FS7: New Sony F7 XDCAM 4K Super 35mm Camcorder

I had my first look at the FS7 today. It was on display with many high end cameras like Arri Alexa, Amira, Scarlet, F5, F55, C500 and others. In comparison to these the FS7 looks a bit like a toy, even with a compact prime mounted. It's so small and the curved body makes it look very different.

I noticed that much of the right side of the FS7 shares many things with the Amira. They are not similar but clearly Sony has borrowed some things from the Amira.

The monitor and EVF is really great. Much better than the LCD on the F3 and much better than the FS100 LCD with loupe. I found it was very easy to see what was in focus.

Entering the menu I found it to be quick and responsive. Sadly I didn't find the marker for exposure which is my main exposure tool on the F3. Histogram was displayed and it can be used for exposure but difficult to read an exact exposure level.

Built quality is fine. The magnesium body feels like plastic but it is magnesium and apparently durable. Buttons feel responsive and overall a well made camera body.

On the shoulder felt good, not perfect but workable for shorter periods. I found my left hand reaching for the LCD to make shooting steady and with the compact prime mounted it's front heavy. The hand grip didn't feel at home right away but I guess I will get used to it.

The LCD rod is to short and when adjusted it's difficult to get it aligned horizontally. It does look a bit odd on the camera with the rod and LCD so far in front of the camera body but to make the camera workable on the shoulder it has to be even further in front. That's the drawback of such a small camera. Looking at the Alexa and especially the Amira the EVF looks more proper.

It was interesting to see the FS7 appearing to be a toy next to the bigger cameras, it certainly looks less than my F3 with ET armour.
 
Does someone have test footage of how the autofocus works on the FS7? I borrowed a c100 with the dual pixel AF, I love how it pulled focus with the steadicam and gimbal.
 
I was over at Band Pro Film in Burbank CA open house, lots of great camera there and cine lenses. Mainly Sony and Canon, F series and C series. My main goal there was to find out how the autofocus works. Spend sometimes with the Sony Rep and went over the new Sony FS7, in a nut shelve, yes the autofocus work just like the c100. They also have the square box just like the c100, no more that tiny little box like FS700 which jump around detecting contrast. It's quick.

lol....I changed my deposit for C100 mark2 over to Sony FS7 right on the spot with Band Pro.
 
Orguss said:
I was over at Band Pro Film in Burbank CA open house, lots of great camera there and cine lenses. Mainly Sony and Canon, F series and C series. My main goal there was to find out how the autofocus works. Spend sometimes with the Sony Rep and went over the new Sony FS7, in a nut shelve, yes the autofocus work just like the c100. They also have the square box just like the c100, no more that tiny little box like FS700 which jump around detecting contrast. It's quick.

lol....I changed my deposit for C100 mark2 over to Sony FS7 right on the spot with Band Pro.
Click to expand...

Interesting

Which specific lens did you get good auto focus performance with?
 
I had played with a pre-production version of the 28-135 and it really couldn't do a crash zoom, as you put it.

I have ordered the kit so hopefully should be seeing it soon and can report on it.

Ned
 
Waiting for CVP to get one in so that I can have a proper hands on test.

I don't think we will be see the lens in the UK until the new year :(
 
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