Sony NEX-VG10 AVCHD E-Mount Lens Camcorder

Adam Welz · July 14th, 2010, 11:04 AM

Hi All

see here:

Sony unveils NEX-VG10 E-mount HD camcorder: Digital Photography Review

Interesting small form factor hybrid design, not really a pro machine (no XLR inputs etc.) but watch this space, methinks!

Adam

Steve Kass · July 14th, 2010, 11:33 AM

It maybe better then the nx5u. Sony seems to put more effort in their porconsumer products. Suggested retail for this camcorder is $2000.

Chris Barcellos · July 14th, 2010, 11:33 AM

In checking out the compatibility with my existing lens arsenal, I am disappointed that mounting my Nikon glass will not be near as easy or clean as with my Canon 5d or my T2i. Nor am I sure if this is the time to load up on Minolta glass to use on these cameras. Anybody have an idea if the old minolta mounts will work with this camera with their $200 adapter ?

Mikel Arturo · July 14th, 2010, 11:55 AM

Where is the Zoom Toggle/Rocker?

Or... is manual zoom full time?

Ethan Cooper · July 14th, 2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

where is the zoom rocker?

Don't know how many times I looked at it and didn't notice that. Ummm... I don't see one.

There's a pretty smooth zoom in the video, but he could be doing that manually. I kinda figured the new 'E' mount would allow you to control all lens functions through the cam, but maybe it doesn't do zoom?? Not sure.

Jay West · July 14th, 2010, 12:06 PM

Cool video even if you do not speak the language.

I find it interesting that different folks zero in on different features and lacks of features. For some posters, the important lack is certain progressive modes. What caught my eye, as an event videographer, and which would be a deal killer for me is this spec (from the post on page 1):

"Minimum Illumination : 11 lux (Shutter speed: 1/30 sec, Iris: F3.5, Gain: Auto)."

That leads me to wonder if, maybe, this limitation only reflects a necessary trade-off between the camera size, lens functions and sensor size or, perhaps, the camera market is being divided up into ever greater numbers of niches and sub-markets? Maybe both?

So, who is this camera designed for other than the guy who made the video?

Ethan Cooper · July 14th, 2010, 12:09 PM

11 lux?? Surely that can't be right.

Chris Barcellos · July 14th, 2010, 12:12 PM

Yes, that LUX rating bothered me too. Seems like my VX2000 was a one or 2, and then FX1 was around 5 or so (all from memory guestimation) and it seemed strange that minimum on this camera would be 11 with a bigger sensor. I am used to my Canon 5d shooting in the dark... so this is another big issue.

Correction: VX2000 was 2 lux, FX1 3 lux. Quite a difference if that 11 lux is a true spec....

Ethan Cooper · July 14th, 2010, 12:23 PM

well to be fair, lux ratings are mostly fudged anyway so maybe they can't drop the shutter speed enough to make this lux rating better?

**EDIT**
if I'm misunderstanding how they measure lux ratings someone tell me. I was always under the impression they can artificially lower that # by reducing shutter speed.

Casey Krugman · July 14th, 2010, 12:35 PM

Apparently ready for Pre-Order...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/717535-REG/Sony_NEX_VG10_NEX_VG10_Interchangeable_Lens_Handycam.html

Bill Koehler · July 14th, 2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Lowe

... And since there's no 24p or LANC control, that's all this thing is.

I would bet dollars to donuts this thing does indeed have a LANC interface. Looking at the German presentation of the pre-production camera, I note the zoom in on the barracuda at 4:40. This tells me Sony has an underwater housing ready to go and I bet it connects to the camera the exact same way as the HDR-CX550, etc. do. All of which also have an imbedded LANC interface.

Andy Wilkinson · July 14th, 2010, 01:03 PM

I've read all the comments so far and watched some of the videos.....

Will I now dump my EX3 and 7D - no way (not yet!). Is this a step forward, yes! Will I buy this product - probably not. Maybe a 'Pro' version might tempt me (and I'm sure it's coming). However, it'll have to be really good to prize those cams out of my bag. Exciting times ahead - for sure! It'll certainly keep Canon and Panasonic (and no doubt a few others) on their toes over the next few months.

Dave Pino · July 14th, 2010, 01:27 PM

very limited selection of frame rates and it appears as though there are no progressive modes. Crop size dslr sensor. It would be cool to slap a nice fast prime on there but then again, no 1080 24p/30p?? Dear Sony, I'd like to know why I should but this camcorder instead of the 7D.

