Sony Unveils Latest NXCAM Offerings

Sony Electronics has unveiled the newest additions to its NXCAM family of professional video products: the NEX-FS100U, an E-mount camcorder equipped with a Super 35mm CMOS sensor, and the compact HXR-NX70U, the industry’s first rain- and dust-proof professional HD camcorder. The new camcorders join Sony’s existing NXCAM model HXR-NX5U.

“These new camcorders fill an important void in the digital handheld production market,” says Bob Ott, VP of product marketing and management for Sony Electronics. “They combine affordability and high performance with a rich, ‘distinctive’ look for a range of applications – including commercial video, music video and many others.”

First premiered to the public a few months ago as a prototype, the NEX-FS100U Super 35mm camcorder is equipped with an Exmor Super35 CMOS Sensor. The large-format sensor’s high sensitivity enables it to produce footage with shallow depth of field similar to that of a film camera.

The sensor also features the optimum number of effective pixels for shooting HD moving images. At a high 60fps in all-pixel scan mode, this allows images to be captured with less color aliasing, jaggedness and rolling shutter than DSLR cameras, while providing the sensitivity necessary for shooting at a minimum illumination of 0.28lux (when using a fixed shutter speed of 1/30, auto gain and an iris setting of F1.4). Another advantage of Exmor technology is minimal noise when shooting low-light scenes.

The NEX-FS100U adopts the Sony E-mount interchangeable lens system. The camcorder’s very short flange back distance (the distance between the lens mount and sensor surfaces) allows various Sony A-mount lenses to be used via a mount adaptor (LA-EA1). It is also possible to attach a range of other lenses, using compatible third-party mount adaptors.

The NEX-FS100UK lens kit model comes supplied with the E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS zoom Lens, which gives users optical SteadyShot and auto focus. The SEL18200 lens supplied with the NEX-FS100UK enables shooting in illumination as low as 1.5lux when using a fixed shutter speed of 1/30, auto gain and auto iris.

The NEX-FS100U also accepts affordable and readily available compatible SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and Memory Stick PRO Duo. It is capable of recording images at various frame rates providing the added creative freedom of Slow and Quick motion with full HD. The camera operator can simply adjust the frame rate without using converters or editing software.The grip, handle and hybrid LCD viewfinder are detachable, making it ideal for handheld scenes and shooting in confined locations.

HXR-NX70U – first dust- and rain-proof professional HD camcorder

The main unit of the HXR-NX70U has been proven to reach dust-proof and rain-proof performance requirements, specified by IEC60529 IP54. Sudden rain or dust will not affect the camcorder’s operation, allowing the HXR-NX70U to perform in challenging shooting environments.

The ultra-compact HXR-NX70U incorporates an Exmor R CMOS sensor to deliver quality low-light footage and enhanced manual controls to give the precision pro shooters need when capturing high-quality HD content. The camcorder also features a 96GB internal memory.

CinemaTone technology captures footage with deeper, more film-like color tones and the wide angle Sony G lens can take in more of the action, producing sharp images with accurate color reproduction. The optical SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto perspectives. A built-in GPS receiver makes the HXR-NX70U an ideal choice for journalists and documentary makers as it gives them the ability to “geotag” footage when on location.

Each of the new camcorders is planned to be available between July and September 2011, at the following suggested list prices:

• NEX-FS100U (without lens) – $5,850
• NEX-FS100UK (with lens) – $6,550
• HXR-NX70U – $3,200