The rear view of the PXW-Z100 shows the connections and card slots. But there are some other design decisions, which will be either positive or negative, depending on a production company or channel’s workflow and other equipment. The PXW-Z100, for example, uses Sony NPF series batteries.
Lens, sensor and recording formats
The heart of any camcorder is of course its sensor, and its sensor is only as good as the lens.
Sony PXW-FS5M2 4K XDCAM Compact Handheld Camcorder - Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens (SELP18105G) - Handle - Grip Remote - LCD Panel - Accessory Shoe Kit - USB Cable - AC Adapter/Charger (BC-U1A) - Power Cord - Wireless Remote Commander (RMT-845) - LCD Protector - CD-ROM 'Manuals for Solid-State Memory Camcorder' - 2x Operating Guide - BP-U30 Battery Pack - Sony 1 Year Limited Warranty. My quick overall opinion on the Sony PXW-Z90 is this little 4K camera is a straight-up documentary / ENG/ grab and go camera designed to be fast and quick to grab those important documentary moments needed to tell an emotional story. PXW-Z100 (XDCAM 4K Handheld Camcorder) At first glance, this camcorder seems identical to the cheaper FDR-AX1; however, Sony’s PXW-Z100 Pro 4K is packed with enough extra punch to get the approval of seasoned videographers. Without a doubt, Sony knows what guns to pull out in the competitive world of professional camcorders.
Here, then, is where the compromises in the PXW-Z100, at least on paper, come to the fore.
The camcorder is based around a single CMOS chip. But it is not a large-sensor camcorder, or even a broadcast (2/3-inch) camcorder. Whereas the PMW-200 and PXW-200 have three half-inch chips, and Sony’s shoulder-mount broadcast cameras, three 2/3-inch chips, the PXW-Z100 has a single, 1/2.33-inch chip.
This, coupled with the need to cram 4K’s worth of pixels into a fairly small imager, may mean the camcorder is less dependable in low light than its HD cousins. It also means that film makers have only limited control over depth of field.
And, although the Z100 is arguably a “special use” camcorder, due to its 4K recording, it is not clear whether the Z100 meets the EBU requirements for broadcast, which demand at least three 1/3-inch chips. A producer pitching for network broadcast may want to play safe, and opt for a larger sensor or multi-chip camcorder. Office 2013 product key 2017.
The other consideration for professional broadcasters is Sony’s choice of lens. The lens on the Z100 is the company’s own G-series type, which is similar in design and appearance to the lenses on the NX5 and the PMW-150. These are not bad lenses by any means, but they lack the tactile feel of the Fujinon units used on the PMW-200 and PMW-300.
The G lens on the Z100 does have separate rings for aperture, focus and zoom, but these are all servo controlled rather than manual, and the lens lacks the attachment rings for controllers and the lens information scales of the higher-end camcorder units.
The Z100 offers a 20x zoom with professional controls
On the plus side, the lens is responsive, and offers a 20x zoom: useful additional reach over a PMW-200. With 4K filming, of course, it is possible to punch in further on the image in post, potentially allowing producers to position a Z100 away from the action – at the back of a room for example – knowing they can crop in for a close up in the edit, if need be.
In our tests, the G-series lens performed as would be expected, with no noticeable ghosting or flaring. The built-in image stabiliser is also effective, although for 4K filming, we would really recommend a study tripod.
When it comes to recording formats, the Z100 is, though, a veritable Swiss Army Knife, even without the planned AVCHD upgrade. These range from full (cine) 4K at 4096×2160 at 50p – for PAL regions – and up to 500mbps recording, QFHD, and down to HD at 113mbps. Note that there are no SD formats on this camera.
One point to keep in mind, is that the codecs currently supported on the Z100 are all high bitrate. This does impact on the camera’s recording time. We found in our tests that a 32GB XQD card ran to just under half an hour in 1080p, and around 18 minutes in QFHD.
Sony cites 15 minutes’ recording for full 4K with a 64GB card at 50p or 25 minutes for 25p, and lists other options on its camera specifications page. Whilst productions will benefit from the high bit rate and 4:2:2 colour, media costs are a consideration, especially when compared with the ability of cameras such as the GH4 to record 4K on low-cost SD cards.
But the real test of any camera is, of course, its image quality, so we put the Z100 through its paces in the field.
Next: Image quality and the Z100 in the field
Professional handheld camcorder records 4K using the XAVC format on to XQD solid state memory cards
The PXW-Z100 professional 4K handheld XDCAM camcorder features a 1/2.33-inch Exmor R CMOS sensor with 16 million pixels. The camcorder is ideal for creating stunning 4K content (4096 × 2160) at 50 fps (frames per second) or 60 fps. The camcorder makes it easier for everyone from high-end cinema to entry-level productions to work in the 4K world.
4K (4096 × 2160) 50fps or 60fps shooting
The camcorder provides good sensitivity due to the back-illuminated Exmorâ„¢ R CMOS sensor. With 8 million effective pixels, the 1/2.33” sensor captures 4K images at 50fps or 60fps. The inbuilt high-performance G Lens offers maximum shooting flexibility, including a wide angle of 29.5mm (equivalent to 35mm) and 20x powerful optical zoom.
