Coming around the New Year Sony will release a firmware update to the NEX FS100.

I will have details soon of what exactly what will be updated but i do know the following.

The camera will work on both 50 and 60hz systems, will have shutter angle settings, will

have additional aspect ratio overlays for 2.35, 1.85, 1.66:1, and will have expanded focus settings for 4X and 8X.

User picture profile settings will be recordable to memory cards.

STAY TUNED!

Mark Forman
Mark Forman Productions, Corp.
"Mark Forman Productions HDTV Digital cinematography, Digital Cinema, Forman Electric Camera Bikes,screening room, camera bicycles,Helicopter cinematography"> index.html (http://www.screeningroom.com)

Whoa, seriously? That's quite a lot. Where did you hear this?

From Sony directly with clearance to publish.
as I said before details to follow.
Mark

If they add shutter angles, they might also add ISO rating instead of gain setting which would be really nice.

Sony seams to be committed to this system which I am glad to see. Thanks Mark for posting this, I have put an awful lot into this camera and more than a little happy to see it grow. Dollar for dollar, the FS100 is a good deal. You have to spend way more money to get a significantly higher performance camera IMO.

So Mark, did they say anything about updating firmware on the Nex VG 20 so that we have specs advertized for that camera ? (Like sharpening, saturation and contrast adjustments )

Here's the details.


Scheduled for early 2012. No cost. You will download package from FS100 webpage, connect PC to camera via USB and run user installable update.

Additional Camera Features (subject to change)

1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920x1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280x720 50p.
2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and Continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real time to image file.

http://www.vortexmedia.com/DVD_FS100.html

doug and mark-

that is really excellent news!

thank you for keeping us informed.

be well

rob
smalltalk productions

Looking forward to testing the firmware.
Mark

Doug and Mark,

Thanks a bunch for the info!! Sony is making a pretty nice
camera even better...nice!

I recently attended a seminar showcasing the Panny AF100. They made a list of the features the AF had over the FS100. It looks like that list will get a lot shorter come 2012. Of course, we'll never get the HD/SDI out and ND filter wheel.

Here's the details.


Scheduled for early 2012. No cost. You will download package from FS100 webpage, connect PC to camera via USB and run user installable update.

Additional Camera Features (subject to change)

1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920x1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280x720 50p.
...


Doug, I don't know if you have access to speak to a Sony rep about this (and since it is subject to change, they might consider implementing it), but is there any chance that more frame rates will be added with this release? It's mostly for slow motion work so if it's only implemented via the S&Q function, that's ok for me. I would really like to get 36 and 48 fps for music video work, to be able to do 1,5 and 2X slower speed. 2.5X is sometime too much.

Do you know if the 50p will be accessible in SQ too? Like shooting in 50p in a 24 or 30p stream? Since it's close to 48 fps, it might do the trick.

Here's the details.


Scheduled for early 2012. No cost. You will download package from FS100 webpage, connect PC to camera via USB and run user installable update.

Additional Camera Features (subject to change)

1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920x1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280x720 50p.
2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and Continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real time to image file.

Mastering the Sony NEX-FS100 training DVD (http://www.vortexmedia.com/DVD_FS100.html)

Dammit. Now I really, REALLY want this camera!

Saving, saving, saving, buying lattes, crap, saving, saving...

Sweet!

Scott Caplan

Here's the details.


Scheduled for early 2012. No cost. You will download package from FS100 webpage, connect PC to camera via USB and run user installable update.

Additional Camera Features (subject to change)

1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920x1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280x720 50p.
2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and Continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real time to image file.

Mastering the Sony NEX-FS100 training DVD (http://www.vortexmedia.com/DVD_FS100.html)

This is a copy of the Official Announcement regarding both the FS100 and the HXR-NX70U from Sony USA

AS always things are subject to change upon the final release

NEX-FS100U, NEX-FS100UK and HXR-NX70U Firmware Upgrade Programs.


Timing
Firmware upgrade programs of NEX-FS100U, NEX-FS100UK & HXR-NX70U are scheduled for early 2012.

Update Cost & Procedure
No cost: download package from FS100 webpage, connect PC to camera via USB and run user installable update. Optionally, the upgrade may be professionally installed by Sony Professional Service Depots (labor charges apply).

Additional Camera Features*

[For NEX-FS100U, NEX-FS100UK]
Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920x1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280x720 50p.
Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and Continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real time to image file. 

[For HXR-NX70U]
Improvement of zoom rocker operation (Selectable zoom speed).
Dual Recording Mode enables simultaneous HD recording to its 96GB internal memory and memory card.
Added 1920x1080 30p and 1280x720 60p recording modes.
The EXPANDED FOCUS and HISTOGRAM buttons are now assignable keys.
Added Last Scene Review feature.
The Display ON/OFF button now also controls display of the Face Detection Box onto video output.
Display ON/OFF optionally overlays Zebra and/or Histogram display onto video output.

*Supported features and specifications may change before the actual update program release.

Mark Forman
Mark Forman Productions, Corp.
Sony I.C.E. Member

Mark & Doug,

Thank you for the exciting news! This firmware announcement makes my purchase of the FS100 much sweeter!

That is one sweet freebie. :)

Scott

Here's the details.


