FS7: Sony rumored to release new FS7

Rumors have the announcement coming out in two weeks (Nov, 11th). No specs so far.

Inferring from Mitch's post, they will add some sort of (4D) auto focus that they have on A6300/6500 and A7RII to compete with C300 MKII.

There's also a rumor of a new 16-35mm F4 lens.

PS. As others have mentioned, they could make FS-7II with a BSI sensor to aid with the low light performance, closer to Varicam LT.
 
So normal FS7 quality and options but with the new ND thingy and some auto focus gubbins. Sounds about right for a refresh.
 
It may well be in Sony's interest to roll out the VariND asap to further reduce the cost of manufacture of the FS7. If they can share the manufacture of a part between two cameras they'll be quids in as the manufacturing process is mature and the yields will be high.

If you can reduce the moving parts it would make sense from a reliability point of view so they'll also potentially save themselves warranty repairs on the highly used and delicate physical ND assembly.
 
Nirv said:
It may well be in Sony's interest to roll out the VariND asap to further reduce the cost of manufacture of the FS7. If they can share the manufacture of a part between two cameras they'll be quids in as the manufacturing process is mature and the yields will be high.

If you can reduce the moving parts it would make sense from a reliability point of view so they'll also potentially save themselves warranty repairs on the highly used and delicate physical ND assembly.
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An Fs7 owner I know here locally has twice had his ND wheel thingy become inoperable. He had it repaired by Sony and it broke again within less than a month. While he was in the middle of shooting a series for HGTV no less. He lobbied Sony for a permanent replacement camera, emphasizing that he was shooting a series for a major tv network, but no dice. I told him he should put a credit for Canon on the show just to be ornery.
 
So would Sony really release the FS7 II (if it is indeed a FS7 II) with only minor updates?

I understand how SLRs and mirrorless cameras may receive small changes, but this is the modern day best-selling flagship for Sony, so wouldn't one expect a bunch of new features?...especially for a camera close to $10,000?
 
IMO, that would depend on what they do with their Cine Alta (F-5/55/65) replacements. FS-7/II with their G-Master lenses ought to be more than sufficient for reality, independent features and budget TV and streaming offerings. The main competition in that niche for them are C300 MKII and Panasonic LT, both with a pretty good low light performance (and with Canon having a quality auto focus on top of that).

Forgetting for an instance full frame or medium format size (Red Weapon, Epic W, Alexa65) category that is aimed at the big budget features, the TV business that is currently dominated by Alexa should be up for grabs in the summer of 2017 with the shift to 4K. ARRI is expected to release an s35 4K camera, Canon has already premiered C700, so Sony is due for an upgrade as well. The simplest solution - at least, to me - would be F65 in the F55 body and at an F55 price. That would leave F65 sequel as a full frame or medium format 8K model, while F5 might be either a new F55 with a stripped down feature set or an old F55 in an F5 body. The former should do well; the latter probably won't.
 
DLD said:
Forgetting for an instance full frame or medium format size (Red Weapon, Epic W, Alexa65) category that is aimed at the big budget features, the TV business that is currently dominated by Alexa should be up for grabs in the summer of 2017 with the shift to 4K. ARRI is expected to release an s35 4K camera.
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I don't think TV business dominated by Alexa will be up for grabs. Arri SXT already delivers 4k-DCI. If you want to argue that their mild upsample will hold them back against offerings from Red, Sony, Panasonic, Canon, I will disagree. Arri has proven imaging science that pleases directors and audiences.


