Sony HXR-MC50E
 

Another new Sony Camera, launched at NAB

Sony : HXR-MC50E (HXRMC50E) : Technical Specifications : United Kingdom

Can't find any clues to price, and there seem to be some real discrepancies in the tech specs between various parts of the website. I'm taking all the tech specs with a pinch of salt right now! I think the Sony web-guys have given the HXR-MC50E the tech specs and accessory list of the PMW-320K.

Basically, this is the solid-state equivalent of the A1E.

The specs definitely don't match the camera pictured (bayonet mount, 1/2" sensors!) This article seems a little more matched to the photo - but has little information - http://www.techgadgets.in/digital-ca...50e-camcorder/

I have concluded that it's just a fancier version of this:

HDR-CX550V | 64GB HD Handycam® Camcorder | Sony | Sony Style USA

So as the PD100 was to the TRV900, so the MC50E is just the "pro" version of the CX550V.
Which is not to say that there's anything wrong with it for what it is.

looks a lot like JVC's 1/4" chip camera, but they somehow managed to cram 3 1/2" chips in there.

Since theirs other people around me, I almost had trouble stopping myself from laughing when I first saw those specs.

No, I think all that's in there is one 1/2.88" chip, basically one one-third-inch chip, of the same variety as are in the NX5, but just one of them.

Seems more like a cut down EX3. 1/2" sensors, 35Mbps MPEG2 etc. Expresscard 34 slot x 2, from the spec page!!!!! But then on the features page its more like the CX550 with a mic .

Ron Evans

This seams very unimpressive. I mean if your going to call it a Professional camera than at the very least offer a traditional focusing ring around the lens, not some little dial. Even my HC1 had a traditional focusing ring. Plus it seams that perhaps 1080 60i is the only recording mode. I've been waiting to see Sony release a tape-less version of the A1 and this is really disappointing.

Something's hinky with that "product" page, the overview and features sure look like it's a CX550V with a shotgun mic/mount and a fancy lens hood, plus a bigger battery... all the "features" come straight off the CX550.

On the other hand, the "Technical Specifications" sound like a much larger camera with 3 CMOS and an 82mm thread - directly contradictory to the overview and features which describe a one chip compact camera...

Someone goofed with cut an paste IMO, I'll buy the idea that a hot rodded CX550V would make sense, and hey, if it did 60i, 30p, and 24p at high bitrates/CODECS it would be a sweet little camera... and a somewhat logical "update" to the aged A1U, but it's not a 3 chipper, and I'd be skeptical until some "real" specs hit the street, as of the moment, this "product page" rates a "highly suspect"/Area 51 rating, IMO.

Sony says
 

The HXR-MC50E features a professional design with the same cosmetic finish as the HXR-NX5E, giving the product a high-quality, professional look, whilst still being able to pass for a consumer camcorder for covert recording in documentary applications.

It does come across as a cut and paste mistake.
If you read the overview section it mentions a Exmor sensor not sensors. Also the specs list a BP-GL95 battery. On BH 's website that's an over 500 dollar battery. Also, based on the pic the weight listing seems awfully high for the size of the cam. Maybe these are specs to another product Sony plans to showcase.

Looks like this would be branded as part of Sony's NXCAM lineup. Technically, it's a prosumerized HDR-CX550V, just like how the HVR-A1U was a prosumerized HDR-HC1, although the former only has the lens hood for the pro version, the latter had it for both.

Since the dawning of prosumer HD, in Sony's lineup, they never really offered 3 chip handheld HD cams (the A1U and MC50) unlike the SD era where there was the DSR-PD100 (DCR-TRV900) or DSR-PDX10 (DCR-TRV950). The HD era also saw CMOS supplanting CCDs, and the way each handles color is in the filter array that's common to them: single CCDs were mostly filtered with complementary colors and green (CYMG) and CMOS were mostly primary Bayer filtered (RGBG); the former excelled at luminance and the latter excelled at color for their respective single chip designs; with primary Bayer filtered single CMOS, color quality improved drastically, hence less demand for 3 chip handheld camcorders, with only Panasonic offering it compared to Sony, Canon, and JVC (who formerly manufactured compact 3CCD cams and now offers single CMOS). Also, taking into account similar space constraints of 3 smaller sensors vs 1 large one; low light quality and overall image quality tends to favor the latter.

the A1 at least had an exposure/shutter dial AND a seperate focus ring.

this camera is consumer all over. not interested unless I was desperate.

It's a single CMOS chip.

