Sony has announced the NEX-VG10, an interchangeable lens handycam using E-Mount lenses. 24Mbps AVCHD.

PC Magazine article:

Sony Unleashes First Compact Interchangeable-Lens Camcorder | News & Opinion | PCMag.com (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366436,00.asp)

Imagine Resource article:

Sony NEX-VG10 Digital Camera - Preview - The Imaging Resource! (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/NEXVG10/NEXVG10A.HTM)

Sony Australia Youtube Video:

YouTube - Sony unveils hybrid Handycam camcorder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxJiJH1YsrQ)

$1,999 with an 18-200mm lens. Availability targeted at September.

Sweet!
just saw this on engaget

And thus begins the race. From a quick glance at the specs there seem to be some things missing, but it's $2000 with a lens so can't complain too much.

Holy.....

The real war has just started.....

complaint 1:


"as well as the MPEG-4 video format, but boosts the bitrate of the 1,920 x 1,080 pixel 60 / 50i AVCHD video mode to 24Mbps, up from 17Mbps in the NEX-5. (The NEX-3 lacked the ability to record videos at this resolution, or in AVCHD format.) Note that like the SLD cameras, the 60 / 50i video is created from 30 / 25p sensor output."

1080i60 is just bad ... I hope Sony would include their 'Super Slow-Mo" feature for 720P... :D

60i? Why? 24p and 30p would be better.

It would take a crossbar to prise 1080i60 out of Sony's clenched fists. Nevertheless, an APS-C sensor with full freakin' manual (finally!!!) and camcorder form factor, for under $2000, is a nice step forward.

60i? Why? 24p and 30p would be better.


and not even REAL 60i but doubled up 30p

weird.

Panasonic and Canon have been happy to sprinkle progressive goodness into their sub $2000 cams for years now. Yet Sony has dug its heels in and simply refused to go there.

Just like Sony... 1 big step forward, 12 smaller steps back.

60i.... I blame Japanese television! :-) As much as I love it, it's been obvious that they love the reality look of 60i. And since Sony's big in the broadcasting realm, it makes sense for that to just trickle down to consumers.

I may pick up this camcorder to experiment with, but 24p would have been a definite buy from me. Sony, are you listening?!?!

Here is spec list as provided at Sony Style. EnGadget said it had 24p.

I don't see 24p, any body else see it ? This is probably same as what they did with the FX 1000, with a $2k price tag, and then later releasing the VU with 24p... for $3,500....They will call it pro and put XLR inputs on it.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Model number: NEX-VG10$1999.99
As low as $70.00/month**
PRE-ORDER
Add to Wishlist
Accepting Pre-orders


