PMW-EX3 1/2" Full HD XDCAM SONY
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Sony PMW-EX3 |
The
PMW-EX3 compact camcorder with an interchangeable lens system
incorporates three ½-inch type Exmor™ Full HD CMOS sensors, each
with an effective pixel count of 1920 x 1080, delivering
stunning-quality HD images in 1080P, 720P, and 1080i HD resolutions.
A rich variety of features for creative shooting are incorporated
into this camcorder such as “Slow & Quick Motion”, which is
also commonly known as “over-cranking” and “under-cranking”,
selectable gamma curves, slow-shutter, interval recording and Picture
Profile™ feature. Additionally, the PMW-EX3 offers a convenient
remote-control and multi-camera operation capability, which allows
use with high-end camera systems.
Cutting-edge Camera Technology
1/2-inch
type Three “Exmor” Full HD CMOS Sensors
The
XDCAM EX camcorders are equipped with three newly developed 1/2-inch
type “Exmor” CMOS Sensors, each with an effective pixel count of
1920 (H) x 1080 (V),which delivers excellent picture performance with
full HD resolution. This 1/2-inch type image sensor, with Sony's
accumulated sensor technologies, allows the camcorder to provide an
excellent sensitivity of F10, a remarkable signal-to-noise ratio of
54 dB, and high horizontal resolution of 1000 TV lines*.

*In
HD-SDI, HQ 1080 mode
Lens
Choices
Interchangeable
Lens System
The
PMW-EX3 camcorder incorporates a newly developed 1/2-inch type “EX
mount” interchangeable lens system that allows the lens to be as
compact and lightweight as possible while maintaining its high
optical performance. If a wide-angle lens is needed, the Fujinon
1/2-inch type XS8X4AS-XB8,which also has an EX mount, is available.
This mount system allows a variety of 1/2-inch type HD lenses
available from major manufacturers to be used with the PMW-EX3
camcorder via the supplied lens adaptor, expanding the spectrum of
creative expressions.*

*This
1/2-inch type lens adaptor supplied with the PMW-EX3 camcorder is
equipped with the hot shoe lens mount connector only. Automatic lens
iris control can work only with a lens with hot shoe connectors. Some
lens functions are not supported by the PMW-EX3. For more details,
please contact each lens manufacturer.
**In this configuration,
the resulting focal length will be 1.38 times the actual focal length
of the lens.
***When using 2/3-inch type lenses with the PMW-EX3
camcorder, the Fujinon ACM-21 lens mount adaptor must be
used.
Supplied
Wide-angle Fujinon 14x Zoom Lens
The
XDCAM EX camcorders are equipped with a high-quality, high-definition
Fujinon 14x zoom lens specifically designed for the XDCAM EX
camcorder to offer optimum picture performance and unprecedented
functionality. It offers a wide angle of view of 5.8 mm (equivalent
to 31.4 mm on a 35 mm lens), and many convenient features for diverse
shooting situations.
Unique Focus Operation
Creative Recording Modes and Settings
23.98P
Native Recording
The
XDCAM EX camcorders, a member of Sony's legendary CineAlta family,
offer the native 23.98P* recording capability on its handy body. This
feature, accompanied with other creative features makes the camcorder
ideal for cinema production.
*On
the XDCAM EX camcorder, in 1440 x 1080/23.98P mode, images are
handled as 23.98P and recorded as 59.94i signals via 2-3
pull-down.
Slow
& Quick Motion Function
The
XDCAM EX camcorders offer a powerful Slow & Quick Motion function
– commonly known as over-cranking and under-cranking by filmmakers
– that enables users to create unique 'looks' or slow- and
fast-motion special effects. The XDCAM EX camcorders can capture
images at frame rates selectable from 1 fps (frame per second) to 60
fps in 720P mode and from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080P mode, in
increments of 1 fps.
For
example,when viewed at 23.98P, images captured at 60 fps will appear
2.5 times slower than normal. Conversely, images captured at four fps
will appear six times faster than normal.
With
the Slow & Quick Motion function of this camcorder, images are
recorded natively with no padded frames and at full resolution. The
obtained quality of the slow- and fast-motion images is extremely
high from those created in the editing process.
In
addition, these slow- and quick-motion images can be played back
immediately after shooting, without using any converters or
processing on nonlinear editing systems.

