New Sony FS7 4K XDCAM at IBC 2014

[Ivan Hurtado]

Sony's technique lately is throwing all they can and keep what sticks. The problem is that everything is working, sticking and great! I have to say Panasonic and Canon are going to need a hell of a catch up!

[Brian Drysdale]

The Film & Digital Times IBC edition (available free at the moment) has an article on the FS7. It seems to have picked up nicknames: Sony Vérité or Sony Minima. Also a good article on manufacturing the Amira.

Film and Digital Times April 2014 | Film and Digital Times

[Monday Isa]

DVinfo Sponsors, who are taking pre-orders right now? I'm ready to get on the list! Thanks

[Glen Vandermolen]

Originally Posted by Brian Drysdale

The Film & Digital Times IBC edition (available free at the moment) has an article on the FS7. It seems to have picked up nicknames: Sony Vérité or Sony Minima. Also a good article on manufacturing the Amira.

Film and Digital Times April 2014 | Film and Digital Times

Wow, thanks for the link, Brian. The size of the A-Minima, but lighter? And in S35 to boot? This is an amazing camera. The ergos are near perfect. It really can dethrone the C300 as the go-to production camera.
I predict a lot of used FS700s hitting the market soon. And C300s.

[Andy Wilkinson]

This looks like a really, really strong offering from Sony...I want one! [P.S. Don't tell my Sony PMW-300 and Canon C100 that. They are currently both "resting" in their bags, thankfully unable to see me typing...Bless them!]

Probably just as well that I've just spent a small fortune on a new Mac Pro, NLE software, Monitors and RAID systems in the last 2 weeks or my finger would now be hovering over any 'Pre-Order Your FS7 Now' button I might find!!!

On a more serious note, seems to me that Canon will need to respond with a new camera very soon if they don't wish to see sales slide dramatically with the Cinema line - the C300 (in particular) certainly looks like it's time is starting to come to an end. We'll know more once the FS7 starts getting into the wild and it's strengths and weaknesses become well known.

VERY exciting announcement. Well done Sony!

[Dylan Couper]

Originally Posted by Monday Isa

DVinfo Sponsors, who are taking pre-orders right now? I'm ready to get on the list! Thanks

Same here!

[Glen Vandermolen]

Originally Posted by Monday Isa

DVinfo Sponsors, who are taking pre-orders right now? I'm ready to get on the list! Thanks

Will they take trade-ins on a slightly used PMW-300? ;-)

[James Manford]

Don't see why some of the FS700 users would want to move on to this.

Surely by now you've worked around the ergonomics of the FS700.

And if you're desperate for 4K then buy a o7Q?

The FS700 still offers 240, 480fps super slo mo in HD. Where as this is limited to 180fps.

If I had £7000 today, I would still pick up a FS700 as I use slow motion a lot. And my client's aren't interested in 4K yet.

In 2 years time? I would buy a o7Q because 4K will be more main stream by then. So basically if you are not fussed about super slo mo. The FS7 is for you.

Sony are smart. They've kept certain features apart so the FS700 sales remain unaffected.

[Brent Kaplan]

Does this camera have a global shutter ?

[Glen Vandermolen]

Originally Posted by Brent Kaplan

Does this camera have a global shutter ?

No it does not.

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Monday Isa

DVinfo Sponsors, who are taking pre-orders right now? I'm ready to get on the list! Thanks

Originally Posted by Dylan Couper

Same here!

Will post the pre-order links as soon as I get 'em, thanks!

[Andy Wilkinson]

Thanks Chris. Just hiding my business credit card in the safe now in case those links appear soon. My way of trying to reduce that "buying lust" I'm currently feeling towards a FS7...

[Jim Martin]

It kind of looks like something half way between a FS700 and a C300.......complete with a grip re locator!
Very interesting......

Jim Martin
EVSonline.com

[Cliff Totten]

So we know that is a rifle shot at the C300. I think we can all agree (even Canon folks) that the FS7 clearly out-guns any other $8K camcorder.

What about the "100" crowd? (the C100/FS100 $5k+ market)

What will a future Sony "FS1" offer? (I'm sure we all agree that a "1" or "100" model is in development as we speak)

1.) Same FS7 shell and form factor? (saves manufacturing costs)
2.) UHD frame size only. (not full 4K)
3.) 8bit locked, long GOP internal 4:2:0 recording. (100 or 150mbps XAVC-S)
4.) 24 and 30p only? (maybe 60p? if Sony want's to risk it)
5.) 8bit locked SDI or just HDMI 1.4 only for 30p or HDMI 2.0 if 60p is allowed.
6.) Blocked docking station compatibility.
7.) A7s level of picture controls and profile adjustments.
8.) S-LOG2

Even with these limitations, I still believe that a $5,000 "FS1" would still be a good compromise and something that many of the "lower budget" buyers would jump on. And, with these key limitations in place, it wont hurt the FS7's higher market sales.

What do y'all think? We know for sure "something" like this is definitely on the way. (Maybe NAB 2015?...they WILL have new 4k announcements there)

CT

[Glen Vandermolen]

Interesting - it can use the Sony E 18-105 power zoom lens up to HD 60P. It will compensate for the lens distortion.. That's a cheap lens alternative if your budget's tight.

I wonder if it can also use the 18-200 power zoom?

eta - just saw a graphic from Sony that showed the 18-200 zoom with the camera. Another cheaper zoom lens option.