Features
Continuous Shooting Speed : 7fps
Drive Mode : Photo Mode: Single-shot, Continuous, Self Timer
Self-timer : 2-sec. or 10-sec. delay
Shutter Speeds : Auto: 1/30 - 1/4000 (Movie) , 30 seconds - 1/4000 (Still); Manual: 1/4 - 1/4000 (Movie) , 30 seconds - 1/4000 (Still)
Shutter Type : Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
Weight (Approx.) : Approx. 1 lb 5 oz (620g) (body only, excluding battery) Approx. 2 lb 12 oz (1.3kg) (w/battery,18-200 lens, & media)
Dimensions (Approx.) : Appx 3-7/8 × 5-1/4 × 11-1/2" (97x132x294mm) (W/H/D) with supplied lens
Minimum Illumination : 11 lux (Shutter speed: 1/30 sec, Iris: F3.5, Gain: Auto)
Color Temperature : 2500 - 9900k with 19-step Magenta / Green compensation
Creative Style : Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W
D-Range Optimizer : Yes: (Auto, Level 1-5, off)
Exposure Compensation : ±2EV (in 1/3 EV steps)
Exposure Settings : Program Auto (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter priority (S), Manual (M)
ISO : Still Mode Only: Auto, 200 to 12800
Metering : Still Mode Only: 49 Segment metering from CMOS image sensor
Metering Modes : Still Mode Only: Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Metering Sensitivity : Still Mode Only: 0EV-20EV, (at ISO 100 equivalent w/ f/2.8 lens)
Noise Reduction : Long exp.NR: (On/Off, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 second) High ISO NR: Auto
White Balance Mode : Auto,Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, C.Temp./Filter, Custom
AF Modes : Single-shot AF7, Continuous AF7, Direct Manual Focus7, Manual Focus
Focus Area : Multi Point AF (25 points), Center Weighted AF, Flexible Spot AF7
Focus Features : Predictive Focus Control, Focus Lock
Focus Points : 25 points7
Focus Sensitivity : 0 EV to 20 EV (at ISO100 conversion with F2.8 lens)
Focus System : Contrast AF7
Diopter Adjustment : Yes
Field of View : 100%
Type : Swivel EVF 0.43" Xtra Fine w/ 1152K dots and Backlight Brightness Control
Battery Type : Accepts Type V Battery; Supplied: InfoLITHIUM® NP-FV70
Operating Temperature : 32 - 104 degrees F (0 - 40 degrees C)
Image Stabilization : Optical Steadyshot™ image stabilization with Active Mode3
Advanced User Interface : Easy-to-understand Graphic Display
Anti Motion Blur : Yes (Photo Mode Only), 6-image layering
Auto High Dynamic Range : Yes (Photo Mode), (Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step), off)
Camera Type : Sony E-mount interchangeable lens Handycam® camcorder
Lens Compatibility : Sony E-mount lens, (A-mount lenses when used with LA-EA1 lens adaptor)
Lens Mount : E-mount
Limited Warranty Term : 1 Year Parts & 90 days labor
Processor : BIONZ™ image processor
Anti-Dust : Charge protection coating on Low-Pass Filter and electromagnetic vibration mechanism
Color Filter System : RGB primary color filters
Effective Picture Resolution : Approx. 14.2 megapixels
Focal Length Conversion Factor : 1.5x
Imaging Sensor : Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor (23.4 X 15.6mm)
Pixel Gross : Approx. 14.6 megapixels
Manual / Auto Lens Cover : Lens Cap
Multiple Language Display : Yes
Media/Battery Indicator : Yes
Power Save Mode : Auto Shut-off
Still Image Playback Options : Slide Show, Playback Zoom
Flash Compensation : +/-2EV,1/3EV steps
Flash Modes : Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction
Flash Type : Auto-lock accessory shoe (alpha)
LCD Type : 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD™ 180o swivel display (921K dots) w/ TruBlack™ technology1
Angle Adjustment : Opening: 90o, Turning: 180o
Brightness Control : Backlight Bright Control: Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2)
Coverage : 100%
Grid Display : Yes (On/off)
Live View : Yes, (Constant AF Live View)
Real-time image adjustment display : Exposure Compensation, WB, Creative Style
Audio Format : Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Color Space : sRGB, AdobeRGB
Media Type : Memory Stick PRO Duo™/Pro-HG Duo™/PRO-HG HX Duo™ media SD, SDHC and SDXC memory card (both sold separately)
Still Image Max Effective Resolution : 14.2 megapixel
Still Image Mode : JPEG (Standard, Fine)
Still Image Size 16:9 : L (12M): 4592 X 2576 M (6.3M): 3344 X 1872 S (2.9M): 2288 X 1280
Still Image Size 3:2 : L (14M): 4592 X 3056 M (7.4M): 3344 X 2224 S (3.5M): 2288 X 1520
Video Format : AVCHD (MPEG-4 AVC (H.264))
Video Mode : AVCHD: 1920 x 1080/ 60i (FX/FH); FX- 24Mbps, FH - 17Mbps; 1440x1080/60i HQ -9 Mbps
Lens Type : E-mount 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS
Aperture : Circular
Filter Diameter : 67mm (included SEL18200 lens)
Angle of View : 76o (included SEL18200 lens
Aperture (Max.) : F3.5 (wide end) - F6.3 (tele end) (included SEL18200 lens
Aperture (Min.) : F22 (wide end) - F40 (tele end) (included SEL18200 lens
Aperture Blade : 7 blades (Circular aperture?
Aspheric Elements : 4 (5 surface)
Dimensions (Max. Diameter x Length) : 3in x 4 in
Direct Manual Focus : Yes
Distance Encoder : Yes
Focal Length (35mm equivalent) : Photo: 27mm-300mm; Video: 32.4mm-360mm (35mm equivalent) (included SEL18200 lens)
Lens Groups-Elements : 12 groups, 17 elements (5 aspheric surfaces, 1 ED-glass element) (included SEL18200 lens)
Lens Mount Type : Sony E-mount
Lens Stabilization : Optical Steadyshot™ image stabilization with Active Mode3 (included SEL18200 lens)
Lens Weight : 18.5 oz (included SEL18200 lens)
Maximum Magnification : 0.35x (APS-C)
Minimum Focus Distance : 1ft (wide end) - 1.6ft (tele end)
Supplied Software : PMB (Picture Motion Browser) v5.2
Operating System Compatibility : Windows XP SP2 (32bit), Vista SP2 (32/64 bit), Windows 7 (32/64 bit)
Accessory Shoe : Dual (Alpha shoe and Cold Shoe)
HD Output : HDMI (Type C mini)
Headphone Jack : Yes (Stereo mini 3.5mm)
Memory Card Slot : Single slot accepts: - Memory Stick PRO Duo™/Pro-HG Duo™/PRO-HG HX Duo™ media - SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory card
Microphone Input : Yes (Stereo mini 3.5mm)
USB Port(s) : USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage)
VIEW DETAILS

