NEW: Sony HandyCam NXCAM with E-Mount

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vagarob

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Sony to expand 35mm large format sensor camcorder lineup
“NXCAM” HD camcorder under development, featuring E-mount lens system

Sony Corporation announced today that it is developing a new type of E-mount interchangeable lens camcorder for professional use that is equipped with a Super-35mm equivalent large format CMOS sensor. This new addition to Sony’s professional “NXCAM” line will be available in the middle of 2011.

Already a key player in the 35mm digital cinematography business with the highly acclaimed “CineAlta” F35 and SRW-9000PL for high-end digital cinema production, Sony has just strengthened its lineup in this category with the recent PMW-F3 announcement. In addition to this, with this new “NXCAM” HD camcorder now (still under development), Sony looks to further strengthen its position in the entry-level segment by providing an affordable yet highly capable professional solution for many applications including independent film, music video and corporate communications all looking for the cinematic look.

This “NXCAM” HD camcorder under development will be equipped with a Super-35mm equivalent sensor, a widely used film stock size in the film industry that is perfectly designed for capturing motion picture. This new sensor will have extraordinary performance in terms of picture quality and sensitivity, and is able to create rich “Bokeh” effect (beautifully defocused image) that is perfect for artistic story-telling in motion picture.

Thanks to the adoption of the E-mount interchangeable lens system that is identical to the “α” series NEX-5, 3 and “Handycam” NEX-VG10, the E-mount lenses will be compatible with this new professional camcorder. In addition, a very short flange back distance (the distance between lens mount surface and sensor surface) let various “α” A-mount lenses be mounted via a mount adaptor (LA-EA1). Furthermore, it is also possible to attach many other lenses using third-party mount adaptors*1. With such flexibility, users will be able to experiment with various creative expressions by exploiting the characteristics of different optics.

*1: Not all types of adaptors and lenses are guaranteed.

The recording format for this new HD camcorder will be AVCHD, a widely supported format by many non liner editing software vendors and the same format as HXR-NX5 “NXCAM” camcorder.
There is also a plan to implement 1080p (60p / 30p / 24p*2 or 50p / 25p) recording modes.
(MPEG4-AVC/H.264 compression will be used for these modes.)

READ MORE: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/201011/10-157E/index.html
 
That is an odd looking camera.

And is this the same new lens mount as the F3, or something different?
 
No. This is the E-Mount system. the F3 uses the EX mount and comes with a PL adapter.

The E-mount has a range of adapters (including an Alpha mount that supports auto focus)
 
Like I've always said, new cameras mean more competition in the marketplace, which means we (the shooters) ultimately win.
 
I bet this is going to be something more than just a box. I bet its going to have a range of different attachments or setups available sorta like the Scarlet.
 
vagarob said:
I bet this is going to be something more than just a box. I bet its going to have a range of different attachments or setups available sorta like the Scarlet.
Click to expand...
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Well the video on the link shows a bit of the opposite side and rear of the camera, and it looks a bit more interesting from that angle. There's a single XLR input on the back, and what looks like a hand-grip.
 
If it uses a Sony APS-C sensor, the chip will be larger than that in the AF-100. +1 point for this new cam. Looks like it could be a modular design, which borrows from RED (though they didn't exactly invent that concept).
 
and i thought af100 was ugly.
it doesnt have much stuff on it.. possible this could be a cheaper?
 
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Sony really is flooding the market aren't they; starting at the bottom with the NEX-VG10, this NXCAM, F3, SRW-9000PL, and the F35. That's four s35 sensored cameras and one APS-C camcorder. Obviously they each occupy their own price and performance niche, but its an aggressive lineup.

What I'd say is interesting is that this too is a S35 sensor camera, meaning that its not a dSLR based APS-C sensor. Probably a sensor related to the F3 by the initial sound of it. Again, Sony and Panasonic seem to be coming from two different directions. Panasonic, from the bottom-up (GH->AF100), and Sony from the top-down (F3->NXCAM).

Pricing would be interesting, but it'll obviously be below the $16k F3. The budget seems to clearly be centered around the more affordable E-mounts, Alpha-mounts, and other dSLR lenses (via adapter) rather then the PL mount. The question becomes can it really come close to the competitive pricing of the AF100, or will this camera hit five-figures?

I also have to wonder if Panasonic too will release a higher-end s35 camera above the AF100 to compete with Sony with a dedicated sensor rather then a sensor adapted from a still camera. It would be a logical move for Panasonic.

But the market is getting very competitive. And its happened so quickly...
 
cant wait for nab 2011. what will be the next move from the key players :)

at the back of my mind, sony will overprice this camera.
 
the problem with the RED approach is that it gave the big boys a roadmap to compete against. The good thing is that we the end users are the beneficiaries. With a bevy of choices we'll get to choose what to own, what to rent, and get down to the business of telling stories.
 
The RED approach also shoots in something very close to RAW, which will not be imitated very soon. However, it is very clear to me that S35 will become the new standard. DSLR's have raised that expectation. I think Panasonic will have to respond to this within a year of the release of the AGF100. If they come to market with a big brother it will be obviously more expensive. I don't think Sony is responding to what is currently in the offing from Panasonic, I think they are anticipating the next generation. For me this means the NXCAM camera will probably be around the 9-11K mark. I see them as positioning it where the bigger style ENG cameras price point was during the HVX200 heyday.
 
I see the price being competitive with the AF-100, around $4-$6K. There's so little we know about the sensor though at this point though... a waiting game.
 
If Sony are clever... they will have been watching forums like this and seeing what people are making noise about (positive and negative) regarding the AF100 and tailoring this camera to that feedback.

10 bit HD-SDI out would be the starting point.

If it has the reported 12 stops DR and low light of the F3 too, then they could price this at $8k or more.
 
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