Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

Jay, the info I have is that it has 3" LCD just like the PJ760. To me its exactly the PJ760( which has the projector and in fact is the only version available in Canada not the CX760) with firmware changes and the XLR adapter. It also has the larger FV70 battery as I think the PJ760 has a FV60, comes with the hard drive connecting cable that is extra for the consumer Sony's. Normal download to PC is with the attached cable that is located in the wrist strap but there is also a connector that allows connect directly to a USB hard drive for backup in the field that will work for the other cameras in the Sony line but is an extra, VMC-UAM1. A far as I can tell the additions are well worth the cost difference if they are of importance to your use. For me the LPCM audio is worth the difference as well as resetting timecode on both NX30 and NX5U ( you do this by setting both units to free run then using the remote to reset timecode so that both will then reset to zero at the same time)

Ron Evans

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

For another $800, the NX-70 starts to look attractive with a real lens ring, manual controls, LPCM, 1080/60p and a nice wide angle at the low end.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

Main advantage of the NX70 is its dust and rain proof and has a 3.5" rather than 3" LCD. Other than that its a CX700 at three times the price with a zoom rocker that doesn't work well. Wide angle on these Sony's is around 26mm for all of them as they are basically the same camera with slightly different features. The NX70 has a switch for zoom , focus and iris. The CX700 has a wheel with control of focus, exposure, iris, shutter speed, AE shift, white balance shift. Which seem to be left off the NX70. Unless one needs the dust and rain protection I still think the NX30 is a better deal. New stabilizer and I expect much the same functions as the NX70 had over the CX700 as far as timecode, LPCM audio 720P etc. One could likely buy a real Sony waterproof housing for the NX30 which would make it really water proof.

Ron Evans

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

B&H is also carrying the PJ760 at $1598 ($US) --- $1498 if purchased in the next three days.

So, comparing the PJ760 to the NX30, we are talking about an extra $400 more for the NX30. For the extra $400, you get the XLR module with phantom power, the external stereo shotgun mic, the lens hood, the ability to set time codes with an NX5 (seems great if you have one, as I do), LPCM audio recording and the ability to lock-down the AGC.

I agree with Ron that the extras may be worth the price difference, if you want them. The only a bolt-on XLR adapter that I know of that gives phantom power is a Juiced Link unit that costs $299. I find LPCM audio useful (I use it all the time with my NX5). The ability to synch time code with my NX5 also would be useful for my multi-cam projects. The extra mic is worth something as is the lens hood.

This is not like the MC50 for which you paid double the price of CX550v to get a lens hood and proprietary external mic module.

I got the info on the 3.5" viewscreen size from B&H. Apparently, their listing is wrong. They'll probably correct it when the camera actually is released.

I would like for the NX30 to have a lens ring, but I can't quite picture how a lens ring would fit in so small a camera with that floating lens and sensor assembly. I might be more interested in the NX70 if it were to be my primary cam and I lived in a wet climate as in Ireland or the Pacific Northwest, and I needed a ruggedized unit to haul with me. I would be a lot more interested if it were $800 less than it is.

What I want the NX30 for, though, is for second cam work in multi-cam projects and as my "take it everywhere" cam. I've been pretty happy with the CX550v, but am tempted by the new balanced IS, the audio module and the 1080/60p capability.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

The complaint about the CX760 and NX30 was the lack of manual controls. While the cameras may share some internal chipsets, the NX70 package has a different lens with a ring that is absent from the others. Add the larger screen and weather sealing and you have a different camera with better manual functions. And maybe the menu wheel isn't as cheesy. Oh wait, is that a real eye cup on the NX70? And a LANC port too? You obviously never used an underwater case. Pity the zoom is awful.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

As an aside, I've found the NX70's waterproofing to be of really limited value. It's only good if you want to have picture with no usable sound.

