Enjoy.
 
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I've seen the new camera twice. Last December a couple of Japanese engineers brought a prototype to my house in Florida for a some feedback, and I played with one again at NAB. But unless they decided to change the name, I'm not sure Z380 is what it will actually be called. We'll see. I was hoping to have one for my road rip to the Canadian Rockies and Alaska this summer, but they didn't have it ready before I left a couple of weeks ago. So, I'm traveling with my Z200 and A1 instead. Looking forward to using the new camera when I get home in November. Overall, it's a great camcorder . . . if only I could change one thing. But I can't say what that is, yet. :)
 
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@Doug Jensen not sure if you're able to say, but is this in line with a Z280 upgrade or is it more of a broadcast/ENG camera, closer to something like the Z750?
 
drboffa said:
@Doug Jensen not sure if you're able to say, but is this in line with a Z280 upgrade or is it more of a broadcast/ENG camera, closer to something like the Z750?
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I can't say very much about it, but yes, I think I'm okay saying it is the successor to the Z280. In fact, "Z280 successor" was all it was ever called until NAB. But then a new model name was given to it -- but it wasn't called the Z380, so it will be interesting to see what it is really called when officially announced.

Speaking of the Z750, my gut feeling is that it will be a long time, if ever, that a shoulder-mount Z750 successor is ever made.
 
Thanks Doug. I don't think I would've guessed that Sony would every introduce a Z280 successor, but I'm glad to hear it's the case (or similar). Curious to see what it's actually like once it's officially announced!
 
Mmmm... the (aka) Z380 could be of interest to me if the rumoured high base is as good as the FX6. I wonder if the wide end is any wider than 30mm however (I'd trade some long end for wider wide end as you can always crop in post, but you can't back up through a wall). I assume the rest of the specs would be on point (stabilised glass, eVND, 4K 50/60fps, 4K S&Q 1-120).
 
This is why making these cameras is so difficult. I would go the opposite direction - The lens would need to be as long as the Z200 for me to consider the camera. I might consider paying up for the Z380 if it has an extensive paint menu and a viewfinder that is advanced (color matches the output and is configurable). I would also not want the body to be the same larger size as the Z280. I find the Z200/CX350 ilk of camera is the sweet spot for owner/operator video cameras. What used to be considered better is now just bulky imho.

But, I am guessing I will be disappointed as the lens will probably be 17x and the body the same size as the Z280.

@jmone since the Z200 is nice wide lens, I would guess the Z380 would have at least that width on the short end.
 
My first video camera was a Sony PD150 which I bought in 2001. Loved that camera and used it for 7 years. In the Spring of 2022 I was looking to by a camcorder to replace my Canon C100. Considered buying the Z280. However, when I priced out the Z280 with Sony’s memory cards, card reader, and batteries the total cost came close to $10K which was more than I could afford. Bought a Canon XF605 instead which has a shorter lens and less effective autofocus. Otherwise, it meets my needs. I’m sure the Z380? will be priced $2K or more above the Z200. Also, what kind of memory cards will it use? As Doug Jensen once wrote: “If you can’t afford the memory, you can’t afford the camera.”
 
@Bassman2003 - If it is like the Z200 (24mm to 480mm) then that would suit me just fine, and yes a smaller body would be welcome.
@nutmegger - I'd be very surprised if it was not CFExpress based and these are now pretty affordable + I already have such a set for the FX6 / A7Siii and BPU batteries.

I wonder what Doug's "if only I could change one thing" caveat is.... I guess not long to wait.
 
nutmegger said:
“If you can’t afford the memory, you can’t afford the camera.”
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Absolutely! Same thing goes for cars. If you can't afford premium gasoline, you can't afford the car. :)
Regarding memory cards, I think for the foreseeable future, it is safe to say all Sony cameras will use the same cards as the Z200, FX6, A1, etc. Infer whatever you want from that nugget.
 
Well I would venture to guess the omission of a loupe or VF is Doug's one thing to change. And if so, I whole-heartedly agree. Maybe those twenty-somethings like shooting outdoors using the small LCD... but not this old, er, experienced camera op...
That instantly makes it a no-go for me, Sony (perhaps you don't care).
 
What can I say. Viewfinders are now out of style? I was not pleased with the Z200 viewfinder color accuracy so they just took it off the Z300! 17x lens as well sadly makes this a pass for me. Are the imaging sensors new or the same as the Z280? Panasonic kept the same sensors from the CX350. So I am looking at just keeping my PX270's for various reasons.
 
Bassman2003 said:
What can I say. Viewfinders are now out of style? I was not pleased with the Z200 viewfinder color accuracy so they just took it off the Z300! 17x lens as well sadly makes this a pass for me. Are the imaging sensors new or the same as the Z280? Panasonic kept the same sensors from the CX350. So I am looking at just keeping my PX270's for various reasons.
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They don't update components unless it will impact sales. Eng/camcorders aren't in high demand any more so they stopped improving them.
 
markfpv said:
Well I would venture to guess the omission of a loupe or VF is Doug's one thing to change. And if so, I whole-heartedly agree. Maybe those twenty-somethings like shooting outdoors using the small LCD... but not this old, er, experienced camera op...
That instantly makes it a no-go for me, Sony (perhaps you don't care).
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Yes, the lack of a VF nearly ruins this camera for me. I think there will be some 3rd party solutions . . . but not yet. This was the main reason I was a little relieved when the demo camera Sony wanted me to bring with me to Banff, Jasper, and Alaska wasn't ready in time. I was willing to substitute the Z300 for my Z200, but the lack of a viewfinder would have been a serious problem. A problem that will eventually be solved, but not soon enough for a 4-month road trip. The Z200 and A1 are serving me very well so far.

Currently in Watson Lake, Yukon. Thanks Starlink!!
 
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