Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Full press release, photos located here:

Sony Announces HXR-NX3 Professional HD Camcorder at DV Info Net

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Making of the UK promo video for the Sony HXR-NX3:

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Finally, a replacement for the Canon XH-A1.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

While I like 1080p60, I'm not a fan of AVCHD 2.0. Full raster sounds nice, but I'd expect only the same sensitivity as the PMW-150/160

I still think the best thing that needs to happen is either a 4K EA50 or a XAVC & XQD FS700.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

And the actual promo video:

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

What I was expecting ( and been waiting for ) to replace the NX5U with AVCHD 2.0 using the sensors from the PMW150/160. They have just been a little slow since the introduction of the PMW 150/160 likely too many NX5U's in the channels !!! The combination of my NX5U and now FDR-AX1 will do me unless a large sensor 4K comes out with better low light than the FDR-AX1.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

The European model (HXR-NX3/VG1) apparently comes with a microphone, I'm wondering is the low light performance much better than the NX5 ?

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

The NX models all came with mics one of the differences to the consumer AX models. I would hope the low light is a little better !!

Ron Evans

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Looks like it has a video light like the consumer models. Has no FMU128 and no SDi connector like the NX5U had but WiFi control and most of the consumer iAuto features too.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

The Press release quotes 'A newly developed LSI that includes advanced noise reduction and several distortion correction technologies handles image processing, allowing clear low-noise recordings to be captured even in low light.'

Looks like Sony have used similar processing Tech. as used in the new RX10 and A7, so I hope the bad pink fringing on the G lens at telephoto has been tamed along with noise levels which I hated on the NX5.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

http://www.sony.co.uk/res/attachment...7492160791.pdf

Here's the official UK brochure

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

The body looks almost identical to the Z100.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

HXR-NX3/VG1 Product Introduction Video : United Kingdom : Sony Professional

More info, Uk product introduction video attached, no word on the Uk price as yet ?

Thanks
Paul

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

No its closer to the NX5U with the FMU128 connections missing as well as the connectors for SDI and timecode. Button arrangement on the left side is identical to the NX5U including picture profiles missing on the PXW-Z100 and the FDR-AX1. GPS has been dropped in favor of WiFi too. It is a NXCAm version of the PMW150/160 with consumer iAuto functions likely from the consumer processor controlling the sensor though touch screen has gone. Should have kept that for touch focus.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

I would have thought the next prosumer cam like this would have 1080 XAVC-S.

Regardless, it's an improvement over the NX5. I do a lot of low light shooting so I like that the NX3 goes to 30dB. The brochure states minimum illumination at 1 lux vs 1.5 for the NX5 with AGC and .3 lux at 30dB. So at least it's not a downgrade like the AX1/Z100 in terms of light.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Well my FDR-AX1 goes to 27db of gain in manual but not usable really above 18db. The NX5U goes to 21db gain and not usable above 12db. Just because it can be set high doesn't mean its usable. By contrast the CX700 I have will give nice video at 24db gain. Similar size sensors so lets hope that the performace is that good. They are not back illuminated sensors though like the small Sony's.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Hmmmm.... seems a little "entry level" to me. No SDI or FMU Hard Drive option... anyone think they might announce a "pro" version of this - kind of the pattern they've been quickly releasing other models in the XDCAM line?

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Looks like Sony are focusing pro on the PMW/PXW range and NX3 may be last of the AVCHD line. Likely we may not see an AX2000 equivalent since the FDR-AX1 sort of covers this with a better codec.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

I don't think that lack of SDI and FMU are a problem for my use. Although I have an FMU on my NX5U, the NX3 will do 9.6 hours at the best quality PS (28Mbps) setting on two 64GB SDHC cards. I've had my NX5U for over three years and even though I shoot for a small local TV station, I've never needed to use the SDI jack.

The NX3 looks like it's exactly what I wanted in my NX5U: AVCHD 2, 1080/60P, larger sensors with better low light performance. I plan on buying this over the 4K PXW-Z100 just for the better low light capability.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Whew, another new model and Sony is running away from the periscope mic holder of the PMW-200.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

I shoot events with a Sony Z7 (HDV) and a b-roll NX70. The Z7 is nice because it records to mini-dv tape and SDHC card and it's saved my ass twice when the card corrupted. I kind of liked the NX5's ability to shoot to HDD and backup to card. But never bought one because I knew this NX3 must have been on the way.