Don't knock Sony's little control dial/button unless you've actually tried it, it's not bad to work with, and actually fairly easy to use (not sure whether that lens hood will block it though). Coupled with the spot focus and exposure built into the touch screen, the control might be a lot more capable than you would expect.

Having used cameras with spot focus via touch screen, I prefer them over a "analog" control dial/ring/lever - it's not exactly easy to "nail" focus on a small camera with ANY manual input method, as nice as it is to wish the capability was there (and it is an option on the control dial).

PS: the technical specs in the original site have been removed, and this in now pretty clearly a hot rodded CX550V, I wonder how much they are charging for what anyone can "add on" for themselves in the form of a good mic, lens hood, and a bigger battery...

I agree with Dave in that I like the spot focus etc of my XR500 and actually miss it on my new NX5U !!! If this new camera had more manual control like independent gain control and zebras' back then it would be a nice camera I think. As long as it was a small premium over the CX550.

Ron Evans

I'm assuming this camcorder is gonna be in the NXCAM line and it'll be to the NX5 what the A1U was to the Z1U in the HDV line. I just have three questions involving this camera.

1. So far, I've only seen this camcorder being mentioned in British and European websites involving information about NAB. I have not seen any information on it on any North American website nor on Sony's Pro Site on this side on the Atlantic. Is this camcorder a PAL only version like the VX2200 & PD175 or will it come to North America?

2. And if it does come to the USA, will it have multiple shooting formats (60i, 30p, 24p) like the NX5 or will it only have one format like the consumer camcorder it is being compared to, the CX550?

3. And finally, I know it mentions having an internal 60GB flash memory & being compatible with memory stick pro duo cards and sdhc cards. But what about external flash memory like the FMU-128. Will it be compatible with it or have it's own version of the FMU128?


Ozzy

I've used it in the previous camcorder and it's not as good as a traditional focusing ring. I just think it's weird that they had it in consumer camcorders but for their latest small semi professional camcorder, it's missing it. Even their first AVCHD camcorder, the SR1 had a traditional focusing ring.

To me, this is almost like putting 24p within 60i, Yes it can easily be fixed with software such as NeoScene which works very good by the way but still.

Paulo - While it might be nice to have a full ring, it would require a complete redesign, not likely cost effective, and as Ron says, I'll take the spot focus on that 3.5" screen... unless you've got peaking, manual focus on a small screen is not easy or reliably accurate...

It will be interesting to see what features if any appear in the firmware revision for this camera, at the moment it's not clear what exactly differentiates it from the CX550V... zebras and maybe gain control would be logical, peaking has been seen in Sony cams before (HC9), and alternative frame rates would be an interesting addition, but we will have to see. Alternate frame rates shouldn't be that difficult to offer, and at the right price point would silence a lot of Sony critics. If they upgrade the firmware with peaking zebras and frame rates, it would certainly make this an intersting little camera.

I also noticed this camera doesn't seem to have popped up on this side of the Atlantic yet, but I would "think" there should be an NTSC version as well as a PAL one - better would be firmware that could do either, their small P&S cameras are set up so you just dig down into a menu and choose... but they don't do that on the big boys, so it would be pretty strange to see on this, but a nice and EASY thing for them to do I should think.

Internal 64G of flash, plus a MS Duo/SDHC card slot - that's a lot of record time any way you slice it - effectively half of the FMU128 built in, plus whatever you add via the slot - would you really need an external recording unit with that? There's an HDMI out which should do the trick if really necessary?

I think Sony is going for the "discrete" shooter who wants a small, light rig for high quality image aquisition without being obvious that you're shooting anything "pro". Having used these small cams for a while now, they are surprisingly effective and you can almost stick the whole thing in your pocket... certainly a small camera bag will hold a decent little rig that will produce excellent images. After looking at some samples on a German camcorder review site, the CX550V looked like it would keep up really well with the "big boys".

My XR500 is certainly better than my FX1 which was one reason to get the NX5U. In full auto outside in daylight there is almost no difference in the picture from the NX5U and the XR500. Indoors in low light the NX5U is a little better and has a lot more control clearly but the XR500 is still a very good picture. Since the CX550 is a generation ahead of the XR500 it will likely be a very good match for the NX5U in a much less conspicuous form factor. I had thought of getting a CX550 but may now wait and see what this camera spec really come out to be when the NTSC version is hopefully announced.
As to the focusing some have mentioned and I agree that focusing on the NX5U is not great. One needs to use the expanded focus and peaking as the auto focus is not as good as the FX1. In contrast the spot focus on the XR500 is accurate all the time. There is always a backfocus issue with these small cameras so one needs to continually focus when zooming changes and focus needs to be performed at the focal length of the shot not easy on a small LCD. The zoom in, focus and frame doesn't work. This is where the spot focus is quick and accurate. I never use manual changed focus on the XR500 always in manual but set with spot focus. Having had spot focus on the SR7, SR11 and XR500 I really miss it on the NX5U.

