Sony is expanding its Large Format Sensor category with the new XDCAM handheld camcorder FS II. The Sony FS5 II features an all-new look with a refined picture tone to capture natural highlights, subtle, alluring and well rendered facial tones and a softer tonal look emphasising the portrayal of a person. Complete with 4K HDR and 120fps performance and RAW capabilities, the new Super 35mm camcorder combines outstanding image quality with an ergonomic modular frame. In addition to S-Log 2/3, the FS5 II supports Sony’s Instant HDR Workflow to produce HDR content for quick post-production without the need of grading.

The FS5 II is planned to be available in June, with expected pricing as follows:

• PXW-FS5M2, body only — $4,750 US and $5,940 CA
• PXW-FS5M2K, with lens — $5,250 US and $6,560 CA

Sony Press Release

Sony Introduces FS5 II with 4K HDR, 120fps RAW and New Color Science

Sony’s Popular Super 35 mm handheld Camcorder Adds New Functionality Based on User Demand

Sony’s new Large Format Sensor lineup is expanding with the introduction of the FS5 II (Body: PXW-FS5M2, Lens Kit: PXW-FS5M2K). Complete with stunning 4096 x 2160 4K HDR and 120fps performance at 60Hz mode (and 100fps at 50Hz mode), as well as RAW capabilities, the new Super 35 mm camcorder marries outstanding image quality with an ergonomic modular frame, offering content creators ultimate creative flexibility.

In addition to S-Log 2/3, the FS5 II offers Instant HDR Workflow to produce HDR content, when shooting in HLG/BT.2020 mode, for quick post-production without the need for grading.

The FS5 II interchangeable lens, E-mount camcorder offers flexibility for applications including web commercials, music video production, dramas, corporate and event videography and documentaries.

Designed to meet the requirements of today’s content creators, the FS5 II features an all-new look with a refined picture tone to capture natural highlights, subtle, alluring and well rendered facial tones and a softer tonal look, for capturing lifelike portrayals.  Using the accumulated expertise of Sony’s digital cinematography camera VENICE, the FS5 II promises a fresh and vivid look while still retaining plenty of creative options in post-production, as a result of its high performance 4K Super 35 Exmor® CMOS sensor.

Takuro Ema, product manager for Sony Professional Solutions Americas explains, “When Sony develops new camera technologies we gather feedback from all ends of the production chain – from DOPs to post production professionals. This camera was no exception. We’ve evolved and developed our hugely popular FS5 with default shooting capabilities and the FS5 II is now a powerful addition to the Large Format Sensor line-up which promises even more flexibility and creative choices.”

High Frame Rate shooting including 4K 120fps RAW output and HDR features

The FS5 II builds on Sony’s heritage for image quality, delivering stunning High Frame rate shots supporting four seconds of 120fps in 4K and continuous 240fps at 60Hz mode and 200fps at 50Hz mode in 2K (2048X1080) RAW output when used in conjunction with a compatible external recorder.  Continuous 4K 60fps RAW output at 59.94p is fully supported, with 50fps supported at 50Hz mode.

The camcorder also offers High Frame Rate (HFR) recording to an internal SD card at Full HD 10bit 4:2:2 image quality and a frame rate of up to 240 fps of 8-second cache recording, allowing up to 10 x slow motion and capturing 239.76fps at HD or 2K, and playback at 23.98p.  Continuous recording of 120fps in Full HD is also supported.

With an Instant HDR Workflow users can now reduce time in post-production and produce high-quality HDR content quickly without the need of grading. For productions of longer lead-times, S-Log 2/3 allows the HDR image to be fine-tuned via color grading.

Grab and Shoot Capabilities

Lightweight but robust, theFS5 II’s well balanced 0.8kg body, adaptability and creative features make it a perfect fit for movie shooting, while its modular design makes it easy to reconfigure for any application including mounting on a gimbal or drone. Sony’s unique Electronic Variable ND filter with Auto ND function covers a wide range of exposure adjustment, as well as creating a wide range of shallow Depth of Field control.

Now with ten Picture Profile settings, the FS5 II allows users to instantly and easily configure the camera for different shooting styles, such as cinematic and online content creation.

The FS5 II is planned to be available in June, with expected pricing as follows:

• PXW-FS5M2, body only — $4,750 US and $5,940 CA
• PXW-FS5M2K, with lens — $5,250 US and $6,560 CA

Sony Press Release

Las Vegas (NAB Show, Booth C11001), April 8, 2018: At NAB 2018, Sony is showcasing technologies and products for HD, 4K, 8K, High Dynamic Range and IP, enabling more creative options and greater flexibility for professionals.

