Here's some raw files I took just on sunset last night. All shot at 1080/50p, Outdoor WB, slightly tweaked Picture Profile, LPCM audio. Totally unscientific - fairly much out of the box and waving it around - testing AUTO / vs MANUAL in low light, gain/noise etc.

https://mega.co.nz/#!eFkkUIoY!Yf3M-qrIU01fWBQC7n8GfyZBc-l-bj2x_PS6wyWm0M8

https://mega.co.nz/#!3U01xAjb!JcouiG8fZe89VveIyFiHXx2_bdJ8pRJcecxrsm_D-FU

https://mega.co.nz/#!eJ9AkKpS!GPfEu3ywtKgErDICKh1HxGvlj9egPL2Zr64uIWmZQyQ

https://mega.co.nz/#!bYsm2YjK!xKTYZQcabOWgwwonlWxCD5ZzkAvvBXT6B1ft7lPcx8I

https://mega.co.nz/#!LckXAT5a!Yo1Mg84Xlp9GX6E-xjDCJIZu8tE0wgJZqaGpOSkC_5U

https://mega.co.nz/#!bF9kHQqY!I8XXhbfIcbWfwdHWAcb9rowOnUNTzrgBsqoWICGvORo

https://mega.co.nz/#!zYVgHTSK!KEJR9GNjy8jFHOohxLQMRnQhNkgYkm5RUE8xj0xikDw

https://mega.co.nz/#!DBt2QCYL!Rl2Pnb9ybtVs4H0SQOZcR7rAqc7BalUg6j8yYw2Yvbg

https://mega.co.nz/#!2Jch1ZjK!Ainw9X_6uVyYERC_KV5YaLC6X2iEwCbPc4HUljNtFGg

Thanks John. Downloading now...

That's unfortunate, hopefully you won't discover any other negative "surprises". What other cameras do you have access to that you can compare it to? I'd like to see something to download that shows the effective performance of the 21-40x Clear Image Zoom.

Hi Tony, I'm upgrading from the Sony Z7 which is HDV and been using since 2008. Similar form factor. The 40x zoom is very impressive. For event purposes no client would ever notice any digital artifacts. Pixel peepers would, but I'm very impressed. 20x is enough for me anyhow as I'm used to only 12x.

The other negative mentioned previously is no SMOOTH GAIN setting which was an option on the Z7. So switching gain manually is instant and harsh. Not a biggie, I tend to select 1 gain setting suitable for the environment and leave it there, controlling things with iris.

Very nice in low light (see clips above). Lighter than the Z7 and slightly more plasticy feel - but solid. Has a built in mic next to the LCD light. Advanced Picture Profile settings (gamma, knee, rgb etc)

I've got a wedding this Saturday and are confident enough to use this as main camera already... with a roving NX70 for cutaways. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks John. Downloading now...

Let me know if you want to see anything else. The FULL AUTO shots I filmed didn't give me any indication of iris/shutter/gain - my fault, I had turned the CAMERA DATA DISPLAY off which was silly. All sorted now so I can see what settings the AUTO is choosing.

What cute pigs. :)

Thanks for that. Showing what the auto system can do in poor light really gives a "warts and all" view, and it performs pretty much exactly how I expected. No surprises, either good or bad.

I think this camera will sell well for Sony, but now with the viewfinder/LCD thing, there are three things holding me back from jumping in.

The FULL AUTO shots I filmed didn't give me any indication of iris/shutter/gain - my fault, I had turned the CAMERA DATA DISPLAY off which was silly. All sorted now so I can see what settings the AUTO is choosing.

It was obviously gaining up significantly.

I guess, to be scientific, it would be nice to see properly exposed shots where the gain is at 6, 12 and 18db, but for me, I feel I have a good enough understanding of it now, between your clips and Zulqar's.

Thanks again.

Oh, one more thing: is it possible to do creep zooms, or is the rocker too touchy?

Oh, one more thing: is it possible to do creep zooms, or is the rocker too touchy?

Zoom is fantastic... lots of options. On the top handle there is a FIX/VAR settings, and in the menu you can change the HANDLE ZOOM SPEED from 1-8. On the 1 setting it takes 30secs to zoom wide (1x) through to 20x. So nice and slow... maybe not creeeeeep. But slow and steady. I use a Manfrotto remote handle and can get a nice variable pressure zoom speed with this also. Unfortunately the FOCUS AUTO/MANUAL switch doesn't seem to work with the Manfrotto handle, but START/STOP and ZOOM do so that's ok.

Does the zoom have a ramp for start and stop or does it just instantly move?