Ron Evans

At NAB, they said it was going to be in the $2k range. I stopped paying attention when I found it had no audio controls. The mic input is a 1/8" jack and the pro-looking mic mount is just a rubber cover over a hot-shoe mount.

It is tiny and I'm sure the image is great.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/...ed93df8f_o.jpg

Looks like some graphic changes, MPEG2 SD rather than the 12.0Mpixel graphic on the CX550. IF it has no real changes then will not be worth the money I expect since 2K will put it at almost twice the cost of the CX550!!!. That's too big a premium for graphics!!!

Ron Evans

I'm in the exact same boat, very happy with the XR500 and CX500 right now, I can live without total manual control if I'm getting good results from the "autopilot" and minimal adjustments... still the CX550 with the 3.5 LCD and various other minor tweaks and improvements is on my list to upgrade at least one camera. It's not as compelling as the change between the SR11 and the XR500, as it's still the same sensor and basic camera in many respects.

$2K is a logical price point, but unless the firmware adds peaking, zebras, gain control, more audio control, and alternate frame rates and PAL/NTSC formats... that's a big jump for a $35 lens hood and a shotgun mic you can probably replicate or improve upon for $125 or so... and who isn't going to buy a big backup battery anyway? The stock one is always good enough for a backup!

I'm just waiting to see what if anything they really add to this new "pro" version of their top of the line pocket rocket - the firmware possibilities are certainly interesting, but will they deliver?

Are you saying that this thing has no XLR inputs? If true, that will be disappointing. I was hoping this thing would be the AVCHD version on the HVR-A1, not a mini-AVCHD version of the HVR-HD1000.

Ozzy

No place to put XLR inputs from the picture - you've got a mic holder/adapter in the Sony Ai Shoe, and a cable which I can only presume goes to the 1/8" mic input on the cam. Keep in mind that the "XLR" input module of the A1U still has to either interface via the 1/8" jack or the hot shoe mic inputs (don't remember which it used). So many people are getting used to the idea of a dual sound acquisition approach (although this runs contrary to the "small package"), I suspect audio again took a back seat to retain a compact form factor.

Logically, I was looking at the pricing, and would hope they bring it more in line with the HD1000, or preferably even lower - unless the firmware really ups the ante, I think most people would buy a Rode and a $10 lens hood off eBay & hop up a CX550... There's simply not $800 in added value in the mic/holder and hood... Still no sign of any actual verifiable specs/features or US availability, only speculation it might be available in July for the E (PAL) version.

The only compelling thing behind this cam would be some serious "pro" firmware tweaks, otherwise the CX550V with whatever you want to add on would be just as effective - I'm seeing evidence that you HAVE to have a lens hood with the CX550, otherwise you get lens flare, apparently sometimes seen as a "blue dot" resulting from internal reflections in the lens assembly. Hoods are cheap.

I'm all for other ways of focusing. I'm just saying that a traditional focusing ring is better than a little dial especially if this thing is going to cost $2,000 although I'm not going to be surprised if it ends up costing $1,500 to $1700 at B&H. You'd think for that price, they'd at least match some of the features of the HMC40 which costs $1,850 with a free copy of Edius Neo 2 Booster and a 3 year warranty. I'm still looking forward to a real successor of the A1u. It just may take a bit longer than I thought.

Still, their may be something that can justify a $2,000 price-tag. At least I hope.



-EDIT-
I didn't originally see Dave's last post when I wrote this.

I still look for a camera between the CX550 and the NX5U. A better CX550!! Larger lens for more light to the sensor, independent gain control, Zebras, not much else really. I would like 1920x1080x60P. A better competitor to the Panasonic TM700 !!!
A more expensive CX550 with a different colour scheme/graphics will not do it !!
I like my SR11, XR500 and NX5U so new camera will have to offer me something real.

Ron Evans

It will be interesting to see what the actual feature set turns out to be - firmware could be a treasure trove of goodies, or a big nuthin'. Until accurate info comes out, it's anyone's guess, but that MPEG2 label on the side at least hints this may have some alternate recording options that may be interesting.

