The question raised by the use of a new sensor with 1920x1080 pixels is... where is the camera with 3 of them? A full 1920 x 1080 resolution 3 chip camera, maybe EX1 replacement?

Or maybe a NX5 replacement.

Ron Evans

Or maybe a NX5 replacement.

Ron Evans

If it records to SxS cards using the XDCAM 4:2 :2 codec, then it will be in the XDCAM family of cameras.
If it records to AVCHD, then it will be in the NXCAM family.

I think some of you are missing the big selling point of this camera, which is the XDCAM 50mbps, 4:2:2 codec. This is a broadcast quality codec, in a small camcorder body. I would say it's revolutionary, but it's not - Panasonic and Canon have already accomplished this feat. Why Sony is so late to the game is the big mystery. Even their vaunted F3 uses a 35mbps, 4:2:0 internal codec.
I'm hoping Sony will quickly incorporate this better codec into their remaining XDCAM line. There's simply no reason not to. Imagine the EX1/3 line with this codec. It would extend the life of these cameras for years.

The competition is the XF105 so it will be interesting to see the price comparisons when it is available. Unfortunately there isn't a XF100 version though in the product line the NX30 will now compete with the Canon XA10. Though just a little more expensive. Will have to see what the street price is when it arrives.

Ron Evans

Put the very best codec in the world behind a sub standard sensor and you'll still get a sub standard image. To be fair to the PMW-100 we don't know how good that image is yet, but based on the specs I don't think it will meet broadcast specs. The minimum specs for BBC and Sky broadcast are 50 Mbps with a 1/2" sensor. The only exception to this rule at the moment is the XF305 and even though the sensors are only 1/3" at least they are full resolution. The XF105 is not approved for broadcast despite it's 50Mb/s codec.

I'd rather have a great sensor/lens with AVCHD than a poor sensor/lens with XDCAM 422.

Why can't we have a great sensor/lens AND a great XDCAM 4:2:2 codec? Must they be mutually exclusive?

The 3-1/3" CMOS HPX250 and HPX370 are also approved by the BBC - or so I've heard.
And we don't know the specs on the PMW-100's sensor, and no, a single 1/3" cam probably won't be approved by the BBC, regardless of the codec.

The point is, Sony CAN put a good codec into a small camcorder, something they haven't done yet. Why they chose to put it in this small camera and not the EX1/3 and F3 line is the big question. I'm guessing - hoping? - that they will soon, and this is the first of several new XDCAM, 50mbps, 4:2:2 cameras.

Allister, your pointing out that the specs state "effective picture elements" has really piqued my curiosity.

I had always assumed that the Exmor chips, even with the diagonal arrangement, still had at least 1920x1080 sensor sites, and used the diagonal thingie with the extra green sensor sites to do even better than a traditional 1920x1080 square array, such as what is used on the XF100 or the Panny AC160.

So, I have been looking closely at the specs of various Sony's. There seem to be two general categories -
1.] cams like the CX550V/MC50 and the NX70 and VG10/VG20 that have multi megapixel counts and take high-res still photos, but do some kind of down-sampling to produce the 1920x1080 video image. Uniformly on the web, and in my tests, these cams have much sharper video images than the NX5, and *seem* to look sharper than the XF100, but look identically sharp to the AC160 (which I have not tested)
2.] cams like the EX1 which use three 1/2" sensors and a splitter to direct color-specific light to the individual sensors. I must confess that the limited PWM-EX1 footage I have seen seems to have that smeary-look that I associate with the XF100 or the NX5. Perhaps I'm not looking at the right vids ...

From the official Sony specs for the EX1: "Effective picture elements 1920 (H) x 1080 (V)"

I then looked on Slashcam, and they list the pixel count for the EX1 as : " image sensor effective pixel count 16:9 2073600 Pixel ", which equals 1920 * 1080. On Slashcam, the NX5 does not have the same spec - that makes me suspicious, but in the "still" section of the review, it states: image sensor effective pixel count 16:9 1037000 Pixel" . I'm not sure where that number comes from! It seems close to 960 * 1080, which is 1036800.

