Not sure why everyone is calling it the FS700 II, when Sony is calling it the FS7, it's official name.

I get the impression that the camera will have far less capabilities than the FS700/7Q combination, but might be better a little more suitable for ENG/Docu work. It does look sort of odd and bulky, but htey said that about the FS700.

On the other hand, if you are looking for the flimsiest excuses to cross over, I can claim otherwise if it helps you. ;)

Now the other rumor I am hearing is that sony will announce a firmware update to the FS700. Can anyone comment on that? If that pans out, it will be interesting to see what a firmware updated FS700 will do compared to the new FS7.

Strange name by the way, seems to contradict the F5 and F55's. I do have a feeling this will be a bit more than the rumored $8K.

XQD media...

Because until Phillip Bloom clarified the name of the camera a few days ago, nobody had a clue what it was called.

The FS7 isn't a replacement to the FS700 confirmed by Sony.

I feel sorry for the recent sellers that got rid of their FS700's on eBay as i'm fairly sure they sold for atleast 10-20% lower than the price they would of sold for after this news.

Because until Phillip Bloom clarified the name of the camera a few days ago, nobody had a clue what it was called.

To be fair, our own Mister Alister Chapman DID need to prompt him...

I think those of us with F700's and Odyssey 7Q's are not going to find this new unit interesting enough to jump ship.

To be fair, our own Mister Alister Chapman DID need to prompt him...

Actually no...Alister of course had nothing to do with it as he is under NDA. I have numerous sources and the official name came through two days ago WITH an official photo.


P.S. I am a member here, just not a very active one anymore. :)

From Philip Bloom's own twitter:
Thank you, Philip!

Here it is - Higher res photos to come according to sources. This camera is HUGE. I can't imagine that the woman in the Sony teaser video who mentioned that she would like "a camera that was easy to carry around" was still smiling after the viewing. Do You Tubers and Bloggers use rigs like this?

Perhaps there is another camera in addition to this that will be announced?

Why do you say it's huge? It looks like the size of a typical shoulder mount camera.

That's one of the best looking cameras I've seen in ages!
I hope it is huge... Just to watch people collapse under the weight of awesome.

Now the other rumor I am hearing is that sony will announce a firmware update to the FS700. Can anyone comment on that? If that pans out, it will be interesting to see what a firmware updated FS700 will do compared to the new FS7.
Sony has already announced a firmware upgrade for the FS700 that will make it compatible with the new zoom lenses like the 18-105. And I guess the new 28-135 that's seen on the pic with the FS7.
Hopefully they'll add some other goodie to the FS700! Would love if they gave it XAVC but I really think that the lens compatibility is all we'll get.
Oh, if they fixed the edge contrast issues, that would be swell too ;)

Only ENG types would understand how wonderful the form factor is :)

Actually no...Alister of course had nothing to do with it as he is under NDA. I have numerous sources and the official name came through two days ago WITH an official photo.


P.S. I am a member here, just not a very active one anymore. :)

Phil I don't read your blog often but confess I've been sneaking over for insights and speculation on the FS7. If you do a shakedown on it vs the F5 make sure you drop back in here!

I'm desperate for some one to develop a nice sharp 18-200mm constant F4 or even F2.8 if they can.

As for this FS7 ... well what can I say. This might the 4K ENG style update to their EA50 ENG solution.

Looking forward to reading the full specs and all the video reviews that will be out in due course.

Form factor is not to dissimilar from a Panasonic AF100. All depends on the installed lens as well.

I can see how this isn't a FS700 replacement, and I hope they have an option for a BP-U battery mount if you aren't crazy to get V-mount batteries.

Looks like an answer to Arri Amira at a substantial lower price. Here is the Fs7 brochure which I repost in case you missed it

Thank you for the brochure link.

