Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder

[Chris Hurd]

"Sony’s new HXR-NX3 professional handheld HD camcorder enhances Sony’s proven imager technology and performance with features like Wi-Fi capability and MP4 recording for seamless connectivity with computers, smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices."

Full press release, photos located here:

Sony Announces HXR-NX3 Professional HD Camcorder at DV Info Net

[Chris Hurd]

Making of the UK promo video for the Sony HXR-NX3:

Sony HXR-NX3 Behind the scenes, making of (visuals.co.uk) - YouTube

[Galen Rath]

Finally, a replacement for the Canon XH-A1.

[Jack Zhang]

While I like 1080p60, I'm not a fan of AVCHD 2.0. Full raster sounds nice, but I'd expect only the same sensitivity as the PMW-150/160

I still think the best thing that needs to happen is either a 4K EA50 or a XAVC & XQD FS700.

[Tim Lewis]

And the actual promo video:

Sony HXR-NX3 beauty promo (visuals.co.uk) - YouTube

[Ron Evans]

What I was expecting ( and been waiting for ) to replace the NX5U with AVCHD 2.0 using the sensors from the PMW150/160. They have just been a little slow since the introduction of the PMW 150/160 likely too many NX5U's in the channels !!! The combination of my NX5U and now FDR-AX1 will do me unless a large sensor 4K comes out with better low light than the FDR-AX1.

Ron Evans

[Rob Cantwell]

The European model (HXR-NX3/VG1) apparently comes with a microphone, I'm wondering is the low light performance much better than the NX5 ?

[Ron Evans]

The NX models all came with mics one of the differences to the consumer AX models. I would hope the low light is a little better !!

Ron Evans

[Ron Evans]

Looks like it has a video light like the consumer models. Has no FMU128 and no SDi connector like the NX5U had but WiFi control and most of the consumer iAuto features too.

Ron Evans

[Paul Rickford]

The Press release quotes 'A newly developed LSI that includes advanced noise reduction and several distortion correction technologies handles image processing, allowing clear low-noise recordings to be captured even in low light.'

Looks like Sony have used similar processing Tech. as used in the new RX10 and A7, so I hope the bad pink fringing on the G lens at telephoto has been tamed along with noise levels which I hated on the NX5.

[Paul Rickford]

http://www.sony.co.uk/res/attachment...7492160791.pdf

Here's the official UK brochure

[Mark OConnell]

The body looks almost identical to the Z100.

[Paul Rickford]

HXR-NX3/VG1 Product Introduction Video : United Kingdom : Sony Professional

More info, Uk product introduction video attached, no word on the Uk price as yet ?

Thanks
Paul

[Ron Evans]

Originally Posted by Mark OConnell

The body looks almost identical to the Z100.

No its closer to the NX5U with the FMU128 connections missing as well as the connectors for SDI and timecode. Button arrangement on the left side is identical to the NX5U including picture profiles missing on the PXW-Z100 and the FDR-AX1. GPS has been dropped in favor of WiFi too. It is a NXCAm version of the PMW150/160 with consumer iAuto functions likely from the consumer processor controlling the sensor though touch screen has gone. Should have kept that for touch focus.

Ron Evans

[Matt Sharp]

I would have thought the next prosumer cam like this would have 1080 XAVC-S.

Regardless, it's an improvement over the NX5. I do a lot of low light shooting so I like that the NX3 goes to 30dB. The brochure states minimum illumination at 1 lux vs 1.5 for the NX5 with AGC and .3 lux at 30dB. So at least it's not a downgrade like the AX1/Z100 in terms of light.