Taking centre-stage on the stand is Sony’s ultimate big-screen bezel-less Crystal LED display system, delivering huge 8K x 4K visual images with stunning picture quality. Ultra-real content, including unprecedented 8K 120fps video shot by 8K system camera UHC-8300 with 1.25-inch three 8K sensors, are replayed to impress visitors. Sony’s stand will also feature new models and updates to solutions and services – proposing the right mix for professionals’ needs to achieve their long-term success.

A combination of changing consumer viewing habits, unexampled industry consolidation and new business models has created a “sea change” in the media industry, according to Katsunori Yamanouchi, president of Sony’s Professional Solutions Americas group.

“Media customers need to deliver content anytime to any platform, in a range of different formats, and in high quality,” Yamanouchi said. “Often they need to do all this with fewer resources. Sony is continually adapting to meet our customers’ changing needs, helping them develop practical workflows to support them in meeting their technical and financial goals.”

Yamanouchi added that the increasing acceptance of cloud technology has seen more companies move content and their operations into the cloud. Additionally, media companies need to maximise and monetise the global distribution of their content, while also balancing capital and operating expenses.

Sony’s Media Solutions

Sony’s Media Solutions, is harnessing the power of cloud collaboration and automation to develop and bring to market customised technologies for content owners/creators, distributors and platforms. The group combines many of Sony’s technology resources designed to drive efficiencies at every stage of the media production lifecycle – from content acquisition to distribution to archive. Sony is continually expanding its professional solutions offerings, enhancing and developing options for real-time and non-real-time production such as XDCAM air, Media Backbone Hive, Media Backbone NavigatorX, Memnon and the Ci cloud platform. Ven.ue strengthens OTT and cloud-based content distribution and management capabilities.

Sony’s NAB 2018 New Products

At NAB 2018, Sony will highlight its comprehensive and growing line of camcorders, with 4K and support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) available at every level.

Cameras and camcorders

Sony is expanding its XDCAM line of professional camcorders with its new flagship handheld 4K PXW-Z280 and a 4K compact camcorder PXW-Z190.  

PXW-Z280 equips the world’s first 4K three 1/2-type Exmor R CMOS image sensors, delivering high sensitivity of F12 (59.94p), long zoom ratio and deep depth of field, ideal for news gathering. In addition, 4K 4:2:2 10-bit adds vivid imagery and delicate colour gradation. The PXW-Z280 also supports 4K 50p/60p recording capability and 12G-SDI output, good for live event production. The enhanced network enables direct-to-air workflow, featuring Sony’s Quality of Service (QoS) for live distribution of high-quality broadcast content using a Dual Link connection multiplexing two cellular networks. A 17x zoom lens and three independent control rings with end-stop, allow manual control of focus, zoom, and iris for quick and precise adjustment.

PXW-Z190 carries newly developed 4K three 1/3-type Exmor R CMOS image sensors capture RGB light independently and deliver 4K 50p/60p imagery with high resolution and a wide range of gradation. 4:2:2 10-bit ensures vivid and rich colour content in HD. The new model incorporates a 25x optical zoom lens to cover a wide focal range for multiple shooing requirements, with three independent lens rings to support intuitive operation.

Both models have Advanced Face Detection Autofocus (AF) including “Face Priority AF” and newly added “Face Only AF,” and Sony’s Electronic Variable ND filter ensures greater exposure control by smoothly varying the density of the ND filter during shooting while maintaining resolution and depth of field.

Sony is expanding its Large Format Sensor category with the new XDCAM handheld camcorder FS5 II. The FS5 II features an all-new look with a refined picture tone to capture natural highlights, subtle, alluring and well rendered facial tones and a softer tonal look emphasising the portrayal of a person. Complete with 4K HDR and 120fps performance and RAW capabilities, the new Super 35mm camcorder combines outstanding image quality with an ergonomic modular frame. In addition to S-Log 2/3, the FS5 II supports Sony’s Instant HDR Workflow to produce HDR content for quick post-production without the need of grading.

IP Live Production Solution

Sony’s IP Live Production Solution offers a modern alternative to the separate legacy infrastructures of SDI for live production and IP for file-based production; creating a single, unified IP network. It lowers equipment costs and lays out a logical upgrade path to 4K, HFR, 8K and beyond. Broadcasters worldwide are embracing IP. Sony is a pioneer in this area with its Networked Media Interface.  Sony is also investing in the future of IP Live interoperability with industry standards such as SMPTE ST 2110 and NMOS IS-04/05 protocols support.