This just means that the other guys are definitely gonna bring it, and hard. Maybe we'll see an AF100 price adjustment too.

Model number: NEX-VG10$1999.99
As low as $70.00/month**
PRE-ORDER
Add to Wishlist
Accepting Pre-orders


Features
ISO : Still Mode Only: Auto, 200 to 12800

So we only get ISO in Still mode and we have to go back to using arbitrary gain numbers to change sensitivity in video mode? No thanks.

This is not the Sony camera shown at NAB, so more to come I expect.

add 24p and they sell 2x, 3x, 4x more? I'm guessing the 'pro' version will have 24p and xlr's as has been Sony's M.O. for as long as I can remember.

I do have misgivings about the handycam style body. Those types of cameras are really no better suited for serious video work than are the DSLR's and need lots of extras to function like a 'real' camera. At this price point I think a lot of people are still better off opting for a DSLR due to the fact they offer 24p or 30p and higher bit rates and really are no more clunky to use. The only advantages of this particular Sony offering I can see is that I'm assuming the on board audio handling should be superior to the DSLR's and it has a swivel screen, but then again doesn't the gh-1?

We're in the early days of a new era and nothing feels quite right yet. Hopefully in another year things will improve and mature a bit. This seems like an intermediate evolutionary step and I can't help but wonder who gets it right first. That being said, I still can't wait to see some professionally shot footage come out of this thing.

These comments are really amusing.

It's the first purpose built big sensor, consumer grade videocam to hit the market and it's whine, moan, and complain that it's not pro. If it had everything you folks wanted it to be, Sony would have just vaporized the sales of their own HXR-NX5U ($4K USD) and HDR-AX2000 ($3.5K USD), which have been out for how many months?

Now for my own complaint(s). I see no North American release date. And I would really like to see demo footage.

What a lot of us are expecting is for Sony to offer progressive modes like Canon and Panasonic. That's not asking for too much. That's being realistic based on the year we're in.

This baby has just started a new war. Previously other brands cant take the lead for they were probably OEMs for each other. Now that Sony has taken this step, all the major players will jump in.

Its interesting to see that they will pose a threat for their higher end products with this large sensor.

What a lot of us are expecting is for Sony to offer progressive modes like Canon and Panasonic. That's not asking for too much. That's being realistic based on the year we're in.


I understand the disappointment that Sony doesn't offer 24p, but given Sony doesn't offer it in any other consumer grade camcorder, I don't understand the surprise. And that they would offer XLR connections in a consumer grade camcorder? At this price point? Absolutely no chance. I would have to see it to believe it.

Alot of people here have been wanting pro features. My guess is that they are going to get rid of the Z7 line, and replace the original sensor block with this guy. It makes the most sense if they were going to but that style sensor in that size camera.

But remember, like one of you said (sorry, didn't quote directly) this would KILL their >$4000 Pro Market. Sony knows this, and so they're going to "Dumb-Down" the camera and release a more expensive "Pro" model later.

