The new Sony PMW-F3 camcorder is another step in the democratization of cinematography—a 35mm format digital camcorder that is lighter, smaller, faster, cheaper. Unveiled as an “affordable 35” prototype at NAB, it is shipping around the end of January 2011–with film students and indepenents in mind. But its appeal is greater. The body weighs a meager 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg)…. read more…

Sony’s new PMW-F3 is Sony’s third 35mm Cinealta Digital Camcorder and is based on the XDCAM EX platform. Specs of the F35 and SRW-9000PL still exceed the F3, we’re told, but this camera is no slouch, and footage shot with all 3 cameras should intercut. The F3, above all, is still a handheld camcorder. It doesn’t sit on your shoulder…. read more…

No Baloney. Sony took the wraps off their new F3 Camera today in the heady atmosphere on the 35th floor of their New York Madison Avenue headquarters. Here’s another game-changer. As the Sony signs said at IBC,”It’s a 35mm world.” This was the camera shown as a prototype under glass at NAB and IBC, labelled “Affordable 35mm Camera”. “Affordable” was an… read more…

Is it magic or a mystery? Sony teased us with this stealth picture, hinting at an “indie” price and promising to reveal all very soon. Is that a 65mm Master Prime sticking out the front? The body, under wraps, doesn’t look much bigger than the lens–leading us to believe it’s a new Sony digital motion picture camera with 35mm format… read more…

The Sony F35 Camera is being upgraded this summer with selectable EI from 640 to 1000. Sony also plans real time 12-bit RGB later this year with its next-generation HDCAM-SR recording technology. That includes real-time 2K (2048×1080). And look for on-board solid state recording and 1 TB memory cards. This news came in after going to press with our Cine… read more…

No, that’s not a misprint: 1 Terabyte Memory Card capable of 4K production. I almost fell out of my chair halfway through Sony’s pre-NAB presentation last week. Although accompanied by the disclaimer “Future Technology Demonstration,” this was a pivotal moment. Imagine a solid state memory card about the size of a Hershey Bar, with storage capacity up to 1 Terabyte, RAID… read more…

Here’s additional information as a follow-up to Seth’s article on the Sony Roadmap, from Sony: PARK RIDGE, N.J., Dec. 9, 2009 – Sony Electronics is unveiling the next generation of its HDCAM SR™ production technology, with new products and planned upgrades ranging from acquisition and storage to archive and production efficiency. The announcements include the new SRW-9000 HDCAM SR camcorder,… read more…