Eagle-eyed gadget groupies who have been following Sony’s week-long teasers regarding a new product announcement have been put out of their misery today, as the multimedia company has launched two new cameras – the PMW-F5 and the PMW-F55.
In a series of online teasers, Sony Professional Solutions has been engaging with its camera consumers regarding the two new CineAlta 4K cameras, which Sony promises bring ‘wow features’ to the film and television industries.
The PMW-F5 is a 2k and HD model, while the PMW-F55 can output 4k along with 2k and HD video. Both cameras offer a new type of 4K Super 35mm image sensor with a 4096 x 2160 resolution.
Sony has launched new SxS media and SxS PRO+ (Plus ) cards, which can be used to record XAVC in HD High Frame Rate and in 4K at up to 60fps, in the PMW-F55, and XAVC HD High Frame Rate in the PMW-F5.
Some of the "wow features" both cameras offer is that they can both record MPEG 2 and 4K on the same memory card at the same time. This means users can record MPEG-4 H.264 video or SR MPEG-4 SStP onto Sony's new SxS PRO+ media. They can also capture RAW quality with the new AXS-R5 Access Memory System for 2K / 4K RAW.
These systems will also work on Sony’s existing product, the NEX-FS700E. As well as this, Sony has also developed an AXS-R5 add-on for this camera, which will be available in early 2013.
Camera expert Paul Conlon, of Dublin’s broadcast equipment rental house Visual Impact Ireland, says the new product announcements from Sony are “exciting to see”, and can be used to shoot projects for TV, music videos, commercials and feature films.
He added: “Sony seems to have taken feedback from the very popular PMW-F3 and packing it into the F5. Two of main issues we heard about the F3 was its limitations to 35mbps and viewfinder. The exciting news for me on a glance is Sony has designed a new codec for their SxS cards. This opens up the possibilities for high frame rate recording and 50p acquisition, new TV requirements of 50 mbps and eliminates the need for third party recorders (in the TV medium anyway).
“A new and improved viewfinder is a much welcome improvement also. The cameras also boost the capabilities for 4K recording which is an exciting feature for high end drama production.”
Sony also promises a longer battery life in the PMW-F5 and PMW-F55 cameras, a dedicated shoulder rig, six new lenses and 4k monitor capability.
The new cameras are scheduled to be available in Visual Impact in Ireland in February 2013, with suggested list pricing to be announced.