Ron Evans

Hi Ron, it appears to be slightly padded at each end. Not a jarring stop, but I don't know if it's actually true ramping. I'll get something up in the next couple of days for you.

I have the Sony Z7U and Z5U and sometimes I use the shot transition feature that both of these cameras have for doing smooth rack focus. Does the NX3 also have a shot transition feature?

I have the Sony Z7U and Z5U and sometimes I use the shot transition feature that both of these cameras have for doing smooth rack focus. Does the NX3 also have a shot transition feature?

It doesn't have anything called "shot transition", but what you describe sounds to me like touch focus, which the NX3 does have. It's called "spot focus".

Touch something on the LCD and the focus point will shift to that area.

. . what you describe sounds to me like touch focus, which the NX3 does have. It's called "spot focus".

Shot Transition allows you to store settings for focus and zoom (as well as iris, gain, shutter and WB) and then switch between them. Good for a long zoom and focus change, or simply as a custom preset indoor to outdoor exposure/WB change. You could also set transition curve and time.

I think at this level the last one to have it was the Z5. The NX5 didn't have shot transition either.

My NX5U does not have shot transition or spot focus but my FX1 did have shot transition. I think the NEX-EA50 has shot transition and spot focus.

Ron Evans

John,

Would it be possible to shoot a minute at mpeg4 and upload it?

I have two NX5U's The only reason I'm considering the NX3 is for its mpeg4 ability. I currently deliver mpeg4 files to my clients and this would save a lot of processing time.

thanks

Robert Rinkewich

Here's some raw files I took just on sunset last night. All shot at 1080/50p, Outdoor WB, slightly tweaked Picture Profile, LPCM audio. Totally unscientific - fairly much out of the box and waving it around - testing AUTO / vs MANUAL in low light, gain/noise etc.

https://mega.co.nz/#!eFkkUIoY!Yf3M-qrIU01fWBQC7n8GfyZBc-l-bj2x_PS6wyWm0M8

https://mega.co.nz/#!3U01xAjb!JcouiG8fZe89VveIyFiHXx2_bdJ8pRJcecxrsm_D-FU

https://mega.co.nz/#!eJ9AkKpS!GPfEu3ywtKgErDICKh1HxGvlj9egPL2Zr64uIWmZQyQ

https://mega.co.nz/#!bYsm2YjK!xKTYZQcabOWgwwonlWxCD5ZzkAvvBXT6B1ft7lPcx8I

https://mega.co.nz/#!LckXAT5a!Yo1Mg84Xlp9GX6E-xjDCJIZu8tE0wgJZqaGpOSkC_5U

https://mega.co.nz/#!bF9kHQqY!I8XXhbfIcbWfwdHWAcb9rowOnUNTzrgBsqoWICGvORo

https://mega.co.nz/#!zYVgHTSK!KEJR9GNjy8jFHOohxLQMRnQhNkgYkm5RUE8xj0xikDw

https://mega.co.nz/#!DBt2QCYL!Rl2Pnb9ybtVs4H0SQOZcR7rAqc7BalUg6j8yYw2Yvbg

https://mega.co.nz/#!2Jch1ZjK!Ainw9X_6uVyYERC_KV5YaLC6X2iEwCbPc4HUljNtFGg

Hi Robert, I'll get an MP4 loaded shortly. Stephen Gradin - no shot transition feature sorry.

In the meantime, I can report just finishing a wedding with the NX3 and it was BRILLIANT. Fantastic in low light reception and great images. Here are a few real world 1080/50p clips.

fern: https://mega.co.nz/#!OZ9lUQYR!LcDinsf-yXTS56q11By4wH53ORzFhj0eXD6ELoEIUhI
leaf: https://mega.co.nz/#!nAdSyAQC!Pgx_-ADM-nltxsW1H3fePUYT3315NjrLsV-O423x7NE
crowd: https://mega.co.nz/#!qAUSURpK!l0Bk9_n48FsgdqRy33mVHA9LANSEjoYRIL1tx70cH0g
guest1: https://mega.co.nz/#!ucsRXQ5D!X7cA2JXd9mhU1LyDUHtJka348K-ZkQ_ZThgpGzZX50s
guest2: https://mega.co.nz/#!WBVFXLjI!Zf_VD7Vm96_Gf-p5eUBjVW1rtj0cRQLoB120payKQQQ

Here's a clip featuring the 40x zoom and I've demonstrated both the creep (Michael Warren) and the ramping (for Ron Evans)

https://mega.co.nz/#!yMtAAY6B!s8R8TNrTlG1LeFNB0IaqB8peeOpERmoSo6GeAf-7ifU

Here's a clip featuring the 40x zoom and I've demonstrated both the creep (Michael Warren) and the ramping (for Ron Evans)

Thanks John.