You have to take off the XLR unit, it's not waterproof. You can't use any of the jacks (lanc, mic, headphone). So you can't use a decent mic, monitor sound, or get reliable zoom in the rain. The built-in mic pics up too much rain noise.

Yes it has its uses in the rain... But I bought a Petrol raincover for mine!

I should stress that I do physically like the NX70, apart from one or two shortcomings. I'll probably buy a bigger camcorder with more manual controls later this year, but keep the '70 for times when Small is Good.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

It's nice to not worry about my 5DM2 and it's lens shooting at the beach, high humidity etc. I think the weather sealing on the MX70 is similar... it's convenient when you are out and caught in some rain or get splashed for various reasons. It makes one less thing to haul around or worry about.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

I think that the lens is likely the same lens but controlled by the lens ring which has to be a servo to have the multiple controls. Lanc is on all the Sony's in the A/V connector and is something I use all the time. Have controls for the A/V connector and the normal jack connector. Things I like about the NX70 that I hope are on the NX30. Full manual control, data on the LCD showing whether parameter is in manual or auto just like the NX5U. Though Alister seems to say manual control is not there. Will wait and see what the production units are like as most of those features are firmware so could be put on the unit. Lets hope.

Ron Evans

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

The NX30 has a Carl Zeiss lens. The NX70 is Sony G. LANC is not listed for the NX30 on B&H or Sony UK sites.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

LANC is called A/V remote on all the new Sony's that use the A/V connector for the remote connection but it is LANC as I use both the remote with the A/V connector and Manfrotto LANC control using an adapter cable on all my consumer Sony's. The NX30 is the same and is listed on the spec sheet if you download the brochure http://www.sony.co.uk/res/attachment...7485120781.pdf Top right hand corner of page 4.

Ron Evans

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

That's good to know and I'm glad Sony is still putting it on cameras ... thanks

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

I have the 760 and use the A/V connector with a LANC adapter but my varizooms don't work. Manfrotto LANC controlers work fine for some reason. One thing nobody is really talking about is the Balanced Optical Steadyshot, it is amazing how steady it is. You can get a glidecam shot by hand! Also the 760 does com with a hood.

Dan

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

[QUOTE=Dan Asseff;1738403]One thing nobody is really talking about is the Balanced Optical Steadyshot, . . . . Also the 760 does com with a hood. [QUOTE]

1. Actually, a lot of us have mentioned the the Balanced OIS as a feature that makes both the CX/PJ 760 and NX30 tempting,

2. Mind telling us where did you bought a 760 with a Sony hood? Just asking because I've seen no references to a hood for either the CX or PJ 760 at Sony or B&H.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

On the Sony webpage under "Specifications", if you scroll down to "Weights and Measurements" it lists the dimensions and adds "(Including lens hood)."

96GB Full HD Camcorder with Projector | HDR-PJ760V | Sony USA

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

Thanks. The page also lists a "lenshood" as "in the box" for the HDR-PJ760v.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

[quote=Jay West;1738435][QUOTE=Dan Asseff;1738403]One thing nobody is really talking about is the Balanced Optical Steadyshot, . . . . Also the 760 does com with a hood. I own a CX760. I does in fact have the same lens hood as the NX30 and it does also have AGC limiting like the NX30.

Ironically, the CX760 allows for auto gain limit yet it never displays any "gain" values while shooting. You can only see what your gain "was" after you watch it in playback mode...lol. (otherwise its called "exposure" during shooting)

This I'm sure will confuse all soccer moms, grandparents and any other "consumer Handycam" market Cx760 shooter everywhere. (oh wait,...and NX30 pro market shooters too!)

All NXCAM branded cameras should allow for the 3 most basic functions camera control: shutter, iris and gain. (extremely basic stuff)

And don't tell me "Handycams" just don't ever do that.....VG20 and AX200 do today!

