PMW 200 vs NX5 (form factor) at DVinfo.net

Justin Hewitt · August 25th, 2013, 08:30 AM

Folks.

Yet to view an actual PMW 200 as yet, but on spec alone, I am looking to purchase one in next before November.

Can anyone advise how the size and weight compare to a HXR-NX5 (which is what I currently use for mostly handheld work)

regards

Justin.

James Kuhn · August 25th, 2013, 10:49 AM

Hi, Justin! I previously owned an 'NX5U' and I currently own a PMW-200. Both, are excellent cameras. Of course, the 'NX5U' is an AVCHD 4:2:0 camera at 35 Mbps (Max) and the PMW-200 is an XDCAM 4:2:2 camera at 50 Mbps (Max).

The 'feel' of the PMW-200 is slightly 'slimmer'. It's hard to explain. To me, the 'NX5U' was like a 'Plow Horse', a little 'thick', whereas the PMW-200 is a Race Horse. An I-Net search, and a look-through the 'Owners Manual - Specifications', will give you with dimensions for each camera.

Overall, the physical layout of the controls on the PMW-200 is almost identical to the NX5U. I found the transition to be especially easy after viewing Doug Jensen's (Vortex Media) training DVD "XDCAM HD422 Mastering Sony's PMW-200, -160, -150, -100 XDCAM Cameras". Even if I had chosen not to purchase the PMW-200, the training DVD would have been money well spent. The DVD is a treasure trove of information regarding some of the more esoteric features of the camera. I would recommend purchasing a copy.

Just to let you know, I have no business relationship with Vortex Media beyond being a happy customer.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

J.

Jerry Porter · August 25th, 2013, 11:13 AM

I second pretty much all of this ^^^^ I just picked up 2 of the 200's and I'm very pleased with them. They don't look very good out of the box, but slap in Doug's settings and you're done.

Justin Hewitt · August 26th, 2013, 07:53 AM

Thanks .. Jerry and James.

Can I ask, is the PMW-200 a longer camera than the NX5. I am confused by images on the net.. it appears in some cases a longer length camera (however, these shot do tend to have a quite large batteries on the back)
** I can see that the camera is slimmer (as James mentioned)

As I mentioned, I shoot mostly handheld, I can tell from specs that the PMW is marginally heavier; however if the size of the camera is pretty close to the NX5 I would be happy with that. I just want to be sure that it is not too much camera that I would have to use a tripod more often .... Because where I shoot an the subjects do not lend themselves to tripod use.

regards

Justin.

James Kuhn · August 26th, 2013, 08:32 AM

Justin...I'm not quite sure what pictures you're looking at, but the only thing that comes to mind is you're seeing the PMW-200 images with the largest, BP-U90 battery (~12cm) in-place or the shortest, BP-U30 battery (~4.5cm) on-board.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

J.

August 25th, 2013, 08:30 AM	#1
Justin Hewitt Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Victoria Posts: 75	PMW 200 vs NX5 (form factor) Folks. Yet to view an actual PMW 200 as yet, but on spec alone, I am looking to purchase one in next before November. Can anyone advise how the size and weight compare to a HXR-NX5 (which is what I currently use for mostly handheld work) regards Justin.

August 25th, 2013, 10:49 AM	#2
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: PMW 200 vs NX5 (form factor) Hi, Justin! I previously owned an 'NX5U' and I currently own a PMW-200. Both, are excellent cameras. Of course, the 'NX5U' is an AVCHD 4:2:0 camera at 35 Mbps (Max) and the PMW-200 is an XDCAM 4:2:2 camera at 50 Mbps (Max). The 'feel' of the PMW-200 is slightly 'slimmer'. It's hard to explain. To me, the 'NX5U' was like a 'Plow Horse', a little 'thick', whereas the PMW-200 is a Race Horse. An I-Net search, and a look-through the 'Owners Manual - Specifications', will give you with dimensions for each camera. Overall, the physical layout of the controls on the PMW-200 is almost identical to the NX5U. I found the transition to be especially easy after viewing Doug Jensen's (Vortex Media) training DVD "XDCAM HD422 Mastering Sony's PMW-200, -160, -150, -100 XDCAM Cameras". Even if I had chosen not to purchase the PMW-200, the training DVD would have been money well spent. The DVD is a treasure trove of information regarding some of the more esoteric features of the camera. I would recommend purchasing a copy. Just to let you know, I have no business relationship with Vortex Media beyond being a happy customer. I hope this helps. Regards, J.

August 25th, 2013, 11:13 AM	#3
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	Re: PMW 200 vs NX5 (form factor) I second pretty much all of this ^^^^ I just picked up 2 of the 200's and I'm very pleased with them. They don't look very good out of the box, but slap in Doug's settings and you're done.

August 26th, 2013, 07:53 AM	#4
Justin Hewitt Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Victoria Posts: 75	Re: PMW 200 vs NX5 (form factor) Thanks .. Jerry and James. Can I ask, is the PMW-200 a longer camera than the NX5. I am confused by images on the net.. it appears in some cases a longer length camera (however, these shot do tend to have a quite large batteries on the back) ** I can see that the camera is slimmer (as James mentioned) As I mentioned, I shoot mostly handheld, I can tell from specs that the PMW is marginally heavier; however if the size of the camera is pretty close to the NX5 I would be happy with that. I just want to be sure that it is not too much camera that I would have to use a tripod more often .... Because where I shoot an the subjects do not lend themselves to tripod use. regards Justin.

August 26th, 2013, 08:32 AM	#5
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: PMW 200 vs NX5 (form factor) Justin...I'm not quite sure what pictures you're looking at, but the only thing that comes to mind is you're seeing the PMW-200 images with the largest, BP-U90 battery (~12cm) in-place or the shortest, BP-U30 battery (~4.5cm) on-board. I hope this helps. Regards, J.