Sonys all-new PMW-EX1 solid-state camcorder was first introduced on Monday the 16th of April 2007 at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) show in Las Vegas where it was the most talked about product at the show. Crowds of people fought to get a glimpse of it.
The PMW-EX1 is Sony's first solid-state only camcorder, and what a great camcorder it has turned out to be!
It is not to dissimilar in size and weight to previous Sony prosumer cameras such as the PD170, Z1, and V1 models. But that's where the similarities end.
The PMW-EX1 is solid-state only and features two card slots for the very latest ExpressCard technology cards (the replacement for the older PCMCIA Cardbus specification). The latest ExpressCard technology is more robust, more reliable, much faster, and available in much higher capacities than its predecesor. Above all because it is a commodity storage type made by lots of different manufacturers it is also much more inexpensive. The ExpressCard type that Sony's EX camcorder takes has been named SxS and the Sony branded cards are made specifically for them by Sandisk.
1Sonys PMW-EX1 records to cards that are available in 8, 16, and 32GB capacities and above. Unlike alternative solid-state offerings the EX series will achieve 2.5 minutes per gigabyte at full HQ quality 35Mbps HD or 3.5 minutes per gigabyte at 25Mbps constant bitrates. This means that with two 16GB cards you can fit around 90 minutes of the highest quality 35Mbps footage variable bitrate or 115 minutes at 25Mbps constant bitrate. These figures can be doubled if you use 32GB cards.
2The cost of the SxS Express Cards are much cheaper than other solid-state options and they can be bought over the counter in high street stores. ExpressCard is not a Sony invention, it is the PCMCIA industry standard that has replaced the older PCMCIA PC card. This is likely to ensure that prices will come down even faster in the future.
3The transfer/read/write speeds of the new ExpressCard are much faster than other solid-state options leaving room for future developments.
4The PMW-EX1 camcorder features a fully manual lens that features the same degree of control that is afforded on full size shoulder mounted cameras. Rejecting the usual design ethic for this type of camera Sony decide to employ Fujinon to design a lens that features a fully manual iris ring, focus barrel with end stops for infinity and macro, and zoom markings allowing critical control over the picture. The lens also features industry standard gearing which means that it is ready to accept professional follow focus units and function in a way that professionals expect. This is an industry first for a camera of this type.
5The EX features 1/2" native 1080 pickup devices. These are of course the same size as those found in the XDCAM HD 1/2" series of shoulder mount cameras. Using chips of this size not only allows the camera to capture exceptionally vibrant and sharp imagery, but it also makes it suitable as a B-roll camera for any XDCAM shoot. Once again this is an industry first for this type of camera.
6A great camera head is nothing without great glass to go with it. So Sony employed the services of broadcast lens manufacturer Fujinon to design a lens based on their high-end professional broadcast lenses especially for the PMW-EX1 camcorder.
7XDCAM is a format that has been in professional use for over 4 years. Sony has constantly refined the workflow over this time, adding new features and listening to users comments. The PMW-EX1 has been designed to intergrate with the existing XDCAM workflow and disc formats thereby making back and archive simple and reliable.
8Sony have waited patiently to enter the world of solid-state recording and for good reason. The very latest Apple Macintosh Macbook laptops, Sony Vaio laptops and other laptop computers from companies such as Dell for example, all feature the new ExpressCard slot on the side, so dumping footage straight onto one of these latest laptop computers is by far the most convenient and most reliable method of transferring video files to date.
9The PMW-EX1 promises to be the most flexible camera of its type on the market with a multitude of setup options allowing footage that has been shot with it to integrate seamlessly with that of its bigger siblings. This makes it the number one choice as a B-roll camera for any existing XDCAM shoot.
10CineAlta. You might have noticed that the XDCAM EX has Sony's famous CineAlta badge on the side. Sony save the CineAlta badge for only their very best cameras that are capable of native 24p progressive scan shooting.
The above ten points are just the beginning. When you see this DVD and witness the stunning footage for yourself you will begin to see why the PMW-EX1 will make you reconsider everything you thought you knew about this class of camera.