The PMW-EX3 follows on from the successful launch of the new PMW-EX1 and offers all
the great features of the PMW-EX1 in a new semi-shoulder design. In addition to this
new design the camcorder also features an interchangeable lens system, genlock, timecode
and remote control capability for real added flexibility, offering a low-cost HD
studio solution.The PMW-EX3 combines a state-of-the-art, non-linear XDCAM workflow
with simply the best HD quality yet seen in a semi-shoulder camcorder. It is also
the first semi-shoulder camcorder to carry the legendary CineAlta 24P brand with
multiple frame rate recording capability such as 59.94i, 50i, and native 23.98P,
as well being 1080i/720P switchable.There is also a choice of a 35Mb/s High Quality
mode or a 25Mb/s, HDV 1080i compatible mode. To take advantage of this high performance
recording capability, the PMW-EX3 uses the same imaging system as the PMW-EX1, consisting
of three ½-inch type CMOS sensors, each with an effective pixel count of 1920x1080.
In addition, there's a purpose-built interchangeable Fujinon Professional HD ½-inch
14x lens and a unique dual focus ring mechanism. Included in the package is a ½-inch
lens adaptor to allow use of other ½-inch lenses, plus the ability to use other optional
lens adaptors for 2/3rd-inch, cinema-style and digital SLR lenses.To maximise recording
time, the PMW-EX3 has two memory card slots which means with a pair of 16 GB SxS
PRO memory cards, it can record up to 140 minutes of HD footage.A wide variety of
accessories are also available, including a USB Reader/Writer, a wide-conversion
lens, battery and charger.The PMW-EX3 HD compact camcorder is the ideal solution
for a wide range of customers from broadcasters through to independent videographers
and film makers who want exceptional HD picture quality and state-of-the-art workflow
from an affordable semi-shoulder camcorder.New Nonlinear Recording Media, "SxSPRO"
- For Greater Efficiency, Operability, and ReliabilityThe XDCAM EX series adopts
the SxSPRO memory card for its recording media, which Sony and SanDisk Corporation
jointly developed specifically for professional content creation applications. The
SxS PRO memory card is an ultra-compact nonlinear medium that uses flash memory with
a number of key features: * Compatible with ExpressCard3/4 interface slot which is
common on modern Windows PCs and Macs.
* Uses PCI Express interface and achieves an extremely high "read" speed of 800 Mb/s*
*
Large storage capacity: SBP-8 (8 GB) and SBP-16 (16 GB) memory cards are available.
* Can record up to 70 minutes of HD video and audio (using one 16-GB memory card)
*
Compact size: approx. 75 × 34 × 5 mm (excluding the projecting parts) - half the
size of the older PC Card standard
* Low power consumption
* Highly reliable.
*Actual data-transfer speed depends on the file type and the performance of the PC.
1920 x 1080 HD Recording Using the "MPEG-2 Long GOP" Codec
The PMW-EX3 camcorder records
1920 x 1080 HD images using the "MPEG-2 Long GOP" codec, which conforms to the MPEG-2
MP@HL compression standard. "MPEG-2 Long GOP" is a mature codec - also adopted by
the XDCAM HD and HDV 1080i series of products - which enables users to record stunning-quality
HD video and audio with highly efficient, reliable data compression.
Selectable Bit Rates
The PMW-EX3 camcorder offers a choice of bit rates - either 35
Mb/s (HQ mode) or 25 Mb/s (SP mode) - depending on the desired picture quality and
recording time. The HQ mode supports both 1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720 resolutions.
The SP mode supports 1440 x 1080 resolution at 25 Mb/s, which provides compatibility
with HDV 1080i products. Footage recorded in this SP mode can be seamlessly integrated
into HDV-compatible editing systems by transferring the stream from the camcorder
via the i.LINK™ (HDV™) interface. It can also be recorded on XDCAM HD's optical disc
through the use of the supplied Clip Browser software.
Long Recording Time
Utilising
a mature and highly efficient compression format together with high performance SxS
memory cards, the PMW-EX3 can record superb quality HD images for an exceptional
70 minutes* on a single 16Gb SxS card. As the PMW-EX3 features two memory card slots,
this recording time is easily doubled to 140 minutes (with two 16Gb cards) and when
recording across two cards, the transition is seamless without any frame loss. This
feature makes the PMW-EX3 an ideal camcorder for a wide variety of content production
applications, including wedding and event shooting, that require a long recording
time.
