Sony PXW-X180

[Alister Chapman]

Yes this is true. Sony are moving away from UDF with the XAVC equipped cameras and using ExFat. SDXC works with ExFat, so can be used for bit rates up to 50MB/s, so XDCAM at 50Mb/s and XAVC at up to 50Mb/s works on SDXC with the PXW-X180 and X160. Newer XAVC/XDCAM camcorders have a new file structure that places an "XDROOT" folder on the card and then the old XDCAM file structure sits inside that.

It's a great new camcorder, the video is amazingly clean and noise free.

[Shaun Roemich]

Huh. Didn't see that coming. Thanks for the insight, Alister.

[Bruce Watson]

I'd love to see a comparison between this camera and the Panasonic AJ-PX270. The specs are very close, as is the pricing. Gotta love some competition!

Will this camera ship fully functional? The Panasonic did not. In particular, the Panny doesn't fully support it's AVC-LongG25 and AVC-LongG50 CODECs. Still. Disappointing, because those are the CODECs I find most interesting.

It'll be interesting to see if Sony learns from Panny's mistake and brings a finished X180 to market.

[Gints Klimanis]

Originally Posted by Swen Goebbels

"The bite rate of XAVC recording is 111 or 112 Mbps at 1080/59.94i or 50i and 89, or 112 Mbps at 1080/23.98P or 25p......The 3G-SDI connector is able to output the 1080/59.94P or 50P signal"

I am a bit confused now: Does this mean no 1080/59.94P or 50P internal recording?

From the spec sheet http://www.sony.co.uk/res/attachment...7492945225.pdf

59.94P/50P for AVCHD 1920x1080 at 28 Mbps max

59.94P/50P for XAVCLong 1920x1080 at 50/35 Mbps max

The last line suggests 1080p60 or 1080p50 at 50 Mbps . I'd jump on 1080p60 4:2:2 at 160 Mbps (1/3 higher data rate for 4:2:2) internal recording upgrade to an EX1 or EX3. Looks like an external recorder will be needed.

[Jack Zhang]

Unfortunately, the current crop of 1/2'' sensors in the PMW-200 and PMW-300 don't support 1080p60 hardware wise. There has to be new sensors in order for there to be a 1/2'' variant.

The Intra bitrates don't support 1080p60. I would have expected this to support higher frame rates, since the Z100 supports 60p in Intra mode.

B&H just dropped their pre-order price from $5999 to $4999. It's getting more tempting to replace my trusty NX5U with the PXW-X180.

[Tim Polster]

$4999 is quite an aggressive price. I wonder if it will hold through release? This camera has a lot of good stuff in it as does the Panny PX-270. These two models will have a battle royal for the space for sure.

[Ron Evans]

The price for the PMW-X160 will be interesting when posted.

Ron Evans

[Bruce Watson]

Originally Posted by Ed Arszyla

B&H just dropped their pre-order price from $5999 to $4999.

Nice! I wonder how Panasonic will respond to that. Think the price on the Panny AJ-PX270 will also drop? Gotta love the competition!

[Jase Tanner]

Looks like it already it has. From 5750 to 5250. Wonder which one came 1st.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1006688-REG/panasonic_aj_px270_micro_p2_handheld_camcorder.html

[Tim Polster]

This is kind of dangerous and odd behavior be these companies. They are playing with their integrity dropping the prices so much, so quickly. With this type of behavior they are training people to NOT order their products until a certain period after they are released. And, offend the loyal customers that already purchased only a month or two ago.

I don't think I have ever seen a $1,000 price drop on a $6,000 (new) camera or a $500 price drop two months after release. Is the market that soft?

[Monday Isa]

It's probably just the street price for the PXW-180. At $6,000 MSRP they wouldn't move against the PMW-200/300. At a street price of $5K it's much easier to move units. Now if there was another $1K price drop 2 months after release then I'd be concerned.

[John Kofonow]

I need advice on what camera to purchase. My choices are the Panasonic AJ-PX270 or the Sony PXW-X180.

I’m a second year film student who has shot several shorts and own a Canon 60D. I want a prosumer video camera for run-n-gun, documentary, and event videos.

My budget allows me to spend about $6,000 for a camera. (I'm not a broke college student and I will not be going into debt for this). I have other money budgeted for other equipment. I’m looking down the road to have a professional camera to work with now and later to make money with.

I know it is hard to talk about the Sony camera when it hasn't been released yet. I can wait until it is to make my purchase if I went with the Sony. I’ve done my research but would like the thoughts of experienced and professional video shooters on these two cameras. Thanks.

John

[Doug Tessler]

I have the panasonic and its the best camera I ever had even in low light its amazing :)

[Bruce Watson]

Originally Posted by John Kofonow

I need advice on what camera to purchase. My choices are the Panasonic AJ-PX270 or the Sony PXW-X180.

If you have to buy something right now, the choice is made for you. You can buy the Panny today, the Sony isn't out yet.

If you don't need to buy something today, then wait. Give Panny time to fix their LongGOP CODECs so you get all the frame rates, and give Sony time to hit the market and get that camera into the hands of the early adopters who can then report back to us.