It appears this is the case.
We will know more once we hear about the specs.

But at a quick glance it's essentially an EX1 internals in a new body with a removeable lens.

[ultranoob mode]
Maybe a stupid question, but what do you mean with flipping the image?
[/ultranoob mode]

Flipping the image, as when you are using a 35mm adaptor...

or if you are using the camera upside down... like mounting a camera on
a mono pod, turning it all upside down and using the cam to record footsteps
would be another example...

This looks like a camera for me. I bought the XL-H1 because the EXh1 wasn´t ready in time.

I do change between my 3 lenses all the time. I couldn´t live with just a fixed lens camera. I do hate the focus rings on the 20x and 6x lens and love the fixed focus ring on the EX1

How long is it to wait for the review and press release?

Deciding if I want to stay up and wait for it! :)

Hahahaha! Nigel Cooper removed his article about the EX3 for the second time from his website. It will be back in 4 hours. What a mess! :-) ROFL

http://www.dvuser.co.uk/index.php

Well, I agree its not a total replacement for the Ex-1 and the Ex-1 is a great camera, but there is a reason they kept this secret and gave lots of PR to at least 3 other cameras.

But that's all water under the bridge now.

Philip if you can divulge tiny pieces of info?

When you flip up the viewfinder is it as big as the current EX-1 flip out?
If not that would be a disadvantage.

Did they fix little things, like add a real distance readout on the viewfinder, add a second white balance pre-set and my biggest concern did they add a status window that shows you your PP settings at a glance.

Those would all be substantive improvements.

Lenny

Philip, I'm really interested in hearing what the firmware upgrade for the EX1 will be like. Will we get to hear anything out of Sony about that? I'm really hoping/wishing for realigned menu - at least faster access to things like over/undercrank and format settings. Oh, and someone mentioned a bump to 4:2:2 direct to sxs possibly - but I know thats a pipe dream that I'll keep dreaming about :)

I say Sony couldn't have planned it better. I think you usually worry if pleople are going to show up for your super-mysterious-press-conference. Do you think anyone wants to miss this now?

I think the thing with Nigels page has to do with the time (zone) difference really and maybe some overexitement. There's certainly enough of that around ;)

Anyway, it's not like the EX1 has become obsolete overnight. It will still shoot incredable footage right now. The EX3 won't be out for another few months at least and even then shoot the same footage as standard. And there will be a premium for the extra functionality of the EX3, which many won't really need.

The EX3 will be better for live multicam broadcasts and ENG/Run-'n-Gun and maybe someday there will be a 35mm adapter that attaches to the body directly, but who wants to wait for that when you can shoot the same quality today?

George/

True.

It's really up to what's important for each user. I have close to $3K USD in accessories (memory cards, batteries, ect..) for the EX1 as it is. That puts the investment over $9K USD.

Myself, If I were given the choice of the EX1 verses the EX3, I "probably" would of still gone with the EX1. I will be VERY surprised if the EX3 is less than $9K USD.

Add up another $3K for extras and its close to $12K USD, not to mention one of the reasons for buying the EX3 would be for additional lens which are big $$.

Right now, I just want an EX1 that works... LOL
I hope Sony uses their beta test force (us that is) well. LOL
I'm willing to bet the paint does not fall off this camera in two months, or it has BF and vignetting issues.
;)

just get us the firmware with the assign button or dial for frame rate and 4:2:2 and we'll all be selling the EX1 to our fellow HVX users.

If this is just an announcement for something that will be available down the line, then I bite my tongue and say I'm sorry for the harsh words.
It does sound like they are investing in this format for serious work though and that's a good thing.

Not sure if anyone is interested. But I have a written and video review of the EX3 here: http://www.philipbloom.co.uk/Philip_Bloom/XDCAMEX3.html

Humm well, gonna have a look next week or so.. ;)

Just when i want to get some sleep it is there !! Haha. Thnx for all the hard work Phil.

what 20x lens do you have ?

thanks.

It's playing pretty choppy here due to the load, but I loved hearing the Brian Eno music at the start....off to the rest of the video.
dave

Great work Phil!

