Sony PMW-EX1 XDCAM HD

XDCAM EX camcorder – Key Concepts and Camera comparisons (PDF)

The first camera in the XDCAM EX range, the Sony PMW-EX1 camcorder employs 3 x ½” CMOS sensors with 1920x1080 pixels capturing native 1920x1080i/P and and 1280x720P formats in 35Mbps (HQ mode), and 1440x1080 in 25mbps (SP mode). With sensors and data rates derived from the XDCAM HD range of camcorders, this is the first ‘Handycam’ style camcorder to carry the renowned CineAlta logo, more commonly associated with the high end Sony HDCAM camcorders such as the F23 and the F900R.

The first and perhaps, finest addition to the EX1 is the integrated lens. On previous Handycam models, the optics were provided by Zeiss, while the EX1 incorporates an impressive, Fujinon 14x zoom lens. It is the first camera of its kind to include 3 independent rings for controlling focus, zoom and iris, each of which is marked in the familiar standards that pro-camera operators have become accustomed to. Focus is marked in feet and meters, focal lengths in mm and iris in f-stops. To accommodate user’s still using auto-focus or focus assist, the lens offers two options when it comes to controlling focus. The focus ring can be moved back and forth to activate either fully manual focusing or alternatively an auto/manual assist focus mode. Iris control can also be toggled between manual and automatic. Another nice feature is the zoom rocker positioned on the hand grip. Used on pro B4 mount lenses, and similar in both in size and sensitivity, the rocker provides greater control for the operator.

The EX1 offers the undercranking/overcranking, under the alias of ‘slow and fast motion’, facility offered by the XDCAM HD F-350 camera although the EX1 offers 1fps to 60fps in one-frame increments in 720P, and 1fps to 30fps in 1080P. Images can then be played back on the camera at the relevant speed negating the need for any frame rate converters.

The ability to manipulate your images in the picture profile section of the camera has expanded from that of the Z1. The EX1 offers control of colour matrix, knee, advanced detail settings and black gamma - not available on the Z1 - as well as 8 preset gamma curves. For those wishing to push and maximise the dynamic range of the camera the EX1 includes the 4 hyper gamma curves employed by the higher end Cine Alta cameras, although the labelling order is different..

A further creative tool is a slow shutter function enabling capture of images in low light environments as well as offering a streaking/blurry effect when shooting moving subjects. The slow shutter is adjustable from 2 – 8 frames and 16, 32 and 64 frame accumulation periods

Another feature of the EX1, not seen before on the Handycam range is a BNC output offering switchable HDSDI/SDI for HD/down-converted monitoring or off board recording. It also offers analogue component outputs with the option of having letterboxing/squeeze/crop applied where desired.

The on board 16:9 3.5” LCD monitor swings out from beneath the on board stereo mic and is nearly 4 times the resolution of the LCD on the Z1. The LCD provides a stunning representation of images, coupled with the ‘expanded focus’ function, makes focusing even easier. It is a transmissive / reflective panel displaying clear viewing in direct sunlight. The viewfinder at the rear is switchable between colour and monochrome depending on the operator’s preference.

The ergonomics of the camera on the whole are well thought out. Switches are grouped together in a user friendly manner, particularly those on the lens. Users of previous handycam models will find the majority of the external switches and toggles familiar. The one downside to the shape of the camera is the handgrip on the side of the camera. Whilst being rotatable (up to 120 degrees) for user comfort it feels lopsided and throws the balance of the camera out, particularly over long handheld shots. To get around the issue, the shape of the camera allows for the second hand to be positioned underneath the camera for increased stability, although this may not be practical in certain applications. Alternatively the use of a hand grip/moose bar type attachment would eliminate the imbalance produced by the hand grip.

Due to the EX1 consuming more power than the Z1/V1 cameras, a new Lithium Ion battery system is used. The NPF range of batteries are not compatible with the EX1.

Battery running times:	Charging time (with BC-U1)
BPU-30 – 2 hours recording	130 minutes
BPU-60 – 4 hours recording	170 minutes

The recording media is the newly developed SxS flash memory card format. The SxS card is around half the size of a P2 card, Panasonic’s equivalent solid state memory card system. A mixture of 1920x1080, 1440x1080 and 1280x720 formats, in various frame rates can all be recorded onto the same card. All the advantages of flash recording are included in the EX1. Continuous recording between cards, instant turnover, silent operation, hot swapping cards, instant review, as well as recognizable features like interval recording (time lapse) and frame recording for animation work. Currently, SxS cards are available in 8GB and 16GB sizes, with the following record times;

Card size	35Mbps VBR (HQ Mode)	25Mbps CBR (SP Mode)
8GB	25 Mins	35 Mins
16GB	50 Mins	70 Mins

XDCAM EX clip browser software is supplied with the camera along with the necessary SxS device driver software. Both are compatible with PC and Mac platforms. Easy to use, the clip browser software allows you to manage copy and delete as well as perform format conversions and view the clips metadata.

Recordings are made as data files in the now widely used MP4 format. Most new Mac and PC computers now incorporate an ExpressCard/34 slot as standard, while those without can use either the camera or the US-10 SxS card reader and transfer footage over a USB 2.0 connection.

Invariably questions will be asked with regards to archiving issues, which remain unanswered for the time being. Therefore for the foreseeable future, the thought of existing tape/disc workflows becoming redundant seem unlikely. The PMW-EX1 camera is Sony’s very impressive first offering in the flash memory market, following the Panasonic P2 cameras in what potentially will become the new media for the industry.