Looks like, Sony is introducing, a new EX series camera, at NAB this year.
It's called the PMW-320 its basically a 1/2" imager version of the PMW-350

Sony Business Solutions & Systems - Featured (http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/ext/BroadcastandBusiness/minisites/NAB2010/pp_pmw320k.shtml)


SONY REDEFINES THE CAPABILITIES OF SOLID-STATE
PRODUCTION WITH NEW XDCAM EX CAMCORDERS

Shoulder-mount models now Available with ½-inch and 2/3-inch
Imagers to Address Specific Needs of Production Community

LAS VEGAS (NAB Booth #C11001) April 11, 2010 – The expanding family of Sony’s XDCAM EX™ video products now includes two shoulder-mount camcorders that deliver new levels of creativity and flexibility for solid-state digital production.

The products include Sony’s 2/3-inch CMOS memory camcorder, the PMW-350, and now a ½-inch version, the PMW-320.

“Since it was first introduced, Sony designed the XDCAM EX series to be flexible enough to grow and expand as our customers’ production needs change,” said Bob Ott, vice president, Sony Electronics’ broadcast and professional audio/video products business. “These new products redefine solid-state production, with improvements achieved in features, performance, and ergonomics.”

Both camcorders have three Exmor™ full HD 1920x1080 CMOS imagers, and are studio-configurable, with timecode in/out, genlock in, and HD-SDI and HDMI out. The PMW-350 camcorder features a DVCAM recording and playback as an option; with both features offered as standard on the PMW-320.

Users can choose between the lens-packaged models, PMW-350K and PMW-320K, or versions without lenses, PMW-350L or PMW-320L. To enhance editing interoperability with Sony’s XDCAM HD 422 camcorders, both the PMW-350 and PMW-320 camcorders feature 1440x1080 recording mode at 35Mbps.

Both camcorders can also be used in studio configurations, using the optional 50-pin adapter CBK-CE01, as well as the camera adapter, XDCA-55, and camera extension unit, XDCU-55.

Sony is also delivering new solid-state memory choices to complement these new camcorders. An affordable series of Sony’s SxS™ memory cards, SxS-1™ (model SBS-32G1, 32 GB) offers compact and high speed transfer and supports a wide range of motion.

The cameras are also available with an adapter, MEAD-MS01, for using Sony’s Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX Series media, which can be used as an “emergency” recording option. An adapter is also available for SanDisk Class 10 SDHC card use (MEAD-SD01). Current owners of Sony’s PMW-EX1, PMW-EX1R as well as PMW-EX3 can use the MEAD-MS01 or MEADS-D01 by upgrading the camera’s firmware.

A hard-disk recording unit, model PHU-120R, offers a recording capacity of 120 GB. The new PXU-MS240 mobile storage unit can be used to transfer data from SxS memory cards to the unit for nearly continuous back-up or off-load of video clips. The unit stores content on a removable hard disk drive (HDD) cartridge, model PXU-HC240, which can store up to 240 GB of data or up to 17 hours of content in SP mode.

The following is suggested list pricing and planned availability for the new products:

• PMW-320K, $14800, availability in August
• PMW-320L, $12800, available in August
• MEAD-MS01, $120, now available
• MEAD-SD01, $110, now available

That'll make a lot of people happy - is EX3 users who've been wanting shoulder mount. Also 15 second cache, another thing that was missing.
Steve

Hot dog, that's what we were missing. Thanks for posting that link! Much appreciated,

Your welcome :-).

Eight-page brochure in PDF format:

http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/ext/BroadcastandBusiness/minisites/NAB2010/docs/prodbroch_pmw350320.pdf

Colin's right, basically the 320 is the 1/2-inch version of the PMW350.

Strange the SD/DVCAM feature is standard on the PMW-320 but an option on the PMW-350. Sony makes strange choices so now and then.

