Camcorder News

April 13, 2008 – Sony announced the release of a new camcorder in its XDCAM EX series, the PMW-EX3 ($13,000 MSRP). This is the second model from Sony to use the SxS media format, a flash memory card similar to Panasonic’s P2 card. It is a step-up model from the PMW-EX1. Most of the body is similar in design to the EX1, but the new PMW-EX3 features a removable lens system. At the same press conference, Sony also announced a prototype 32GB SxS card. (View UPDATED photo gallery, with images from the NAB Show floor)

The PMW-EX3 is 1080i/720P switchable. There are connections for Genlock and Time Code, making it suitable for multi-camera shoots. The camcorder ships with a kit lens, though the initial press information does not offer much information. The photo indicates that it has a maximum aperture of f/1.9, with control rings for zoom, focus, and aperture.

Also included with the PMW-EX3 is the Clip Browser Ver.2.0 software, which will allow XDCAM EX video files to be used in a DV editing workflow. There are optional plug-ins for exporting XDCAM EX files on SxS cards to Professional Optical Disc, and another to allow for simple upload to the web.

Sony clearly has plans to expand and popularize the SxS solid state format. In conjunction with the PMW-EX3 camcorder, they announced the PMW-EX30 recorder/player deck. It features two SxS card slots, HDMI, FireWire (iLink), and HD-SDI in/out ports, along with a color LCD monitor.

To extend recording times beyond the capacity of the SxS cards, Sony rounded out their XDCAM EX announcements with the PHU-60K hard disk recording unit. This 60GB storage device connects via USB, and offers recording times of up to 200 minutes in the highest quality (35Mbps) and 260 minutes in SP mode (25Mbps). The HDD unit features drop protection technology, along with a salvage function that allows content restoration damaged by power or connection disruption. The PHU-60k is powered by battery.

The adoption of the XDCAM EX format appears to be going well for Sony. According to the company, Adobe is set to announce native support for the format on Premiere Pro CS3. Avid is also expected to have support for 35Mbps 1920x1080/60i and 1280x720/60P.

The Sony PMW-EX3 camcorder retails for $13,000. The PMW-EX30 recorder/player unit retails for $30,000. The PHU-60K hard disk recorder price has not been announced. All products are expected to be available in the third quarter of 2008.

(View UPDATED photo gallery, with images from the NAB Show floor)