For comparison, on the Panny site for the AC160, they say this: "Pick-up Device: 1/3 Type Progressive, 2.2Mil Pixels, 3MOS Number of Effective Pixels (HxV): 1920 x 1080"
That 2.2 Mil Pixels number appears for a lot of cameras. It is bigger than 1920 * 1080 . Not sure if there is an outer edge of pixels, or if they are just rounding?

I am confused on so many levels here. One of them has to do with the fact that a 3-chipper would not seem to need any special sensors to differentiate different colors - that was already done by the splitter.

Can you penetrate my confused haze and perhaps help me understand all of this? I'm trying to understand "De-Bayerd", what I'm finding on Wikipedia is not helping much ...

I did find this:
Sony Global - Technology - CMOS Sensor "Exmor" (http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/technology/technology/theme/cmos_01.html)

Thanks!

Steve

The single sensor small Sony's have this sort of sensor Sony Global - Technology - ClearVid CMOS Sensor (http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/technology/technology/theme/clearvitcmos_01.html#block3) and HowStuffWorks Videos "Sony ClearVid CMOS Sensor Technology for Handycam Camcorders" (http://videos.howstuffworks.com/sony-electronics-inc-/801-sony-clearvid-cmos-sensor-technology-for-handycam-camcorders-video.htm). Cannot find now any info on the NX5 but these from the Z7 I think are the same or at least they are the same in concept. Digital HD Video Camera Recorder - HVR-Z7U/HVR-S270U (http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/ext/hdv/z7u_s270u_m35u/HVR-Z7U/ft02.html). This at least shows the relationship between the sensors and the pixels which are interpolated from the sensor outputs for each of the 3 chips. The sensors are twice the area of the interpolated pixels. 960 sensor sites on each row and alternating in the vertical alignment on each of the 1080 rows. As you can see from the diagram the interpolator creates a pixel between 4 surrounding sensors and uses the center of the sensor as a pixel too. Resulting in 1920x1080 interpolated pixels. The goal being low light performance and noise reduction. For the single chip sensors this is not the case and with the "R" sensor has achieved both maybe. The video shows difference between Bayer and ClearVid array.

Now I have got used to setting up my NX5U I can make it look just as sharp as my CX700 or XR500 for instance. However in stock setup the NX5U does not look as good as the consumer cameras.

I am sure Alister has a better explanation and references.


Ron Evans

Any information on the price?

About 400,000 JPY

Now I have got used to setting up my NX5U I can make it look just as sharp as my CX700 or XR500 for instance. However in stock setup the NX5U does not look as good as the consumer cameras.

Ron Evans

Thanks, Ron. I had seen those Sony pages a while back but it was good to review them.

Aside from disabling Macro, what specific settings do you use on the NX5?

So ... if the EX1 uses the same Clear VId with diagonal pixels, why the difference in the SlashCam pixel count numbers? Wild speculation - perhaps Sony used the same sensor element size and orientation, but just put more of them on the 1/2 inch chips?

One thing I did noticed in my week of testing the NX5 - it had very good low light performance, much better than the CX550V. For the same gain and shutter, it was many stops brighter.

Steve

Yes for the same iris and gain the NX5U is brighter than the CX700. However it shows lots of grain at 12db whereas the CX700 still has less at 21db so the end result is the CX700 has a more useable picture when it gets really dark and with LOW LIGHT setting on its even better.

As to settings I have macro and anti flicker OFF. I use a modified PP3 setting with ITU 709 gamma, master black -3, color level 2, detail +3. I have various settings around these main differences.

Ron Evans

@Ron Evans who wrote: "I share the view that Sony have all the bits I would like . They just don't have it in a single camera !!! My wish is still for a NX5 "plus" with Exmor-R sensors( lower noise level), full touch screen control, 60P can't think of much else it would need for me."

I can't agree more. I'm holding off on jumping ship from Sony to Panny until NAB, hoping, desperately hoping for the "new NX5" ... But the NX5, despite the fact that your tweaks DO result in a much better image, is still not a full 1080 "1000 TV lines" cam. Have a look at the details of the spec , and the design of the sensor, the element count. It is not quite as sharp as newer cams.