*When recording in HQ (35 Mb/s) mode, recording time may be more than the above
specified figure depending on the actual bit rate that is adopted during VBR encoding.
Multiple-format Recording - 1080/720 and Interlace/Progressive Switchable Operation
The
PMW-EX3 camcorder offers a wide array of recording formats for multiple content creation
applications. Scanning mode is switchable between 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, and 1440
x 1080 resolutions. Frame rate is also selectable from interlace and progressive
- 59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P, and native 23.98P*.In addition, 59.94P and 50P progressive
recording is available in 1280 x 720 mode. The SxS memory card can simultaneously
hold multiple files of any of these recording formats, allowing for flexible use
of the memory card.
*In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode, images are handled as 23.98P
and recorded as 59.94i signals through means of 2-3 pull-down.
Genlock and Timecode Interfaces
The PMW-EX3 includes genlock and timecode interfaces,
making the PMW-EX3 ideal for multi-camera operation and entry level HD studio use.
High-quality Uncompressed Audio Recording
In addition to HD video recording, high-quality
audio is an equally significant feature in the XDCAM EX system. The PMW-EX3 camcorder
records and plays back high-quality, two-channel 16-bit, 48-kHz linear PCM uncompressed
audio.
Remote Control Capability
The PMW-EX3 offers professional remote control of various
camera features via standard Sony 8-pin control interface. This allows use of Sony
optional RM-B150 and RM-B750 remote control units offering increased flexibility
for studio/location use.
IT Friendly
With the XDCAM EX series, recordings are made as data files in the "MP4"
format, which is widely used in a number of recent electronic portable devices and
has been standardized by ISO.The file-based recording allows material to be handled
with great flexibility in an IT-based environment - easily available for copying,
transferring, sharing, and archiving. All these operations are accomplished without
any "digitizing" process required. File-based data copying allows for degradation-free
dubbing of AV content, which can be performed easily on a PC. The file-based recording
system also allows for material to be viewed directly on a PC - simply by inserting
the SxS memory card into the ExpressCard slot on a PC or Mac, or by linking a PC/Mac
to the XDCAM EX unit via a USB2 connection. This works in just the same way as a
PC reading files on an external drive. The file-based operation can dramatically
improve the efficiency and quality of professional video applications.
New Semi Shoulder Design
With an adjustable shoulder pad, cheek pad and lens grip,
the PMW-EX3 offers operators the ability to locate a comfortable position for on
the shoulder operation. With the viewfinder assembly attached the ergonomics are
similar to that of a full size shoulder camcorder.
Immediate Recording Start and No Overwriting Footage
By virtue of recording on flash
memory card, the XDCAM EX can start recording virtually the instant the camcorder
is turned on. Moreover, the XDCAM EX system automatically records on an empty area
of the card - there's no danger of overwriting existing content.This is extremely
convenient, as camera operators do not have to worry about accidentally recording
over good takes, and they don't have to search through footage for the correct position
to start the next recording. In short, it means the camera is always ready for the
next shot!
Instant-access Thumbnail Search with "Expand" Function
Each time a recording is started
and stopped on the XDCAM EX camcorder, the video and audio signals are recorded as
one clip. During playback, users can cue-up to the next or previous clip simply by
pressing the 'Next' or 'Previous' button, as you would do on a CD or DVD player.
Furthermore, thumbnails are automatically generated for each clip as a visual reference,
allowing operators to cue-up to a desired scene simply by guiding the cursor to a
thumbnail and pressing the 'Play' button. For further convenience, the 'Expand' function
allows one selected clip in the Thumbnail display to be divided into 12 even-time
intervals, each with their own thumbnail identifier. This is useful if you want to
quickly search for a particular scene within a lengthy clip.
1/2-inch type Three Exmor™ CMOS Sensors
The PMW-EX3 is equipped with three newly developed
1/2-inch type Exmor™ CMOS Sensors, each with an effective pixel count of 1920 (H)
x 1080 (V), which delivers excellent picture performance with full HD resolution.
This 1/2-inch type image sensor, using Sony's advanced accumulated sensor technologies,
allows the camcorder to provide an excellent sensitivity of F10, a remarkable signal-to-noise
ratio of 54 dB, and a high horizontal resolution of 1000 TV lines*. In addition,
this large 1/2-inch type image sensor can capture images with a shallower depth of
field than smaller-size image sensors, giving users more creative freedom of expression.