Quite like it now that i've read the specs:

"It features a 4K Super35 “Exmor” CMOS sensor and support for shooting in 4K 60p or Full HD at a high frameate of up to 180 fps. Selectable recording formats in
clude XAVC, which supports 1080/60p with 4:2:2 10-
bit recording and the MPEG-2 HD 422 format used by
broadcast stations. Attach an optional Extension Unit
(XDCA-FS7) to open up the possibilities of multi-camera
shooting and Apple ProRes 422 which available early
2015 by firmware update. Connect an HXR-IFR5 inter
-
face and AXS-R5 recorder to enable synced external
4K/2K RAW and internal Full HD recording.
The PXW-FS7 camera is expanding 4K recording in a
remarkably convenient and affordable new direction."

Is this one of the first 4K 60p camcorders or have I missed others already?

And what do they mean by this:

"Furthermore, support for unlimited shooting at Super
Slow Motion means no more mistimed shots leading to
extra takes. It also lets you pick out footage at exactly
the point that you want."

I know the FS700 shoots slo mo, but then it spends time buffering the shot. And it also does it in bursts ...

Am I right in saying that with the FS7 you can just hit record and film in slo mo for as long as you like or ?

And it also has BULT IN ND's! big plus from me.

Don't jump the gun on it not supporting DCI, the brochure says it will in 2015.

Also, let's hope they didn't change the dimensions of the front Hot Shoe to be non-standard. If they did that, you'd know what would happen...

I'm desperate for some one to develop a nice sharp 18-200mm constant F4 or even F2.8 if they can.

Sony have introduced a 28-135 F4 E-mount power zoom for about $2500 USD. It's full frame coverage so will also work on the A7s.

The benefits of the FS7 over FS700 will be internal 10-bit 4K recording up to 60fps. Higher internal frame rates will be limited to 1080p but the FS7 will seem to have the same RAW output functionality of the FS700 (with an extension unit.)
Genlock and TC in/out seem to be an option with the external add-on unit (which is nice for those of us working in 3D.)
The form factor is obviously much better for handheld work with a properly positionable EVF.
It will acquire some wireless capabilities with a wifi stick similar to the F5/55, or wireless stream/proxy/copy with WA100.

Magnesium body sealed from dust & moisture designed for field work.

Sony considers this model to sit between the FS700 and F5. That makes sense since it probably shares the same rolling shutter CMOS sensor.

Loving the form factor so far. Ticks all the boxes for features I'm looking for also.

EXCLUSIVE: cinema5D Sony FS7 hands-on on Vimeo

Kinda concerned about the "RAW OUT" port on the addon. I hope it still allows you to send it without the V-mount module over one of the camera body SDI outs, otherwise you have to pay for that module plus a AXS or 7Q just to get RAW up and running.

Actual video footage from the FS7

Sony Professional: FS7 First Footage (3min) on Vimeo

I was thinking the same thing, sony can make more $$ obviously if the module +battery are required but maybe that would hopefully change by the release date.

Its kind of odd to include a FF lens which is not wide angle on S35.
From what I found during my recent search it has 11.6 Mp effective 8.8 Mpx. and a price of 6400 GBP and that includes the lens !!!!

Sounds good

A tiny snipped I picked up - input is 24 bit at 48KHz, not the usual 16 bit.

I wonder if attaching a K1M (or similar) XLR bridge would allow 4 track internal audio recording?

Hmmm. Hopefully this signals slightly better Mic Preamps than previous cams in this price range? We'll have to wait and see.

Listening in on the IBC news conference... check it out at http://www.livestream.com/sonyproeurope

Will have the press release up shortly. Meanwhile, check out Adam Wilt's exclusive article here:

First Look: Sony PXW-FS7 L.S.S. Shoulder-Mount Camcorder, part 1 at DV Info Net (http://www.dvinfo.net/article/acquisition/first-look-sony-pxw-fs7-l-s-s-shoulder-mount-camcorder-part-1.html)

Why do you say it's huge? It looks like the size of a typical shoulder mount camera.

After seeing all the pics of people operating the camera, videos, specs - I need to wipe the egg off my face. It looks just right for semi-handheld (chest bracing) and shoulder mount.

When B&H lists it, I will be one of the first to preorder.

The price with the 28-135 lens is 8,400 British Pounds, about $13,600 US. I'm not sure if that includes the rear pro attachment.