Jay West · July 14th, 2010, 01:40 PM

Whoops. this post was moved from the discussion in the NX5 forum and doesn't have the posting I responded to. Edited to clarify.

Steve Kass commented (in a now moved NX5 forum posting) "It may be better then the nx5u."

One hopes, but it looks to me as though the question is still going to be "better for whom and for what?" The NEX-VG10 is certainly different from the NX5 --- with a single large sensor and interchangeable lenses and what seems to be very shallow DOF capabilities --- it strikes me that it might be "better" for some folks and not so great for others.

For example, the specs show the minimum illumination being only 11 lux (at f3.5 and 1/30th sec with auto gain) with the lens that comes with it. The NX5 is rated for 1.5 lux (f1.6 at 1/30 sec with auto gain). Even a CX550v will go down to 3 lux and do a pretty decent job of it.

These differences matter a lot to me as an event and wedding videographer who needs the low light capabilities of the NX5. But that degree of low light capability may be utterly unimportant to somebody else for whom this camera and its lens capabilities might be exactly what they need.

It is definitely interesting, and certainly blurs categories even more than the current DSLRs do.

To me, this announcement suggests what we might eventually see if Sony were to make an NX7 as a sibling for the NX5 the way it made the Z7 as the sibling to the Z5. Or, maybe, what we will see instead of an NX7.

Dave Blackhurst · July 14th, 2010, 02:08 PM

I'd expect a LANC in the A/V jack, wherever that may be (got to look at this cam in detail later, but looks very interesting). The new "E" lens mount and lenses look to be fairly professional in design, just a "miniaturized" lens optimized for video use in the NEX series.

There are already a number of adpaters hitting the market for the "E" mount - the NEX3/NEX5 is apparently selling very very well... and while you lose auto focus, I'd expect to be able to use a lot of different lenses on this before long.

This definitley looks a lot better than the early mockup, and depending on the spec is an interesting hybrid between a video camera and a still camera - I'm fascinated by the inclusion of the proprietary Alpha hot shoe! I'd have expected the Sony AiShoe, but not that one, uless they are seeing this as a crossover for the videographer that wants to shoot stills.

This is an interesting animal, but I'm guessing we may need some time to figure out what it is and does! I was planning on whatever Sony Alpha DSLR-V showed up, now I'm thinking this beast might be a better choice...

July 14th, 2010, 11:04 AM	#31
Adam Welz Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New York, USA Posts: 111	new Sony AVCHD cam: NEX-VG10 Hi All see here: Sony unveils NEX-VG10 E-mount HD camcorder: Digital Photography Review Interesting small form factor hybrid design, not really a pro machine (no XLR inputs etc.) but watch this space, methinks! Adam

July 14th, 2010, 11:33 AM	#33
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	In checking out the compatibility with my existing lens arsenal, I am disappointed that mounting my Nikon glass will not be near as easy or clean as with my Canon 5d or my T2i. Nor am I sure if this is the time to load up on Minolta glass to use on these cameras. Anybody have an idea if the old minolta mounts will work with this camera with their $200 adapter ? __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

July 14th, 2010, 12:09 PM	#37
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	11 lux?? Surely that can't be right. __________________ ∅ -Ethan Cooper

July 14th, 2010, 12:12 PM	#38
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Yes, that LUX rating bothered me too. Seems like my VX2000 was a one or 2, and then FX1 was around 5 or so (all from memory guestimation) and it seemed strange that minimum on this camera would be 11 with a bigger sensor. I am used to my Canon 5d shooting in the dark... so this is another big issue. Correction: VX2000 was 2 lux, FX1 3 lux. Quite a difference if that 11 lux is a true spec.... __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

July 14th, 2010, 12:23 PM	#39
Ethan Cooper Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 1,400 Images: 5	well to be fair, lux ratings are mostly fudged anyway so maybe they can't drop the shutter speed enough to make this lux rating better? EDIT if I'm misunderstanding how they measure lux ratings someone tell me. I was always under the impression they can artificially lower that # by reducing shutter speed. __________________ ∅ -Ethan Cooper

July 14th, 2010, 11:33 AM	#32
Steve Kass New Boot Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 23	It maybe better then the nx5u. Sony seems to put more effort in their porconsumer products. Suggested retail for this camcorder is $2000.

