Sony PXW-X180

[Swen Goebbels]

Source:
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/na...213000047.html

The PXW-X180 Handheld Solid-State Memory Camcorder features a newly developed 25x optical zoom Sony G Lens with 26 mm wide angle. The PXW-X180 records in MPEG HD422 at 50 Mbps, a format widely preferred by broadcasters and production houses today, and XAVC Intra 4:2:2 and Long GOP, which enables 10-bit sampling for high-definition recording with rich tonal expression. It can also record AVCHDTM and DV. Wireless file transfer of captured files is also enabled to help the workflow.

The PXW-X180 is the first Sony professional camcorder to feature a new variable neutral density (ND) filter. This new device has been developed to electronically control density and enable continuous setting adjustment from 1/4ND to 1/128ND with simple dial operation. Using the filter in conjunction with different iris and shutter speed settings, depth of field and brightness can be adjusted. This allows the use of shooting techniques such as slow shutter shooting as desired in daylight and other bright light conditions.

[Monday Isa]

Here's the product info from Sony's page:

Sony Product Detail Page NEWPROD2014

Nice camcorder! If I was in the market for 3 1/3" chips I'd definitely consider it.

This is something I'd be interested in buying. I and an associate both have our NX5U's already, so as tempting as the Panasonic PX270 is, I'd prefer to use Sony and not mix brands for multi-cam shoots.

[Hans Stephan]

here is a better info about the PXW-X180

PXW-X180 (PXWX180) : Features : United Kingdom : Sony Professional
____
Hans

[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?

[Tim Polster]

I wonder if this is meant to compete with the XF200 or the PX-270? If the latter then maybe this will have forced Canon's hand to release an XF400? I guess we will know shortly...

[Ron Evans]

Looks like a really nice replacement for the NX5U and PMW160 and in one camera.

Ron Evans

[Rob Perry]

This looks like it might be a good companion for my Ex1r... assuming that the "MPEG HD 420 35 Mbps" option is akin to, if not the same, as XDCAM EX?

[Mark Fry]

This quote from sony.co.uk shows where they think it fits into their range: "As the successor to the HVR-Z7E, HXR-NX5E and PMW-150, the PXW-X180 has a lot of attractive features..."

Interesting that the XAVC Intra and XAVC Long GOP codecs are offered in addition to the legacy XDCAM MPEG2 variants (50Mbps 422, 35Mbps 420, 25Mbps HDV), AVCHD and even SD DVCAM. Not sure exactly what the memory slots are or which formats can be sent to which slots. Am I right that Sony now officially support SD-card adaptors for their SxS slots?

It's even got a LANC socket! Mind you, I'll bet all that backward compatibility comes at a price. There are probably some good deals on end-of-line Z5, NX5 and PMW150s at the moment...

[Darren Levine]

eh, seems another required stepping stone, 25x optical is darn nice, but overall just another solid eng cam

[Matt Sharp]

Up for pre-order at B&H now for $5,995. Sony PXW-X180 Full HD XDCAM Handheld Camcorder PXW-X180 B&H

[Galen Rath]

I wonder if I will live long enough to see someone do a variable gain that mimics how the variable ND works on this camera. Tradition dies hard.

[Zach Love]

Looks interesting. Though I'm still waiting on a Z7U body & lens w/ 1920x1080 chips & completely tapeless.

Did the Z7 just not sell well enough? I just don't know why we have a half dozen uni-body Sony cameras, and only the PMW-300 w/ interchangeable lenses.

The Z7 was super small by comparison to the EX3, so between the physical size & the 1/3" it would offer something different than the PMW300.

[Warren Kawamoto]

The first thing that stood out for me when I saw this at NAB was its size. It's more massive than my EX-1!

[Alister Chapman]

The card slots are SxS, but the camera is supplied with an SD card adapter. Via a different adapter you can also use XQD cards. The card format is now ExFat, no UDF so it may even be possible to record 50Mbps 422 XDCAM on SD cards for the first time.

The card slots can be controlled independently. One via the Rec button on the hand grip, the other by the Rec button on the top handle. This way you can shoot long clips on one card and shorter clips on the other, or dual record for an instant backup.

There's an MI shoe to connect accessories like a UWP-D radio mic. The mic is powered from the shoe and audio connected via the shoe, so no cables.

The camera looks bigger than it really is. It's about the same length as an EX1/PMW-200 but very slightly fatter. The boxy design makes it look bigger than it really is. In the hand it's comfortable to hold, the large flat base makes it stable on a tripod.