Waaah! I want a big zoom, big glass up front, fixed lens (interchanageable is BAD here in the dusty desert), smallish sensor for deep DoF, 422 10-bit HDMI output, AVCHD 2.0 for the 1080 60p, silky zoom rocker, expanded focus (not just stupid peaking which can fool you and blow shots), THREE rings (not a stupid selectable ring), 4.0" LCD ON THE HANDLE out of the way. , SDXC slots with relay or dual record. Why can't I have what I want? WAAAAHhhh!

I'm listening...

I'm listening...

Heh. A bit of a tease, Craig? I'm liking your HMQ10.

I'm listening...

Very interesting...

Especially since Peter Bauce at HVS told me I NEEDED to go see the JVC booth at NAB after I told him what I was looking to buy three of this year...

See you Monday!

Actually, I'm quite serious this time.

Well Craig if you are listening I will re enforce what Stephen has said too. I really like the features that my NX5U has but would like better, modern sensor(s), the touch features like spot focus from the consumer cams and all the features that Stephen has listed. The present NX5U comes close and I can't see why Sony can't/hasn't upgraded other than it would eat into the other product lines too much. I have no problem with the present LCD size and would be happy with this size for touch controls etc and a separate 4", 5" or larger monitoring LCD when on a tripod that clipped into a hot shoe, something I am surprised none of the manufacturers have done yet.

Ron Evans

Nothing would make me happier than to put a smile on Stephen's and your face.

Sincerely,

- Craig

Dang, my booth appointment at JVC is on Tuesday afternoon, I wonder if I can change it to Monday morning!

I'm listening...
Craig, I await the next few days with interest.

If you are listening, the thing that JVC have most got right is ERGONOMICS. Keep it up.

You are the only manufacturer to have actually succeeded in designing a small(ish) camera that is a pleasure to hand hold. Technically, cameras such as the EX1, XF305 are incredible in their own ways - but ergonomically they are a joke in a hand held situation. Why can't all cameras of this size/weight be designed as JVC do?

The place for the bulk and weight of a camera is on top of the shoulder - it is better from a manual handling (wrist strain) point of view, and in a scrum it's an obvious advantage to have less sticking out front. (A separate rig may help with the first point, not with the second.)

Dang, my booth appointment at JVC is on Tuesday afternoon, I wonder if I can change it to Monday morning!

I'll be there on Monday morning, Chris.

Craig, I think you hit one of the improvements Stephen and I were looking for, new sensors. For me still missing 1920x1080 P60, touch focus control that I love on the smaller Sony cams I have and is now a must for any move from the NX5U. The NX5U has 7 programmable buttons not sure if the HM600 has any, need to look a little closer at the spec maybe some of the buttons are reprogrammable. Sony are really missing an opportunity I think as a new NX5 with new sensors and 1920x1080P60 would be great for them.

People now have a similar choice between Canon, Panasonic, JVC and Sony depending on the particular needs. Great

Ron Evans

@Craig Yanagi

Hi Craig!

Guess what - I just returned a Panny AG-AC160 to B&H. I had it for less than a day before I rejected it.

Although it looked good on paper, with the promise of AVCHD 2.0 1080/60p, variable frame rates, and a nice 22x wide-to-superzoom lens, it is a deeply flawed camera. For openers, the build quality was terrible. The buttons and switches rattle horribly; the sound comes through on the audio. The focus and iris rings feel scratchy and not smooth compared to Sony's. It also has zoom servo motors that whine with (compared to all the Sony's I have owned or tested) what seems like a banshee scream at all zoom speeds other than slow creep. I could hear them on every shot! The final straw came when I was sitting with it in a quiet room and realized I could hear the whoosh of the cooling fans!

So I boxed it up and sent it back. Another $50.00 shipping charge to UPS, and I am one return closer to B&H cutting me off from any purchases. ( This makes the 6th cam I have bought from them and then returned since October 2011.)

