Sony XDCAM EX -- a bunch of pics

Marco Dias · April 16th, 2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Leith

The back end does look a little "chopped off" - but with no tape transport to accomodate, why make it longer just for the sake of it?.

Make it longer and cover the battery in a vertical direction. The battery looks like it's about to fall off. It's ugly in my opinion.

Brian Standing · April 16th, 2007, 03:10 PM

I'm wondering if this is the final form factor, or a rough prototype. It looks kind of cobbed together from lots of different parts -- including a mix of professional shoulder cams, handicams and Sony consumer and pro offerings. Like it can't quite make up its mind what kind of camera it is.

Sony could save a lot of bulk by getting rid of that built-in (stereo?) FX-1-style microphone, using a HANDYCAM-style operational switch/trigger, and dropping the top-mounted handle a bit. I agree with the comment about the battery mounting. I'd think a traditional vertical mount would be less susceptible to getting jarred loose.

Do we know for certain yet if this is CCD or CMOS? Sony's press releases all talk about the "XD-CAM eX SERIES of cameras." That makes me wonder if this is the "Z1" of the XD-CAM world (using CCDs, perhaps?) and we'll see a slimmed-down CMOS-based "V1" version in the future? (One can hope....)

Richard Zlamany · April 16th, 2007, 03:25 PM

Sweet deal. I like my cams ugly and mean.

I can't wait to say goodbye to tapes.

Thanks for all the pics and news.

Brian Standing · April 16th, 2007, 03:35 PM

Hey.... is that a REMOVABLE lcd screen?

Oh, never mind. I figured it out. Looks like it swings underneath the built-in microphone.

Robert Ducon · April 16th, 2007, 03:46 PM

Looks dandy. Go Sony for *not* making this a "Sony Mega-Memory Stick" format or something.

Cinealta, eh? Hmm.. don't dilute that brand!

How much is this sucker? I wouldn't mind being able to say I owned a "CineAlta" camera ;)

Tyson Persall · April 16th, 2007, 07:25 PM

Ugly? Its just kind of lumpy -compared to what were used to. Its just a slightly new form factor we haven't seen before. The shape might make it handle better - erognomics. Better sony spend the money on a cam producing the resulting picture quality then spend the any $ on making the design look sexy.

Boyd Ostroff · April 16th, 2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Jefferson

bloody big......

The attached photo from Sony's presentation should give you a little better size reference. It's a bit larger than the Z1, but not a lot.

Boyd Ostroff · April 16th, 2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Standing

Do we know for certain yet if this is CCD or CMOS?

Seems like they were intentionally being vague on this point...

Boyd Ostroff · April 16th, 2007, 07:35 PM

Regarding price and availability, the exact quotes from the presentation were "by the end of the year" and "under $8,000".

Brian Standing · April 16th, 2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyson Persall

The shape might make it handle better - erognomics. Better sony spend the money on a cam producing the resulting picture quality then spend the any $ on making the design look sexy.

Actually, it's ergonomics I'm concerned about, not looks. I like the Handycam format, but I don't really want to hold a 7-pound camera up in front of my face all day. Without a shoulder brace, even the Z1 gets a bit tiring.

Paulo Teixeira · April 16th, 2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Standing

Actually, it's ergonomics I'm concerned about, not looks. I like the Handycam format, but I don't really want to hold a 7-pound camera up in front of my face all day. Without a shoulder brace, even the Z1 gets a bit tiring.

That can’t be the weight, is it? That’s about 2 pounds to heavy. The sweet spot is keeping it at around 5 pounds or less.

Richard Zlamany · April 16th, 2007, 08:37 PM

The pd170 I use when loaded with the WA lens, light, and mics weighs 10 pounds.

IMO these cams work very well with shoulder supports, monopods, and of course tripods. I care nothing for handheld.

I think the large battery in the back will make the cam better balanced than the pd170 with the WA lens, light and mics, so all will be good.

I can't wait until the clients start asking for HD in my area, so I can have a reason to switch from SD to HD.

