Advice
 

I read many threads on this forum and I respect the skills and experience represented here. I have decided to sell my EX1 and go whole hog into 4K. I have a X70 (Tinkerbell) but I will need an additional 4k camera.
There are soooo many cameras on the market now that shoot 4K that I need some guidance. BTW, I consider myself an artist not a technician so forgive my ignorance.

I have had great service from Sony products and I will stay with that brand. I shoot legal videos, commercials, product videos, special events, training videos, background on movie sets, etc. Nothing more serious.

Parameters are: Sony, 4K, SDI/HDMI out while recording to internal cards, SUPER reliable, old or new models

Thanks

Re: Advice
 

Hi Dan--

I'm also in the market for a new cam, but I don't need 4k at the moment. Barring all arguments about future proofing, my needs can still be met with a good HD camera. (Deliver to DVD/BluRay and the web.)

With that said, I am looking at several Sonys, like the PXWZ150, the NX3, and the HD only NX100. Except legal videos, our shooting needs are about the same.

Budget wise, the NX100 seems to fit the bill at $1699 (at B and H). The PXWZ150 is at $3199 and I think the newest model of the three. I like the 20x zoom lens of the NX3 (priced at $2999), good for wildlife shooting. (But I've read that the digital zooms on both the Z150 and the NX100 are useful in certain circumstances.

Just my two cents. Good luck with your hunting!

Best,

Re: Advice
 

Why not a second, matching X70? If you want a "large sensor" camera, perhaps take a look at the a7S2 or a6300 if video camera controls are not a priority. Personally I think the look of the APSC and full-frame cameras is much better than the look of the RX10 mk1/2/3.

Keep in mind pretty much every Sony camera will shut off the camera LCD when recording 4K to the cards and outputting a signal via HDMI OR SDI. So if you need internal 4K and live video out, you'll need an external monitor.

There are other Pro Sony cams out there, though not sure how much better they would be for you than the X70.

Re: Advice
 

Hi Nate--

Don't want to hijack Dan's thread, but personally, I feel more comfortable with an ENG or prosumer style cam.

I've been shooting with a Nikon D610, and I do like the shallow depth of field look, but I feel more comfy with traditional video camera controls.

I want to be able to shoot weddings, short documentaries, commercials, training videos, events and output to the web, and DVD/Blu Rays. So I think I'm more confident using a video camera than a DSLR.

What do you think of the choices I gave to Dan?

Re: Advice
 

What would your budget be for camera and any lenses if you go that route?

The "SDI/HDMI out while recording" will be a toughy. Off-hand if you are OK with outboard recorders, I would get a Z150 with external 4K ProRes recorder, which can also loop out another 4K signal to somewhere else if needed.

Paul

Re: Advice
 

What's the meaning, If you spend hundreds of dollars just to have recording (by loosing all goodies of internal recording) just buy a better camera. It would be cheaper. (as I said in my other thread, I am too disappointment about that, it's just useless)

Re: Advice
 

Jeff,

I have lost two jobs because they demanded 4K. Of course, I have one 4K camera but I would never go to a shoot without a backup.

Re: Advice
 

Ops, my bad!

Jeff,

I have lost two jobs because they demanded 4K (duh). Of course I have one 4K camera but I would never go to a shoot without a backup.

Re: Advice
 

Yikes! I didn't realize you lose the flip out monitor while recording 4K?!? Hmmm...

Gonna have more research to do.

Re: Advice
 

Jeff, re. "lose the flip out monitor while recording 4K?!? Hmmm".

My X70 works but which of the other Sony hand held cams also lose the LED in 4K?????

Re: Advice
 

Do you have an 4K upgraded Sony PXWX70 camera? If yes, as I understand you can Record in 4K and at the same time you have LCD active and HDMI/SDI output active?

Nice… we are talking about that in other thread and for now these models have the same problem

- Sony PXW-FS5 can’t output at all when 4K recording is enabled
- SONY PXW-Z150 can’t work both Output (SDI/HDMI) and LCD when 4K recording is enabled

Very interesting about X70 because Z150 it’s the replacement of X70+Firmware4K.

EDIT : Reading the firmware upgrade manual here on page 32, looks like that X70 also have the same problem with 4K ("The picture being recorded is not displayed on the viewfinder/LCD panel when [QFHD REC OUTPUT] is set to [EXTERNAL OUTPUT]."}

Re: Advice
 

Hey Paul,

What is the next step up to get a Sony with 4K recording and flip out screen that works at same time?

Re: Advice
 

Dan, to clarify, the LCD screen still works when recording internal 4K on all of these Sony cams. What happens is that the onboard LCD goes black as soon as you add in trying to monitor via SDI or HDMI.

Pick any 2 of the following to be active when operating in 4K: Record to card / On-Camera LCD Monitor / On-Camera EVF / External Output

As far as I know, the cheapest camera that does more than 2 of these things at a time is the FS7. I'm unsure about the capabilities of the Z100 and AX1, but those are getting a little long in the tooth.

Re: Advice
 

I have a FDR-AX1 and LCD works as normal when outputting to HDMI ( AX1 does not have SDI only the Z100 ). I can select output format ( 3840x2160P, 1920x1080P, 1920x1080i, 720x480P ) as well as select whether camera indications are displayed on HDMI output. I have used this approach to have a 7" monitor while shooting video and recently also record 1920x1080 to a Video Assist while recording 3840x2160 60P to the XQD cards. I am sure the Z100 will also do this from its SDI output but that is 3G where the HDMI is HDMI 2.0 and will output 60P UHD. The FDR-AX1 can do all 4, record to card/LCD on/VF on/external output with format selection, so I assume the Z100 will also do that too. They really are great cameras and I think Sony is missing the boat in not upgrading them with a better sensor.

Ron Evans

Re: Advice
 

In operation manual of Z100 says that it doesn't have this limitation. Instead it can give simultaneously output at the same time in SDI/HDMI (with same resolution), like FS7.

I have start some days ago another thread about this limitation, but we "split" conversation in these 2 threads ;). I post there a list that shows the functionality on 4K recording mode.