I've always felt like an updated TRV900, HC1/A1U, FX7/V1U sort of thing is what's missing in the Sony lineup. Something just enough bigger to include some realistic control surfaces/buttons/knobs. This little guy actually seems like a bit of an oddball when you think about it, yet I've seen more than a few people (myself included) that use these small cams/rigs with good results...

I'm not sure, given how good the R sensor seems to be, that there's a lot of need for bigger glass - my XR500 and CX500 in low lux can see far better than my eyes can and still deliver a pretty usable image (IMO at least "close enough" to that of the big cameras), not sure how much more one "needs".

What I'm REALLY looking for now is an R sensor in an Alpha series DSLR-V, which supposedly is coming... someday... maybe... hopefully with reasonable manual control.

And there is that factor of how much "manual" control really gives you, if the cameras "auto" algorithms are highly optimized. These small cameras are getting so "intelligent", that limited override capabilty for the rare moment it's needed, is probably enough - you get a good image and can always tweak in post, and ultimately that's what counts. I'm guessing that for high quality image acquisition on the fly, this cam will do better than a lot of the ugly stuff I see on TV (news, etc.).

The one they had on display had no xlr inputs - 1/8" only. Nor did I see any manual audio control in a quick pass through the menus. I have an HVRA1U and was expecting something similar. This looked like a consumer cam with a big mic to me.

The Sony guys on the stand knew little about it and there was no signage for it but it was on the rail alongside the NX5U.

1/2 inch R sensor in a sub 2000 cam? Sounds awesome to me.

Thanks for the information. It's disapointing to find out that there are no XLR inputs. Perhaps, I'm hopeful they find a way to add XLR inputs before the release date. If not, then if whatever extras this camera has over the consumer cams are worthwhile, and assuming it comes out on this side of the Atlantic, I might still consider the cam with an XLR adapter. But, I'll just wait and see until I know more.


Ozzy

Not likely it has 1/2" sensors, should have the same 1/2.88 (IIRC) or roughly 1/3" EXMOR R, same as the XR500, CX500, and the XR & CX550. Not that it's a bad sensor by any stretch - still a significant step up in performance from the SR series, and keeps up pretty well with the 3 chippers with much bigger glass.

DUH, you are right. I saw the 1/2 and totally ignored the .88. Nevermind, just another camera. Nothing to see here. :)

Doesn't seem to have XLR connectors ...

According to a blogger who was at NAB and saw this camcorder, she said the Sony reps she talked to said that the HXR-MC50 will be at a MSRP of $2,300, but, they expect it will retail at stores between $1,600 and $1,800. I'm now convinced that it will come out on this side of the Atlantic since it's being mentioned on Sony's Video Online Network.

Ozzy

I'm sure it will release here, just hasn't shown up yet on the Sony web site. In many ways it makes sense as a small cam for discrete professional shooting, but unless it really has some cool tricks up its sleeve in the firmware, they will have a tough time selling a $1200 cam with a $10 lens hood and a $150 mic/mount for anything close to $2k IMO.

At a minimum, alternate frame rates and maybe a higher bitrate CODEC? Zebras, peaking, gain control (both audio and video)... going to have to have SOMETHING really different to make the camera unique, or people will by the CX550 and tack on a hood and a Rode... like a lot of people already do!

OTOH, I suppose that this camera would serve well handing it to a "novice" and telling 'em to "point it at anything interesting" - you'd still probably get usable footage, and it you hire monkeys, you could pay 'em in bananas... could offset the higher up front cost for news gathering...

Price seen to be approx 1,500 USD
 

Seems that the US price is more gonna be approx 50% more than the consumer version.
Creative Video ( Creative Video Sony HXR-MC50E (HXRMC50E, HXR MC50) compact handheld AVCHD Solid State Camcorder - Includes 2 Year Sony Warranty) is listing a price of 1,558 USD for the european version.

I talked to a Sony rep at NAB. He stated that they are tweeking the firmware, and that was the reason for the lack of specs online. He mentioned cine gamma curves and exposure control.

Cheers

Depending on the firmware "tweaks", this could turn out to be a nice package. With the CX550 selling at $1199, a $400 premium for the pro version with a 2 year warranty/support starts to become an interesting offering. The main outstanding question is exactly what "pro" features will be enabled when the firmware is done "baking"...

Independent gain, iris and shutter speed control as well as better audio control would make it very attractive.

Ron Evans

European prices are usually more money even before the taxes so I wouldn't be surprised seeing this sell in the US for around $1,400 or less which should help make the XC550v a bit more affordable. That's assuming that place is a reputable dealer.