Sony has extended its professional 4K line with a new camera aimed at indie features, documentaries, reality TV and other nonscripted work.
The PXW-FS7 4K XDCAM Super 35mm camcorder weights just under 4 pounds and is designed with handheld photography in mind. “We needed a camera that could support long-form recording and was lightweight," senior product manager Juan Martinez told The Hollywood Reporter. “And the electronics are sealed to resist dust and water.”
The body is expected to list for roughly $10,000, with availability in October. (For comparison, its top of the line F65 lists for $65,000.)
The new camera uses a 4K Super 35mm “Exmor” sensor, which Martinez said is similar to the sensor in Sony’s 4K-capable F5 camera.
The PXW-FS7 records 4K on board to XQD memory cards, using the XAVC codec and supporting a frame rate of up to 60 frames per second in 4K. It supports E-mount lenses, or A-mount with an adaptor.
The camera will be unveiled Friday at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam.
