PRESS RELEASE

Sony grows large sensor camera family with new 4K camera systems

Sony is unveiling two new CineAlta™ 4K cameras, complemented by a full line-up of new accessories. The new cameras, the PMW-F55 and PMW-F5, fill a critical gap in large-sensor acquisition between Sony's PMW-F3 camcorder and its F65 CineAlta Premium 4K camera, giving content creators new levels of flexibility and creative options for HD, 2K or 4K acquisition and production.

With a modular and compact design for easy configuration, each camera features a new type of 4K Super 35mm image sensor with a 4096 x 2160 resolution (11.6M total pixels).

The 20 megapixel F65 remains the flagship of Sony's large sensor camera family. The 8K sensor-equipped F65 continues to evolve, with new features designed for the most demanding high-end imaging applications. These features include a new high frame rate mode for 4K RAW recording at 120P to deliver stunning 4K images with super smooth slow motion capabilities, and image capture using the SR codec at 12-bits. Future updates to the F65 will deliver 6K de-mosaicing, along with other major new features.

New PMW-F55 and PMW-F5 Cameras

The new PMW-F55 and PMW-F5 CineAlta 4K cameras deliver unprecedented creative options for HD/2K/QFHD/4K (PMW-F55) and 2K*/HD (PMW-F5) production. Both offer multi-codec support featuring Sony's new XAVC MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format, the SR codec (MPEG4 SStP) and the industry-standard High Definition XDCAM 50Mbps 4:2:2 codec. In-camera recording is on Sony's New SxS media, SxS PRO+ (Plus ) – 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.

In addition to on-board recording onto SxS PRO+, the PMW-F55 and PMW- F5 can also be connected to the new AXS-R5 RAW recorder. Slow-motion imagery at up to 240fps** (PMW- F55) and up to 120fps** (PMW- F5) can be captured as 4K RAW files on newly developed AXS memory.

The PMW-F55 features a global shutter to eliminate rolling shutter skew and flash band, and features a wider colour gamut for exceptional colour reproduction. The cameras are further distinguished by wide (14 stops) exposure latitude, high sensitivity, and low noise.

New Options for Monitoring

The PMW-F55 can connect to the new 4K 30-inch LCD monitor, PVM-X300, using four 3G-SDI interfaces to monitor pictures at 4096x2160 resolution at up to 60p, while recording and playing back XAVC 4K images. Similarly, it is also possible to connect directly to the 84" BRAVIA 4K LED TV for large-screen monitoring of the camera's 4K 60P images (at resized horizontal resolution of 3860 pixels).

PL Lens System – The Second Generation

The PMW-F55 and PMW-F5 cameras continue Sony's efforts to offer the most flexible lens options. A PL-mount lets users choose cinematic lenses from suppliers such as Angénieux, ARRI, Canon, Carl Zeiss, Cooke, FUJIFILM and Leica.

Sony is also launching a second generation of cost-effective PL mount prime lenses. Each is certified for 4K capture, and is designed to minimize geometric distortion, vignetting and breathing. A 9-blade iris delivers beautiful bokehs and the focus rings rotate 240°. The new lens series includes focal lengths of 20, 25, 35, 50, 85 and 135 mm. For easy lens changes, each has the same T2.0 aperture, the same external diameter, matte box diameter, and gear locations for follow focus and aperture. All are the same height except for the 135 mm lens.

Shooters can use stills lenses by removing the supplied PL-mount adaptor to reveal the native FZ mount. This makes it easy to accept commercially available adaptors for third-party lenses, including Canon® EF, Canon FD, Nikon® DX, Nikon G, Leica® M and even 2/3-inch B4 lenses. A third option is the use of Sony FZ-Mount lenses with auto focus servo zoom (model SCL-Z18X140.)

Viewfinders

Using a new digital interface, PMW-F5 and PMW-F55 users can take advantage of a new series of high-quality OLED and LCD viewfinders. The DVF-EL100 OLED viewfinder measures 0.7-inches with 1280 x 720 HD resolution, superb brightness, contrast and response. The DVF-L350 3.5-inch LCD viewfinder offers 10 times the contrast of previous Sony LCD viewfinders, with a flip-up eyepiece for direct monitoring. A third option is the full HD DVF-L700. This compact 7-inch LCD viewfinder enables high resolution when shooting in 2K and 4K, with pixel-to-pixel 1920 x 1080 representation of HD images.

New RAW Recording System

Sony is also unveiling the AXSM™ Access Memory System for 2K*/4K RAW recording, based on Sony's unique recording technology. Optimised for this new platform is the AXSM memory card (512 GB capacity, model AXS-512S24), using the generic file system exFAT. Users can record 4K RAW data up to 60 fps and 2K RAW up to 240 fps**, with a 300MB/s sustained transfer speed. PC-friendly operation is enabled through use of the AXS-CR1 card reader, offering a USB 3.0 interface for high speed transfer.

