Sony PXW-Z150 Camcorder
Posted on Feb 29, 2016 by Alex Fice
The Sony PXW-Z150 camcorder is the latest addition to its XDCAM range of lightweight pro camcorders with new functionality to enable wireless operation and 4K (3840×2160 up to 30P is supported). It features a 1.0 type stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and 5x – 120fps – slow motion in HD only. (In conventional CMOS image sensors, the pixels (sensors) and circuits (logic) are formed on the same silicon substrate. Like oil and water, this coexistence of two conflicting elements makes it difficult to optimise their characteristics and also imposes other constraints. Stacking them as separate chips improves image quality, signal processing, enables faster speeds and lowers power consumption.)
You get optical 12x zoom as well as digital zoom which is never really that useful. You can now get live streaming capabilities and FTP wireless connection with built-in Wi-Fi. There is a built-in 4-step ND filter. The PXW-Z150 can also be controlled by a smartphone or tablet using a Wi-Fi remote, and has a battery life which delivers 400 minutes continuous recording time (Using optional NP-F970 battery while recording XAVC 1080/50i or 60i, 50 Mbps with LCD on). Add to that a 0.39-type 1440K OLED viewfinder, alongside the 3.5-type 1550K LCD panel.
CODEC wise you get a BBC friendly MPEG2HD (50Mbps/35Mbps) in addition to Sony’s XAVC format (Long GOP 4:2:2 10bit 50Mbps) format. Built-in connectivity options include pro standard 3G-SDI, XLR inputs, HDMI, USB, REMOTE and Composite (phono). To extend recording times you get two memory card slots and they’re compatible with SDXC and SDHC cards.