While on the B&H site I happened to notice this - the JVC GY-HM600U :
JVC GY-HM600 ProHD Camera GY-HM600U B&H Photo Video

I thought - WOW - is this real? Finally the cam for me?!? Everything looked perfect, it seemed to have everything I want ....

Then I saw the specs and it only does AVCHD 1.0 - 1080/60i !!!

waaaaaah .... yet again I am sobbing with frustration!!

Craig, surely this is a mistake? I mean, everyone is doing AVCHD 2.0 Progressive with 1080/60p these days. I am flabbergasted that this otherwise fantastic-on-paper cam is crippled with 1080/60i. The GY-HM600U is so close to what I need ...

Is there anything you can do to fix this? Say you can and I am prepared to sit on my $5K until October 2012!

thanks,

Steve

I can't make up my mind. as to go with: PMW-100 or Canon XF105.

Which one will give me better quality for doing weddings/reception?
Canon XF105 has: 58mm Filter Diameter
Sony PMW-100 has: 37 mm Filter Diameter

How does that play a role?

Hi;

The XF 105 has been out for a while, so there are plenty of vids on YouTube and Vimeo to review. (The XF100 has the same optics). I thought this one showed sharp images, and in general is a beautiful film:

Canon XF100 test footage, White Cliffs - YouTube

However, other vids I have seen seem soft, compared to, for example, the Sony VG20 or FS100. I've also seen some that show vignetting at the corners at zoom - that would drive me up the wall!

If I were trying to decide between the two, I would wait until the PWM-100 has been out for a while and there are sample vids to consider, also need to look at resolution charts, etc. Slashcam often posts such results.

You will not be able to determine image quality from a spec list.

Steve

I was just watching this preview of a preproduction PMW-100 and the reviewer said there were no built in ND filters. Is that true?!!

SONY PMW100 - A very quick Look - YouTube

It does seem to share some specs with the NX70... which has no NDs, despite what some people claim. They seem to have wrapped he NX70 innards, lens etc. in an XDCAM package.

It does seem to share some specs with the NX70... which has no NDs, despite what some people claim. They seem to have wrapped he NX70 innards, lens etc. in an XDCAM package.

Mike it uses a new lens. 40-400 effective focal length and f1.8-2.0 from wide to tight, so it doesn't have as much light drop off as you zoom in compared to the NX70's 26.3-263 effective focal length with f1.8-3.4 wide to tight.

Matt,

I stand corrected... I just saw the 1/2.9" sensor part and assumed it was the same. Oops!

I still think a bigger lens than 37mm, and switchable NDs would make it a much more attractive camera.

Yes, there are no ND filters.

I also just noticed that you can NOT shoot on both cards at sametime.
That is bad for me. As I want to make sure that the events that I am recording have a backup.
What if the card gets corrupted? Then, im screwed.

Yes, there are no ND filters.

Well, that excludes the camera for me then.

Yes, there are no ND filters.


Well, it seems that it has ND filters according to B&H :)
Sony PMW-100 XDCAM HD422 Handheld Camcorder PMW-100 B&H Photo

Just noticed that B&H as well.

Built-in Filters Clear, 1/4 ND, 1/16 ND, 1/64 ND

Does anyone know if I can hookup a HD or any unit to record at sametime for backup purposes?

I wonder how they're accessed? I don't see and ND switch anywhere on the photos that have been published. Maybe something to do with the exposure wheel?

Sony UK spec doesn't show NDs: Sony : PMW-100 (PMW100) : Technical Specifications : United Kingdom (http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/product/xdcamcamcorders/pmw-100/technicalspecs)

CVP in the UK are also similarly quiet: Sony PMW-100 (PMW100) Full HD CMOS Sensor Solid State Camcorder with 4:2:2 50Mb/s recording onto SxS media (http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/index.php?t=product/sony_pmw-100)
As are Proav: Sony PMW-100 XDCAM HD422 Camcorder (http://www.proav.co.uk/Sony-PMW-100-XDCAM-HD422-Camcorder/p31202.aspx)

Odd! I wonder what's going on?

It's very odd because when I originally checked on B&H I don't remember seeing ND filters listed and the guy who did the video review didn't find any either.

