Who Likes the XDCAM EX?

David@Leo's Camera

David@Leo's Camera

Leos Camera Canada
So I recently returned from training on the EX at Sony Canada. There's nothing new I can tell you that hasn't already been posted by Mikko from IBC etc. except that Sony Canada seems intent on making it price competitive to the U.S.
So I'm wondering how you guys see the camera. It has some pretty impressive specs but how many of you are truly bothered by the lack of native SD recording? Anything the camera doesn't have that you can't live without? Anything the camera does have that blows every other cam away? Who do you see using it? Indie filmmakers, wedding, ENG, music videos etc.
Thanks!
 
A) Will the EX have a flip screen or even flip codec for 35mm adapter use?

B) Will it have that suposed lossless noise reduction (at least in 720p) that was anounced for its "big" brothers?
 
I like the specs and I'm not bothered at all by the lack of SD recording. I haven't shot SD in over a year, even though I almost always deliver SD. Producers are finally learning that it's easy to downconvert to SD with superior results.

I think the native full raster recording is a pretty big deal, particularly the 720 mode.
That will be oversampled 720, which should look quite good and not too difficult to uprez and intercut with 1080, IMO.

The claimed 54 dB S/N is pretty impressive for a handheld camcorder. And 1000 TV lines of horizontal resolution? Very nice. Embedded HD-SDI is killer too, and a decent LCD for HD focus with good focus assist features is very forward thinking.

Most important is the lens. Finally, totally pro-style fixed lens. No more free-spinning focus...and the EX1 supposedly has CA compensation processing too. THAT is killer.

I think it's going to have very broad appeal across the entire spectrum. Indies, Event Video, Music Videos, Docs...on and on and on.
 
Yeah, I agree with all that! Having solid state memory and HD-SDI alone makes this camera pretty solid competition for Canon and Panasonic, but the 1/2" chip set and manual lens really puts it a notch above.
If Sony promotes this properly they should see some big sales. However, I doubt a lot of current P2 users will totally abandon ship right away.
 
David@Leo's Camera said:
However, I doubt a lot of current P2 users will totally abandon ship right away.
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And they need not to.

The EX will be an awesome camera, but I would not be surprised what the near future holds.

I'm hoping for a cam with the EX specs (and price) with 4:2:2 @ 160 Mbps (I-Frame). You can sign me up NOW for that one.
 
Since I heard that the SxS card will be around $900, I wonder if there is a laptop that have a HD-SDI card where I can record the video into a computer hard drive.
 
The HVX200 still has at least 2-3 more years of reliable service to me. I'm excited to see whats gonna happen in that time. Hopefully the ex will benchmark the performance per dollar ratio. Then the next gen cameras will have to be amazing.
 
TimurCivan said:
The HVX200 still has at least 2-3 more years of reliable service to me. I'm excited to see whats gonna happen in that time. Hopefully the ex will benchmark the performance per dollar ratio. Then the next gen cameras will have to be amazing.
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Exactly, that's what I'm wondering. The EX is offering a lot, but only falls short with only 4:2:0 to SxS; although, XDCAM 35mb stuff looks real good. I know what you're going to say.... HVX200, but I'm talking about full 1920x1080P.

I'm actually sold on the EX, and plan on buying one.
 
Stevet said:
Exactly, that's what I'm wondering. The EX is offering a lot, but only falls short with only 4:2:0 to SxS; although, XDCAM 35mb stuff looks real good. I know what you're going to say.... HVX200, but I'm talking about full 1920x1080P.

I'm actually sold on the EX, and plan on buying one.
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im just saying that im not going sell off the hvx and buy a EX right now. the jump isnt that drastic.
 
its not out yet dude.....

When it comes out im sure we'll see a ton of footy. I hope its good. I'll rentthat bad boy.
 
William_Robinette said:
But the HVX does have 1080p.
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True, but that's where the big subjective pixel-counting debate happens. It's likely that the EX1's huge advantage in 2.2 megapixel sensors and (claimed) 1000 lines of horizontal resolution will have an impact in perceivable detail compared to the HVX.

One thing I will note about the EX1 that sharply contrasts with the other manufacturer's marketing material is that Sony is more than happy to disclose resolution, sensitivity and S/N specs. (1000 lines, F10 and 54 dB) That's an interesting change of course for this "affordable HD" camera category.
 
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