2 new Sony HDV cams with interchangeable lens

[Mark Sasahara]

Originally Posted by Piotr Wozniacki

Three of course.

Actually, CMOS is single chip technology.

[Stu Holmes]

Not sure i really understand your post/point Mark!

Piotr I think was just referring to the fact that both the new cams have 3 CMOS sensors (as would be expected in this class of machines).

Of course a CMOS sensor can function perfectly as 1 unit - as demonstrated on many other more consumer-end Sony and Canon machines.

[Andrew Kimery]

Originally Posted by Jack Felis

And so it begins....

Interchangeable lenses on handheld prosumer cameras? Well, I bet it would be safe to say that a whole new class of prosumer models will be on the way for next year?

How many of the former fixed lens users do you think will actually pony up the extra cash to buy another lens or two?

-A

[Robert Morane]

There is a revolution happening and HDV is part of it and seems will have a nice future.
The diversity of products outlets, the need and desire for affordable and efficient tools is what is changing the production world.
Thanks to canon and Sony, it is now possible to have a nice ENG-EFP production unit for below $7000.

[Ethan Cooper]

Originally Posted by Joff B. Rein

"Lenses from the popular Digital SLR – a System from Sony can also be used with a special adaptor" , that's nice, i wonder how those lenses would behave

I'm very curious about this statement too. Is it talking about some kind of propriatary Sony SLR lens or can any regular Nikon or Canon photo lens be used with this camera and the adaptor?
It would be wonderful if Sony/Panasonic/Cannon began making lens adaptors that were specifically designed for use with their cameras. I know JVC already has one for the 250's, but it's PL mount only isnt it?

This could be a fun year in the prosumer market.

[Mark Sasahara]

Originally Posted by Stu Holmes

Not sure i really understand your post/point Mark!

Piotr I think was just referring to the fact that both the new cams have 3 CMOS sensors (as would be expected in this class of machines).

Of course a CMOS sensor can function perfectly as 1 unit - as demonstrated on many other more consumer-end Sony and Canon machines.

I thought CMOS sensors were a single chip. Guess not.

[Chris Hurd]

Just like CCD image sensors, CMOS image sensors can be employed singularly, or in multiples around a beam splitter. The three-chip arrangement is the most common multiple-sensor layout, but there have been two-chip cameras and other variations in the past.

[Jon Fairhurst]

Intuitively, there would be an advantage in adding a 35mm lens adapter to a camera with a removable lens - you can get the redundant zoom lens out of the path and simplify the setup - no focus and zoom to adjust on the built in jack-of-all-trades lens. Any glass between the sensor and the ground glass could be fixed.

Is this true, or am I over-simplifying things?

[Steve Nunez]

This is spectacular news- I've always wanted a handheld interchangeable lens camera that can accept DSLR lenses.......it would be perfect if it had an onboard hard-drive!!!

Wonder what these things will cost?

[Paulo Teixeira]

I find it a bit awkward that the handheld HDV camera has an interchangeable lens but the EX1 doesn’t unless Sony is also going to show an EX2 soon.

Since the EX1 cost around 7,000 to 7,500 dollars with 2 cards, I would estimate the HDV model at 5,000 to 5,500 dollars. The Z1u was around 5,500 when it first came out.

Now where is Canon and Panasonic when you need them? It’s their turn to show us new cameras and they better do it quick because Sony is about to get a lot of preorders.

[Zack Birlew]

I thought the EX hasn't come out yet? Perhaps this feature will make it in?

[Mark Utley]

Originally Posted by Greg Boston

Perhaps, but many news outlets won't even consider using cameras with 1/3 sensors.

Not to mention investing in 1/3" lenses.

[Heath McKnight]

Honestly, I've been expecting less HDV and more HDD or flash-based camcorders, but this is exciting! I am curious if there will be an American announcement like we saw last year with the V1u and FX7.

Btw, I know of some smaller stations using DVCPro cameras, but also the DVX100-series and some have reportedly gone over the the Z1u. I'm not sure if they're shooting HDV or just DV.

Scripps TV stations, including the NBC affiliate I worked at years ago, here in West Palm Beach, are going HDV via the JVC HD250.

heath

[Heath McKnight]

Smaller one looks exactly like a V1u with a bigger, interchangeable lens. If it replaces the V1, I'm betting prices will drop on those units!

heath

[Stu Holmes]

Originally Posted by Heath McKnight

Smaller one looks exactly like a V1u with a bigger, interchangeable lens. If it replaces the V1, I'm betting prices will drop on those units!

heath

It's a different chipset to the V1.
- It's 1/3in and V1 is 1/4in and V1 is also quite a bit smaller and lighter.
I'm very sure the V1 will be around for a long time. Sony tend to keep their 'Broadcast' division machines like Z1, A1 etc going for some years.

Basically i view the handheld 1/3in interchangeable lens cam as, essentially, a replacement for the Z1 with improvements (like the lens swappable) etc. Same sensor size. I thought that Sony must bring out a 3x 1/3in CMOS Clearvid sensor machine sooner or later to fill in this gap in their range. I would expect the Z1 to (probably) be ceased to manufacture sometime soon (note it will no doubt be available for *sale* for quite some time, but i would speculate that Sony won't be making too many more Z1s as this new handheld cam effectively takes over from the Z1 in its product lineup (IMO).