Slow Shutter Function
The
XDCAM EX camcorders offer a Slow Shutter function for capturing clear
images in low-light environments. The Slow Shutter function not only
increases camera sensitivity but also produces a special blurring
effect when shooting a moving object, for enhanced shooting
creativity. The shutter speed is selectable from 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-,
7-, 8-, 16-, 32-, and 64- frame accumulation periods.
Selectable
Gamma Curves
The
XDCAM EX camcorders offer a wide variety of gamma curves to flexibly
handle contrast, and give a specific 'look' to an image. In addition
to four types of standard gamma curves, the XDCAM EX camcorders
provide four types of CINE Gamma (CINE 1, 2, 3, and 4),which are
identical to those on high-end CineAlta camcorders. Operators can
select the best-suited preset gamma curve depending on scenes.
CINE
Gamma Curves

Interval
Recording Function
The
XDCAM EX camcorders offer an Interval Recording function that records
one frame at pre-determined intervals. This is convenient for
shooting over long periods of time, and also when creating special
effects of extremely quick motion.
Frame
Recording Function
Frame
Recording is a unique feature of the XDCAM EX camcorders that is
especially useful for clay animation shooting. Using this function,
images for pre-determined frames are recorded every time the Record
button is pressed.
Shutter
Angle Settings
In
addition to traditional electronic shutter speed controls adjustable
in fractions of a second, the XDCAM EX camcorders also have a
“shutter angle” control – which is familiar to filmmakers. By
setting the shutter adjustment mode to “angle”, the XDCAM EX
camcorders automatically set the proper exposure time, based on the
selected frame rate and shutter angle.

Operational Versatility
Picture
Profile Feature
The
Picture Profile feature of the XDCAM EX camcorders allow camera
operators to easily call up customized picture-tonal settings to suit
particular shooting conditions, rather than having to readjust the
camera each time – giving users greater operational efficiency. Up
to six different picture-tonal settings such as the parameters of
matrix, color correction, detail, gamma, and knee can be saved in the
memory. These settings are displayed on the LCD monitor at the touch
of a button.
Shot
Transition function
The
Shot Transition™ function of the XDCAM EX camcorders, with a simple
push of a button, allows for smooth, precise and repeatable automatic
scene transitions to occur. The operator can program the duration and
select from three transition profiles: Linear, Soft Stop, or Soft
Transition. Many lens parameter such as the start and end settings
for zoom, focus, and/or camera parameters such as white balance and
gain can be programmed to transition in unison. It works by
automatically calculating the intermediate values during the scene
transition. The Shot Transition function can be triggered manually or
synchronized with the camera's REC start function. The transition
progress can be checked on a bar graph on the LCD monitor. In
addition, a start timer function is also available for the Shot
Transition function, helping to prevent operators from missing a
shot. This function is very useful when precise, simple or complex
changes to the lens or camera settings are required during the scene
– for example,when changing the focus from the background to the
foreground of a scene.
A
— 3.5-inch* Color LCD Screen
The
XDCAM EX camcorders are equipped with a newly developed, large,
easy-to-view, color LCD screen with a high resolution of 1920 x 480
pixels. The LCD screen of the XDCAM EX camcorders can be flexibly
rotated for accessible viewing from any shooting angle. The ease of
focusing offered by this high resolution panel, location and
adjustability permits using it as a viewfinder or camera assistant
operator panel. It can also be used to instantly review recorded
footage, as well as access the camera's set-up menus and view
thumbnails, display status indications such as audio meters,
depth-of-field indicators, remaining memory capacity and battery
time. What's more, the use of the hybrid LCD screen - which comprises
transmissive and reflective panels - offers clear viewing in both
studio and “full sun” field shooting conditions.
*Viewable
area measured diagonally.
B — Four
Assignable Buttons
Frequently
used functions can be programmed onto four assignable buttons on the
XDCAM EX camcorders, allowing operators to make rapid changes when
working in the field. These can be functions such as ATW, Freeze Mix,
Rec Review, Expanded Focus, Depth-of-field indicator, and
more.
C — On-handle
Zoom Switch and REC Start/Stop Button
In
order to facilitate zoom control and recording operation during
low-angle shooting, an additional zoom switch and record start/stop
button are located on the carrying handle of the XDCAM EX
camcorders.
E — Rotary
Grip
The
hand grip of the XDCAM EX camcorders can rotate approximately 120
degrees,which allows camera operators to flexibly adjust the angle of
the grip. This gives users greater control and comfort when holding
the camera from any shooting position.
F — Built-in
Stereo Microphone and Two-channel Audio Input
The
XDCAM EX camcorders come equipped with a built-in stereo microphone
and two XLR audio input connectors for connecting professional
microphones or feeding an external-line audio source. These allow
high-quality, two-channel 16-bit, 48-kHz linear PCM uncompressed
audio to be recorded on the XDCAM EX camcorder.
Wide
Array of Interfaces
The
XDCAM EX camcorders come equipped with a wide range of interfaces
optimized for a variety of operational needs, wide interoperability
and flexible workflow. These include an HD-SDI output, down-converted
SD-SDI output, i.LINK (HDV) input/output, and analog composite/
component output. Additionally, the PMW-EX3 camcorder is equipped
with the Timecode input/output and Genlock input, allowing the
camcorder to be used in the multi-camera system.