George David · April 16th, 2007, 08:51 PM

It's the one I've been waiting for. Gorgeous!!! Thanks for the pics.

Vaughan Wood · April 16th, 2007, 09:28 PM

If the 1/2 inch sensors give the low light performance for receptions and concert work that we've been missing since the VX2000 series of cameras, there will be an FX 7 for sale quicker than you can say "Ebay"

This is exciting news!

Cheers Vaughan

Ryan Lester · April 16th, 2007, 10:01 PM

Ditto..........

The only reason i haven't upgraded my PD170 yet was because i'm just not happy with the V1 / Z1.

Plus, i like the option of shoulder mount!

April 16th, 2007, 03:46 PM	#20
Robert Ducon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 400	Looks dandy. Go Sony for not making this a "Sony Mega-Memory Stick" format or something. Cinealta, eh? Hmm.. don't dilute that brand! How much is this sucker? I wouldn't mind being able to say I owned a "CineAlta" camera ;) __________________ Mac + Canon HV20

April 16th, 2007, 07:25 PM	#21
Tyson Persall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: North Hollywood, Atlanta Posts: 437	Ugly? Its just kind of lumpy -compared to what were used to. Its just a slightly new form factor we haven't seen before. The shape might make it handle better - erognomics. Better sony spend the money on a cam producing the resulting picture quality then spend the any $ on making the design look sexy. __________________ Tyson X

April 16th, 2007, 03:10 PM	#17
Brian Standing Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 621	I'm wondering if this is the final form factor, or a rough prototype. It looks kind of cobbed together from lots of different parts -- including a mix of professional shoulder cams, handicams and Sony consumer and pro offerings. Like it can't quite make up its mind what kind of camera it is. Sony could save a lot of bulk by getting rid of that built-in (stereo?) FX-1-style microphone, using a HANDYCAM-style operational switch/trigger, and dropping the top-mounted handle a bit. I agree with the comment about the battery mounting. I'd think a traditional vertical mount would be less susceptible to getting jarred loose. Do we know for certain yet if this is CCD or CMOS? Sony's press releases all talk about the "XD-CAM eX SERIES of cameras." That makes me wonder if this is the "Z1" of the XD-CAM world (using CCDs, perhaps?) and we'll see a slimmed-down CMOS-based "V1" version in the future? (One can hope....)

April 16th, 2007, 03:25 PM	#18
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	Sweet deal. I like my cams ugly and mean. I can't wait to say goodbye to tapes. Thanks for all the pics and news.

April 16th, 2007, 03:35 PM	#19
Brian Standing Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 621	Hey.... is that a REMOVABLE lcd screen? Oh, never mind. I figured it out. Looks like it swings underneath the built-in microphone.

April 16th, 2007, 07:35 PM	#24
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,798	Regarding price and availability, the exact quotes from the presentation were "by the end of the year" and "under $8,000".

April 16th, 2007, 08:37 PM	#27
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	The pd170 I use when loaded with the WA lens, light, and mics weighs 10 pounds. IMO these cams work very well with shoulder supports, monopods, and of course tripods. I care nothing for handheld. I think the large battery in the back will make the cam better balanced than the pd170 with the WA lens, light and mics, so all will be good. I can't wait until the clients start asking for HD in my area, so I can have a reason to switch from SD to HD.

April 16th, 2007, 08:51 PM	#28
George David Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 150	It's the one I've been waiting for. Gorgeous!!! Thanks for the pics.

April 16th, 2007, 09:28 PM	#29
Vaughan Wood Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 278	If the 1/2 inch sensors give the low light performance for receptions and concert work that we've been missing since the VX2000 series of cameras, there will be an FX 7 for sale quicker than you can say "Ebay" This is exciting news! Cheers Vaughan

April 16th, 2007, 10:01 PM	#30
Ryan Lester Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 48	Ditto.......... The only reason i haven't upgraded my PD170 yet was because i'm just not happy with the V1 / Z1. Plus, i like the option of shoulder mount!