Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

  • Reviews
  • Recommended Cameras & Gear
  • Learn Photography
  • Contact
  • About
  • Subscribe

Sony 4K Camcorder Unveiled at CES 2013

January 10, 2013 By Eric Reagan

Sony XAVC 4K Camcorder

At it’s CES 2013 press conference on Monday, Sony unveiled a concept model of an upcoming 4K consumer camcorder. Sony had a mock-up of this 4K camcorder under glass in their booth at CES.

While Sony referred to this camera as a consumer model, it is clear from looking at it that the camera is at least a prosumer model in terms of available features – if not a low-end pro model.

Sony XAVC 4K Camcorder

Sony gave us nothing about the final feature set of what you’ll find inside this camera other than a 4K sensor; however, there are plenty of features that you can assume based on the form factor and external controls of the mockup.

Sony XAVC 4K Camcorder

The 4K concept camera features an XAVC badge, which is Sony’s new codec introduced last year. As Sony puts it, “the primary objective in adopting the XAVC format is to develop a family of professional production tools that can economically handle High-Frame-Rate (HFR) HD and 4K imaging formats.” The maximum capability of the XAVC codec allows for 4K video at 60p and 4:4:4 12-bit at 960Mbps bit rate. Of course, it’s likely a consumer-grade 4K camera would be substantially lower than the max that XAVC can deliver.

Sony XAVC 4K Camcorder

Your typical ND filter switch, dual XLR inputs and manual camcorder controls are all featured on this 4K mockup camera; however, the one thing I couldn’t get an answer on, nor could I figure out from looking at the camera, was the type recording media. There is no clear indication of where the removable media goes on this camera and Sony personnel on hand had no info on it either.

Sony XAVC 4K Camcorder

Sony XAVC 4K Camcorder

There were two bays on the rear of the camera that had to be the place where removable media is inserted; however, the bays were covered by doors. Looking along the side of the body, these bays were not big enough for SxS media, which was confirmed by a Sony rep who has seen what’s under the doors and told me that they don’t look like SxS slots. My best guess is that these are dual XQD card slots based on the size and speed requirements of XAVC 4K video capture.

Sony XAVC 4K Camcorder

Currently, S-Series XQD cards from Sony offer up to 168MB/s read/write speeds, which are as fast or faster than most of the SxS cards from Sony. These XQD cards can easily handle the on-board XAVC 4K capture from the new Sony F55 – although Sony uses SxS slots on it. Again, this isn’t official from Sony, so take it with a grain of salt until we learn more about the camera.

Sony XAVC 4K Camcorder

There’s really nothing left to say about the 4K consumer model. If something in the images jumps out at you, please drop a line in the comments below.

Sony XAVC 4K Camcorder

Hopefully, we’ll have more for you on Sony’s 4K offerings from NAB 2013 in April.

Filed Under: Sony Tagged With: 4k, camcorder, CES 2013, Sony, video camera

 

Comments

  1. Craig says

    January 10, 2013 at 7:12 am

    If this thing comes in below the $4K (US) price point it is mine. If in comes in below the $5K price point I will have to think about it a moment, then it will be mine.

    Also, I would be great if the lens aperture make a really big hole.

    Any idea until we know the price and the feature set?

  2. Craig Thomas says

    January 10, 2013 at 9:26 am

    Well from what im seeing it may be over the $4k price point, and you have to remember that XQD cards are expensive, if they implement it on this camera, cause this looked as if they just hurried it up in time for CES with some unfinished sections. Apart from the whole 4k resoluton thing for a prosumer camera, the buttons are pretty much standard from sony.

  3. Eugene Norval says

    January 11, 2013 at 12:39 am

    Hi Eric,
    I owned a NEX VR 10 CAMCORDER, which I want to Swap for a Sony Nex 7 .your opinion will be highly appreciated.
    Thanks.
    Eugene.

  4. Alberto Andrich says

    January 11, 2013 at 6:43 am

    As stated by Sony this camera will be a consumer model, this release points to some clues for the future of DSLR 4K video. If in the short or long term is hard to realize now, but my bet goes to 2014!

  5. Winston says

    January 12, 2013 at 8:01 am

    Maybe Microsoft, Intel and other hardware manufacturers are paying camera manufacturers to bring out these 4k cameras. I imagine the resources necessary to edit the 4k files may necessitate some sort of upgrade. Still, I look forward to high quality products at reasonable prices.

  6. patrick says

    January 14, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    Looks almost identical to my AX2000!. Currant JVC 4K uses 4 SD cards. Maybe there are 4 SD slots behind the door?

Trackbacks

  1. Sony på väg med 4K-kamera för konsument|TeknikGeek says:
    January 10, 2013 at 5:45 am

    […] http://www.photographybay.com […]

  2. Videocámara Sony Handycam 4K: vocación de consumo, pero en 4K – solo declaración de intenciones | fotochismes.com says:
    January 10, 2013 at 6:23 am

    […] en “1001noisycameras” y original en “Photography Bay” Tagged with: Pronósticos • Sony • […]

  3. Sony Announces 4K Camcorder At CES 2013 | sonyalpharumors says:
    January 11, 2013 at 2:21 am

    […] calls it a consumer model, but it definitely looks more like a prosumer piece of gear. The guys at photographybay had a close look on the 4K handycam, they write: The 4K concept camera features an XAVC badge, […]

  4. ?????? 4K ?? ???? ???? ?????????? « ???? says:
    January 12, 2013 at 7:05 am

    […] Photographybay.com ??? ????? ????? […]

Support Photography Bay


Recent Posts

  • Reader Photos Roundup: March 26, 2023
  • WD 22TB External USB 3.0 Hard Drive Now In Stock
  • Reader Photos Roundup: March 19, 2023
  • Computational Photography & AI: Where Do We Go From Here?
  • Reader Photos Roundup: January 15, 2023

Pages

  • 2022 Black Friday Camera and Photo Deals
  • About
  • Camera and Photo Deals Newsletter
  • Canon 1D X
  • Canon 1Ds Mark IV
  • Canon 5D Mark III
  • Canon Rebel T4i
  • Contact
  • Disclosures
  • DSLRs
  • How to Subscribe
  • Learn Photography
  • NAB 2016 Live Blog
  • Nikon D4
  • Nikon D800
  • Photography Laws
  • Recommended Cameras & Accessories
  • Reviews
  • Sony Alpha A77

Copyright © 2025 | Photography Bay