This NXCAM crippling tactic is a bad marketing mistake on Sony's part. It screams: "NXCAM is not a serious "pro" brand if it has cams with locked BASIC functions"

CT

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

I don't think I have seen mentioned yet another possible difference between the NX30 and the CX/PJ760V and that is the "Fixed" mode of the balanced optical steady shot.

This is from a European Sony website I found in a Google search for the NX30:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"To optimize the effect of Balanced Optical SteadyShot™, the HXR-NX30E features a FIXED SHOT mode. Press a button and this expands the movable range of the optical block to keep you locked on your subject. This is particularly convenient when you want to maintain the same shooting angle for an extended period."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I haven't seen any mention of this mode for the 760 on websites or in the 760 manual I downloaded. I'm not exactly sure what Fixed Mode means, but it sounds like if you want to shoot something with no panning or other intentional camera movement, pressing the "Fixed" button will result in even better stabilization. I'm thinking that normally the stabilization feature must have to try to determine which camera movement is unwanted, and therefore should try to correct it, and which is intentional and it should not try to correct it. In the fixed mode it wouldn't have to make that determination and could perhaps know that it should try to hold the fixed scene as steady as possible.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

"Fixed mode" appears to mean that the lens-sensor unit is locked down so it will not float or "eyeball" as somebody called it. Does Sony maybe call it something different in the PJ/CX manuals? Maybe you just switch the OIS to off in the menus for the PJ/CX cams?

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

So, for the extra $400 to $600 over the PJ/CX cam, the NX30 brings you:
(a) the XLR audio pack with phantom power;
(b) an external mic that mounts to the XLR unit;
(c) probably an NPFV70 battery (versus NPFV50);
(d) the ability to shoot 720p: and
(e), maybe the ability to lock timecode with an NX5.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

The word "Fixed" does indeed imply what you described. My thinking that it improves the stabilization when not intentionally moving the camcorder was based on the phrase "this expands the movable range of the optical block to keep you locked on your subject". That could just be fuzzy wording on Sony's part.

If it meant what I originally thought, there would be no need to "expand the moveable range of the optical block". I think your explanation makes more sense.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

The phrase "this expands the movable range of the optical block to keep you locked on your subject" suggests that it actually might be something like object tracking. Might be something you lock onto (say, by poking the spot on the touch screen) and then the lens centers on that particular subject, compensating both for motion of the object and the motion of the camera. Sounds almost like a weapons system.

This is something for which we need to see the the manual to figure out.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

If you watch the Sony promo video that is exactly what it does. Probably an extreme variation of Active Stabilizer .

Ron Evans

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

I see stores are getting the camera in stock now, so should start popping up pictures and reviews soon. I'm buying the camera to bring on a 2 year expedition in Canada and Alaska. Does anybody know the quality of the shotgun microphone in the package? The supplied wind cover, would it be better to change it to one of those grey wooley things (not sure of the English word, but in Norway we call it dead mouse)?

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

In English it has various names, among them is windjammer and dead cat.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

I have the Sony PJ760E (PAL), and been using it for the past 2-3 months. Though the stabilization system is the best I've seen on any camera, I've observed the following:

-Standard IS mode activated the gyro-stabilized optical block and the FoV did not appear to be reduced at any focal length compared to the IS OFF setting. This suggests no electronic stabilization was activated.

-Active IS mode activated the gyro block and the FoV was progressively reduced from the wide end of the zoom to the tele end WHEN compared to the FoV of any similar focal length when the IS was set to OFF. I use the word "similar" here as there was no way of knowing by looking at the zoom bar on the LCD screen. Worse, at some point while zooming in while in the Active IS mode, the zoom went from "optical" (10x according to the manual) to "extended" (17x) up to the tele end. I think this may be a little confusing since when the camera was in the Acive IS mode (the electronic IS was always activated as could easily be seen by the reduced FoV), it effectively cropped out the outlining part of the frame and zoomed into the remaining part. It did this at every level of the zoom and at a progressive rate to compensate for more shake the more I zoomed in. This works more or less like Smoothcam, Lock & Load or other image stabilization softwares do but using fixed parameters.