Thanks John. Zoom is impressive. Ramp is not as smooth as NX5U and does appear to start and stop much like my FDR-AX1.

Ron Evans

In the meantime, I can report just finishing a wedding with the NX3 and it was BRILLIANT.

John, thanks for all your contributions and opinions on the NX3. Really close to pulling the trigger on this in the next week or so. Any new thoughts or insight you have experienced with yours? I have a sports season contract starting soon and doesn't look like I'll be able to wait until NAB to make a choice.

Thanks John, I'll keep an eye out for it.


Hi Robert, I'll get an MP4 loaded shortly. Stephen Gradin - no shot transition feature sorry.

Hi Guys

Any thoughts whatsoever on any of my below 2 questions would be really appreciated.

Am confused about the various memory card options with this camera (I've come from tape), and am hoping that I can persuade my company to invest in the HXR-NX3.

Two questions:

1. Which of the below memory cards (or stick?!) would you suggest for maximum quality and maximum recording time which are compatible with the HXR-NX3?

Basically want to have sufficient memory for a long filming day at high quality, but also to have backup cards also.

MS-HX32B
(32 GB, 16 GB, 8 GB) Memory Stick PRO-HG DuoTM

SF-32UX
(32 GB, 16 GB, 8 GB) SD/SDHC Memory Card

MS-PX64
(64 GB, 32 GB, 16 GB) Memory Stick PRO-HG DuoTM Mirroring Memory Stick

2. What brand/type of cable would connect the HXR-NX3 to the new iMac 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5?

3. Any rain covers/cases that might be suitable for the camera?

Again, any thoughts or suggestions whatsoever would be really appreciated!

Warm regards

1. Any suggestions about what quality rain housing/cover would be appropriate for this camera?

2. Would the Rode NTG-1 Microphone be okay to use on this camera (not getting in shot)?

Any suggestions whatsoever would be greatly appreciated!

Warm regards

Hi Guys

Any thoughts whatsoever on any of my below 2 questions would be really appreciated.

Am confused about the various memory card options with this camera (I've come from tape), and am hoping that I can persuade my company to invest in the HXR-NX3.

Two questions:

1. Which of the below memory cards (or stick?!) would you suggest for maximum quality and maximum recording time which are compatible with the HXR-NX3?

2. What brand/type of cable would connect the HXR-NX3 to the new iMac 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5?

Warm regards

With regards to point 1, I talked about this on page 2 of this thread, post # 29:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/digital-video-industry-news/520551-sony-announces-hxr-nx3-professional-hd-camcorder-2.html#post1824428

The Sandisk Extreme Pro SD cards are available up to 64GB, which is a supported size in the NX3, and should give about 5 hours record time @ 1080p 60fps. Since there are 2 slots, you can either record 10 hours non stop in relay rec (over 2x the life of a NP-F970 battery, so plug in to AC), or 2 copies of the same footage in simultaneous rec mode.

With regards to your point 2... I wouldn't!!!
Connecting any current flash based camera with a cable is only going to give you USB2 offload speeds. This is sloooooow.

You mention that you are going to do loooooong shoots, so you probably want to get that material downloaded as fast as possible. Follow my advice in post 29, and you can get the data off your camera in a fraction of the time that using a USB2 cable directly to the camera would (other than to do firmware upgrades, I never actually plug any flash based camera into my computer directly to download footage... too slow).

Regarding your final point, the rain cover... I don't have any direct experience with this, but the NX3, the NX5, and AX1 are all very, very similar in size & shape to the Z5 and Z1 tape based cameras, so if you had a preferred solution for one of those tape models, it will likely work on the NX3.

If anyone has this camera, I would greatly appreciate if you could post a short 1 or 2 min clip of the "network quality" mp4 output from the camera.

I need to make a decision on purchase in the next week. I'm either getting another NX5U or the NX3, but it depends on what the lower quality MP4 files look like. I do a lot of events where we sell an HD MP4 file to the customer for upload to the internet. It would be a great time saver to be able to give them the file without processing time.

Thanks

Rob

Thanks for all the info on this camera. I'm really considering upgrading to this camera from my XHA1s. One feature that I would find useful in my work would be a pre-record buffer. I haven't found any mention of this feature on this camera. Does anyone know if this camera has this feature? From my understanding the Canon XA20 and XA25 cameras have a 3 second pre-record buffers. Those are a couple of other cameras I'm considering.

