Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM

Bruce Schultz · September 11th, 2013, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Zhang

I wait for the day 3x1920x1080 global shutter CMOS sensors emerge. Rolling Shutters are a plague.

Jack, look no further than the Sony F55 and the Blackmagic 4K Cinema cameras which both have global shutters on CMOS chips.

Philip Lipetz · September 11th, 2013, 11:01 AM

But not separate chip arrays for R, G, and B.

Glen Vandermolen · September 11th, 2013, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Lipetz

But not separate chip arrays for R, G, and B.

Well, you can still find 3-CCD cameras out there.

Douglas Call · September 11th, 2013, 12:54 PM

If you had a Sony F55 with (3) 4K Super 35mm sized sensors that would make a very big and expensive camera!

Douglas Call · September 11th, 2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Schultz

Sony F55 and the Blackmagic 4K Cinema cameras which both have global shutters on CMOS chips.

I know the Sony has the Frame Image Scan that's suppose to mitigate CMOS Distortion and judder. Is this what your calling the global shutter?

Alister Chapman · September 11th, 2013, 02:13 PM

Frame Image Scan is Sony's implementation of a global shutter. The entire sensor is read out at the same moment in time. Zero Jello, skew or flash banding.

You can't have a 3 chip prism for S35, the size of the prism would make it impossible to use PL or DSLR lenses and the longer the flange back distance the harder it is to design a decent lens.

Douglas Call · September 11th, 2013, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alister Chapman

Frame Image Scan is Sony's implementation of a global shutter. The entire sensor is read out at the same moment in time. Zero Jello, skew or flash banding.

You can't have a 3 chip prism for S35, the size of the prism would make it impossible to use PL or DSLR lenses and the longer the flange back distance the harder it is to design a decent lens.

Sounds good to me. I just returned from the F65 Operator Class @ the Sony DMPC. The next day I was fortunate enough to have a one on one session with a Sony engineer hand on the F65. He answered any question I had. It was really very nice and informative visit. Seeing the original 4K footage of the famous one candle scene in oblivion on a true 4K projector was also very cool.

Jack Zhang · September 11th, 2013, 06:28 PM

Why did the discussion suddenly go to my signature? I don't expect S35x3, I expect 2/3''x3 or 1/2''x3. And I only expect 1080p. 4K Global shutter is of course only possible with S35 and a single sensor. (that and CCD cameras are out of my price range)

It might take another 6 years or it may never happen for Global shutter to come to small sensor 4K, let alone 1080. There is a lack of focus on Global Shutter tech for mass production.

Also, the BMCC lacks 60p. Huge letdown on Blackmagic's part.

Humberto Ramos · September 12th, 2013, 05:48 AM

Does anyone knows if the Z100 will have pre-record buffer?

Matt Davis · September 12th, 2013, 06:02 AM

Alas no cache record.

No histogram either.

Nor is there a proper 'Clock' option for the TC (though you can jam TC).

We're having to balance 'hot hatch' and 'family sedan' here. If only Top Gear did a show on cameras.

(and there's always the F5 LOL)

Humberto Ramos · September 12th, 2013, 10:32 AM

Cache record is only firmaware, probably histogram too, If they want or see that will sell more they will do it.

I do wildlife and use a RE ONE, that has a pre-record time of 10' or 30', 5' or 10' is this camera would be great...

Always have the camera in pre-record, cause I canot film lots of footage until I got the sttuation I want, I folow the subject when when he does something different I press rec and will pic up the 10' before...its a must...

I'll bet that with pre-record cache, a lot more wildlife filmographers would buy this camera as primary camera or to use as B camera with other 4K cameras like RED ONE, EPIC, F5 and F55.

If they put a pre-record mode, will buy one probably two in November, If they don't, will wait to see market evolution and then decide...

Matt Davis · September 13th, 2013, 01:24 AM

As promised, the video and written 'first impressions' review - though as I mentioned before, I couldn't review the picture quality, just workflow, playback etc. The prototype has gone back to Sony for IBC and to have its software updated to a point where hopefully we can start actually seeing what it can do.

Matt Davis? in-depth PXW-Z100 4K Camcorder review : United Kingdom : Sony Professional

Please note that I'm now flying off onto another shoot for 10 days, probably not going to have much time to answer many questions here during that time but I will try checking in from time to time.

Piotr Wozniacki · September 13th, 2013, 01:41 AM

Thanks, Matt!

Glen Vandermolen · September 13th, 2013, 04:22 AM

Nice review, Matt. Very informative.

I'm amazed at all the codecs this camera will be able to utilize, after next year's upgrade. XAVC HD, XAVC 4K, XAVC-S HD, XAVC-S 4K and AVCHD. That pretty much covers most shooting situations.

Philip Lipetz · September 13th, 2013, 04:59 AM

Thanks Matt.

Now I wonder if this cam is ready for doc work. WB on the fly seems impossible as there seems to be only presets. And the WB does not go less than 3200K. Hey this is the land of fluorescent bulbs at 2900 and below. Even the KinoFlos we use are 2900K. No way to quickly reset WB to be accurate. Have to go into menus.

Delibrately leaving out Cine Modes,

No WFM or histograms.