Do you think dual SDHC recording is 100% reliable? Would this NX3 make a good companion to my run-n-gun NX70?

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

The nice thing about the NX3 is that you can set both SDHC card slots to relay record to the second card after the first card is full, or do what Sony calls "Simul" record, where it simultaneously records to two SDHC cards. You won't need an FMU for redundant recording then.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Yea, who needs FMU when you can buy a 128GB SDXC card for one third the price and get the same redundant backup. I also like the 40x digital zoom for those times when the shot is more important than maintaining the optical zoom. I shoot a lot of youth sports and tele'd pass the 12x optical zoom on my Panny TM900 with no big issues with reduced image quality. Especially when the end deliver will be HD-to-SD DVD-Video. If the low light matches or surpasses AC130/160 and JVC 600/650, I'm jumping ship to my first "pro" camera. I was going to wait to see what surfaces at NAB for entry level pro cameras, but I think Sony just avoided the wait with this. Interesting to see if Canon has an answer to this in 2014.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

If Canon comes out with something fantastic to replace the XF305/300, then I might consider that over the NX3. Meanwhile, the NX3 is the frontrunner for me.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

True. I think I'll order one of these. Any recommendations on what brand/speed SD cards I should purchase?

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

The ~$3,500 price isn't too bad. Looks like a very pratical camera and I actually like that they included LED ligts.

Would I be correct in assuming that the NEX3 will have better low light performence than the
Sony FDRAX1 4K camera???? From what i read the FDRAX1 kinda sucks with low light conditions which was a real deal breaker for me...

Although I am still planning on getting the NEX-EA5U for my wedding video side business Iam still loving this camera. Its like watchign camera porn... I need to seriously replace my current XH1As....

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

I expect the NX3 to be a little better than the NX5U. I have an NX5U, FDR-AX1, NX30 and CX700. The FDR-AX1 is 1 or 2 stops slower than the NX5U depending on conditions, it gets worse as it gets darker as one might expect. Since it has 4 times as many pixels and roughly the same sensor area one cannot expect too much. I have found though an interesting effect. With the CX700 used as a fixed unattended camera in spotlight situations it of course will blow the highlights. The FDR- AX1 manages much better recording a very usable image in the same unattended setting with AE shift at -1 ev same settings as the CX700. Maybe those extra pixels create a differentiation in what would be white out !!! Under these condition both seem to go to 21db gain and both show some grain but not bad since of course they are not moving , panning or zoom to emphasize the grain. Grain is no worse than the NX5 at 15db for instance. In the same condition by the way the NX5 was at 12db of gain though focused of course on the stage where the light was !!!!

The price for the NX3 is good since when I bought my NX5U its was over a $1000 more.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

I've never had any problems using Transcend SDHC class 10 cards.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

While most if not all AVCHD video cameras do not need them, I prefer using something like the SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s UHS1 cards.

Here's why... if you shoot lengthy events, you can offload the cards 3x to 6x faster than the slower cards. All you need is a PC with USB3 ports, and a cheap USB3 card reader. The Kingston MobileLite G3 is quite competent and tiny, but only does SD and microSD. You can get many other readers that do all the major formats, including CF cards used in many DSLR cameras. Ebay, B&H and Adorama all have dozens of choices.

Eg: Decent class 10 card on Kingston USB3 reader - 18MB/s vs SanDisk Extreme Pro on same USB3 reader - 75MB/s - real world typical results on one of my systems.

Just a thought.

I have tons of the Transcend cards, and they've always been good as well, although there is absolutely no advantage to reading them via USB3.

AVOID the no name stuff, no matter how good a deal it appears to be. Some of them are not even the capacity they claim to be.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Has anyone found a good quality sample of what this camera can do? Some original files to download would be nice.

The only video I've seen so far has left me unimpressed, but I'm hoping that's mostly YouTube's fault.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Cheers Juan - my 2 64GB SanDisk Extreme Pro 95MB/s cards arrived today from eBay and my NX3 is ordered - delivery in about 2 weeks! :)

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Any chance you'll be able to shoot something and upload the original clip(s)?