The
PMW-EX3 camcorder comes equipped with a remote control interface.
Various camera settings can be remotely controlled using an optional
RM-B150 or RM-B750 Remote Control Unit via its 8-pin remote
connector.*
*Some
controls on the RM-B150/B750 are not supported by the PMW-EX3
camcorder.
Adjustable
Shoulder Pad and Cheek Pad
The
position of the shoulder pad of the PMW-EX3 camcorder can be selected
from two positions. In addition, the PMW-EX3 camcorder is supplied
with a detachable cheek pad. Operators can always attain a
comfortable and well-balanced camera position, even when the
camcorder is docked with long lenses.
Other
Features
- ATW (Auto Tracing White Balance)
- Built-in ND filter wheel: OFF: Clear, 1: 1/8ND, 2: 1/64ND
- Selectable gain: -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 dB
- High-speed picture search: x4, x15
- Freeze Mix function
- Skin-tone Detail control
- Low-key saturation
- IR Remote Commander™ unit
Unique Focus Operation – Professional Manual Focus and Auto Focus
The lens adopts a newly developed and unique focus ring mechanism,which offers two types of manual focus, plus an auto focus operation. The lens is equipped with two independent focus wheel mechanisms,which can be switched by sliding the focus ring itself back and forth. When the focus ring is in the front position, the lens works in the same way as a typical auto focus lens on a handheld camcorder. In this case, either manual or auto focus mode can be selected by the AF/MF switch on the lens. On the other hand,when the focus ring is set to the back position, the lens has an absolute focus position, and works in the same way as interchangeable-lens,which professional users are familiar with.

Three Independent Rings
In addition to the unique focus ring, the lens is equipped with independent rings for zoom and iris adjustment; all have physical stops and absolute markings permitting precise adjustments. The location, rotational range and feel are identical to other manual high-end HD lenses. This gives users a high level of familiarity and operational comfort.

Optical Image Stabilizer
To minimize the blurring effect caused by hand-shake, the lens incorporates an optical image stabilizer function that provides highly stable images.
AF Assist
The AF (Auto Focus) Assist function of the XDCAM EX camcorders enables operators to manually change focus positions using the focus ring during AF mode. This means that AF reference focus positions can be positively shifted manually to a new position.
MF Assist
The MF (Manual Focus) Assist function of the XDCAM EX camcorders helps to precisely focus on the target subject when shooting in MF mode. When the MF Assist is enabled, the auto focus is momentarily activated when the user stops adjusting the focus ring. The camera will then finely focus on the subject closest to the focal point of the lens at that time.
Expanded Focus
At the touch of a button, the center of the screen on the LCD monitor and viewfinder of the XDCAM EX camcorders can be magnified to about twice the size,making it easier to confirm focus settings during manual focusing.
Selectable Peaking
The Peaking function of the XDCAM EX camcorders can help operators to quickly and accurately adjust the camera's focus by altering the way pictures are displayed on the LCD monitor and viewfinder. It can enhance the outline of the image which the camera focuses on most, and changes its color to make it stand out. Enhance levels can be selected from a choice of “HIGH”,“MIDDLE”, and “LOW”, and the outline color from “RED”,“WHITE”,“YELLOW”, and “BLUE”
Registered Trademarks of Sony Corporation
Registered Trademarks of Sony Corporation