Hey guys, so sorry I haven't replied - 3 weddings a week at the moment and finally got a break this morning.

Robert - here is an MP4 file for you... FX (highest quality) mode in 720/50p

https://mega.co.nz/#!WAMhHbAT!Jg4hJvlJB4gLEXXPfli8B0wk2TtX-IwJbLVQG_FoP_s

Tony - have used camera at about 6 weddings and a couple of corporate shoots. For my needs it is absolutely wonderful. I use it as a main tripod mounted cam, and mix with the NX70 (medium) and GoPro (super wide). It's just got a wonderful image and not loaded with gimmicks. Rock solid SD card recording and all the pro features I need (ND filters, full manual control, XLR inputs, HDMI output). Only annoyed thing is not being able to use LCD and viewfinder at same time. But I can live with that.

Stephen - no pre-record buffer sorry.

Hi John

Thanks for sharing your experiences so far. Very much appreciated. Just wondering if I could fire a couple of questions at you. Like you, I would be coming from a couple of Z7s. It's been a great camera to use but the HDV codec has run its course for me and I don't really fancy messing around with an external recorder. Just an extra thing to look after and set up which is one extra thing you don't really need as a one man band in wedding videography.

One of the things I like about the Z7 is the lens. Great that you can set it at f2.0 and it will stay there throughout the zoom range. Just wondering if you could let me know how the NX3 performs? I think it ramps down to f3.4 at the end of the 20x zoom. Could you let me know what it ramps down to at 12x or roughly half way through the zoom range. Improved low light over the Z7 would be great but I'm hoping it's not too hampered by the lens.

That leads me onto my next one. How is the low light over the Z7? Noticeably brighter and cleaner?

Many thanks

Jon

Robert - here is an MP4 file for you... FX (highest quality) mode in 720/50p

https://mega.co.nz/#!WAMhHbAT!Jg4hJvlJB4gLEXXPfli8B0wk2TtX-IwJbLVQG_FoP_s



Offtopic but that mega cloud storage looks like an easy way for clients to download stuff, didn't hear about that one before.

John,

Thank you very much for the clip. I believe the quality of the mp4 out of the camera would work for my purposes.

After weighing the options on the nx3 and nx5u I had to stick with the NX5u for my sporting events. I have two NX5u's already. We use the fmu128 as the backup. The two card slots on the nx5u allow us to quickly switch to a new card when a new event starts. With the nx3, my backup would take up one of the slots. Which would leave me only 1 slot for my main cards, that I have to switch quickly.

Thank you again

After weighing the options on the nx3 and nx5u I had to stick with the NX5u for my sporting events. I have two NX5u's already. We use the fmu128 as the backup. The two card slots on the nx5u allow us to quickly switch to a new card when a new event starts. With the nx3, my backup would take up one of the slots. Which would leave me only 1 slot for my main cards, that I have to switch quickly.


I also think I'll continue to use my NX5U because of what you mentioned above. The greater problem with the NX3, IMO, is that you can't use the viewfinder and LCD panel at the same time.

Ed,

Can you use the LCD and viewfinder at the same time on the nx5u? Unless there's a menu setting I'm missing, my viewfinder is off when the lcd is open.

Page 84 in the manual. VP Power mode. Auto turns off when LCD is open, ON is on all the time.

Ron Evans

Yes, here's that section of the NX5U manual:

"AUTO
Turns on the viewfinder while you close the LCD panel or record in mirror mode.

ON
Always turns on the viewfinder"

Thank you, I didn't know that.

I saw that setting before but never tried it. I thought it was like the PD-170 setting that would send the viewfinder data/info out the video out.

By the way for the U.S. folks B&H has the NX5U with instant savings of $250, plus the sony $400 rebate. The $250 sale started over the weekend or the end of last week. I had purchased another one last week and they honored the discount and refunded the $250 to me.

I'm tempted to also pickup an NX70, its got a $150 instant savings and a $500 rebate. Makes it $1899

I think the instant savings are until March 6

Company purchased one of these so now we have to get memory cards and other accessories for it.

Might these 128GB SDXC cards be compatible with the camera?

SanDisk SDSDX-128G-X46 (SDSDX128GX46) 128GB SDXC Extreme HD Video 45MB/s UHS-1 Card (http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/sandisk_sdsdx-128g-x46)

Or might there be other compatible 128GB SDXC cards with higher MB/s ?

Company purchased one of these so now we have to get memory cards and other accessories for it.