Yea it's the same camera with 1/2 inch sensors. Does that mean it's nearly the same price? :)

Really happy about this announcement - now I won't be tempted to buy another camera to replace my EX1 - to me 1/2" sensors = same picture quality. I am sure the new model will be over twice if not 2 1/2 times the cost of the EX1(r) + more weight, more problems with transporting etc. I am sure a number of the true professionals on this forum will like the shoulder mount form factor but with the 3rd party modifications to my EX1 (shoulder brace from Westside AV) I am still a happy camper.

Thanks for posting. Interesting.

I would guess that the pricing is going to be related to the new HPX-370.

I also wonder about the skew, better, or the same as the EX-1.

Great.
my questions would be
can i get the outputs to all work at the same time (unlike the ex1r) or at least a few more at once. it is really nice having SDI and HDMI, it would be nicer if they both worked at the same time without more stuff added outside.
how close at standard settings will the overall picture (not lens) be similar to the ex1r. (is this a baby 350 or a shoulder mount EX)
does it have that slot for the UHF stereo diversity wireless? (not that i require that, but thought it was interesting)
(in the PDF) do they actually disable S&Q when using SxS adaptions "slow motion and salvage not supported"

and
can i get it for less than 9k -accessories with my poor persons discount
when are they going to start putting in the 7" full hd resolution outdoor viewing fold out touch screen monitors on these things. (that comes after me wanting a lower price:-)

Now I am in a real fix sony pmw-320 or ex1r. my fear is that I will be taken seriously as pro compare to ex1r. earlier my tought was on ex1r but now with this....

Yea it's the same camera with 1/2 inch sensors. Does that mean it's nearly the same price? :)

Although they do look the same, the brochure says the 320 uses the 1/2 inch lenses.

Now the big question is....how much? and, how soon available?

I hope this stay under $10K

HA, you'll be lucky to get the body only for 15k.

HA, you'll be lucky to get the body only for 15k.

Remember that the 350 WITH kit lens is "only" $19k...
Error

The link describes sensitivity of F12 and S/N 59db, yet if you open the .pdf brochure, that's only for the PMW350, the PMW320 retains the F10 and S/N 54db of the EX3.

...and moreover, the specs mention for both cams, image stabilizer, on/off selectable shift lens. My PMW350K doesn't have this. So is this a misprint, or has the feature been added?

Unconfirmed report mentioned a sony rep. saying the cameras will be ready by september
can any body confirm that

Remember that the 350 WITH kit lens is "only" $19k...
Error (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/657503-REG/Sony_PMW_350K_PMW_350K_XDCAM_EX_HD.html)



I don't know the difference between the K and L 350s but this one with no lens is nearly 18 grand.

I still say 15k for body only is a good guess.

Sony | PMW-350L XDCAM EX HD Camcorder w/o Lens | PMW-350L | B&H

The kit lens is cheap BUT pretty darned good for ESSENTIALLY a "free" lens... Saw the demo at a local Video retailer in December and was reasonably impressed. Will it kill a $40k lens? No but for $1500... it's a GREAT start to get people into a 2/3" world.

looks like this camera is very similar in sensitivity and low-light capabilities to the ex3. And if Barry Greene's tests are accurate, with the new Panasonic HPX370 tieing or even outperforming the EX3 in low-light, then things are going to be very interesting.

For me, having the awesome Panasonic color matrix feel (which feel more organic to me) and having 4:2:2 10-bit colorspace in the codec for a camera that will probably cost less than the PMW-320 and you have Panasonic with the better camera.

Things have just again gotten very interesting.

Check this out---prices and timeframes too.

http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/ext/BroadcastandBusiness/minisites/NAB2010/docs/pr_newexcams.pdf

Thanks Steve -- I've added the press release copy to the first post of this thread.

For me, having the awesome Panasonic color matrix feel (which feel more organic to me) and having 4:2:2 10-bit colorspace in the codec for a camera that will probably cost less than the hpx370 and you have Panasonic with the better camera.

Things have just again gotten very interesting.