If it doesn't have ND filters built in then how do you take it seriously as a camera?

Richard

....Does anyone know if I can hookup a HD or any unit to record at sametime for backup purposes?

Yes. Look at the outputs and find one that matches your recording device. There's Express32 hard disks that work in the EX1R and may work in the PMW-100. Then there are any number of HDMI and SDI recorders. All that of course if you are using inexpensive media. The PMW-100 supports SxS which is the most reliable memory you can buy. Yes it's more expensive. For a reason. Price out those recording options you want because you want to use cheap memory and then compare it to SxS.

I am interested in this cam, looks like some decent specs for $3500. Can anyone tell me, from reading the specs, what kind of quality to expect - compared to other cameras currently on the market? Especially what to expect as far as DOF. I currently have an fx1, and would like to improve the overall image quality.

Also, looks like B&H just delayed release to 6/10/12. I wonder what changes they may be making? Adding the ND filters like discussed in this thread? Anyone have any moreinfo on this cam?

Will this be a good camera for weddings?

Some test video I shot last weekend with the PMW-100. Very nice camera.

Test Footage with the new Sony PMW-100 on Vimeo

Frankly the image quality is no better than the NX30 in my opinion, a little better than an FX1 but not massive. There is a lot of blocky noise and latitude is pretty poor by todays standards . I don't think the PMW-100 is one of Sony's best. It's pretty power hungry due to the codec and express card drivers and as a result runs pretty warm and is covered in air vents top and bottom The rear viewfinder is like something off a $100 chinese toy camera as is the scroll wheel for the menus. I would buy almost any of Sony's NXCAM's or a used EX1 over the PMW-100. This camera comes from the Atsugi factory where they normally make higher end cameras like the EX1, F3 or F65. I think this first "low cost" camera from Atsugi shows their lack of experience in this sector. The Sony Shinagawa factory normally makes the lower cost cameras (NXCAM, NEX) and they are much better at making a cheaper product without making it feel cheap.

It does appear to have an automatic ND filter of sorts. I have been told that it's built in to the iris mechanism so as you stop down the iris a tiny ND filter comes into place to prevent diffraction effects at small apertures. You have no control over it, so it won't help you control DoF etc. It really needs it to deal with the limited dynamic range. Also note that you can't use any of the 3rd party batteries that use a flying lead on the PMW-100 as the DC connector is inside the battery compartment.

Alister, I completely agree with some of your comments, such as the viewfinder being one of the worst I've ever seen, but overall I think it's a pretty nice camera for the price. You get pretty much every bell & whistle of the other XDCAM offerings -- plus a few extras that they don't have. It's a PMW-500 crunched to the size of a Z5. You get timelapse, slow-mo, picture cache, hyper gammas, nightshot, multi-matrix, custom clip naming, XDCAM Browser workflow, planning metadata, two zebras, 52 format choices including several 50Mbps 4:2:2 codecs, XQD card compatibility, camera data files, slow shutter, four channels of 24-bit audio, full manual exposure control, HDSDI and HDMI, timecode, genlock, etc.
It even comes with a battery and charger -- all for under $4K. That's pretty good.

Is the picture quality as good an EX1R? No, but it's smaller, lighter, less costly, and does things the EX1R can't. Everything is a trade off. I think the picture quality (you can't judge by Vimeo) is a lot better than you give it credit for. I can tell you that there is no way I'd trade it for any of the NXCAMs, except for maybe the FS100. Having the XDCAM workflow is a big deal to me.

I have not noticed any heat build-up. Power consumption is no worse than any other EX camera. And I only use Sony batteries so the DC connector placement is not an issue for me.

Obviously it's pretty much impossible to get shallow DoF on an interview or something like that, but then again, that's not what this camera is designed to do. Overall I think it is a great little "B" camera for any of the other XDCAMs or an "A" camera for someone looking to step up to a camera chock full of professional features.