Might these 128GB SDXC cards be compatible with the camera?

SanDisk SDSDX-128G-X46 (SDSDX128GX46) 128GB SDXC Extreme HD Video 45MB/s UHS-1 Card (http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/sandisk_sdsdx-128g-x46)

Or might there be other compatible 128GB SDXC cards with higher MB/s ?

The manual (page 25) says only 64GB cards have been verified, so there might be some risk in going higher.

Hello,

I have found this Panasonic HMC-150 vs Sony HXR NX3 comparsion video.

Any idea why Sony is loosing focus in auto mode when fast panning is done (from 1:43) ?

Sony HXR NX3 vs. Panasonic HMC-150 Comparison - YouTube

Is auto focus this bad as it has shown in this video ?

The manual (page 25) says only 64GB cards have been verified, so there might be some risk in going higher.

Thanks Michael.

Anyone here used 128GB cards in this camera with any success?

Big thanks to John and all the info from everyone on the NX3. Purchased today and will be my first professional camcorder ownership, though I've rented in the past. Moving up from three Panasonic TM-900 models that are still serving me well. Since there's no NX3 sub-category...I assume the NX5u forum is the next best place to go to learn and exchange information. Need to find a good bag and rain cover.

Hi Tony, how would you say the NX3 footage compares to your TM900s? Not apples to apples I know but just a point of reference as I have a TM900. Thanks.

Hi Tony, how would you say the NX3 footage compares to your TM900s? Not apples to apples I know but just a point of reference as I have a TM900. Thanks.
While I haven't been able to delve into a close comparison yet, The most obvious difference is in low light situations. Yes it's comparing three "almost" 1/3 sensors to the TM900's three 1/4 sensors, but the NX3 is easily visible less noise. Highlights are better and the NX3 "Clear Zoom" vs TM900 "Intelligent Zoom" leaves no question of the newer technology advantage.
I still have my TM900's for backups. If you want to see some type of video footage comparison, let me know what type of scene/shot you'd like to see them go up against.

Great, thank you. That was helpful.

I have read through this, and other threads on the NX3, but cannot find any objective mention of the "Clear Image Zoom".

Sony make claims for this feature that, to me, seem extravagant.

Has anyone used this feature, and are Sony's claims justified? Is it really superior to the useless digital zoom that many cameras have?

I filmed this with the HXR-NX3, footage not graded, straight from the camera

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visit City Hall today - YouTube

I have read through this, and other threads on the NX3, but cannot find any objective mention of the "Clear Image Zoom".

Sony make claims for this feature that, to me, seem extravagant.

Has anyone used this feature, and are Sony's claims justified? Is it really superior to the useless digital zoom that many cameras have?

It's a gorgeous clear zoom, you have my word. There's a shot of the Queen about to have her meal in the video I posted in my previous post -- I was very far away high-up on a balcony but able to zoom right in and it seemed to preserve all the detail.

John,

I finally got a chance to see an NX3 at a local shop. Will the MP4 file record to one card, and HD to the second slot? I couldn't seem to get that to work on the demo unit I was looking at.

Thanks

Rob






Hey guys, so sorry I haven't replied - 3 weddings a week at the moment and finally got a break this morning.

Robert - here is an MP4 file for you... FX (highest quality) mode in 720/50p

https://mega.co.nz/#!WAMhHbAT!Jg4hJvlJB4gLEXXPfli8B0wk2TtX-IwJbLVQG_FoP_s

Tony - have used camera at about 6 weddings and a couple of corporate shoots. For my needs it is absolutely wonderful. I use it as a main tripod mounted cam, and mix with the NX70 (medium) and GoPro (super wide). It's just got a wonderful image and not loaded with gimmicks. Rock solid SD card recording and all the pro features I need (ND filters, full manual control, XLR inputs, HDMI output). Only annoyed thing is not being able to use LCD and viewfinder at same time. But I can live with that.

Stephen - no pre-record buffer sorry.

Will the MP4 file record to one card, and HD to the second slot?


I haven't tried myself, but according to the manual it will. See page 36.

BTW, here's a short video I made with the NX3.

Lake Mitchell With a Sony HXR-NX3 - mike-warren.net (http://mike-warren.net/lake-mitchell-sony-hxr-nx3/)

Yes, it will record proxy 720p/3Mbps mp4 to slot B and AVCHD to Slot A. Note, this mp4 option is not available if you have 1080/60p selected.

I've used this to upload small clips (15-30 seconds) to youtube via the Send To Smartphone option.
Camera--->Smartphone--->Youtube Viewable---> = approx 5 minutes.