Sony teases high-end camcorder with Exmor APC HD sensor and interchangeable lenses (video)
By Thomas Ricker 
posted May 11th 2010 3:05AM
posted May 11th 2010 3:05AM
posted May 11th 2010 3:05AM
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It is this sort of precision engineered lust that Sony do best. It is such a pity that Sony and Apple didn't merge a while back, so Apple can produce Sony's software and ecosystem, whilst Sony engineer Apple's toys. The PowerBook 100 was evidence that such a partnership could work.
@Oflife I'd be happy if Apple would just release a Final Cut suite that fit seamlessly into the AVCHD workflow and worked directly with the files copied from the card. I'm so sick of transcoding into ProRes.
I assume we'll get that when we get BD authoring tools that can stand up to Scenarist. :/
@Oflife Why does it have to be Apple?
@Oflife: No thanx, if that would happen, I would certainly never buy Sony again..
@macserv
Sony's Vegas Pro works seamlessly with AVCDH and works really well. It was originally Sonic Foundry's lovechild until Sony bought the software assets from them.
@Billy,
because of this,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerBook_100
Sony hardware + Apple software = teh winning combo
@Oflife
What are you saying, that control-freak-Jobs would give up control over Apple hardware? Man I'm almost crying from tears of laughter.
Isn't that cool?
@Vaio It's just a concept, but it may not be practical because it may be too heavy
@Billy Well, they say that development is in progress, so I'll guess they are after the concept stage. And they have a release... period?
For the heaviness I guess we will need to try it out. In any case this kind of compatibility over three lines of products is pretty nice.
looks very awkward to hold....
Thats great .............. Sony is coming back ............
SONY is coming after Canon's Video capable SLRs strong. They want to be a force in that market, which only makes sense being as though they are a huge force in the Digital Cinematography realm in Hollywood (even though people on the internet seem to think RED runs that show). This is absolutely fantastic technology. Can't wait to see some real specs.
@RomanMF Between the NEX cameras and this camcorder they are coming after everyone :)
People on the Internet? And people directing films. A few you might have heard of. Look 'em up. And some TV-show producers as well. Red does run the show. The reason Red exists is that Sony has been sitting on its ass for YEARS. Their best offering is still an HD video camera. Did you see Public Enemies? It looked like ass.
@Information Central
Public Enemies looked like ass because there was a lot or 360 shutter usage going on. They used a shutter speed twice as high as they should have so the image was very sterile. They also shot everything in rather deep focus, which didn't aid the first issue either. That problem wasn't caused by SONY, that was Mann's own creative decision.
need.
If they could only improve the noise issues in their Alpha cameras -_-;
I want my 2 minutes back that video is only like 45 seconds long.
the idea is interesting, although form factor, I don't know. If I would to try and handhold some pro quality lens on that thing, think would get some serious wrist strain.
@imGoingNameless
I think I'd be more worried about that huge lens breaking off? I don't know, I've never handled nor used one nor any idea how heavy/light they are, but less than 45 degree screw on assumption from the video can't be that stable?
@Almo actually those bayonet mounts (they don't work like screws) are pretty durable, i wouldn't worry about them breaking of but wrist strain could be a problem here
@Xstream I think we don't appreciate how small this thing is. The lens in the video is the 18-200, so the camera should fit entirely in your palm and thus provide a firm grip. These lens are one of the biggest.
@Atkins *this lens is one of the biggest.
Ah yes, that well known "APC-C-sized sensor"; I assume you mean APS-C since, you know, that's actually a standard designated sensor size. Also, your Sony NEX5 post states that it can only do 1080i, while it can in actually fact do 1080p, as noted by all the sources that you linked to.
The picture format (1080p, for example) doesn't really mean that much in these consumer cameras because the bitrate is typically impoverished. After all the compression, you wind up with a picture with far less resolution that a 1080p picture should deliver. More like a good SD picture blown up to "HD" size, especially when there's movement.
@Information Central: I know, and I agree with you. Personally, I shoot very little video, but if I did, then I'd definitely spend a lot of time checking out bitrates as opposed to simply buying something because it shoots 1080p footage, since, as you explained, it can make the world of difference.
Also, it seems as though the sources on the other post made a mistake (which I followed) - it was reported that the NEX5 shot 1080p, but Sony's official press release says it only shoots 1080i. Whoops.
is this a Lenovo site ?
The truth is, these new Canon and Nikon dslrs are far better than Sony's F23 and F35 and all of their cinealta cameras, really. That's why studios are going crazy over them (like the 'House' finale being shot entirely on the 5D mkII, and Numb3rs, and Iron Man 2 second unit, and etc.). This is obviously Sony's response to those cameras with their full size sensors and interchangeable lenses. But is Sony really going to let this little camcorder be more capable than their $250,000 monsters? I'm not sure. I really hope so, because this looks fucking awesome. It would be so easy for Sony to pack this thing with every feature it needs to be the best. They better just do it.
@mattlev15
You're kidding right? As an SLR shooter myself even I know these SLRs don't compare to SONY'S high end cinema systems. There's a lot more to a camera than a sensor. Color depth, bit rate, input/outputs, form factor, resolution, frame rates, CONTROL. Sony's higher end cameras which fall more in the 60-120K range not 250K, which is more IMAX range, are a lot better than these SLRs.
