The EX1
records and stores content to ExpressCard high-speed media. ExpressCard, the
company feels, will become the new standard in memory card technology, as it
offers higher performance, lower power consumption and a smaller footprint than
PCMCIA cards. Sony's
SxS-branded memory card delivers up to 800 Mbps of high-speed data transfer and
provides nonlinear capabilities like instant random access and file-based
operation.
The EX1 is equipped with two SxS memory card slots that allow it to
record up to 100 minutes of high-quality HD footage at 35Mbps, or 140 minutes
at 25Mbps using two 16-GB SxS cards. The
imaging devices used in the camcorder are three 1/2-inch type Exmor CMOS
sensors, each with an effective pixel count of 1920 x 1080. This 1/2-inch type
image sensor allows the camcorder to provide a high sensitivity of F10, a
signal-to-noise ratio of 54 dB, and horizontal resolution of 1000 television
lines.
The
camcorder is switchable between 1080p, 1080i and 720p, with multiple frame
recording capabilities of 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p and native 23.98p. A high-definition
Fujinon 14x zoom lens is provided to deliver optimum picture performance. "Slow
and Quick Motion" capability allows users to achieve overcranking and under-cranking
film looks.
A range
of nonlinear editing manufacturers are developing compatible interfaces for the
EX1, including Adobe, Apple, Dayang Technology Development, Matrox and Thomson
Grass Valley. Sony's Vegas also supports the camera, which is expected to be
available in November at a suggested price under $8,000.