Sony to expand 35mm large format NXCAM lineup

Monday Isa · November 17th, 2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen Vandermolen

Here's further info on the camera. Looks like AVCHD 24mbps (as expected) but outputs uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2. PL lens mount is available. Price is around 6,000 Euros, which is about $,8,000 US. It's a bit pricier than the AF100, but isn't it also supposed to shoot in 1080/60P? I wonder if the lens is included ,and if it's the same lens as the VG-10's.

> News > Sony announce un-named low cost super 35mm CMOS warrior

One cool thing that is mentioned in the article is this quote: "...likely to be supplied with a Sony / Minolta manufactured zoom lens as standard." Sony has me intrigued with their latest option.

Sean Seah · November 17th, 2010, 11:04 AM

Af100 is 4/3, this is 35mm. Understandable the higher price pt. Canon, tell us yr game quick before the $$ flies!

Andy Wilkinson · November 17th, 2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik Phairas

NEX sensor = not interested.

Latest web reports about the Sony event in Germany today suggest it is the exact same sensor as what's in the F3. I could be wrong (I was not there) but that's potentially very exciting news in a 6000 Euro camera (for me at least, as I can't afford an F3, at least not yet!). The footage released today from the F3 (see that forum section) is absolutely stunning!

Emmanuel Plakiotis · November 17th, 2010, 12:10 PM

The S35 acronym instead of APS-C is purely for marketing reasons.Since is a pro version it has "pro-like" specs.
The sensor cannot be the same as F3, the price difference is huge to justify the extra functionality of the F3, so IMO is a tweaked NEX sensor.
Don't forget that usually $=E in number not in exchange rate, so it will be $6000 if the speculation is right. They charge 50% extra for 20% more sensor area, smaller form factor, interoperability with the NX line and the Sony badge, which is a lot but not absurd.
I still think the F3 is the way to go, provided it meets the expectations. Otherwise one can stick with DSLR's, because the instances where the 101 and the NXS35 are going to differ in quality are not that many and not always appreciated by the client/end viewer.

Monday Isa · November 17th, 2010, 12:23 PM

I disagree with you Emmanuel, the F3 is going to have S-Log, it's going to have 4:4:4 and the different mount which can us the 3 prime lens and the servo lenses that they are to show at NAB. It's not crippled by AVCHD. I can see them using the same sensor totally. It makes more sense to do it as the nxcam version is not going to steal thunder from the F3. Maybe amongst those who can't afford the F3 but I think those are the people Sony still wants to reach out to with this new modular camcorder. If some one wants SDI out I can see that being a extra modular piece one would have to buy. For me I'll take the AVCHD for my event jobs.

David Heath · November 17th, 2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emmanuel Plakiotis

The S35 acronym instead of APS-C is purely for marketing reasons.

Not so, they are different sizes, as R Geoff Baker commented on a few posts back. Yes, the difference is slight in terms of area, but we are talking about two different sizes - so an APS-C sensor can't simply be labelled S35 for marketing.

Dave Blackhurst · November 17th, 2010, 01:58 PM

FWIW, Sony is always developing newer sensors - basically "plug in" upgrades for existing cameras (higher specs of course), meaning they can sit behind a lens/mount with well known characteristics, so just the sensor and associated electronics are improved/tweaked...

It's a virtual certainty that Sony will be releasing a new "full frame" high rez sensor for the still camera side of the biz (which Sony has finally committed to also shooting video, preferably as well as possible). The A700 and A900 Alpha cameras are VERY well known to be overdue for replacement, and the A700 is discontinued. There's a very good chance that there will be some new high performance CMOS chips available that can migrate into the video side of the offerings.

While the NEX cameras (E mount) so far have been a little on the "toy" side of the equation, they've also been selling like sliced bread, as have the new SLT Alpha cameras. Sony knows there's a "professional" interest in these smaller, lighter, high performance camera "systems", probably a lot more than even they expected, and they no doubt will fill out the lines as quickly as they can. The E mount was designed from the ground up to be a VIDEO oriented lens mount, as they didn't feel the A mount was well suited to video.

Emmanuel Plakiotis · November 17th, 2010, 02:32 PM

For $10000 more you get dual HDSDI, the ability to use a budget lens, maybe a few extra features and ergonomics, and 35mbits MPEG2 instead of 24Mbits AVCHD.
I don't think you can justify a 160% price hike for the F3.
There must be a differentiation in the sensor or another major shortcoming in the new camera.

Glen Vandermolen · November 17th, 2010, 04:11 PM

here's some video of the prototype:

YouTube - [InterBEE2010]SONY??? E?????NXCAM????

Notice on the info card at the beginning, it clearly states 1080/60p. 30p. 24p.

On the top handle, what looks like a mic holder, but pointing the wrong direction - is that for a viewfinder?

Mark OConnell · November 17th, 2010, 04:44 PM

Bloom has put some info on his blog.

http://philipbloom.net/2010/11/17/f3nxcam/

Monday Isa · November 17th, 2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emmanuel Plakiotis

....There must be a differentiation in the sensor or another major shortcoming in the new camera.

You are probably right about the latter Emmanuel. Philip Bloom and a couple other people have confirmed it is the same sensor as the F3.

Andy Wilkinson · November 17th, 2010, 04:55 PM

One of the pricing differential "reasons" is now clear. The new NXCAM will be "crippled" to do 25p or 50p in Europe and 24p and 60p in USA etc. Not switchable - Region locked.

Ozzy Alvarez · November 17th, 2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen Vandermolen

here's some video of the prototype:

YouTube - [InterBEE2010]SONY??? E?????NXCAM????