Additionally, the new AXS-R5 RAW recorder directly docks onto the PMW-F5 and PMW-F55, for an extremely elegant and compact recording system for 2K** and 4K RAW recording.

New Recording Media

The cameras support Sony's new high-speed, enhanced versions of its SxS PRO memory cards: the "SxS PRO+(PLUS)" series (in 128 and 64 GB capacities, models SBP-128B and SBP-64B). Based on the format long used in Sony's XDCAM EX camcorders, the cards support XAVC 4K and XAVC HD high frame rate recording, and can be directly inserted into the cameras.

New Battery and Charger

The PMW-F5 and PMW-F55 cameras take advantage of Sony's new BP-FL75 battery pack, which uses Olivine-Lithium Iron Phosphate-instead of conventional Lithium Ion cathodes. The result is a substantial increase in charge-discharge cycles, compared to previous Sony batteries. The Olivine battery works with Sony's BC-L90 quick charger. The new battery supports outstanding mobility for on-set shooting enabling two times higher speed charging than current chargers and a maximum 150 minutes of consecutive shooting.

The PMW-F5 and PMW-F55 cameras are also compatible with Sony's BP-GL95A, GL65A, L80S and L60S batteries, which use the BC-L70 and L160 chargers.

Shoulder Rig

Delivering advances in ergonomics specifically requested by cinematographers, the PMW-F5 and PMW-F55 feature Sony's newest shoulder rig for extra stability and comfort. The rig is sturdy, lightweight and uses industry-standard rosettes on both sides for quick and easy attachment of third-party hand grips and other accessories.

Pricing and Availability

The new cameras are scheduled to be available in February 2013, with suggested list pricing to be announced. For more information, visit

http://www.pro.sony.eu/pro/product/f55

or

http://www.pro.sony.eu/pro/product/f5

• 2K/QFHD for PMW-F55 and 2K for PMW-F5 will be available with firmware version up.
  **High frame rate higher than 60fps will be available with firmware version up.

These cameras all have (or are slated to have soon) RAW recording capability in some form.

Max Horizontal Resolution

• BMCC: 2.4K
• Arri Alexa: 2.88K max horizontal resolution.
• Sony FS-700: 4K expandable with 1.92K at release.
• Sony F55: 4K max horizontal resolution (4096x2160).
• Canon C500: 4K max horizontal resolution (4096x2960 RAW max).
• Sony F65: Greater than 4K.*
• Red One/Red One MX: 4.5K max horizontal resolution.
• Red Scarlet: 5K max horizontal resolution (but 4K max horizontal resolution at 24/25/30P).
• Red Epic: 5K max horizontal resolution.
• Red Dragon: 6K max horizontal resolution. Unreleased.

*As for the Sony F65, I don't want to get into that can of worms. With it's 20MP sensor, let's just say "easily 4K, probably more in the future" but not get too far into it other than to say that the current recording format is 4K.

Cameras with Global Shutter

• Sony F55

Max Framerates at 4K and Highest Resolution (with the color depth recorded)

• BMCC: Cannot do 4K. Max 30P 12-bit log at 2.5K.
• Arri Alexa: Cannot do 4K. Max 60P 12-bit log at 2.88K in 16x9 mode.
• Red One MX: 30P 12-bit at both 4.5K and 4K.
• Canon C500: 60P 10-bit at 4K.
• Sony FS-700: Upcoming 60P at unspecified RAW bit-depth in 4K.
• Sony F55: 60P 16-bit linear 4K.
• Sony F65: 120P 16-bit linear 4K.
• CMV12000: 90P 12-bit or 150P 10-bit at 4K.
• Red Scarlet: 30P 16-bit at 4K. 12P at 5K.
• Red Epic: 150P 16-bit at 4K. 120P 16-bit at 5K.
• Red Dragon: Unknown 4K (expected to meet or exceed Red Epic at all framerates but guaranteed 120P at 5K). At least 85P 16-bit at 6K. Unreleased.

Native DR

• Sony FS-700: Untested in RAW.
• Red One (not MX): 11.3 stops official.
• Canon C500: 12 stops official. (Though the highlight roll-off has been garnering praise)
• BMCC: 13 stops official.
• Red MX (as used in MX/Scarlet/Epic): 13.5 official. (Some sources measured at under 12 but I'm not invested in one measurement over the other).
• Arri Alexa: 14 stops official.
• Sony F55: 14 stops official.
• Sony F65: 14 stops official.
• Red Dragon: Over 15 stops official. Unreleased.

And of course, the Red Scarlet, Epic (and upcoming Dragon) support the HDRx mode that some people like and others do not, which is officially specified as increasing dynamic range to 18 stops (with a lot of caveats to go along with it).