July 14th, 2010, 11:55 AM	#34
Mikel Arturo Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 93	Where is the Zoom Toggle/Rocker? Or... is manual zoom full time?

July 14th, 2010, 12:06 PM	#36
Jay West Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Red Lodge, Montana Posts: 889	Cool video even if you do not speak the language. I find it interesting that different folks zero in on different features and lacks of features. For some posters, the important lack is certain progressive modes. What caught my eye, as an event videographer, and which would be a deal killer for me is this spec (from the post on page 1): "Minimum Illumination : 11 lux (Shutter speed: 1/30 sec, Iris: F3.5, Gain: Auto)." That leads me to wonder if, maybe, this limitation only reflects a necessary trade-off between the camera size, lens functions and sensor size or, perhaps, the camera market is being divided up into ever greater numbers of niches and sub-markets? Maybe both? So, who is this camera designed for other than the guy who made the video?

July 14th, 2010, 12:35 PM	#40
Casey Krugman Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 135	That was quick.... Apparently ready for Pre-Order... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/717535-REG/Sony_NEX_VG10_NEX_VG10_Interchangeable_Lens_Handycam.html

July 14th, 2010, 01:03 PM	#42
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	I've read all the comments so far and watched some of the videos..... Will I now dump my EX3 and 7D - no way (not yet!). Is this a step forward, yes! Will I buy this product - probably not. Maybe a 'Pro' version might tempt me (and I'm sure it's coming). However, it'll have to be really good to prize those cams out of my bag. Exciting times ahead - for sure! It'll certainly keep Canon and Panasonic (and no doubt a few others) on their toes over the next few months. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

July 14th, 2010, 01:27 PM	#43
Dave Pino Tourist Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego California Posts: 2	very limited selection of frame rates and it appears as though there are no progressive modes. Crop size dslr sensor. It would be cool to slap a nice fast prime on there but then again, no 1080 24p/30p?? Dear Sony, I'd like to know why I should but this camcorder instead of the 7D.

July 14th, 2010, 01:40 PM	#44
Jay West Major Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Red Lodge, Montana Posts: 889	Whoops. this post was moved from the discussion in the NX5 forum and doesn't have the posting I responded to. Edited to clarify. Steve Kass commented (in a now moved NX5 forum posting) "It may be better then the nx5u." One hopes, but it looks to me as though the question is still going to be "better for whom and for what?" The NEX-VG10 is certainly different from the NX5 --- with a single large sensor and interchangeable lenses and what seems to be very shallow DOF capabilities --- it strikes me that it might be "better" for some folks and not so great for others. For example, the specs show the minimum illumination being only 11 lux (at f3.5 and 1/30th sec with auto gain) with the lens that comes with it. The NX5 is rated for 1.5 lux (f1.6 at 1/30 sec with auto gain). Even a CX550v will go down to 3 lux and do a pretty decent job of it. These differences matter a lot to me as an event and wedding videographer who needs the low light capabilities of the NX5. But that degree of low light capability may be utterly unimportant to somebody else for whom this camera and its lens capabilities might be exactly what they need. It is definitely interesting, and certainly blurs categories even more than the current DSLRs do. To me, this announcement suggests what we might eventually see if Sony were to make an NX7 as a sibling for the NX5 the way it made the Z7 as the sibling to the Z5. Or, maybe, what we will see instead of an NX7. Last edited by Jay West; July 14th, 2010 at 05:35 PM.

July 14th, 2010, 02:08 PM	#45
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	I'd expect a LANC in the A/V jack, wherever that may be (got to look at this cam in detail later, but looks very interesting). The new "E" lens mount and lenses look to be fairly professional in design, just a "miniaturized" lens optimized for video use in the NEX series. There are already a number of adpaters hitting the market for the "E" mount - the NEX3/NEX5 is apparently selling very very well... and while you lose auto focus, I'd expect to be able to use a lot of different lenses on this before long. This definitley looks a lot better than the early mockup, and depending on the spec is an interesting hybrid between a video camera and a still camera - I'm fascinated by the inclusion of the proprietary Alpha hot shoe! I'd have expected the Sony AiShoe, but not that one, uless they are seeing this as a crossover for the videographer that wants to shoot stills. This is an interesting animal, but I'm guessing we may need some time to figure out what it is and does! I was planning on whatever Sony Alpha DSLR-V showed up, now I'm thinking this beast might be a better choice...