Without making a point of one over the other, I must say that one thing I've noticed in the past 5 or so years is that the client/end user support for Panasonic or Sony SEEMS to be heavily regional (excluding those of you/us who live in a MAJOR metropolitan area). In my former home "on the Prairies", Sony buy-in was virtually ubiquitous whereas now that I live in a Film-centric city, the Panasonic crowd is certainly numerous (at least compared to what I'm "used" to).

Read the original post carefully, you will see the prices posted. One config with a lens is MSRP at $14800. Sony is ALWAYS less in cost when the camera comes to market.

Something else to note on a POSITIVE side, the camera will have the "paint" controls of the PMW-350 as opposed to the EX1r/3. It will have the ins & outs of the 350, the switches of the 350 and the viewfinder of the 350. I think the audio is 48K 24 bit as well, not 16 bit but someone might want to verify that.

Way too much bellyaching.

Read the original post carefully, you will see the prices posted.

Thanks Steve -- I've added the press release copy to the first post of this thread.

Andrew, Chris ADDED the Press Release after much of this discussion took place.

Yes I see that now Shaun. Apologies to the bellyachers.

I see you have noticed the Panasonic juggernaut in Vancouver. I lived in Winnipeg as well. Sony had things wrapped up pretty tight there. I say "No" to the P2 card tax.

So body only should be about 10k. That's a lot of camera. Better than I thought but my EX3 still looks like the right choice for me.

Looks like, Sony is introducing, a new EX series camera, at NAB this year.
It's called the PMW-320 its basically a 1/2" imager version of the PMW-350

Sony Business Solutions & Systems - Featured (http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/ext/BroadcastandBusiness/minisites/NAB2010/pp_pmw320k.shtml)

Accidental post

I've been told it's got an all new sensor block, not EX3 sensors, and has better than EX3 image quality. HDMI or SDi not both at same time, same as 350. I hope to play with one later today. PMW-320 has a blue hand grip. Unless the lenses have been changed there is no image stabilisation, don't know why it implies that there is in the PDF.

Stepping back from the details of this announcement, I think that it is validation of the quote from Panasonic brass last week. The era of the $30k to $50k pro camera, other than digital Cinema cameras, is almost over and the new sweet spot seems to be $10 to $15k. Makes sense but it is pretty amazing to see these cameras actually hitting the market. Now if the networks will just loosen up from requiring everything to be shot on 2/3" cameras, we would be somewhere.

Dan

2/3" chips will be the next thing to navigate down into this price range. There is too much competition bearing down for this not to happen. Fear not Dan.

Dan I have to respectfully disagree with you.

I think it is great the cameras that are coming to the market. Sony’s new 320, and /350 which is a great camera, Canon DSLR, Panasonic 4/3” , Sony 4/3", are all great advancements and I am sure I missed a few more. But 2/3” CCD is the standard for the networks and for some it is still film, and will be for at least a few more years. The picture quality with CCD still beats out CMOS in many ways. Will this change YES, but it is not there yet. So I think it is very important that networks don’t lower their quality requirements just because new cameras are on the market. And it only makes sense that Panasonic brass made that announcement prior to their new camera being released, it really all comes down to the dollar.

As I said we all know it will happen but I really hope the networks don’t lower there standards more then they already have, especially since the great HDTV’s we now use to watch our favorite shows on are going to only keep getting better.

Not interested in getting in a debate here I just had to respond since we tend to get carried away with all the marketing.

I don't think it's just getting carried away with the marketing. CMOS has already made it's way to the high end Red, ARRI. It remains to be seen if CCDs will continue to be used by Sony, Panasonic, although JVC I believe still does for now. The trend is certainly moving away from them in favor of lighter weight, cooler running, less power hungry designs, with better sensitivity. Yesterday's final round broadcast of the Masters Golf Tournament on CBS from Augusta Georgia was beautiful, and they were using some kitted EX3's in the fleet.

We all have different needs.

I would prefer CCD over CMOS in a lighweight package less power hungry with all things being equal, but things are not equal. CCD is all but dead and the era of the $30-50k pro cam (non-cinema) does seem almost over.

