Sony Releases Pricing for New CineAlta 4K Cameras

Sony Electronics has announced suggested list pricing for its newest CineAlta 4K cameras – the PMW-F55 and PMW-F5 – as well as related 4K accessories. These new technologies, announced in late October, are designed to meet the growing demand for HD, 2K and 4K content creation across a wide range of professional applications.

The suggested U.S. list pricing for the new products, planned to be available in February, are:

• PMW-F5 CineAlta 4K Camera                        $19,400
• PMW-F55 CineAlta 4K Camera                     $34,900
• AXR-R5 RAW Recorder                                   $6,300
• AXS-512S24 512Gb Memory Card                  $2,100
• AXS-CR1 card reader                                         $660
• DVF -EL100 OLED Viewfinder                      $5,800
• DVF-F350 3.5” LCD Viewfinder                    $3,800
• DVF-L700 LCD viewfinder                             $5,000
• SCL-PK6/F PL mount six lens package       $24,600
• SCL-PK3/F PL mount three lens package   $13,600

Sony also plans to introduce the PVM-X300 30-inch 4K professional monitor in February 2013, with list pricing to be announced.

“The F55 and F5 join Sony’s family of large-sensor cameras that complement each other and deliver powerful, new capabilities to professionals working at every level of production,” said Rob Willox, Director of Marketing for large-image sensor cameras at Sony Electronics. “These cameras give production professionals the most compressive toolkit available from one manufacturer. The large sensor line-up now spans from the FS100, FS700 and F3, to the new F5 and F55 to the flagship F65, and gives content creators incredible flexibility and creative options for acquisition in HD, 2K, 4K and beyond. The total line-up, with our new accessories, further underscores Sony’s commitment to supporting every aspect of the highest-quality workflows.”

Both cameras are equipped (with different) 4K Super35mm CMOS sensors. These state-of-the-art sensors capture 14-stops of exposure latitude with high resolution and fine tonal gradation. The F55 can capture 4K and QFHD XAVC internally on SxS Pro+ cards up to 60p. When using the optional AXS-R5, the F55 can record up to 60fps in 16Bit linear RAW

The PMW-F5 and PMW-F55 camcorders can internally record high frame rate HD and 2K XAVC at up to 120fps (F5) or 180fps (F55). When recording 16-bit 2K RAW to the optional AXS‑R5, frame rates up to 120fps (F5) or 240fps (F55) are possible

The F55 can output 4K HDMI, SDI using both the SDI(Main) and SDI(Sub) when in the 4K recording mode and can monitor 4K up to 30p

The PMW-F5 and F55 both employ HDMI V1.4a for monitoring. Using the HDMI 1.4a, the F5 can output 2K and HD up to 60p. The F55 can additionally output 4K on HDMI up to 30p.

Sony to Premier F55, F5 4K Footage at Industry Event in Los Angeles
Sony will today screen 4K and HD content shot using its two new CineAlta 4K cameras for the first time at exclusive industry events held in Los Angeles and Europe. This is the first time audiences will be able to view footage captured using the new F55 and F5 cameras, which were announced last month along with a range of accessories and technologies designed to accelerate the adoption of 4K content creation and production.

At the Los Angeles event, held on the Sony Pictures Entertainment lot, an audience of industry professionals will be witness to new 4K and HD productions shot by teams at Tribeca Enterprises, the USC School of Cinematic Arts and Stargate Studios.

The production teams from each organization will also participate in panels to present and discuss their footage and experiences with the Sony cameras.

Shot with Sony’s F65 and F55 cameras, Tribeca Enterprises’ 7x6x2 is a collaboration among Gary Krieg, Tribeca’s Executive Vice President, Content Development and Production; Paul Pope, an Eisner Award-winning graphic novelist, Sundance Institute trained filmmaker Sridhar Reddy; and Cinematographer Jesse Green, among others. The production featured ample opportunity to shoot in extreme low-light situations, slow motion and a wide diversity of shots that would perfectly test the camera’s abilities.

The USC School of Cinematic Arts shot two productions with the Sony cameras. One is “Safety Zone,” a chase comedy shot in the bright Southern California sun, and “The Contract,” a drama shot at night, including inside a car, lit from the lights of Wilshire Boulevard. According to Doug Wellman, assistant dean at the school, these two pieces really highlight the full gamut of the cameras’ capabilities, and the flexibility and performance they can offer on location.

Sony asked Sam Nicholson, ASC, and Stargate Studios to produce a short film to test the F55. Nicholson, along with production teams from Stargate LA and Stargate Mumbai, travelled to Sri Lanka to produce the film, hiring local talent and crew to help in the production. “Mahout” follows an orphan girl who helps a baby elephant escape an abusive owner and return to his herd in the wild. Nicholson directed and shot “Mahout” throughout the spectacular environments of Sri Lanka, from crowded urban locales to remote jungles, rivers and beaches, often struggling with monsoon rainstorms, severe humidity and unpredictable weather. “Mahout” features a young bull elephant, local Sri Lanka children, sacred stone temples and a large herd of wild elephants.

In Europe, Sony will screen two short films shot by leading DPs at the Plus Camerimage cinematography event in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The first, shot using the PMW-F55, was filmed by Martin Scanlan and Steve Lawes on location in Wales. The second, using the PMW-F5, was filmed by Lucie Hadilovic and Dominique Colin on location in France.

At each event, Sony will also showcase its full super 35mm camera line-up, comprising the NEX-FS700, PMW-F5, PMW-F55 and F65, as well as the PVM-X300 4K monitor.