My 2 cents at least

sony said at Nab earlier this year they would release a 35mm camcorder by next years Nab.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/digital-video-industry-news/476636-sony-prototype-cinema-camera-shown-nab.html

i imagine this will be what we are expecting.
I've just ordered a nex-5 and will hopefully get this in october when it arrives so I can change lenses between them.

I think it's perfect for what I need, but look forward to a big brother next year. just hope it's around the current Z7 prices.

I can't help but think - Is this our future? It looks like a toy. If this is what the "pro" model might look like I am having a tough time seeing showing up for a job and using this as a main camera.

Let's hope the next version looks a bit more up to the task.

The issue that I have is this "These comments are really amusing"
Theirs really nothing amusing about people requesting progressive modes.

It's like in the past when I would say that certain camcorders should have a traditional focusing ring and their would sometimes be people saying that I'm asking for a professional camcorder.

It's simply a matter of unrealistic expectations. This is a *consumer* product.

Knowing the history of the Sony lines, there's no reason not to assume that
there could be a pro-oriented variant following shortly after this one. Think
VX2000 vs. PD150, FX1 vs. Z1, AX2000 vs. NX5, etc.

A lot of people here have been wanting pro features.


No kidding...And you think I'm not one of them?


My guess is that they are going to get rid of the Z7 line, and replace the original sensor block with this guy.


That Z7 / NX5U lens will have to really grow to still provide a 20x zoom range and the camera will become far more front heavy because of that. I would expect over time the Z7 / NX5U (1/3" sensor) class to slowly fade and the EX1 (1/2" sensor) class to slowly drift down and take its place. The price points aren't horribly far apart and if you replace SxS with SDHC / SDXC half the difference disappears IMO.

A couple advantages of a smaller sensor are:
1. Easier to provide a lens with a super big zoom range.
2. That small sensor lens is a lot lighter than its big sensor equivalent - assuming that big sensor equivalent lens even exists and is practicle to make.

I think there is plenty of room for ( big / small ) sensor coexistence. The difference will be those wanting to shoot run-n-gun style versus a more cinematic everything-is-more-preplanned-and-predictable style.

We can be so focused on our pro features that we forget what's driving these cameras from the manufacturer's point of view: Providing a competitive camera with competitive features that leverages off the economies of scale component pricing provided by their DSLR / EVIL cameras.

$2000 seems a little steep for a consumer camera. And since there's no 24p or LANC control, that's all this thing is.

Yes, interchangable lenses are nice. But there are only two NEX lenses available, and they're consumer grade. You can't use the lenese from a Sony DSLR.

Now for my own complaint(s). I see no North American release date. And I would really like to see demo footage.

On or about 9/10/2010 according to the Pre-Order page at sonystyle.com

$2000 seems a little steep for a consumer camera. And since there's no 24p or LANC control, that's all this thing is.

Yes, interchangable lenses are nice. But there are only two NEX lenses available, and they're consumer grade. You can't use the lenese from a Sony DSLR.

I have to disagree a little here. The bundled lens is valued at $600, so that makes the body around $1,400. Sony's current high end consumer grade camcorder HDR-XR550V is selling for $1,400 so I don't see this being out of line at all.

Here's a hands on video in a language I don't speak: (footage at 3:53)

Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 EXCLUSIVE: the first testvideo on Vimeo

Hi All

see here:

Sony unveils NEX-VG10 E-mount HD camcorder: Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com/news/1007/10071401sonynexvg10e.asp)

Interesting small form factor hybrid design, not really a pro machine (no XLR inputs etc.) but watch this space, methinks!

Adam

It maybe better then the nx5u. Sony seems to put more effort in their porconsumer products. Suggested retail for this camcorder is $2000.

In checking out the compatibility with my existing lens arsenal, I am disappointed that mounting my Nikon glass will not be near as easy or clean as with my Canon 5d or my T2i. Nor am I sure if this is the time to load up on Minolta glass to use on these cameras. Anybody have an idea if the old minolta mounts will work with this camera with their $200 adapter ?

Where is the Zoom Toggle/Rocker?