Notice on the info card at the beginning, it clearly states 1080/60p. 30p. 24p.

On the top handle, what looks like a mic holder, but pointing the wrong direction - is that for a viewfinder?

What exactly is that thing attached to the cold shoe? Is that suppose to be a mic holder?

Ozzy

Erik Phairas · November 17th, 2010, 06:55 PM

F3 sensor means it's a winner. Are they going for a RED one type deal when it's just a block and you buy everything separate? Even handles? Aww whatever, I want one.

So sticker price of 8 grand US, means maybe 6 or 7 street?

I hope they don't cripple it somehow, like for no apparent reason it has more noise or whatever.

Ozzy Alvarez · November 17th, 2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen Vandermolen

It looks about the same size as a VG-10, but wider. But I'd really like an EVF. More than one XLR input would be nice, too. HD/SDI output would be sweet.
But talk about intriguing! If it's price-competitive with the AF100, 2011 is shaping up to be a really nice year - for us video techo-geeks, anyway.

Does anyone see a way to attach an evf to this thing? How about adding extra xlrs with a beachtek or juicedlink?

November 17th, 2010, 11:04 AM	#32
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	Af100 is 4/3, this is 35mm. Understandable the higher price pt. Canon, tell us yr game quick before the $$ flies! __________________ Firewerkz Films SGP

November 17th, 2010, 04:44 PM	#40
Mark OConnell Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 420	Bloom has put some info on his blog. http://philipbloom.net/2010/11/17/f3nxcam/ __________________ http://www.markoconnell.org Last edited by Mark OConnell; November 17th, 2010 at 04:52 PM. Reason: Forgot to give you the link!

November 17th, 2010, 04:55 PM	#42
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	One of the pricing differential "reasons" is now clear. The new NXCAM will be "crippled" to do 25p or 50p in Europe and 24p and 60p in USA etc. Not switchable - Region locked. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

November 17th, 2010, 06:55 PM	#44
Erik Phairas Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 628	F3 sensor means it's a winner. Are they going for a RED one type deal when it's just a block and you buy everything separate? Even handles? Aww whatever, I want one. So sticker price of 8 grand US, means maybe 6 or 7 street? I hope they don't cripple it somehow, like for no apparent reason it has more noise or whatever. __________________ EX3, Q6600 Quad core PC - Vista 64, Vegas 8.1 64bit, SR11 b-cam

November 17th, 2010, 12:10 PM	#34
Emmanuel Plakiotis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 344	The S35 acronym instead of APS-C is purely for marketing reasons.Since is a pro version it has "pro-like" specs. The sensor cannot be the same as F3, the price difference is huge to justify the extra functionality of the F3, so IMO is a tweaked NEX sensor. Don't forget that usually $=E in number not in exchange rate, so it will be $6000 if the speculation is right. They charge 50% extra for 20% more sensor area, smaller form factor, interoperability with the NX line and the Sony badge, which is a lot but not absurd. I still think the F3 is the way to go, provided it meets the expectations. Otherwise one can stick with DSLR's, because the instances where the 101 and the NXS35 are going to differ in quality are not that many and not always appreciated by the client/end viewer.

November 17th, 2010, 12:23 PM	#35
Monday Isa Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 913	I disagree with you Emmanuel, the F3 is going to have S-Log, it's going to have 4:4:4 and the different mount which can us the 3 prime lens and the servo lenses that they are to show at NAB. It's not crippled by AVCHD. I can see them using the same sensor totally. It makes more sense to do it as the nxcam version is not going to steal thunder from the F3. Maybe amongst those who can't afford the F3 but I think those are the people Sony still wants to reach out to with this new modular camcorder. If some one wants SDI out I can see that being a extra modular piece one would have to buy. For me I'll take the AVCHD for my event jobs.

November 17th, 2010, 01:58 PM	#37
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	FWIW, Sony is always developing newer sensors - basically "plug in" upgrades for existing cameras (higher specs of course), meaning they can sit behind a lens/mount with well known characteristics, so just the sensor and associated electronics are improved/tweaked... It's a virtual certainty that Sony will be releasing a new "full frame" high rez sensor for the still camera side of the biz (which Sony has finally committed to also shooting video, preferably as well as possible). The A700 and A900 Alpha cameras are VERY well known to be overdue for replacement, and the A700 is discontinued. There's a very good chance that there will be some new high performance CMOS chips available that can migrate into the video side of the offerings. While the NEX cameras (E mount) so far have been a little on the "toy" side of the equation, they've also been selling like sliced bread, as have the new SLT Alpha cameras. Sony knows there's a "professional" interest in these smaller, lighter, high performance camera "systems", probably a lot more than even they expected, and they no doubt will fill out the lines as quickly as they can. The E mount was designed from the ground up to be a VIDEO oriented lens mount, as they didn't feel the A mount was well suited to video.

November 17th, 2010, 02:32 PM	#38
Emmanuel Plakiotis Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 344	For $10000 more you get dual HDSDI, the ability to use a budget lens, maybe a few extra features and ergonomics, and 35mbits MPEG2 instead of 24Mbits AVCHD. I don't think you can justify a 160% price hike for the F3. There must be a differentiation in the sensor or another major shortcoming in the new camera.

November 17th, 2010, 04:11 PM	#39
Glen Vandermolen Space Hipster Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,596	here's some video of the prototype: YouTube - [InterBEE2010]SONY??? E?????NXCAM???? Notice on the info card at the beginning, it clearly states 1080/60p. 30p. 24p. On the top handle, what looks like a mic holder, but pointing the wrong direction - is that for a viewfinder?