The NX3 is not really, what I'm looking for, but I might be able to make another set of compromises if it's sharper and has better low light capabilities than the NX5. It's certainly a good price.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Hi Michael - yep, sure. As soon as it arrives I'll upload a few native clips somewhere to share.

Here's the first unboxing / mini review I just found. The zoom looks bloody awesome... and the noiseless low light footage is looking sweet. Perfect for weddings / events and a big step up from my aging Z7 (HDV)

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

That's made it more interesting to me. Apart from the codec and the limitation of not being NTSC/PAL switchable it has everything on my list.

Indeed. It's still digital zoom, but a good one. (at least from that one demo)

Strong pixelization in the branches behind the peacock, but that's caused by YouTube's compression compensating for the moving text.

Will be better much than zooming in post, which will magnify the compression blocks.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

I love the codec. Editing footage from my NX70 (AVCHD 8-bit 4:2:0) is a dream. Smooth as butter on Premiere, grades really well and 1080/50p is just the holy grail of formats for me. Instant smooth 50% slowmo. Can't wait!

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

I use 1080p50 AVCHD without problems too. What I don't like about it is the blockiness during motion. Id like something with a bit higher bit rate. Panasonic's new LongG50 looks ideal.

(BTW, I notice you're in Auckland. I grew up in Green Bay/Titirangi)

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Zulqar Cheema has supplied me with a few of the original camera files (1080i50) that he shot for his review, which I have made available on my web site for anyone who's interested.

Sony HXR-NX3 - Sample Files mike-warren.net

I'm quite impressed with the noise, based on these files, and it certainly looks sharper than the NX5.

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

I think one of the productive features of this camcorder is the ability to have dual record/stop triggers to either of the SD card slots. From a long form event standpoint this is big for me. Being able, for example, to record several speakers at conference from start to finish continuously to one card and record/stop a single speaker who has paid you to shoot just them and provided you an SD card (or like I do, bill them with SDHC card included) to hand off at the end of the event. Also with Hudl.com for football, you have to upload single play clips and I'll be able to do that on one card and record the game continuously to another card for parents and fans.
Has anyone heard of this feature on another video camera? I didn't see where Sony markets this as "Industry first..." edit: I believe there was a firmware update to do this with the 128GB FMU... is that 5U and EA50?

Sony did a Facebook webchat the other day with a couple guests, including Den Lennie who created one of the first demo/preview videos. A couple key standout mentions was official word that the NX3 is not a replacement for the 5U and they will be brothers. Also the RM-LVR1 wrist watch style controller is supported among other notables.

https://www.facebook.com/SonyProfess...10432762368131

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

The NX5U has the independent record feature from its introduction. You can choose trigger and format for recording on card or FMU128.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony announces HXR-NX3 professional HD camcorder
 

Good to know that. The Sony guy in the webchat mentioned that as his "favorite featureset of the NX3", I thought it was new! lol

Jin (Sony in Germany):
My highlight feature of the HXR-NX3 is, that you can do recordings independently on both of the slots.

No question I have lots to research in finally moving up from flag-ship consumer models to my first professional body. I never expected my - not 1... not 2, but 3 Panasonic TM-900's would hold up all this time under on-the-job work. I can see getting lucky with one of them, but all 3 have held up well and never error'd or failed during a shoot. One did take a big nasty fall and the auto-lens cover only covers half the lens, but I'm happy it wasn't worse.
In my mind, the lack of HD-SDI can be alleviated with the purchase of a BM or Atomos hdmi-to-sdi converter in the studio (with the benefit of 4:2:2) and 128GB SDXC cards pricing are tumbling in recent weeks, with B&H having a Kingston for $86.
The TM-900 has allowed me to work with 1080/60p 28Mb/s video files for over 2-3 years already, So that feature in the NX3 is neither a cringing concern nor something to get excited about. It holds up well to very light color correction and if you're willing to put in the time to convert to 10bit 422prores or cineform, it can handle some moderate grading.
The slightly larger LCD, built-in LED light for impromptu situations, and NFC/Wifi/wireless remote is just icing. I feel bad knowing there are a couple NX5U owners who might feel smitten by this new model being a worthy incremental upgrade, but not huge enough to warrant replacing. How the absence of HD-SDI output got this designated NX3 vs NX6, only Sony can explain.