The era of the $30k to $50k pro camera, other than digital Cinema cameras, is almost over and the new sweet spot seems to be $10 to $15k. Makes sense but it is pretty amazing to see these cameras actually hitting the market. Now if the networks will just loosen up from requiring everything to be shot on 2/3" cameras, we would be somewhere.
I appreciate you're talking from an American perspective, but the latest guidelines from European broadcasters now specify 1/2" as the minimum for unqualified use. So from a chip etc point of view, the PMW320 is fine - but why couldn't it record to the 50Mbs codec?

What this means is that a basic $10-15k camera, fully meeting minimum spec (in Europe) is perfectly feasible - it's just that no manufacturer is currently making it. (No doubt to the delight of Convergent Design.) That's not to say it will completely displace the more expensive (and 2/3") cameras, but that's more to do with lens options. A real extreme wide angle HD lens of good quality is likely to cost a lot more than $10k by itself.

They are not including the 50MBPs codec because of Sony's famous, soon-to-be completely outdated and irrelevant marketing segmentation ploy. Sony always wants to have a million cameras and formats on the market at any given time, I guess they call it "hedging their bets", although it is encouraging that the XDCAM EX format and SxS didn't yet go the way of the Dodo like some predicted it would after the EX1 and EX3 were introduced.

It will be interesting to see how broadcasters and networks respond to this new market segmentation. What about the new Panasonic 4/3 camera? That obviously will fulfill broadcasters requirements for imager size but what about the AVCHD codec? I think it will be very interesting to see what broadcasters will require in the next year or so, the market is evolving at a breakneck speed.

Dan

It will be interesting to see how broadcasters and networks respond to this new market segmentation. What about the new Panasonic 4/3 camera? That obviously will fulfill broadcasters requirements for imager size but what about the AVCHD codec?
The (European) spec doesn't simply say "everything 1/2" and above OK, everything below not", they also have to meet other criteria such as 1920x1080 photosites for 3 chip designs. It all gets a lot more difficult for single chip cameras. (I'm glad I don't have the job of deciding what is acceptable and what's not!) How well this newly announced Panasonic 4/3 front end will be seen can only await actual testing - we'll see.

Similarly, the full spec currently specifies the recording codec should be full 1920x1080 raster, 4:2:2, and 50Mbs minimum for inter-frame. So no - AVC-HD will not be acceptable. Exactly the same as with the EX 35Mbs codec - if you want to use an EX or this new Panasonic 4/3 camera and fully meet broadcast spec, you'll need an external recorder.

One can only wish that Sony would put their 50Mbs XDCAM codec in their cameras, and Panasonic put AVC-Intra 100 in theirs. The bitrate of the latter may be too much for SD cards, but why not use Compact Flash? The nanoFlash proves CF in even a fairly cheap form has absolutely no problem with a 100Mbs bitrate.

Clients are confused enough... this will make spec'ing jobs all but impossible. Thanks for nothing Sony.

Just a correction about the sensor. It is the EX3 sensor.

There was a little bit of confusion as some of the spec sheets give the impression that the 320 is more sensitive, but that is due to the faster lens, not a sensor upgrade.

If it is the EX3 sensor, that makes it a bit tougher sell for Sony.

The EX3's price is at $8,300 so the 320 basically being the same camera means from a consumer's mind its price should not be far away from the EX3. Especially with the same sensor in the $6,000 EX-1.

Also, Panasonic is jumping up and down how the new HPX-370 outperforms the other guy's 1/2" chip model. New sensors with a bit of a boost would have silenced that standoff.

It would seem there would be no improvement in the skew behavior given the same sensors, but that is still possible. Overall, it looks like price is going to be quite important for this camera.

I never thought I'd see Sony do a 2/3" HD camera with interchangeable lenses under $60,000! This is terrific news. Hot dog, indeed! And that includes the PMW-350.

Heath

At this point bringing 50 mBit down into the prosumer mainstream would gut Sony's pro line sales. They are already pushing the envelope as is evidenced by the comments on this forum.