Sony is building SMPTE ST 2110 into its legacy and new products, making it among the first manufacturers to bring its entire portfolio of IP products into ST 2110 compliance. In addition to collaboration with many IP switch manufacturers, Sony and Cisco have announced a new global collaboration to create IP networking technologies for 4K/HD live production applications in the broadcast, media and entertainment industries. The agreement between the two companies will give customers worldwide an expanded range of flexible, proven and reliable IP systems.

Sony is expanding its IP Live Production system with a new camera control unit, the HDCU-3100. The 1.5U size of the compact fiber camera control unit brings IP capabilities to Sony’s system cameras, from the flagship 4K HDC-4300 with BPU-4000 series, including the new BPU-4500A, through to the HDC-2000 series, and HSC fiber system cameras.  Combined with a new HKCU-SFP30 option board, the HDCU-3100 is able to support SMPTE ST 2110 Professional Media over a managed IP Network suite of standards. The essential functionalities required for live production including tally, intercom and return video can all be provided through IP. Support for NMOS IS-04/05 is in future scope.

Sony’s expansion of the XV series with the new live production switcher, the XVS-9000, is designed to address the demands of advanced 4K and HD productions in the rise of High Dynamic Range (HDR) content. The XVS-9000 offers up to 80 inputs and 40 outputs in 4K and up to 160 inputs and 80 outputs in HD.  XVS Series will support a flexible choice of interfaces for both IP (SMPTE ST 2110) and 12G-SDI in 4K as well as hybrid system of both, for large sporting and entertainment events. 

Archive and Storage Solution

Sony is unveiling the newest generation of its Optical Disc Archive System and announcing new agreements with partner companies. Qualstar Corporation entered into a Product Development Agreement with Sony to develop an Enterprise Class Optical Disc Library, and Mitsubishi Chemical Media Co., Ltd. has signed a License Agreement with Sony to produce Optical Disc Archive cartridges. Sony further enhances Optical Disc Archive with stable production and new addition of product line. Sony is also embracing an open platform approach for broad compatibility, providing technologies and support to encourage other manufacturers to develop complementary products for the technology. 

Monitoring Solutions

Responding to the voice of customers who are heading to 4K and High Dynamic Range (HDR) production, Sony releases firmware updates for BVM-X300 master monitor and PVM-X550 picture monitor.  High Brightness Mode is to be added to PVM-X550 delivering wider dynamic range to reproduce more realistic colours and to optimise 4K colour grading with over 180% in HDR Peak Luminance as compared to the current PVM-X550. The common feature upgrades for both models are: two Flexible Area Markers freely set on a 4K screen, a Time Code function capable to display LTC and VITC at the top or bottom of the screen, and a selection of 8 new Input Setting memories, combined with User Preset settings, each assignable on a function button. 

Technology and Product Upgrades

Sony is helping customers extend the life of their current Sony technologies by continually introducing new upgrades, enabling new features and performance. These include:

VENICE full-frame motion picture camera – Sony’s next-gen CineAlta system began shipping 2 months ago, and it’s already well accepted by the market. At NAB, Sony is previewing upcoming VENICE features including variable frame rate and a newly developed dual base ISO 2500 mode.

UHC-8300 – Sony’s first 8K camera is showcased in US for the first time.  8K (7680 x 4320) 120p capturing format delivers well balanced high-resolution footage with an impressive deep depth of field and wide dynamic range, making it suitable for HDR footage. It can be used not only for 8K production, but also for 4K, generating 8K, 4K and HD signal outputs simultaneously. The camera gives complete choice to customers.

PXW-Z450 – This versatile 4K production camcorder is now even more flexible through a recent firmware upgrade for HDR support including high-quality S-Log3 shooting and recording, ITU-R BT.2020 colour gamut support, as well as HLG live output.

HXC-FB80 – This accessible entry into 4K- and HDR-ready studio and live production is based on a 3G-SDI platform with 1080/59.94p capabilities. The new system fits a range of commercial applications where professionals need high-quality HD with a “future-proof” path to 4K and HDR production.

Alpha camera connected to XDCAM air (Technological Exhibition) – Responding to the market expectation of the full frame mirrorless digital camera for the professional news gathering. Alpha is showcased with connection to the XDCAM air as a future possibility.

DWX Digital Wireless Microphone System – Sony Corporation collaborated with Blue Note Media Group to open "Sony Hall", a new music venue in New York City March 2018. The hall presents world renowned performing artists across all music genres. The Sony Hall is equipped with DWX Series digital wireless microphone system, providing high quality sound with reliable operation to deliver enhanced entertainment experiences to audiences.

For more information on Sony’s professional technologies at NAB 2018, please visit www.sony.com/professional.

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