Sony announced today that it is developing a new type of E-mount
interchangeable lens camcorder for professional use that is equipped
with a Super-35mm equivalent large format CMOS sensor.
This new addition to Sony's professional "NXCAM" line will be
available in the middle of 2011.
Already a key player in the 35mm digital cinematography business with
the "CineAlta" F35 and SRW-9000PL for high-end digital cinema
production, Sony has just strengthened its lineup in this category
with the recent PMW-F3 announcement. In addition to this, with this
new "NXCAM" HD camcorder now (still under development), Sony looks to
further strengthen its position in the entry-level segment by
providing an affordable yet highly capable professional solution for
many applications including independent film, music video and
corporate communications all looking for the cinematic look.
This "NXCAM" HD camcorder under development will be equipped with a
Super-35mm equivalent sensor, a widely used film stock size in the
film industry that is designed for capturing motion picture. Sony
claims that the new sensor will have extraordinary performance in
terms of picture quality and sensitivity, and is able to create rich
"Bokeh" effect (beautifully defocused image) that is perfect for
artistic story-telling in motion picture.
Thanks to the adoption of the E-mount interchangeable lens system that
is identical to the "α" series NEX-5, 3 and "Handycam" NEX-VG10,
the E-mount lenses will be compatible with this new professional
camcorder. In addition, a very short flange back distance (the
distance between lens mount surface and sensor surface) let various
"α" A-mount lenses be mounted via a mount adaptor (LA-EA1).
Furthermore, it is also possible to attach many other lenses using
third-party mount adaptors.
The recording format for this new HD camcorder will be AVCHD, a widely
supported format by many non liner editing software vendors and the
same format as HXR-NX5 "NXCAM" camcorder.
Sony has also a plan to implement 1080p (60p / 30p / 24p or 50p / 25p)
recording modes. (MPEG4-AVC/H.264 compression will be used for these
modes.)