The new camcorder is part of the company’s semi-pro NXCAM range, and will sit between the consumer CX900 and 4K, AX100 and the pro-spec PXW-X70, which are also based around 1-inch sensor designs.
However, whilst the PXW-X70 shares many physical features with its consumer counterparts, such as the AX100, the HXR-NX100 is closer in style to the XDCAM-based PMW-100 (reviewed here). Aside from the 20 megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS chip, the HXR-NX100 has a 12x Sony G Lens zoom, with independent manual zoom, iris and focus rings, and a 4-step ND filter. The effective zoom range can be doubled using Sony’s Clear Image Zoom technology.
The camera’s physical connections include two XLR inputs for audio, HMDI out, a composite video output over BNCs, and Sony’s MI shoe for adding a microphone receiver or video light. The camera does not, though, have the SDI output found on the PXW-X70.
When it comes to recording, the new camcorder captures footage in either AVCHD or DV formats to dual memory slots, but it can also record in Sony’s XAVC S codec at up to 50mpbs. This means that although the HXR-NX100 lacks the SxS card slots and XDCAM recording of the older PMW-100, it can record at a broadcast-ready bitrate. Cards can be configured for simultaneous or relay recording.
Sony says the 1-inch sensor is equivalent to a Super16mm camcorder, giving good low-light performance and more control over depth of field than conventional, three-chip camcorders. The camcorder’s aperture ranges from f2.8 to f4.5.
Sony expects the new camcorder to go on sale this October.
