NAB NY 2017: Sony To Introduce Midrange Studio Camera

The HXC-F80 is designed for sports broadcasting

Sony is taking the wraps off a new camera at NAB New York this week. The HXC-F80 will likely be a player for live sports and event productions where native 4K or high-speed recording is not required.

“It’s a new midrange studio camera with features that are designed around the needs of sports broadcasters,” says Rob Willox, director of marketing, Sony Professional Solutions. “It’s for those who find the HDC-2500 or HDC-4300 is not a realistic option.”

Sony’s HXC-F80 will be on display at NAB New York this week.

The camera makes use of 2/3-in. CMOS sensors that have 15 f-stops of sensitivity and capture 1080p images at 59.94 or 23.98 fps. The camera has 3-Gbps and 12-Gbps output, and HD HDR capabilities will be added in mid 2018 (the camera will capture in BT.2020 color space). The first version of the camera will ship in January.

“The HDR capability uses HLG [hybrid log-gamma], and the HXCU-FB80 camera-control unit has a built-in 4K upconverter and can also control up to 24 cameras under the same control system,” says Willox. “This is the first camera in our lineup with that; cameras aimed for the lower end are usually point-to-point.”

Having the 4K upconverter in the CCU saves on circuitry in the camera and gives midrange productions an upgrade path that is sensible and simple.

In other Sony developments, users of the PXW-Z450 camera will have a firmware upgrade on Dec. 17. Version 3.0 will offer HDR support (both HLG and S-Log 3 with BT.2020 color space), simultaneous record of 4K HDR/HD SDR or 4K HDR/HD HDR, and 4K upgrades to cache recording and 4K S&Q up to 60p.

And the Venice full-frame digital motion-picture camera will make its U.S. debut (it was unveiled at IBC 2017) complete with film-look color reproduction, eight-step ND filter system, an anamorphic look, shallow depth of field, and more.