Sony Answers Panasonic

[Dennis Dillon]

Sony : PMW-F3K (PMWF3K) : Product Overview : United Kingdom

So now I can get rid of my Canon 5D or better yet use it as intended, a still camera that can capture your child's soccer game at the same time.

This is fantastic. I can also rid myself of the 35mm adapters that plague my F stop range on my EX's.

I'll be checking this beauty out in the next fews weeks. "PL"ease stand by. Im ready to implement this camera yesterday. Im so happy.

[Garrett Low]

Not quite direct competition for the Pana. These new Sonys look really sweat but come with a price tag of $16,000 to $23,000 (body only or kit with 3 lenses). If they are really an EX1/3 with a 4/3 sensor they should be a great new tool for indie film makers. Unfortunately the cost is still a little out of my reach :(

http://www.studiodaily.com/main/news...nes/12703.html

-Garrett

[Dennis Dillon]

Garrett,
Yes there is a big price spread between the two, so we will see if the image is worth the difference. The feature set appeals to me at twice that price. DUAL LINK/3D COMPATIBLE.
They list the imager as a "Super 35mm Equivalent Single Chip Exmor CMOS Image Sensor"
Ill post ASAP.

[Perrone Ford]

I think this release is more aimed at the RED ONE (on a budget) than the Panasonic AF100. They're not even in the same league other than having somewhat larger sensors than we've been seeing.

When you see specs like PL mount, Log, Dual SDI, etc., you've left the realm of the event camera and have moved into the realm of digital cinema camera. This is going to make a lot of people very, very happy. Slightly above my pay grade though. Maybe for a rental for an upcoming project though. I want to see indoor footage with it first.

[Andy Shipsides]

This is a very impressive little camera in many different ways. It is a mini digital cinema camera for sure, and the price with three PL mount lenses is very good, especially considering that a set of three Zeiss Compact primes is just about $12k. Sony is working zoom lenses for it that have traditional servo lens controls too, which means it will also be well suited for the documentary market. Very exciting to see how these large imager cameras are evolving.

Andy

[Garrett Low]

Dennis, I'm very eager to hear your reports. I view this camera as aimed much more to be used in a true cinema sense. Much like the EX 1/3 is a budget PDW900, the PMW-F3K/L seem to be targeted as a super budget F35. It seems to be very well thought out and if the picture quality holds up, paired with something like a nanoFlash or the new AJA KP Mini it could be used for those shots where a big rig just won't work.

Perrone, I share your excitement about the possibilities of this as a serious camera to be used on productions that are targeted for wide release. If this new camera can deliver I may try to use one on a documentary we're scheduled to start shooting on early next year.

-Garrett

[Kevin Spahr]

Why would anyone put a half inch ( or do I mean half a** ) viewfinder on a camera in this class? Leave it off and just put a socket for connecting a customer selected viewfinder.
That's the reason I went with the ex3 - a useable viewfinder. When I have to use my old SD camcorders I'm fustrated trying to focus using a tiny viewfinder, the ex3 has spoiled me.

[Marcus Durham]

Surely this is the answer to the 5D/7D?

Sony NEX-VG10E (NEXVG10E) 14.2MP APS HD CMOS sensor camcorder with inter-changeable lens.

Around the same price, proper video, etc. OK so it still doesn't have any XLR jacks but neither does the 7D.

Anyone used it? At that price it looks attractive for the one or two shots you might use it for in a production. No way would it be a replacement for the EX1, but if the quality is up to it for certain shots it might work.

Have only seen the Sony demo of it so far and I tend to take those with a pinch of salt as they are always going to use the camera to its strengths.

[Robert Young]

Originally Posted by Marcus Durham

Anyone used it? At that price it looks attractive for the one or two shots you might use it for in a production. No way would it be a replacement for the EX1, but if the quality is up to it for certain shots it might work.

I've used it for about a month.
It's quite a sexy, new concept, little camera.
It's a lot of fun, and produces beautiful images, but is basically a consumer cam and is missing a lot of features an EX user might feel pretty naked without.
It's got the EX1r VF, and a similar HD LCD, but no focusing aids- peaking, focus assist image zoom, etc.
So, with the shallow DOF it's a job to keep it on target.
The lenses are actually DSLR camera lenses- AE, AF is good, but zoom is strictly manual.
The sensor is optomized for dual use (video/still), so moire is an issue for video.
Has a very good onboard mic for a cam in this price range.
IMO, it's a good value for the $$$, and an easy way to get your feet wet re large sensor shooting.
I'm guessing that Sony will yet unveil a bigger APC cam- maybe NX sized- with more pro features, and in the $6-$7K price range. Something between the VG10 and the F3K.
We'll see...
Meanwhile, I'm really enjoying the VG10.
Also, Sony is supposed to be coming out with several new E series lenses for this camera in 2011.

[Erik Phairas]

The F3 is awesome looking, but priced in the world of the RED. I don't see anything to replace my beloved EX3 yet.

If the F3 were around 10k with lenses I'd think about it.

[Dan Crowell]

Erik,

If you really love your EX-3 you'd love the the PMW-320 (street price around 12k) and even better the 350. I own both....only because I couldn't afford two 350s. But, to tell you the truth, the image on the 320 is so good, it's hard to justify the additional cost for another 350. But on the other hand, I'd have no problem forking over the extra dough (if I could afford it) for another 350 because the image quality is off the charts for the money.

[Erik Phairas]

Well a shoulder cam is a big leap and not just because of the price. That is a lot of camera to lug around. The F3 is lighter and smaller than an EX3, basically a mini F35, lots to love about that. Hopefully they will put that sensor is something cheap, maybe strip off some of the other stuff too and bring the cost down..

That might kill some of their other cameras, the EX cams for example, so they might not have the motivation to do it.

[Tim Polster]

Dan, I would be interested to know if the PMW-320 has any image quality advantage to the EX-1 in your experience?

[Leonard Levy]

I'm concerned that the F3 sounds like it is PL mount only which I think means it won't accept most SLR lenses like my Nikons. So I won't be able to use my favorite 80-200 zoom for interviews . It would be a major price problem if you needed to use cine lenses. Zooms would be huge and astronomically expensive. Stupid design feature IMHO. Hope it is more flexible.

Anyone know more about this?

[Perrone Ford]

I think the market this camera is aimed at is going to be VERY comfortable with the PL mount. I see this as an F35 B camera, not as a step up camera for DSLR, or even EX1/EX3 users. Totally different market, totally different purchase incentive. In fact, on price scale, for an F35 user this *IS* their HDSLR!