I agree that it does have the full compliment of XDCAM features and the 4:2:2 50Mb/s codec. I do perhaps see why a broadcaster with a bunch of PMW-500's may use the PMW100 to get the same codec, but the irony is that the EX1 or EX3 with the 35Mb/s codec produces a far better image that would be a much closer match to the PMW-500 than the PMW100.
For a moden camcorder the size of the PMW100 to eat through relatively expensive, high capacity batteries as it does, would possibly be quite a shock for someone coming from an NXCAM where the low cost standard battery lasts for 6 hours or more. This is a next generation, compact, single chip camera, much smaller than an EX1, yet it get's through batteries just as fast, if not faster.

The PMW100 was obviously designed to hit a price point and specific market niche. It does this at the expense of quality IMHO. When I tested the NX30, PMW100 and FS700 together I was impressed by both the NX30 and FS700 and really disappointed by the PMW100. I don't think the image quality is worth $4k, what's the point of having Hypergamma when the sensor doesn't have enough dynamic range to take advantage of it. What point is there making bigger files with this great codec when the imager can't take advantage of it? Sorry, single chip sensors have improved dramatically recently, but this one appears to come from an earlier generation.

Hey Doug,
Thanks for posting footage. I am still trying to decide what cam to get (still shoot on fx-1). I have a budget of about 5K, which would include the cam plus extra batteries and recording card. Maybe you or someone else can answer a couple more questions:

1. Can you post some of the "Night Footage" shot with the PMW-100?
2. Since I have the fx-1, I have a bunch of NP-F970 batteries. Would these work with the PMW-100? (Trying to add up costs, and this could save me some cash if they work).
3. What kind of card did you use to record the posted footage? And what exact recording settings on the cam? This is all new to me since I simply shoot on tape now, and capture to Premiere as an AVI file.
4. What other cameras out there should I maybe be looking at other than the PMW-100? I shoot: home tours, plays, occasional interviews, just a wide variety of things. Do not wanna go DSLR route.

Rick,

To me it looks like the NX5 seems a lot more reasonable to you. It does take your NP-F970's the PMW-100 doesn't. It offers an uncompressed HD-SDI output so if you find out 50 Mbit is a must-have for you there is always the option of an external recorder. Besides that, the NX5 seems allround a lot better camera than the PMW-100. 3 instead of 1 sensor makes a difference in contrast, colours and lowlight capabillities. The two additional sensors do make sense in my opinion. If I would be in your situation the NX5 would be my bet....

Gabor

1. Can you post some of the "Night Footage" shot with the PMW-100?
2. Since I have the fx-1, I have a bunch of NP-F970 batteries. Would these work with the PMW-100? (Trying to add up costs, and this could save me some cash if they work).
3. What kind of card did you use to record the posted footage? And what exact recording settings on the cam? This is all new to me since I simply shoot on tape now, and capture to Premiere as an AVI file.
4. What other cameras out there should I maybe be looking at other than the PMW-100? I shoot: home tours, plays, occasional interviews, just a wide variety of things. Do not wanna go DSLR route.

Rick,
Gabor makes a good case for the NX5, but fails to take into consideration all of the advanced features and workflow advantages that the PMW-100 offers. Please go back and read my first paragraph in post #90 and then compare those features to the NX5. In addition to all of that, the PMW-100 is part of the XDCAM line and shares it's DNA with all of the rest of the XDCAM products -- right up to the $35,000 PDW-F800. If you have not used XDCAM you cannot fully appreciate how much superior it is to all of the tapeless alternatives. XDCAM is the future for professional production. That's why Canon uses it now, JVC, Arri, and others to come.

Sure I wish the PMW-100 had three chips instead of one, but to look at that shortcoming and ignore all the other things it offers is short sighted. It can produce good images and it wouldn't even be available for under $4K it had all the specifications that people wish it had. That's why Sony has dozens of cameras to choose from at many price points.

To answer your questions:

1) Have not shot any night footage yet. And I'm not sure if are you talking about normal footage in low light, or using the special NightShot function?

2) As Gabor says, no they won't work. But the camera comes with a BP-U30 battery and AC adapter/charger. A nice thing about the PMW-100 is that it is a 12v camera.