Canon has already premiered C700, so Sony is due for an upgrade as well. The simplest solution - at least, to me - would be F65 in the F55 body and at an F55 price. That would leave F65 sequel as a full frame or medium format 8K model, while F5 might be either a new F55 with a stripped down feature set or an old F55 in an F5 body. The former should do well; the latter probably won't.
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While we have come go expect new model releases from Sony, it is only for that reason to say the F65/55/5 are due for an upgrade. The F55 has been receiving upgrades and updates all along. Along with global shutter, 4k-DCI 120 fps 16 bit raw options, prores recording, it already is quite up to date, and Sony have stayed current without rolling out new models. As for F65 in F55 body, nobody wants the F65 workflow. The 8k x 2160 sensor still only delivers in 4k. If Sony is to deliver in 8k they will find a new way to do it and that could be a new model.

The 8k Weapon and Epic W are awesome cameras and will continue Red's penetration in cinema. Sony F65/55 have only been mildly successful in that market. Sony's strength remains sports and broadcast, news gathering, prosumer and consumer.
 
Chris Langer said:
Sony Alpha Rumors now has a SR5 rating rumor that claims there will be a new FS7 dropping on November 11th. Hope we see some specs within the next week or two before release!

http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-sony-fs7ii-e-mount-camcorder-will-announced-november-11/
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I was talking to my gaffer on set today about the FS7MKII. It's funny though because the Fs7 is not an old camera. It has 2 years now, and people started to use it a lot in the market only in 2015 (at least where I live). Now in 2016 we got a new updated version.

This a $10000 plus camera (buying cards, batts, charger, shoulder mount...) and it's crazy how fast things are progressing in this market.

You just pay a camera and there's a new version hitting the corner... lol
 
Tom Roper said:
I don't think TV business dominated by Alexa will be up for grabs. Arri SXT already delivers 4k-DCI. If you want to argue that their mild upsample will hold them back against offerings from Red, Sony, Panasonic, Canon, I will disagree. Arri has proven imaging science that pleases directors and audiences.
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Alexa won't be able to claim "recorded and mastered in 4K" and that label will be important going forward. Resolution-wise the difference between the full gate 3.4K and 4K will not discerned by more viewers not looking at a test chart but the studios will want to adhere to a certain standard in labeling.

While we have come go expect new model releases from Sony, it is only for that reason to say the F65/55/5 are due for an upgrade. The F55 has been receiving upgrades and updates all along. Along with global shutter, 4k-DCI 120 fps 16 bit raw options, prores recording, it already is quite up to date, and Sony have stayed current without rolling out new models. As for F65 in F55 body, nobody wants the F65 workflow. The 8k x 2160 sensor still only delivers in 4k. If Sony is to deliver in 8k they will find a new way to do it and that could be a new model.
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F65 is a 4:2:2 (17.6 MPX) 4K camera. It's been Sony's flagship model for four years now and has been superseded by Alexa65 and Red Weapon/Panavision 8K cameras. Canon has been exhibiting an 8K camera of its own too. Sony needs to catch up. It's as simple as that.

The 8k Weapon and Epic W are awesome cameras and will continue Red's penetration in cinema. Sony F65/55 have only been mildly successful in that market. Sony's strength remains sports and broadcast, news gathering, prosumer and consumer....
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Sony wants it all. In every niche, in every sector. And, minor missteps aside, they can have it too.
 
Sort of feel (/ kind of secretly hope) that an FS7ii will be the C100ii to the C100i ..... An upgrade.. but not a DRASTIC change....

Taking a guess -
Better screen.... in body stabilization.... variable ND... 240fps continuous HD.... raw out without additional hardware (but still need license)... better handle.....
 
Those are all good guesses. I think 4 audio channels instead of 2 would be a huge upgrade. You drag an X-AVC file onto your timeline and up pop 8 audio tracks. Aside from that being annoying to work around, I don't know why they aren't put to use? I think 4 XLR inputs would fit fine if the chassis stays large, and 2 XLR in's with 2 x (1/4") line audio inputs if it gets smaller. That way you could have 6 audio channels in, 4 of them perfect for wireless mic transmitters. The current limit of 2 audio channels in baffles me. (I know you can add 5" in height and goofiness with the $800 Mi-S adapter, but that shouldn't be necessary.)
 
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