Or... is manual zoom full time?

where is the zoom rocker?

Don't know how many times I looked at it and didn't notice that. Ummm... I don't see one.

There's a pretty smooth zoom in the video, but he could be doing that manually. I kinda figured the new 'E' mount would allow you to control all lens functions through the cam, but maybe it doesn't do zoom?? Not sure.

Cool video even if you do not speak the language.

I find it interesting that different folks zero in on different features and lacks of features. For some posters, the important lack is certain progressive modes. What caught my eye, as an event videographer, and which would be a deal killer for me is this spec (from the post on page 1):

"Minimum Illumination : 11 lux (Shutter speed: 1/30 sec, Iris: F3.5, Gain: Auto)."

That leads me to wonder if, maybe, this limitation only reflects a necessary trade-off between the camera size, lens functions and sensor size or, perhaps, the camera market is being divided up into ever greater numbers of niches and sub-markets? Maybe both?

So, who is this camera designed for other than the guy who made the video?

11 lux?? Surely that can't be right.

Yes, that LUX rating bothered me too. Seems like my VX2000 was a one or 2, and then FX1 was around 5 or so (all from memory guestimation) and it seemed strange that minimum on this camera would be 11 with a bigger sensor. I am used to my Canon 5d shooting in the dark... so this is another big issue.


Correction: VX2000 was 2 lux, FX1 3 lux. Quite a difference if that 11 lux is a true spec....

well to be fair, lux ratings are mostly fudged anyway so maybe they can't drop the shutter speed enough to make this lux rating better?

**EDIT**
if I'm misunderstanding how they measure lux ratings someone tell me. I was always under the impression they can artificially lower that # by reducing shutter speed.

Apparently ready for Pre-Order...

Sony NEX-VG10 Interchangeable Lens Handycam NEX-VG10 - B&H Photo

... And since there's no 24p or LANC control, that's all this thing is.


I would bet dollars to donuts this thing does indeed have a LANC interface. Looking at the German presentation of the pre-production camera, I note the zoom in on the barracuda at 4:40. This tells me Sony has an underwater housing ready to go and I bet it connects to the camera the exact same way as the HDR-CX550, etc. do. All of which also have an imbedded LANC interface.

I've read all the comments so far and watched some of the videos.....

Will I now dump my EX3 and 7D - no way (not yet!). Is this a step forward, yes! Will I buy this product - probably not. Maybe a 'Pro' version might tempt me (and I'm sure it's coming). However, it'll have to be really good to prize those cams out of my bag. Exciting times ahead - for sure! It'll certainly keep Canon and Panasonic (and no doubt a few others) on their toes over the next few months.

very limited selection of frame rates and it appears as though there are no progressive modes. Crop size dslr sensor. It would be cool to slap a nice fast prime on there but then again, no 1080 24p/30p?? Dear Sony, I'd like to know why I should but this camcorder instead of the 7D.

Whoops. this post was moved from the discussion in the NX5 forum and doesn't have the posting I responded to. Edited to clarify.

Steve Kass commented (in a now moved NX5 forum posting) "It may be better then the nx5u."

One hopes, but it looks to me as though the question is still going to be "better for whom and for what?" The NEX-VG10 is certainly different from the NX5 --- with a single large sensor and interchangeable lenses and what seems to be very shallow DOF capabilities --- it strikes me that it might be "better" for some folks and not so great for others.

For example, the specs show the minimum illumination being only 11 lux (at f3.5 and 1/30th sec with auto gain) with the lens that comes with it. The NX5 is rated for 1.5 lux (f1.6 at 1/30 sec with auto gain). Even a CX550v will go down to 3 lux and do a pretty decent job of it.

These differences matter a lot to me as an event and wedding videographer who needs the low light capabilities of the NX5. But that degree of low light capability may be utterly unimportant to somebody else for whom this camera and its lens capabilities might be exactly what they need.

It is definitely interesting, and certainly blurs categories even more than the current DSLRs do.

To me, this announcement suggests what we might eventually see if Sony were to make an NX7 as a sibling for the NX5 the way it made the Z7 as the sibling to the Z5. Or, maybe, what we will see instead of an NX7.