Still have to see image quality but it seems like a cam designed by a marketing department, a cam with pro codec thrown on top of a delibrately down scaled consumer cam. Neither fish nor fowl.

And we really really need a Compact 10 bit 4K ENG cam.

September 11th, 2013, 11:01 AM	#152
Philip Lipetz Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 273	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM But not separate chip arrays for R, G, and B.

September 11th, 2013, 12:54 PM	#154
Douglas Call Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 302	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM If you had a Sony F55 with (3) 4K Super 35mm sized sensors that would make a very big and expensive camera!

September 11th, 2013, 02:13 PM	#156
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM Frame Image Scan is Sony's implementation of a global shutter. The entire sensor is read out at the same moment in time. Zero Jello, skew or flash banding. You can't have a 3 chip prism for S35, the size of the prism would make it impossible to use PL or DSLR lenses and the longer the flange back distance the harder it is to design a decent lens. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

September 11th, 2013, 06:28 PM	#158
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM Why did the discussion suddenly go to my signature? I don't expect S35x3, I expect 2/3''x3 or 1/2''x3. And I only expect 1080p. 4K Global shutter is of course only possible with S35 and a single sensor. (that and CCD cameras are out of my price range) It might take another 6 years or it may never happen for Global shutter to come to small sensor 4K, let alone 1080. There is a lack of focus on Global Shutter tech for mass production. Also, the BMCC lacks 60p. Huge letdown on Blackmagic's part.

September 12th, 2013, 05:48 AM	#159
Humberto Ramos New Boot Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Portalegre, Portugal Posts: 5	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM Does anyone knows if the Z100 will have pre-record buffer?

September 12th, 2013, 06:02 AM	#160
Matt Davis Trustee Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,562	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM Alas no cache record. No histogram either. Nor is there a proper 'Clock' option for the TC (though you can jam TC). We're having to balance 'hot hatch' and 'family sedan' here. If only Top Gear did a show on cameras. (and there's always the F5 LOL) __________________ Director/Editor - MDMA Ltd: Write, Shoot, Edit, Publish - mattdavis.pro EX1 x2, C100 --> FCPX & PPro6

September 12th, 2013, 10:32 AM	#161
Humberto Ramos New Boot Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Portalegre, Portugal Posts: 5	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM Cache record is only firmaware, probably histogram too, If they want or see that will sell more they will do it. I do wildlife and use a RE ONE, that has a pre-record time of 10' or 30', 5' or 10' is this camera would be great... Always have the camera in pre-record, cause I canot film lots of footage until I got the sttuation I want, I folow the subject when when he does something different I press rec and will pic up the 10' before...its a must... I'll bet that with pre-record cache, a lot more wildlife filmographers would buy this camera as primary camera or to use as B camera with other 4K cameras like RED ONE, EPIC, F5 and F55. If they put a pre-record mode, will buy one probably two in November, If they don't, will wait to see market evolution and then decide...

September 13th, 2013, 01:24 AM	#162
Matt Davis Trustee Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,562	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM As promised, the video and written 'first impressions' review - though as I mentioned before, I couldn't review the picture quality, just workflow, playback etc. The prototype has gone back to Sony for IBC and to have its software updated to a point where hopefully we can start actually seeing what it can do. Matt Davis? in-depth PXW-Z100 4K Camcorder review : United Kingdom : Sony Professional Please note that I'm now flying off onto another shoot for 10 days, probably not going to have much time to answer many questions here during that time but I will try checking in from time to time. __________________ Director/Editor - MDMA Ltd: Write, Shoot, Edit, Publish - mattdavis.pro EX1 x2, C100 --> FCPX & PPro6

September 13th, 2013, 01:41 AM	#163
Piotr Wozniacki Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 4,086	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM Thanks, Matt! __________________ Sony PXW-FS7 \| DaVinci Resolve Studio; Magix Vegas Pro; i7-5960X CPU; 64 GB RAM; 2x GTX 1080 8GB GPU; Decklink 4K Extreme 12G; 4x 3TB WD Black in RAID 0; 1TB M.2 NVMe cache drive

September 13th, 2013, 04:22 AM	#164
Glen Vandermolen Space Hipster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,596	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM Nice review, Matt. Very informative. I'm amazed at all the codecs this camera will be able to utilize, after next year's upgrade. XAVC HD, XAVC 4K, XAVC-S HD, XAVC-S 4K and AVCHD. That pretty much covers most shooting situations.

September 13th, 2013, 04:59 AM	#165
Philip Lipetz Major Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 273	Re: Sony launches PXW-Z100 4K Handheld XDCAM Thanks Matt. Now I wonder if this cam is ready for doc work. WB on the fly seems impossible as there seems to be only presets. And the WB does not go less than 3200K. Hey this is the land of fluorescent bulbs at 2900 and below. Even the KinoFlos we use are 2900K. No way to quickly reset WB to be accurate. Have to go into menus. Delibrately leaving out Cine Modes, No WFM or histograms. Still have to see image quality but it seems like a cam designed by a marketing department, a cam with pro codec thrown on top of a delibrately down scaled consumer cam. Neither fish nor fowl. And we really really need a Compact 10 bit 4K ENG cam.