Sony HXR-NX30 a compact professional grade NXCAM from Sony

This is maybe the weirdest combo that we have seen from Sony since quite sometime! I am sure that we all remember Sony's HDR-PJ50V, PJ30V and PJ10, three compact camcorder introduced early January 2011 that came with a built-in video projector? Well Guess what? Sony announced today the HXR-NX30 a "Professional" grade version of the PJ30V that comes with its video projector but also a "Pro" layer of improvements including 26mm-260mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T fixed lens, Sony's ‘Balanced Optical SteadyShot' technology (IS) and detachable XLR input. The HXR-NX30 is handles 1080x60p as well as 60i/30x24p videos all in AVCHD. “This high-quality yet easy-to-use camcorder is an extremely versatile field production tool,” said Chiyoko Yannette, marketing manager at Sony Electronics' Professional Solutions of America group. “It's perfect for documentary makers, video journalists, educational establishments or corporate users, for shooting in many different situations where other stabilization equipment is not practical such as on-board a vehicle or in a crowd.” Conventional image stabilization systems typically “float” an individual lens element with a motor drive to compensate for camera shake. Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ combines the entire lens and image sensor assembly into one floating element that moves as a unit to reduce the shaking effect caused by normal motion during shooting. The new HXR-NX30U records at full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution using a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens (35mm equivalent :26.0mm -260mm) for superb optical quality, sharpness and brightness. The camcorder's 1x2.88-inch image sensor uses Sony's Exmor R™ CMOS technology, which significantly enhances low-light performance, speeds image readout, reduces rolling shutter artifacts and enables a range of frame rates – 1080x60p, 1080x30p, 24p, 60i, 720x60p. Using AVCHD recording, the camera has 96 gigabytes of internal memory (approximately 40 hours of HD content), with a slot that accepts either SD or Memory Stick media cards for additional recording capacity. A built-in video projector lets users play back images of up to 100 inches from a distance of about 16 feet (5m) on any flat surface. This feature is ideal for reviewing footage in the field or on a set, when a monitor is either not available or convenient to use. The HXR-NX30U also features a detachable XLR unit and professional-quality audio, record level control, the option of Linear PCM audio recording, time code, and the ability to reset time code on multiple NXCAMs via infrared remote control. The HXR-NX30U is planned to be available in June for a suggested list price of less than $2,500.

Sony announced the NEX-FS700 Cinema Camera

Will 2012 be the year of "affordable" 4K Cameras? Well it seems that maybe true after all! JVC announced its compact 4K Camera last month, the GY-HMQ10 and now its is Sony's turn to announce their 4K Professional Camera the NEX-FS700. Well 4K not really, well at least not today. See the NEX-FS700 is technically speaking a 4K Camera and comes with Sony's 4K “Exmor” Super 35 CMOS sensor, BUT! And yep there is a but, Sony announced however that this new NEX-FS700 will be launch without the support of 4K Video but with a soon to be released firmware update that will unleash the camera true potential. Yep at $10,000 USD I will also be quite disappointed to not be able to use the true power of my camera. However, the NEX-FS700 comes several Slow-Motion features that will allow you to shoot 120fps and 240fps 1080p videos as well as a stunning 960fps mode in 480p. So bottom line, if you are not in rush to shoot 4K video, have some spare cash and want to shoot mind blowing 240fps 1080p videos, well the NEX-FS700 is exactly what you are looking for!! PS: Who's interested in one of my kidney for 10,000 USD or a NEX-FS700? “This camera opens a new door to creative shooting,” said Juan Martinez, senior product manager at Sony Electronics' Professional Solutions of America group. “You can record beautiful high speed full HD movies with the freedom of creative interchangeable lens choice. The NEX-FS700U, with its super slow motion mode, is ideal for promos, TV dramas, commercials and documentaries as well as sports and a variety of event shooting.” The camera delivers full HD quality at 120 and 240 frames per second in a 16 or 8 second burst mode respectively. The NEX-FS700U's high sensitivity and low noise shooting capability makes super slow motion shooting more convenient without the need for additional equipment. Its 480 fps and 960 fps at reduced resolution are available for faster frame rate recording. The NEX-FS700U camcorder uses a new 4K “Exmor” Super 35 CMOS sensor (Total 11.6 million pixels). This high-speed readout chip is optimized for motion picture shooting, giving high sensitivity, low noise and minimal aliasing. The NXCAM line's E-Mount flexibility is designed to accept virtually all SLR and DSLR 35mm lenses, with the use of simple, inexpensive adapters without optical degradation. FS series owners can use their existing lenses and add more lenses without being limited to brands or mounts. Users can capture high-quality still images with the NEX-FS700U. The camera also includes “face detection” and auto focus to help ensure that a subject is always kept in focus. With the NEX-FS700U, operators can take advantage of the camera's built-in ND filters, with a newly designed ND filter wheel that rotates across the sensor like a turret. The wheel includes positions for Clear, 1x4 (2 Stop), 1x16 (4 Stop), and 1x64 (6 Stop). The camera is 60x50Hz switchable to give shooters the freedom of working in any geographic region without being restricted to only PAL or NTSC recording. The NEX-FS700U's 3G HD-SDI and HDMI connectors can output full HD 50p and 60p, in addition to standard HD 60i, 24p, 25p or 30p frame rates with embedded time code and audio. With 3G HD-SDI, it can output native 23.98, 25, 29.97 progressive signals. Users can elect to output PsF over the 3G HD-SDI. Thanks to flexibility of the digital ports virtually any external recorder can be paired. Users can save up to 99 camera profile settings on a memory card, and can copy the same setting to multiple cameras. Compatible media includes SD and Memory Stick cards, and Sony's HXR-FMU128 flash memory unit that attaches to the camera. The NEX-FS700U features a robust detachable top handle, secured by a pair of screws (a cold shoe, plus two sets of 1x4 and 3x8 inch holes) to allow secure mounting for heavy accessories. The handle is attached with a rosette mount. A key element of the handle is an “active grip” that features four buttons for commonly used functions - expanded focus, auto iris, still capture and recording start/stop. Function buttons are also enlarged to make operation easy even while wearing gloves. The camcorder's enhanced design also includes anchor points for compatibility with third-party accessories and a more durable design than previous models. Sony is planning a future firmware upgrade that will enable the NEX-FS700U to output 4K bitstream data over 3G HD-SDI when used with an optional Sony 4K recorder. The NEX-FS700U (body only) and NEX-FS700UK (with 18-200mm zoom lens) are planned to be available in June at a suggested list price less than $10,000.

