PARK RIDGE, NJ — Sony Electronics (www.sony.com/cinealta) is targeting independent filmmakers with its new PMW-F3 camcorder. The compact professional handheld camera is equipped with a Super 35mm imager and is based on Sony’s XDCAM EX workflow, using SxS ExpressCard recording media.
The PMW-F3 can record in a variety of formats, including 1920x1080, 1440x1080, and 1280x720 at 23.98/25/29.97p, 50/59.94i and, in DVCAM mode, 25/29.97PsF and 50/59.94i. Slow and quick recording speeds allow for image capture at anywhere from 1 to 30 fps at 1920x1080 (17 to 30 fps in dual-link mode), and 1 to 60 fps at 1280x720 (17 to 60 fps in dual-link mode). The Super 35mm CMOS imager delivers shallow depth of field, with high sensitivity and low noise levels, as well as wide dynamic range.
The camcorder has a basic list price of $16,000. Its PL mount adapter can accommodate both PL and upcoming Sony’s zoom lenses, and offers compatibility with a variety of cine lenses such as Cooke, Fujinon and Zeiss. Sony is also planning to introduce a SR Memory Portable Recorder. SR Memory is Sony’s new high-speed, high-capacity card format that gives users the ability to record directly to the HDCAM SR codec by connecting the recorder to the F3 camera’s single-link and dual-link output.