4) the footage I posted was shot on an SxS card and a XQD card with an adapter. The camera can also use SDHC cards and memory sticks. The settings were 50Mbps 422 24 fps. 1920x1080 for regular footage, and 1280x720 for the slow-mo shots. XDCAM is compatible with all of the NLEs.

5) The next best camera to the PMW-100 is the PMW-EX1R which shares a lot of the same cabablities and functions. You are correct to steer clear of DSLRs. And, based on what you shoot, I would recommend steering clear of the NEX-FS100. You would hate it.

The PMW-100 is a GIGANTIC step up from your FX1 in every single way you want to compare them. Just getting rid of tape will save you tons of work and probably pay for the new camera right there alone.

Hey Doug,
Thanks for posting footage. I am still trying to decide what cam to get (still shoot on fx-1). I have a budget of about 5K, which would include the cam plus extra batteries and recording card. Maybe you or someone else can answer a couple more questions:

1. Can you post some of the "Night Footage" shot with the PMW-100?
2. Since I have the fx-1, I have a bunch of NP-F970 batteries. Would these work with the PMW-100? (Trying to add up costs, and this could save me some cash if they work).
3. What kind of card did you use to record the posted footage? And what exact recording settings on the cam? This is all new to me since I simply shoot on tape now, and capture to Premiere as an AVI file.
4. What other cameras out there should I maybe be looking at other than the PMW-100? I shoot: home tours, plays, occasional interviews, just a wide variety of things. Do not wanna go DSLR route.

I moved from a FX1 to the NX5U and its great. Need to set up the picture profiles though as in stock settings it is not as good as the Sony consumer cameras that I have ( CX700, XR500 and an older SR11). I still use the 970 battery I had for the FX1 and it works just fine. I have the FMU128 which can record for a long time !!!! Not having to deal with tape is wonderful but you really do need to adopt a strict backup routine as there is no tape to fall back on if you delete the files !!! All my cameras are a big improvement from the FX1, the pictures are more detailed and much cleaner from video noise. In fact the NX5U is the one with the most noise CX700 the cleanest even at very high gain. 21db on the CX700 is much cleaner than 12db on the NX5U. The new sensors in the latest consumer cameras are very good.

Ron Evans

Wow,....Alister, coming from you in particular, this is some pretty damaging testimony regarding the PMW100.

I would have thought it used the same sensor as the NX30 and NX70....how odd.

Also, if Canon can put Sony's 422 codec in a small camera that doesn't eat batteries and get hot, what happened to Sony? How hot can a single small sensor get?

I cant understand the PMW 100 at all. Any way I try to look at it. Is Sony is just selling a bad Handycam with a good codec??

If the NX30 truly outperforms the PMW 100 in image quality,...that just blows my mind that it was allowed to happen.

That 1/2.9 PMW 100 sensor....is it an EXMOR or an EXMOR-R sensor?

CT

Nice footage, Doug. I still want ND filters. And yes, you'd need to shoot in low light conditions before it's usable as a pro camera.

Richard

I didn't say it couldn't shoot in low light, I just said I haven't had any reason to test that yet. The more I use the camera the more I am impressed with it.

I'm interested in how this camera does indoors. Especially relative to the EX cameras.

If anyone hasn't seen it, Alister recently wrote a nice blog entry on dealing with manufacturer claims of resolution on single sensor cameras vs smaller sensor 3 chip designs:
Single Sensor Cameras: Pixel count is not the same as resolution! | XDCAM-USER.COM (http://www.xdcam-user.com/2012/06/single-sensor-cameras-pixel-count-is-not-the-same-as-resolution/)

I'm posting this from Broadcast Asia where I had a bit more time with another PMW100. My thoughts on the build quality remain the same, but the camera here appears to be producing a better image than the one I tested back in the UK. I'm not seeing the blocky images I saw previously. While the pictures are not up to EX1 or EX3 standards I would say they are much closer to the NX30. I'm starting to suspect there was something up with the other camera I had, or I had it set up wrong. I'm going to shoot some stuff with it tomorrow to compare with the other footage I've shot.