What's more, the Exmor CMOS sensor is a unique design that deploys an A/D converter
to each column of pixels, resulting in a much lower clock speed than conventional
CMOS sensors. This makes it possible to greatly reduce power consumption of the camcorder.
*In
1920 x 1080/59.94i mode
Interchangeable Lens System with Wide-angle Fujinon 14x Zoom Lens included
The PMW-EX3
is equipped with a superb interchangeable Fujinon 14x zoom lens specifically designed
for the PMW-EX3 to offer optimum picture performance. It offers a wide angle of view
of 5.8 mm (equivalent to 31.4 mm on a 35 mm lens). Also supplied is a lens adaptor
to allow use of other ½-inch lenses. Additional lens adaptors will allow use of 2/3rd
-inch, digital cinema and digital stills lenses for wide creative functionality.
Unique Focus Operation - Professional Manual Focus and Auto Focus
The supplied lens
adopts a newly developed and unique focus ring mechanism, which offers two types
of manual focus, plus an auto focus operation. The PMW-EX3 camcorder is equipped
with two independent focus wheel mechanisms, which can be switched by sliding the
focus ring itself back and forth.When the focus ring is in the front position, the
lens works in the same way as a typical auto focus lens on a handheld camcorder.
In this case, either manual or auto focus mode can be selected by the AF/MF switch
on the lens. On the other hand, when the focus ring is set to the back position,
the lens has an absolute focus position which professional users are familiar with.
Three Independent Rings
In addition to the unique focus ring, the PMW-EX3 supplied
lens is equipped with independent rings for zoom and iris adjustment. These are located
adjacent to the focus ring, in the same layout as is common on other interchangeable
lenses. This gives users a high level of operational comfort and control.
AF Assist
The AF (Auto Focus) Assist function enables operators to manually change
focus positions using the focus ring during AF mode. This means that AF reference
focus positions can be shifted to manually changed positions.
MF Assist
The MF (Manual Focus) Assist function helps to precisely focus on the target
subject when shooting in MF mode. When the MF Assist is turned on, auto focus is
momentarily activated and finely focuses on the subject closest to the focal point
of the lens at that time.
Expanded Focus
At the touch of a button, the center of the screen on the LCD monitor
can be magnified to about twice normal size, making it easier to confirm focus settings
during manual focusing.
Selectable Peaking on the Viewfinder
The Peaking function can help operators to adjust
the camera's focus more accurately by altering the way pictures are displayed on
the LCD monitor. It can enhance the outline of the image, which the camera focuses
on most, and change its colour to make it more visible. Enhance levels can be selected
via the control dial on the rear of the LCD monitor and the outline colour from "RED",
"WHITE", "YELLOW", and "BLUE" from the menu.
Optical Image Stabilizer
To minimize the blurring effect caused by hand-shake, the
new lens incorporates an optical image stabilizer function that provides highly stable
images.
23.98P Native Recording
The PMW-EX3 camcorder is the first semi-shoulder camcorder
to be a member of the legendary Sony CineAlta™ family. It offers native 23.98P* recording
which, in combination with advanced creative features such as selectable gamma curves,
makes this camcorder ideal for cinema production.
*In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode,
images are handled as 23.98P and recorded as 59.94i signals through means of 2-3
pull-down.
Slow & Quick Motion Function
The PMW-EX3 offers a powerful Slow & Quick Motion function
- commonly known as over-cranking and under-cranking in film shooting - that enables
users to create unique 'looks' or special effects with slow- and fast-motion images.
This can be selected on the control dial on the side of the camcorder. The PMW-EX3
can capture images at frame rates selectable from 1 fps (frame per second) to 60
fps in 720P mode and from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080P mode, in increments of 1 fps.
For example, when viewed at 23.98P, images captured at 60 fps will appear 2.5 times
slower than normal. Conversely, images captured at four fps will appear six times
faster than normal. With the Slow & Quick Motion function of this camcorder, images
are recorded natively without interpolating the frames. This means the quality of
the slow- and fast-motion images is extremely high and incomparable to those created
in the editing process. In addition, these slow- and quick-motion images can be played
back immediately after shooting, without using any converters or processing on nonlinear
editing systems.
Slow Shutter Function
The PMW-EX3 camcorder offers a Slow Shutter function for capturing
clear images in low-light environments. This allows the shutter speed to be extended
to a maximum of 64 frames. The Slow Shutter function not only increases camera sensitivity
but also produces a special blurring effect when shooting a moving object, for enhanced
shooting creativity. The shutter speed is selectable from 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-,
8-, 16-, 32-, and 64-frame periods.