Sony HXR-NX30 camcorder: built-in projector, 96GB storage for $2,500 (video)

Don't worry, lone gunslingers, today isn't just about the NEX-FS700. Sony's pro range has also been bolstered with the HXR-NX30 for videographers who need to travel light. This model sacrifices interchangeable lenses in favor of a palm-friendly form factor with a 26mm-260mm (35mm equivalent) Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T fixed lens. The camera sports Sony's 'Balanced Optical SteadyShot' technology, which means both the lens and the sensor assembly are floated as a single element to minimize camera shake. Unlike that of the larger NEX-VG20, the HXR-NX30's sensor is shrunken too: it's an Exmor R CMOS that's only slightly larger than 1x3-inch. The North American NX30U variant handles 1920 x 1080 at 60p, 30p and 24p, as well as 60i and 720x60p, stored as AVCHD on the camera's 96GB of internal memory. A detachable XLR unit takes care of pro-quality audio. Weirdly, the HXR-NX30 even houses a built-in projector that plays back 100-inch footage from a distance of 16 feet. It's an interesting feature, but will it be worth its weight?

ION Air Pro POV

People are getting more and more acquainted with portable action cameras, especially the sporty types. It allows them to record action video of their exploits from their own point of view of the action. While there can be a limited number wearable action cameras available, it is by any means a growing market that has attracted other makers into the fold. One of those who will be in this mix is ION as it introduces its new ION Air Pro POV Camera. The new ION Air Pro POV Action Camera is an action camera that allows users to shoot HD video while also sharing it with friends online in real time. It is one of the very first smartphone compatible action cameras in the market. It is both compatible with iOS and Android devices. It can be attached conveniently on a bike mount or in any type of helmet via its CamLOCK System. It also comes with a rechargeable battery that's good for up to 7 hours of recording time. WiFi capability allows this camera to wirelessly connect with a smartphone and share what it sees to people online in real time. Consider it as a portable HD Action Webcam that you can connect to your smartphone. The ION Air Pro PIV camera is now available in the market and will go for around 229 UK Pounds or US$365 for only the camera. The full WiFi version of the camera will cost around 299 UK Pounds or US$475 when it comes out next month.

Lensbaby Composer Pro gets Samsung, Sony, Micro Four Thirds mirrorless mounts

Lensbaby faithfuls awaiting a mirrorless-compatible Composer Pro lens need not hold out any longer. The company's high-end creative optic is now shipping for mirrorless mounts of the Samsung NX, Sony NEX and Micro Four Thirds variety - including the Panasonic Lumix G and Olympus PEN. These latest additions join Canon, Nikon, Sony Alpha, Pentax K and Four Thirds versions, which are all available for 300 bucks

ZoomX Superzoom Digital Camera

Check out this newly added superzoom digital camera to Chinavasion's product page. Called the ZoomX, the camera sports a 16MP Sony CMOS sensor, a 21x optical zoom lens (25-525mm), a 3.0-inch HVGA TFT LCD screen, a 128MB of internal memory, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, a mini USB port, an HDMI port and 1080p Full HD video capture (60fps). The ZoomX will set you back $234.90. [Product Page]