I'd expect a LANC in the A/V jack, wherever that may be (got to look at this cam in detail later, but looks very interesting). The new "E" lens mount and lenses look to be fairly professional in design, just a "miniaturized" lens optimized for video use in the NEX series.

There are already a number of adpaters hitting the market for the "E" mount - the NEX3/NEX5 is apparently selling very very well... and while you lose auto focus, I'd expect to be able to use a lot of different lenses on this before long.

This definitley looks a lot better than the early mockup, and depending on the spec is an interesting hybrid between a video camera and a still camera - I'm fascinated by the inclusion of the proprietary Alpha hot shoe! I'd have expected the Sony AiShoe, but not that one, uless they are seeing this as a crossover for the videographer that wants to shoot stills.

This is an interesting animal, but I'm guessing we may need some time to figure out what it is and does! I was planning on whatever Sony Alpha DSLR-V showed up, now I'm thinking this beast might be a better choice...

It's simply a matter of unrealistic expectations. This is a *consumer* product.

Knowing the history of the Sony lines, there's no reason not to assume that
there could be a pro-oriented variant following shortly after this one. Think
VX2000 vs. PD150, FX1 vs. Z1, AX2000 vs. NX5, etc.

I figure that they may eventually release a pro model as well but the lower model shouldn't have to be that less featured all the time especially if Canon or Panasonic decides to release their own consumer versions with the extra recording modes that people want. It still seams much better to handle than the new Panasonic AF100.

This tells me Sony has an underwater housing ready to go and I bet it connects to the camera the exact same way as the HDR-CX550, etc. do. All of which also have an imbedded LANC interface.

Those shots of the fish do not prove that they have an underwater housing ready... It proves he was in a zoo with a fish tank. Also, the lanc interface may work, but in that menu, the menu system was so wildly different, I honestly doubt that i would work without MAJOR re-engineering. My guess is it's an expanded version of their DSLR remotes if at all.

In going back over the posts, it is obvious that some were offended by me. For that I wish to apologise. That was certainly not my intent. I am simply mostly confused by others expectations. And with that, I think it is time for me to be quiet for a while.

Sincerely,
Bill Koehler

This tells me Sony has an underwater housing ready to go ......
Whether they do or they don't, this will make a superb camera for underwater use. For that, it's of most use with a wide angle, fairly short zoom range, fast lens which should be reasonably small in itself. Hopefully it will have good sensitivity and coupled with the size of the camera, it should make for an excellent package.

For anyone who hasn't thought about it, if you want a camera and housing to be fairly neutrally bouyant in water, the weight on land must be directly proportional to the package volume. Hence a lightweight, but large camera in housing is useless - you'd have to weight it to get the bouyancy right.

For this use in particular, a camera which will do good quality video AND stills is also desirable.

I was thinking of getting a 550D mainly for underwater use - this is making me think again.

I'd expect the zoom would be via the lens ring, ala any other SLR type camera, based on the lineage of the NEX being an offshoot from the Alpha (and in fact are still under the Alpha flag). So a LANC with zoom might well be superfluous... these E lenses are effectively "new" designs evolved from SLR type form and function, but with optimizations for video use...

Think platypus here, this new "toy" isn't quite an SLR or a video camera per se, but a new animal that will be a bit "different" and perhaps confusing until one plays with it a bit - right now I'm chewing on the implications myself of a 14.6Mpixel still camera that uses some Alpha components/accessories, but shoots 24Mbps video TOO, and presumably will use some Sony components/accessories from the video side of the family. The one question I have is which side (if either) will be compromised - every test I've run with a still cam that shoots video, video is "OK", but shows artifacts, and for video cams that shoot stills, the stills are soft... One camera that does it all (or perhaps a "camera system", of bodies and lenses?) would be nice, resulting in less equipment to drag around.

I'd hope the lux rating is a misprint, as it would represent a horrible step backward for this to have far worse low light capability than say the CX550V, which handles low light like a champ (EXMOR R). Would kill any interest for me very quickly if that's a "real" number.

I wouldn't worry about the 60i that much, I know "30p and 24p" are the mantra, but not everyone cares for the stutter that comes with slower frame rates - I'd rather see 60p or overcranking... but anyway...