Is this one of the first 4K 60p camcorders or have I missed others already?



PXW-Z100 shoots 60P at 4K and both PXW-Z100 and FDR-AX1 shoot 60P at 3840x2160.

Ron Evans

Sony's technique lately is throwing all they can and keep what sticks. The problem is that everything is working, sticking and great! I have to say Panasonic and Canon are going to need a hell of a catch up!

The Film & Digital Times IBC edition (available free at the moment) has an article on the FS7. It seems to have picked up nicknames: Sony Vérité or Sony Minima. Also a good article on manufacturing the Amira.

Film and Digital Times April 2014 | Film and Digital Times (http://www.fdtimes.com/issues/ibc-2014-edition/)

DVinfo Sponsors, who are taking pre-orders right now? I'm ready to get on the list! Thanks

The Film & Digital Times IBC edition (available free at the moment) has an article on the FS7. It seems to have picked up nicknames: Sony Vérité or Sony Minima. Also a good article on manufacturing the Amira.

Film and Digital Times April 2014 | Film and Digital Times (http://www.fdtimes.com/issues/ibc-2014-edition/)

Wow, thanks for the link, Brian. The size of the A-Minima, but lighter? And in S35 to boot? This is an amazing camera. The ergos are near perfect. It really can dethrone the C300 as the go-to production camera.
I predict a lot of used FS700s hitting the market soon. And C300s.

This looks like a really, really strong offering from Sony...I want one! [P.S. Don't tell my Sony PMW-300 and Canon C100 that. They are currently both "resting" in their bags, thankfully unable to see me typing...Bless them!]

Probably just as well that I've just spent a small fortune on a new Mac Pro, NLE software, Monitors and RAID systems in the last 2 weeks or my finger would now be hovering over any 'Pre-Order Your FS7 Now' button I might find!!!

On a more serious note, seems to me that Canon will need to respond with a new camera very soon if they don't wish to see sales slide dramatically with the Cinema line - the C300 (in particular) certainly looks like it's time is starting to come to an end. We'll know more once the FS7 starts getting into the wild and it's strengths and weaknesses become well known.

VERY exciting announcement. Well done Sony!

DVinfo Sponsors, who are taking pre-orders right now? I'm ready to get on the list! Thanks

Same here!

DVinfo Sponsors, who are taking pre-orders right now? I'm ready to get on the list! Thanks

Will they take trade-ins on a slightly used PMW-300? ;-)

Don't see why some of the FS700 users would want to move on to this.

Surely by now you've worked around the ergonomics of the FS700.

And if you're desperate for 4K then buy a o7Q?

The FS700 still offers 240, 480fps super slo mo in HD. Where as this is limited to 180fps.

If I had £7000 today, I would still pick up a FS700 as I use slow motion a lot. And my client's aren't interested in 4K yet.

In 2 years time? I would buy a o7Q because 4K will be more main stream by then. So basically if you are not fussed about super slo mo. The FS7 is for you.

Sony are smart. They've kept certain features apart so the FS700 sales remain unaffected.

Does this camera have a global shutter ?

Does this camera have a global shutter ?

No it does not.

DVinfo Sponsors, who are taking pre-orders right now? I'm ready to get on the list! Thanks

Same here!

Will post the pre-order links as soon as I get 'em, thanks!

Thanks Chris. Just hiding my business credit card in the safe now in case those links appear soon. My way of trying to reduce that "buying lust" I'm currently feeling towards a FS7...

It kind of looks like something half way between a FS700 and a C300.......complete with a grip re locator!
Very interesting......

Jim Martin
EVSonline.com

So we know that is a rifle shot at the C300. I think we can all agree (even Canon folks) that the FS7 clearly out-guns any other $8K camcorder.