Selectable Gamma Curves
The PMW-EX3 camcorder offers a wide variety of gamma curves
to flexibly handle contrast and give a specific 'look' to an image. In addition to
four types of standard gamma curves, the PMW-EX1 provides four types of CINE Gamma
(CINE 1, 2, 3, and 4), which are identical to those of other CineAlta camcorders.
Operators can select the best-suited preset gamma curve, depending on scenes.
Interval Recording Function
The PMW-EX3 camcorder offers an Interval Recording function
that records signals at pre-determined intervals. This is convenient for shooting
over long periods of time, and also when creating pictures with special effects of
extremely quick motion.
Frame Recording Function
Frame Recording is a unique feature of the PMW-EX3 camcorder
that is especially useful for stop-motion/clay animation shooting. Using this function,
images for pre-determined frames are recorded every time the Record button is pressed.
Shutter Angle Settings
In addition to the electronic shutter speed controls, the PMW-EX3
also has a "shutter angle" control - which is familiar to film users. By setting
the shutter speed to "angle", the PMW-EX3 automatically operates with the proper
exposure time, determined by the selected frame rate and the shutter angle.
Picture Profile™ Feature
The Picture Profile feature allows camera operators to easily
call up customized picture-tonal settings to suit particular shooting conditions,
rather than having to readjust the camera each time - giving users greater operational
efficiency. Up to six different picture-tonal settings such as the parameters of
matrix, colour correction, detail, gamma and knee can be saved in the memory. These
settings are displayed on the LCD monitor at the touch of a button.
Depth-of-field Indicator
A Depth-of-field Indicator can be displayed on the LCD monitor
to help camera operators easily recognize the depth-of-field of a scene, and thereby
produce their desired images.
Brightness-level Display
The average brightness level of the centre of a frame can
be displayed on the LCD monitor as a percentage. This is useful when a waveform monitor
is not available for shooting.
Histogram Indicator
The Histogram Indicator can be displayed on the LCD monitor, allowing
operators to easily evaluate the distribution of brightness on currently captured
images. This enables proper exposure control of iris, gain and gamma.
3.5-inch* Hybrid Colour LCD Screen / Viewfinder
The PMW-EX3 is equipped with a newly
developed, large, easy-to-view, colour LCD screen with a high resolution of 1920
x 480 pixels. The LCD screen is located in an easy viewing position on top of the
camera and can also be utilised as a high-definition viewfinder with the easily attached
monocular viewfinder assemblyThe LCD Screen can also be used to instantly review
recorded footage, as well as access the camera's set-up menus and view thumbnail
display status indications such as audio meters, depth-of-field indicators, and the
remaining memory and battery time. What's more, the Hybrid LCD screen - which comprises
transmissive and reflective panels - offers clear viewing even in bright sunlight.
*Viewable
area measured diagonally
On-handle Zoom Switch and REC Start/Stop Button
In order to facilitate zoom control
and recording operation during low-angle shooting, an additional zoom switch and
record start/stop button are located on the carrying handle.
Shot Transition™ Function
The Shot Transition function allows for smooth automatic
scene transitions. The operator can program start and end settings for zoom, focus,
and white balance into the A/B buttons and, by pressing the start button, a smooth
transition will take place according to the set time. It works by automatically calculating
the intermediate values during the scene transition. The start of this function can
be synchronized with the camera's REC start function. The transition progress can
be checked using an indicator displayed on the LCD monitor. In addition, a start
timer function is also available for the Shot Transition function, helping to prevent
operators from missing a shot.This function is very useful when complex camera settings
are required during the scene transition - for example, when shooting subjects moving
from the background to the foreground of a scene.
Long Operating Time
With the BP-U30 battery attached, the PMW-EX3 can record continuously
for approximately two hours, while the BP-U60 battery extends the operating time
to approximately four hours.
Wide Array of Interfaces
The PMW-EX3 camcorder comes equipped
with a wide range of interfaces optimized for a variety of operational needs. These
include an HD-SDI output, down-converted SD-SDI output, i.LINK (HDV) input/output,
USB2 and analogue composite/component output.
Other Features
* ATW (Auto Tracing White
Balance)
* Built-in ND filter wheel: 1: Clear, 2: 1/8ND, 3: 1/64ND
* Selectable gain:
-3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 dB
* High-speed picture search: x4, x15
* Freeze Mix function
*
Skin-tone Detail control
* Low-key saturation
* IR Remote Commander™ unit