Now that it's official.. Any news on what will be included in the EX1 firmware upgrade?

Thanks for posting the review Philip,
I take back my gruff attitude, July is a decent period to introduce an change,. Looks like a very good upgrade. The viewfinder thing is big to me.

Any of the other changes I was hoping for in the camera?

- a real distance readout on the viewfinder
- a second white balance pre-set
- did they add a status window that shows you your PP settings at a glance.


lenny

Thanks Phil. Enjoyed watching your on-camera talents too!

The announcement made me annoyed initially, but what can you do. Unless you have a bottomless budget, things get pretty obsolete pretty quickly. The Canon H1/A1 comparison was what I was thinking, and again, the images are going to be the same.

Anyways, Phil thanks for your hard work.

Thanks Phil ...
 

Great to see this camera come out and as you said in the article, this puts pressure on the camera producers to step up to the plate.
This camera has the qualities that I've always wanted in a small form camera, so, I'm in when they come out. The off putting problems with the EX1, rolling shutter (not really a problem) and back focus issues, always kept me a little edgy on the EX1.
I'm sure there will be something on the EX3 that will cause some problems but Sony seems to have it's fingers on the pulse of what people want to have in a small form camera!
Thanks Sony!

This is unreal!
This thread was started yesterday and has almost 8,500 reads.

Great review, Philip, especially the video one. Very informative and enthusiastic. I'm guessing you like it, hehe... Thanks so much for doing it and letting us know.

Boy, oh boy times are good with all these great cameras coming out. Can't wait to see Scarlet and the responses from Panasonic and Canon.

Great review, and nice looking camera. If i was rich enough i would like to upgrade just for the better build aspects really, however i'm comforted in knowing that the EX3 won't produce 'better images' than the EX1, rather it just makes things a little easier and more practical.

it's the canon one without extender. cant remember model number

still really sketchy. They will implement the backfocus adjustment featured in the ex3 menu but hidden in the ex1 system menu. other than that they havent told. I have a v long list of wants for me!

No no and no, i think. But i dont have it anymore and would need to check. Am shooting here in vegas with my ex1 and lovely letus ultimate (until i give it back tomorrow morning and go back to the extreme!)

Thanks for the review Phil I like the video. Too bad it's not 4:2:2.

true but I guess you just look at it as the EX1 in a different body. A 4:2:2 camera I am sure will come out some day.

It looks great, I'd definitely change my EX1 for an EX3 simply because of the viewfinder.

Thanks Phil.

Oh, and I have being in front of the camera, much happier the other side. Awkward as well as I filmed it myself. Crazy!

Phil, what does that round tubular part at the back do, does it extend out?

a very small amount paul. I should have showed that on the video. It extends back or in so does the viewfinder which also moves side by side so it can fit even Mr Potato Head.

Nice work, Phil. Thanks for your efforts and a great overview. When will they announce the "Official Price"?

They may have done already!

I will be selling one of my EX1s and buying one!

WTB Ex-1
 

Lenny & Phil,

Let me know if you want to sell your EX1- I'll be purchasing one in the next week or two. I'll also be at NAB tomorrow:) Some of the new sony HDCAM recording devices make the EX1 a much more attractive cam for wedding and event video.

Miike Jensen
Jensen Wedding Films
Sacramento, CA
www.jensenvideo.com

I'm ready to buy my EX1 this week unless something else is announced at NAB that knocks it out of the water. Will the other manufacturers start announcing tomorrow?

Usually the manufacturers have an event and then a press release follows. Here's a link for all the official press conferences...

http://www.nabshow.com/2008/press/pressconferences.asp

On the Red forum they say the Scarlet will be revealed Monday as well. Has NAB ever been so exciting? Seriously I wonder.

Maybe Apple and Avid not turning up is the best thing that could have happened. Lets the other companies get a word in edge-wise.

Hmmm, the price of the EX3 will be $13,000?

Though I believe it is worth every penny, suddenly it isn't as enticing as I thought, with me thinking it would retail under $10k.