Scheduled for early 2012. No cost. You will download package from FS100 webpage, connect PC to camera via USB and run user installable update.

Additional Camera Features (subject to change)

1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920x1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280x720 50p.
2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and Continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real time to image file.

Mastering the Sony NEX-FS100 training DVD (http://www.vortexmedia.com/DVD_FS100.html)

I don't think I've ever seen a firmware update offer so much... like seriously, that's epic!
Cheers Sony.

I owe the sony f3 but I can say that the fs100 is currently the best price performance camera outthere...
and would be a great to have a fs100 as b camera to the f3...even for just shooting slow motion shots in full hd...it is still worth it...

does this firmware mean it will become a PAL or NTSC selectable? if I buy a PAL version it will work as a NTSC as well...I live in europe but shoot quite a lot NTSC especially the 60p is vital to me...so will this firmware upgrade allow that?

thanks for the info..

Yes, this is what I understand. This will be a unique firmware for PAL and US version, which will include every frame rates.

This might be a stupid question but I'm assuming there will be PAL video outs as well, right?

can you tell Sony to add 120fps at 1280x720???

"Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card)."

I wonder if this means I can also NAME the PPs

(I don't want PP1, PP2, etc.......I want Outside Hi lite, Indoor hi contrast, etc)

can you tell Sony to add 120fps at 1280x720???

Second that motion!

Sony | Micro Site NXCAM & AVCHD (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-nxcamsite/resource.downloads.bbsccms-assets-micro-nxcam-downloads-nexfs100uandnexfs100ukfirmwareupgrade.shtml)
I hope that they put 120fps at 720p

Sony reps at F3 and FS100 demo in Bay Area last week in response to a question told the group the FS firmware update would most likely come late Febuary or early March. I certainly hope they were being ultra-conservative with that forecast.

So no 24/30/60 fps for European cameras?

So no 24/30/60 fps for European cameras?

Yes, there will be an upgrade for PAL models. You'll have to look on the Sony Europe site, if I remember correctly.

Sony reps at F3 and FS100 demo in Bay Area last week in response to a question told the group the FS firmware update would most likely come late Febuary or early March. I certainly hope they were being ultra-conservative with that forecast.
Sadly, it doesn't really work this way, in my experience with Sony (and particularly the salesgeeks that come to those schmoozers), what they meant by "late February or March" is maaaaybe by late March, but probably not until April. In reality, this means sometime around November 2012 but even then isn't guaranteed.

For my XDCam, I waited probably close to 12 months, and at the point when I'd given up all hope and started looking for alternatives, it just showed up one day. No call, no e-mail... it just appeared on an obscure link on their website. That version was rough, but the better version arrived quickly.

you don't ask nobody, the answere is on the web page right now: Sony | Micro Site NXCAM & AVCHD (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-nxcamsite/resource.downloads.bbsccms-assets-micro-nxcam-downloads-nexfs100uandnexfs100ukfirmwareupgrade.shtml)

And will be fantastic if they put 120fps at 720p, and HDR system, as you know this camera can record 60fps over 60p with audio, so you can make a system to choose the best exposure for dark areas first and then a second exposure for hightlights areas and melt it in an smart way as in the NEX-5 or nex-vg10, to obtain a 30p HDR with 2 diferent exposures... tada!!!

In my opinion there is absolutely no way they will put 720p 120fps and/or HDR on a low/mid range camera. It just isn't going to happen, but I'd love to be forced to eat my hat if it does!

yeah, maybe is a dream, but remember time ago we have to pay about US&300 only for a NTSC-PAL upgrade to our Sony cameras, now is for free and a lot more. And HDR is not that complex, MagicLantern do it for the Canon 60D; so dream is for free too...

Yes, there will be an upgrade for PAL models. You'll have to look on the Sony Europe site, if I remember correctly.

...and here are the details for the FS100E (PAL) firmware upgrade:

Sony : New FS100E & NX70E Firmware available in March 2012 : United Kingdom (http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/content/id/1237483875643/section/product/product/nxcamcorders?preserveContext=true)

Applicable to Asia-Pacific (PAL)?

So if I but the alpha to E mount adapter now Sony A-Mount Lens to NEX Camera Mount Adapter LA-EA2 B&H Photo I won't be able to use AF with those lenses.

Will 3rd party lense from Tamron Sigma etc. have the AF feature with this adapter ?

Also from it's size and the base it doesn't seem it will mount flush to the body of the FS100.

48p over 48p for double NTSC 24p, like Peter Jackson's setings for the Red Epic; and I insist in the HDR system

...and here are the details for the FS100E (PAL) firmware upgrade:

Sony : New FS100E & NX70E Firmware available in March 2012 : United Kingdom (http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/content/id/1237483875643/section/product/product/nxcamcorders?preserveContext=true)

Disappointing to note there is no real time lens correction like the NEX 5N, which works very well.

The one thing I don't see in the update list is the ability to use markers on an external monitor. I posted about this on another thread. The fact that I can't view any of the markers on any external monitor is a pain. I've been shooting with a shoulder rig and a Zacuto evf and z finder, and I really need the center marker to help keep my shots level.
Does anyone know if this is forthcomming?
Bruce Yarock