The camcorder provides good sensitivity due to the back-illuminated Exmorâ„¢ R CMOS sensor. With 8 million effective pixels, the 1/2.33” sensor captures 4K images at 50fps or 60fps. The inbuilt high-performance G Lens offers maximum shooting flexibility, including a wide angle of 29.5mm (equivalent to 35mm) and 20x powerful optical zoom.
XAVC recording format at 4K 50fps/60fps
The PXW-Z100 uses Sony’s XAVC recording format first employed in the PMW-F55 CineAlta 4K camera. MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression is used for HD (1920 × 1080), QFHD (3840 × 2016) and 4K (4096 × 2160) content. Image sampling is 4:2:2 10-bit, with an intra-frame system that compresses each frame individually at a maximum bit rate of 500Mbps or 600Mbps during 4K 50fps or 60fps recording respectively and 223Mbps during HD 50fps or 60fps recording. The XAVC format is ideal for those looking to implement a high-quality, secure and worry-free workflow.
The PXW-Z100 uses Sony’s XAVC recording format first employed in the PMW-F55 CineAlta 4K camera. MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression is used for HD (1920 × 1080), QFHD (3840 × 2016) and 4K (4096 × 2160) content. Image sampling is 4:2:2 10-bit, with an intra-frame system that compresses each frame individually at a maximum bit rate of 500Mbps or 600Mbps during 4K 50fps or 60fps recording respectively and 223Mbps during HD 50fps or 60fps recording. The XAVC format is ideal for those looking to implement a high-quality, secure and worry-free workflow.
A free firmware update is planned for the middle of 2014 to support the LongGOP mode for extended 4K recording time and to add support for AVCHD recording.
XQD Memory Card recording
XQD Memory Card recording
To apply the license file to your Serviio server, open the Console. On the home screen, Click on the Upload License file button. You will be presented with another dialog box. Click on Browse. And locate your Serviio Pro license file (it will have a.lic extension). Serviio pro license file extractor.
The XQD Memory Card* is a new standard of solid state memory, which was recently defined by several industry leading companies. XQD uses the ultra-fast PCI Express interface and Sony’s unique camera processor to enable stable video recording at 500Mbps or 600Mbps. The PXW-Z100 features two XQD Memory Card slots. Multiple cards can be used in various ways, such as for relay recording. When the first card becomes full, recording continues on the second card without a break.
Sony Pxw Z150 Review
![Sony Pxw Z100 4k Review Sony Pxw Z100 4k Review](https://www.cinema5d.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Atomos-Shogun-Inferno-240-640x359.jpg)
- XQD cards have a write speed of up to 800Mbps. The use of S Series cards with 180MB/s writing speed is recommended.
Sony Pxw Z100 4k Review Video
HDMI interface for 4K output and 3G HD-SDI interface for HD output
The HDMI interface on the PXW-Z100 can output 4K as a 50fps/60fps signal. When the PXW-Z100 is connected to a Sony 4K-compatible BRAVIA TV, the recorded 4K image can be displayed in 4K 50fps/60fps quality. A future firmware upgrade is planned to provide compatibility with the new HDMI 2.0 standard and enable 4K 50fps/60fps output to a wider range of devices. Other features include a 3G HD-SDI interface that supports output to an SDI of up to HD 60fps. It also supports HD output during 4K recording.
The HDMI interface on the PXW-Z100 can output 4K as a 50fps/60fps signal. When the PXW-Z100 is connected to a Sony 4K-compatible BRAVIA TV, the recorded 4K image can be displayed in 4K 50fps/60fps quality. A future firmware upgrade is planned to provide compatibility with the new HDMI 2.0 standard and enable 4K 50fps/60fps output to a wider range of devices. Other features include a 3G HD-SDI interface that supports output to an SDI of up to HD 60fps. It also supports HD output during 4K recording.
Sony Pxw Z100
Paint function for more creative freedom
The PXW-Z100’s paint function enables multiple image parameters to be adjusted including gamma curve, black level, skin detail and colour. The range of settings is similar to those in the PMW-F55. Together with other setting options, parameter settings can be recorded as a camera profile onto a memory card. The recorded camera profile can then be used to set the same parameters in another PXW-Z100 to enable the matching of quality and image tones when using a multi-camera setup.
The PXW-Z100’s paint function enables multiple image parameters to be adjusted including gamma curve, black level, skin detail and colour. The range of settings is similar to those in the PMW-F55. Together with other setting options, parameter settings can be recorded as a camera profile onto a memory card. The recorded camera profile can then be used to set the same parameters in another PXW-Z100 to enable the matching of quality and image tones when using a multi-camera setup.
Sony Pxw Z150 Manual
Remote control with WiFi
Focus, zoom, aperture settings and ‘record start/stop’ can be remote controlled using the browser function of a smartphone or tablet.
Focus, zoom, aperture settings and ‘record start/stop’ can be remote controlled using the browser function of a smartphone or tablet.