-As a result of the crop-and-zoom in the Active IS mode, the effective resolution of the footage got lower and lower the more I zoomed in. It was impossible to tell on the camera's 3" screen but it was obvious on my mass-market 23" 1920x1080 LCD monitor. At the full zoom-in in Active IS mode, the resolution appeared to be closer to SD than to 720p, let alone 1080p.

I'm sure the lock-down mode on the NX30 or whatever it is called will employ the optical gyro block in combination with a higher degree of crop-and-zoom of the electronic stabilization to make the frame static just like a similar function in the Lock & Load plug-in. It's always a tradeoff between steadiness and resolution.

That being said, I think all the new Sony gyro-cams are another breakthrough for casual use. A few days with any of them and you'll find out how much you long for a similar system on your professional-level cams.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

In active mode on your 760, when zoomed within the optical zoom range (something under 10x), does the reduced resolution caused by the added electronic stabilization and reduced FoV result in noticeable loss of resolution when viewing the video on a large screen? Or does it only become obvious once you get into the extended zoom range?

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

The difference in resolution is not as noticeable in the wide range of the zoom as it is in the tele range. It's there but you may not be able to tell unless you compare the frame side by side and it's hardly noticeable at the wide end.

In Active IS mode, I suspect there might not be a fixed threshold in the zoom range that you can say is the starting point of the "extended" zoom. It might be that the 17x extended range as claimed by Sony is engaged progressively starting right from the wide end e.g. 29mm (35mm equivalent) vs 26mm in Standard IS, 120mm vs 100mm...........up to 442mm vs 260mm.

If you are good (I'm not) at the math of comparing FoVs and the change in frame dimension or resolution, you'll see how much the resolution is reduced at the framing or, more precisely, cropping of the 442mm FoV from the 100% resolution at 260mm FoV. Unless the NX30 employs some kind of pixel downsampling technology used in the Nokia Pureview 808 phone, which I don't think it will, you'll definitely see reduced resolution at the tele end in Active IS mode.

RE: Reduced Resolution with Active IS Mode
 

I'm surprised that there is a significant and visible reduction of resolution when the Active IS mode that uses an electronic system is added to the optical IS. The sensor for the NX30E has 6.14-MP and even if the active inner sector of the sensor were reduced by 1/3 of its pixels for the EIS, that would leave twice as many active pixels as are contained in a 2.1-MP 1920 X 1080 HD video.

I use a Sony HX200V that has a different optical stabilizer, but probably the same electronic stabilizer added on top of that in the Active IS Mode. This extends its video zoom out to 1,250mm from the standard 870mm, as the outer EIS margin expands with the zoom. When I use the Active IS mode, even at full zoom, I can detect no weakening of visible resolution in its videos. It also has the option to use 60p and with a slightly larger sensor, it has 18-MP.

At full zoom, I roughly calculate that it is using an active sensor area that contains 10.5-MP in Active IS Mode. I'm not sure how much the extra pixels are used to derive the final 2.1-MP for HD video, but the ability to shoot video in dim light far exceeds that for photos. I think that the pixel downsampling that was mentioned, is used for video in these cameras and there should be enough sensor pixels remaining in the NX30 to cover the full resolution, even at 17X zoom. But this will be an issue to explore some more, although you can't expect Sony to reveal details about the fine workings of a new system.

If the NX30 works the same way as the HX200V, it won't use the EIS at all at the widest angle and shouldn't have any reduced resolution when zoomed back. I would think that the optical IS for the NX30 would be very adequate for almost all situations, without also using the EIS. I'd tend to turn on the Active IS Mode, only when I really needed that extra zoom power and I'd probably have a good telextender for that purpose, anyway. An Internet friend also has an HX200V and I think he's planning on getting an NX30, so some good comparisons of the effects of the IS systems may be available from him.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

I joust got an email from Vistek.ca, confirming that my NX30 is now sent. Unfortunately I will not get to try it before mid July, as it is sent to Yukon, and I'm currently in Norway.