I am wondering if this time period will mark the true beginning of the commoditization of pro video gear. It is conceivable now that what we consider all the qualities of "broadcast quality" video will be available for $15,000 within a year or so. That being: 10 bit, 4:2:2, +50 mBit, full HD raster imager, 2/3" imager. All possible at the present rate of feature creep. +120 frames overcrank and ramping slowmo are things that are probably off in the distance.

Just musing.

When you get into the shoulder mount class, the costs start adding up quickly, batteries, chargers, viewfinders, lenses, nanoflash, and you give up a few things as well, like image stabilization. Just my opinion but I don't see the point, if not to go the full step to 2/3 inch. You could buy an EX3 and EX1R for about the price of adding an image stabilizer alone to a shoulder cam, which is probably only available to 2/3 inch models anyway.

For me, I would pass on the HPX370 and the PMW-320. To be fair, neither was around when I bought the PMW-350, but it was all about the 2/3 inch format for me. The kit lens on the PMW-350 is pretty useless when zoomed from the shoulder to more than 50%, needs a sturdy tripod.

ramping slowmo are things that are probably off in the distance.


Ramping has been around for ages, in the original Varicam and now in the current ones. And before that, of course, in film cameras like Arriflex and Aaton.
Steve

You're right..just checked it out at NAB...The 320 is listed at $14,800. It is the PMW-350 with half inch chips instead of the 350's 2/3 inch chips at over $18K. These cameras are aimed primarily at news operations which want the heavy shoulder mounted camera that you can literally throw around. They both have slots for SxS cards AND SDHC cards. However, it is more than twice the price of an EX1...so that means your EX1 is still the best bang for the buck by far.

Hi all, this is my first post.

I'm excited about this as well, especially the XDCA-55 & XDCU-50 option. Brochure stated that you can control this camera from 100m distance, which is the max length. But as they using multicore 26-pin cable for power, two pair of BNC cables for the signal and return video, a booster will help you solve to extend the range and I guess the multicore cable could extend way more. But, when Sony option to put in the multicore cable here instead of triax, it would be expensive to spend on the longer cable unless you go for a used one. Spending so much just to power up for camcorder?... huhu...

Comparing head-to-head with HXC-100 triax system, I just hope the new PMW-350 + CCU setup will not cost as much. If it's much cheaper, the PMW-350 setup have a recording advantage over the HXC-100 but with less operation distance. Imagine if Sony can do this setup with triax... yeahh.. they can do it, they just don't want to.

Link to the brochure is here :
https://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/files/micro/xdcamex/brochures/xdca_cu_v2461.pdf

I have 2 EX1R's and the 320K with lens is not over twice the price of the EX1R. I got my EX1R's on bhphoto for 6300 in 2010. The PMW-320K is listed on bhphoto and everywhere else for 11900 with lens. On the other hand for a mere 7000 dollars more you could go with the PMW-350 for 18900 with lens with the only difference being the 2/3 sensors. To me its all about having one good shoulder mount camera with all the proffesional controls on the outside of the camera and can't afford to pay 19000 on one camera. So its 5600 more than the the Sony EX1R with only similarity being the 1/2 inch sensors or 7000 more with only difference being the sensors. The min illumination rating for EX1R is listed at .14. For the 320K it is listed as .05 lux so that would seem to be a tremendous advantage in low lighting situations. The 350K beats them both with .006 lux but to expensive of a camera for me. I would say the 320k lux rating is closer to the 350 than the EX1R is to the 320K. I already got a great deal of money tied up in sound devices 788T and 6 schoeps microphones along with wireless to consider the PMW-350. After all I've got to match up b camera footage from my two EX1R's to the 320K.

For a special event and wedding free lancer like myself the 320k camera is all the camera I will need to impress clients and future clients just by the outward looks of it as it compares to the EX1R cameras. Even if it films the same exact way as the EX1R, I want the controls and impressivness of one good shoulder mount camera and the 320k fits the bill without having to fork out 7000 dollars more for the 350.. I also need at least one camera to time code sync to my 788T as the EX1Rs have no way of doing this by themselves.

deleted..... question in wrong section.... sorry