Sony has released preliminary information on the upcoming NEX-FS700, and it looks like a killer camera out of the box if the price comes in around the expected $8k mark, available in June.
The FS700 will ship as a 1080p camera that utilizes an 11.1MP EXMOR CMOS sensor, which will later receive a firmware upgrade to enable the 4K functionality. It’s not clear whether or not this upgrade will come at an additional expense like the initial S-LOG upgrade for the Sony F3.
More so than the 4K, the feature that really excites me is the ability to capture 10x slow motion in full 1080p. The record times are limited to 8 seconds for 240fps and 16 seconds for 120fps.
Another big boon is the built-in ND filters (up to 6 stops) that we all missed on the FS100, along with 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs for external capture devices. It will also come with expanded focus magnification up to 8x out of the box – something the FS100 will get via a firmware update later this month. Another expected update for the FS100 is the ability to store camera profile settings on memory cards – and, thankfully, Sony will put this on the FS700 from day one.
I’ll have more coverage on this new camera as additional details emerge. For now, check out the rest of the new features below.
Sony NEX-700 Key Features
4K-ready
The first 4K-ready Super35mm camcorder in its class – providing an assured upgrade path to 4K acquisition and delivery – with full HD 1080p for today.The camcorder will also have the capability to produce 4K RAW 3G-SDI output via a future upgrade.
Super slow motion at 10x at full HD or 40x at lower resolutions
Incredible super slow motion capability of up to 10x slow motion at full HD resolution or up to 40x slow motion at a reduced resolution, giving you creative options that were once only available with specialist high-end equipment.
E-mount interchangeable lenses offer a wide choice of lenses
The E-mount interchangeable lens system utilises an extremely short flange back distance allowing you to use a huge array of lenses via a range of adaptors giving you almost unlimited creative options.
Additional A-mount lenses available
The Sony LA-EA2 A-mount lens adaptor allows you to use the wide range of high quality alpha lenses and take advantage of the auto focus function for quicker, more convenient operation.
Built-in ND filters
The NEX-FS700E features built-in, ultra-thin ND filters, offering exceptional shallow depth-of-field on highlights. It also means less accessories to manage as no external ND filters are required.
3G-SDI interface and HDMI
A 3G-SDI output enables easy integration with highest quality recording formats.
Exceptional ergonomics
The NEX-FS700E has a refined ergonomic design with a robust detachable handle and grip.
Switchable 50 Hz and 60 Hz shooting
The NEX-FS700E is switchable between 50 Hz and 60Hz to allow 24p shooting in PAL areas and no PAL/NTSC limitations.
Selectable magnification and positioning of expanded focus
Expanded focus improvement allowing 4x and 8x magnification and a moveable area of expansion for easy focusing with shallow depth of field.
Camera profile settings storage on memory card
Up to 99 camera profile settings can be stored, allowing rapid adaptation to multiple shooting environments without time wasted adjusting parameters. Settings are also easily shared in multi-camera productions.
Sony NEX-FS700 Press Release
PARK RIDGE, N.J., April 2nd, 2012 – Sony is pushing the creative boundaries once more with the new NEX-FS700 Full-HD Super Slow Motion camcorder, the latest in Sony’s line-up of NXCAM interchangeable E-mount camcorders. The new Super 35mm model is designed for high-speed shooting and is capable of capturing footage at up to 960 frames per second. The camcorder also features a range of capabilities such as 3G HD-SDI output and built-in ND filters. Additionally, it also offers several creative options, shooting styles and enhanced ergonomics – all based on customer feedback – to deliver a flexible production tool that fits seamlessly into a variety of shooting applications.
“The NEX-FS700 opens the door to a new world of creative shooting,” said Bill Drummond, Strategic Marketing Manager, Sony Europe. “You can record beautiful high speed Full-HD movies with the freedom of choosing interchangeable lenses. The NEX-FS700, with its super slow motion mode, is ideal for pop promos, commercials and documentaries as well as sports and a variety of events productions.”
The camcorder delivers Full-HD quality images at 120 and 240 frames per second in an 8 or 16 seconds burst mode respectively. The NEX-FS700’s high sensitivity and low noise shooting capability makes super slow motion shooting more convenient without additional equipment. 480 fps and 960 fps rates at reduced resolution are available for faster frame rate recording.
The NEX-FS700 camcorder uses a new 4K “Exmor” Super 35 CMOS sensor (total 11.6 million pixels). This high-speed readout chip is optimised for motion picture shooting, giving high sensitivity, low noise and minimal aliasing.
The NXCAM’s E-Mount flexibility is designed to accept virtually all SLR and DSLR 35mm lenses, with the use of simple, inexpensive adapters without optical degradation. FS series owners can make use of their existing lenses and add more lenses without being forced on a brand or mount.
Users can capture high-quality still images with the NEX-FS700. The camcorder also includes face detection and auto focus to help ensure the subject is always kept in focus.
NEX-FS700 operators can take advantage of the camcorder’s built-in ND filters, with a newly designed wheel that rotates across the sensor like a turret. The wheel includes positions for Clear, 1/4 (2 Stop), 1/16 (4 Stop), and 1/64 (6 Stop).
The camcorder is 60/50Hz switchable to give people the freedom of working in any geographic region without being restricted to only PAL or NTSC recording.
The NEX-FS700’s 3GHD-SDI and HDMI connectors can output Full-HD 50p and 60p, in addition to standard HD 60i, 24p, 25p or 30p frame rates with embedded time code and audio. 3G HD-SDI can output native 23.98, 25, 29.97 progressive signals; users can choose to output PsF over the 3G HD-SDI. Thanks to flexibility of the digital ports virtually any external recorder can be connected.
Users can save up to 99 camcorder profile settings on a memory card and can copy the same setting to multiple units. Compatible media includes MS and SD memory cards and Sony’s HXR-FMU128 flash memory unit that attaches to the camcorder.
The NEX-FS700 features include a robust detachable top handle, secured by a pair of screws (a cold shoe, plus two sets of 1/4 and 3/8 inch holes) that allow heavy accessories to be mounted. The handle is attached with a rosette mount.
A key element of the handle is an “active grip” that features four buttons for commonly used functions – expanded focus, auto iris, still capture and Recording Start/Stop – so users can easily operate the camcorder while holding it. Function buttons are also enlarged to make operating easy, even while wearing gloves.
The camcorder’s enhanced durable design also includes anchor points for compatibility with third party accessories.
Sony is planning a future firmware upgrade that will enable the NEX-FS700 to output 4K bit-stream data over 3G HD-SDI when used with an optional Sony 4K recorder.
The NEX-FS700 is planned to be available in June 2012.
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the info on this camera.
Does the 8 seconds record time at 240fps mean 8 seconds of recording at 240p (1920 total frames), or just 8 seconds of final footage at 30p (240 total frames)?
Also, do you have any information on the quality of this particular Exmor sensor? Is it the same one being used in the F3? Do you know what dynamic range it is boasting?
Thanks very much!
It is 8 seconds at 240fps for a total of 1920 frames captured. I think it’s a new 4K sensor that hasn’t been used in another camera yet. There are some sample videos floating around the web; however, I haven’t seen anything that makes be believe the dynamic range is substantially better than the FS100.
And being an APS-C sensor, does that mean there is the same 1.6x crop factor on lenses as there is on the Canon 7D DSLR?
Just wondering if Zeiss Standard primes (2.1) using a PL adapter will clear the sensor.