Studios aren't going crazy, you are with this logic. None of the main shots in Iron Man 2 are 5D, HOUSE and Numb3rs are television shows and their delivery format is totally different. Plus HOUSE is the first case where the camera is A cam. Michael Bay isn't making the next Transformers on 5D. Michael Mann uses SONY digital cameras for his movies, not SLRs, not even RED. There are a reason real directors and real cinema productions use high end Digital cameras like the Panavision Genesis, Phantom, RED One, and SONY FW900, F23 and F35.
@mattlev15 I don't get you. First you say that the Canon and Nikon DSLRs are far better than Sony's F35 (and I would already strongly disagree here), then you ask "is Sony really going to let this little camcorder be more capable than their $250,000 monsters"?
@mattlev15 RomanMF said it well. The sensor is just one part. The new Canon 1d mark4 provides fantastic video. But it doesn't record the raw data, so you have a logarithmic process happening in the camera, compression, and color space reduction.
The DSLRs have been very impressive in what they can accomplish. There are places where the definitely make sense to use. On the corporate video level, I'd probably go that direction these days. The same with a lot of documentary videos too.
But they are not film resolution, lack the color space of the digital film cameras, and lack the processing & storage power needed for digital filming too.
@mattlev15
The F23 and F35 are vastly superior to dSLR based cameras. Particularly in the case of the F35. Keep in mind, the Sony F35 is also the Panavision Genesis.
The F35 is a CCD camera that does pixel binning and has a global shutter. To fit into an S35 frame, they bin over 5 pixels into one, which means dramatically higher dynamic range and noise profile, and the global shutter means zero rolling shutter artifact (even the Reds and Arris have these artifacts). There isn't another video camera with a CCD sensor that large and film-like quality.
You ment APS-C not APC-C, i assume?
Niiiice. Take the video out of DSLR! *claps*
Why?
Not so cool when Sony is, once again, fragmenting the market and impeding what could be a really cool new standard. We already have Micro 4/3, with several manufacturers and a nice assortment of lenses.
Also, if the chip size is the same as their still cameras, why do the lenses need a mount adapter?
@Information Central
The market is already fragmented, Sony is just continuing to keep it that way. Panasonic and Olympus are the exception here.
ٍSo should I wait for this and not buying the 7D? I am a Graphics Designer and I want to learn Video shooting, I have no Idea what to buy, budget is 2000 to 4000 $. I know this is out of topic, but if anyone could advice I'd appreciate it.
You need to wait and see what the specs are on this thing. For example, what is the bitrate (megabits per second)? That tells you (to some extent) how compressed (crappy) the image is. Also, the low-light performance on the Canon is remarkably good. Will this be as good?
Also, the 7D is a very good still camera. This one will not be as good; that's nearly certain.
@elibi I agree with @Information Central. If you can and want to wait, then wait. But it can be long - "fall" isn't a precise date. What I like the Sony idea here is that you will be able to use some lenses throughout the line.
And the 7D is a great camera which you can use today - although if you do mostly video I think it would be better to invest in something dedicated even if it is only for the form factor.
@elibi Don't spend $2000-4000 on something you're learning! In fact, shooting with DSLRs throws up so many problems and hurdles that the inexperienced will most likely end up Doing It Wrong™.
Still, if you do want to go down the DSLR route, get the 550d - same guts as the 7d but a whole lot cheaper.
Anyway, as has been noted - the same problems will exist with this Sony cam as exist on the 550/7/5d. Low bit rate and very narrow colour depth. If it's made for video it might have a moire filter though, so that would be nice.
@elibi Pick up a Rebel Ti. It shoots video just about as good as a 7D and you will save a bundle.
And although other people are right in learning to shoot video on a real camcorder is going to be easier, the truth is that if you want to learn how to work with exposure/depth of field/and aperture for artistic shots, then the Ti & 7D are great options.
It is as if I said, "oh you are a new photographer, then you should start with a point and shoot". But really, when we go to school and learn photography, you are required to bring an SLR.
I say learn on the right tools for filmmaking. If you want to video tape your friends and family, do grab a simple camcorder. Video on a DSLR can be challenging to capture the fleeting moments, but rocks when you are able to plan and execute your artistic vision.
yes please! my D80 is going on ebay now...
A little bit of wee just came out.
If they did these with Nikon and Canon mounts too they'd be MADE.
This looks amazing.
It is just what many people are asking for.
With a bit of luck this thing will have a clean HD feed so that you can record on a Nano Flash or whatever and bypass AVCHD altogether.
The glove is soon to be thrown down by Sony, Canon let's see what you can do to woo us.
By the way, Sony F35 use is very strong in feature film and major episodic production.
Rental companies are still buying F35 cameras faster than Sony can produce them. The rental demand is that strong for these cameras.
Yes they are expensive, but they also produce amazing images and are very, very reliable, with bulletproof workflow.
The thing nobody's mentioned or questioned is how the heck do you zoom one of these bad boys? If you still have to twist the lens to zoom, you've blown it.
Me want. But they had better crank up the AVCHD bitrate to the max. And another Achille's heel: audio quality. Must have XLR inputs or at least facilitate a boom microphone.