Have anyone seen any reviews of the camera?
I will use the camera almost always outdoor. Is the "dead cat" microphone wind muff better then the black stuff in the package? Should I buy a dead cat?

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

Unless Norway and the Yukon no longer get strong winds, you will want to use a dead cat/dead mouse/windjammer. The foam cover that comes with it will be very much like the one I received with the mic that came with my NX5. It is only adequate for the mildest summer breezes.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

Ok, Thanks. It will befinitly be in windy places many times.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

I have just spent a couple of hours testing out the NX30, to confirm, you can still only control one manual function at at time, only improvement is the shutter speed value will stay on the screen while shooting now, but disappears when you control the iris and will only then show the iris value !!, still no gain value in the screen.

Other than that only changes i can see in the menu over the PJ740 is time code functions replace the photo menu functions, additional PCM sound functions, 720 frame rates and the ability assign photo or fixed shot mode to the top button.

Build quality and finish is like a tank, the hand strap is much bigger and softer than the 740's small hard affair, nice balance in the hand, the cold shoe block sticks out even without the mic and handle assembly and has the built in mics in the front side. If you have or plan to get the additional plug in surround speaker for the 740/760 to use with the projector it will not attach and connect by 1mm because of the position of the cold shoe block!
Other than that only hardware change is the playback button is now the display button and of course fixed steadyShot on the photo button.
Cant see what improvement in the screen that the fixed steadyshot makes, at least it does not crop the image even more.

Hope this helps

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

The sony cx760 is not yet available in Belgium yet so I don't know if it will cost more then the current 740 model, but the nx30 is twice the price of a cx740 here, am I the only one that feels the nx30 is somewhat overpriced for what you get extra? For only 450 euro's more I can get a nx70 here.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

In Canada prices are PJ760-$1599, NX30-$2299, NX70-3499 list. Street price will be less but the only one advertized as less is the NX70 at $2900. If your use is on a tripod then the NX70 will be attractive since you will not be concerned about the zoom control not working well , the image stabilizer is not important and the full manual control an advantage. If image stabilizer and zoom are important then the NX30 has the advantage unless you want to shoot in the rain !! I am looking at the NX30 as a replacement for my CX700 which it looks to fit well. Hand held for travel etc.


Ron Evans

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

How does the CX760 compare with last years Panny TM900 as the slashcam rates favour the Panny?

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

I stopped trusting slashcam when I saw a comparison between the canon xh-a1 and xh-a1s, based on the 1200 and 12 lux images the older xh-a1 had more color and better low light result with less grain in the image. It was a obvious difference in favour of the older model.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

Has anybody spotted an NX30 user manual .pdf yet?

As far as SlashCam. I'd say that it's safe to look at the Handycam PJ740 test results and get a great idea of how the NX30 will test.

On a "Handycam", I get it. On an "NXCAM", not having control of the three basic camera functions, iris, gain and shutter is unbelievable.

CT

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

The nx30 looks exactly the same as a sony cx7xx serie camera in terms of functionality with an xlr block/Microphone on top and an improved internal microphone. it's double the price (Where I live) of the current sony 7xx flagship which is way overpriced for what you get extra. The small dedicated wheel on the front of the camera does serve it's purpose but can be a pain to control exposure and focus simultaneously in run and gun, they should have added an additional focus ring on the lens to justify the price difference and the "nx" tag.

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

Hmmm ok thanks for the replies......

Re: New Sony HXR-NX30E Palmcorder with advanced Stabilization
 

Better not look at the 3D NXCAM, the NX3D1. It can't even control one of them at a time, let alone all three. Just like the NX30 it's just a consumer camera (TD10) with the audio block/handle. (Note: the NX3D1 does have a control wheel, but most of the functions only work in 2D mode)