What about the "100" crowd? (the C100/FS100 $5k+ market)

What will a future Sony "FS1" offer? (I'm sure we all agree that a "1" or "100" model is in development as we speak)

1.) Same FS7 shell and form factor? (saves manufacturing costs)
2.) UHD frame size only. (not full 4K)
3.) 8bit locked, long GOP internal 4:2:0 recording. (100 or 150mbps XAVC-S)
4.) 24 and 30p only? (maybe 60p? if Sony want's to risk it)
5.) 8bit locked SDI or just HDMI 1.4 only for 30p or HDMI 2.0 if 60p is allowed.
6.) Blocked docking station compatibility.
7.) A7s level of picture controls and profile adjustments.
8.) S-LOG2

Even with these limitations, I still believe that a $5,000 "FS1" would still be a good compromise and something that many of the "lower budget" buyers would jump on. And, with these key limitations in place, it wont hurt the FS7's higher market sales.

What do y'all think? We know for sure "something" like this is definitely on the way. (Maybe NAB 2015?...they WILL have new 4k announcements there)

CT

Interesting - it can use the Sony E 18-105 power zoom lens up to HD 60P. It will compensate for the lens distortion.. That's a cheap lens alternative if your budget's tight.

I wonder if it can also use the 18-200 power zoom?

eta - just saw a graphic from Sony that showed the 18-200 zoom with the camera. Another cheaper zoom lens option.

Don't see why some of the FS700 users would want to move on to this.
Surely by now you've worked around the ergonomics of the FS700.
And if you're desperate for 4K then buy a o7Q?
For me, who hasn't worked out the ergonomics of the FS700 yet, the FS7 is really tempting.
I recently sold my EA50 and if I sold the FS700 as well, I could probably scramble to get the FS7.
If I keep the FS700 that would mean buying the 7Q, which I can afford with one drive, battery plate, simplest mounting solution and no FS700 codec. And then I would also not have any way to put it on my shoulder.

I'm not craving 4K, I want a better codec, 10bit and no edge contrast issues ;)

But I also want a small b-cam, so my option is keeping the FS700 and getting the A7s and hope to be able to afford the 7Q or Shogun down the road.
Seems like the Shogun will eventually support FS700 (and FS7, I presume) raw in the future:
News Shooter | IBC 2014 video: Atomos new Power Station and Shogun 4K update (http://www.newsshooter.com/2014/09/12/ibc-2014-video-atomos-new-power-station-and-shogun-4k-update/)

The FS7 really stirred the beehive that is my brain ;)

Actually no...Alister of course had nothing to do with it as he is under NDA. I have numerous sources and the official name came through two days ago WITH an official photo.


P.S. I am a member here, just not a very active one anymore. :)

I was referencing the comments on your Blog (see below), Mister Bloom.

For me, who hasn't worked out the ergonomics of the FS700 yet, the FS7 is really tempting.
I recently sold my EA50 and if I sold the FS700 as well, I could probably scramble to get the FS7.
If I keep the FS700 that would mean buying the 7Q, which I can afford with one drive, battery plate, simplest mounting solution and no FS700 codec. And then I would also not have any way to put it on my shoulder.

I'm not craving 4K, I want a better codec, 10bit and no edge contrast issues ;)

But I also want a small b-cam, so my option is keeping the FS700 and getting the A7s and hope to be able to afford the 7Q or Shogun down the road.
Seems like the Shogun will eventually support FS700 (and FS7, I presume) raw in the future:
News Shooter | IBC 2014 video: Atomos new Power Station and Shogun 4K update (http://www.newsshooter.com/2014/09/12/ibc-2014-video-atomos-new-power-station-and-shogun-4k-update/)

The FS7 really stirred the beehive that is my brain ;)

I'm that sort of person too that can't stand new camcorders coming out because I always get this itch to upgrade. And I always incur a loss.

Within two years I have gone from a EA50, to a FS100 and now to my FS700. And out comes this news.

Having said that, I am planning on getting a AX100 for 4K ... just for B cam and re-framing purposes.

Will post the pre-order links as soon as I get 'em, thanks!

I ended up going with DVinfo sponsor Abel Cine! Wanted to get in on first shipments!

Hmmm....maybe keep my FS700 as a B cam and try to figure out how to
buy the FS7 as an A cam? And then shoot in 4K with the FS7 and make
it look like I am shooting with 3 cams????? Oh, the options.......