Sony announces the new 4K compact Super35 PXW-FS5 professional camcorder, enabling ultimate handheld shooting and complete creative control to a wider audience.

Amsterdam, September 11th 2015: Sony has today announced the PXW-FS5, the latest addition to its rugged range of professional camcorders with superior creative features and flexible shooting. The versatile “grab and shoot” style PXW-FS5 provides unsurpassed on-the-go shooting in the most demanding of conditions, with stunning image choices and creative features. Complementing the successful PXW-FS7, this compact camcorder delivers high quality imagery suitable for a range of professional applications from event videography to corporate and online video production.

The PXW-FS5 is ergonomically designed with the user in mind; the 0.8kg lightweight body has excellent weight balance ensuring reliability and all-day comfortable handheld shooting, for almost any location, even airborne mounted on a drone. Ease of use for a variety of shooting applications is possible with the one-touch rotatable grip; all of the key controls are at the user’s fingertips allowing for ultimate shooting flexibility and instant switch between low or high angle shooting. In response to users demand for more ergonomic flexibility, the 3.5-inch type LCD panel can be attached to different positions on the handle or the compact camera body, further supporting easy handheld operation and offering customisable shooting.

Superb creative expression is visible through the inclusion of 4K XAVC high-definition shooting, with the Super35 Exmor™ CMOS sensor incorporating 11.6 million pixels and 8.3 million effective pixels, capturing detail and image texture that even HD sensors cannot see. The high sensitivity and large size of the sensor delivers background defocus, increased low-light sensitivity and lower image noise coupled with stunning picture quality. High quality imagery is further ensured by High Frame Rate cache recording at 10bit 4:2:2 Full HD and an incredibly high frame rate of up to 240fps, in 8 second bursts, which makes 1/10 times Super Slow Motion possible without sacrificing bit depth or loss of image quality.

The PXW-FS5 is the world’s first* Super35mm camcorder to feature built-in electronic variable ND filters, further expanding the depth of field representation by the large-format sensor and enabling flexible exposure control, encouraging the user to reach their full creative potential. Professionals can push their work to the next level with a high-end cinematography feel to footage, coupled with the mobile feel of the camcorder. Get the exact shot needed for a project, even in difficult shooting locations; as the compact power zoom E lens PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS( SELP18105G), provided in the PXW-FS5K kit model, enables zoom operation with one hand.

Integrating easily with other camera lenses, α Mount System offers unsurpassed compatibility with both Sony and third-party lenses. The PXW-FS5’s E-mount can take virtually any lenses, such as SLR lenses via an adaptor, as well as Sony’s E-mount and A-mount lenses; ensuring the camcorder adapts to multiple environments. Sony’s α Mount System and its enhanced interfaces include 3G-SDI, HDMI output and SD dual card slots. Also equipped with Wi-Fi and a Wired LAN terminal, the PXW-FS5 features enhanced network functions such as file transfer and streaming transmission. Furthermore, the future firmware update will provide RAW output.

“Last year we launched the PXW-FS7 at IBC, which changed the way broadcast programmes and documentaries were made. With that in mind and building on the success of the PXW-FS7, we’re introducing a lighter more compact camcorder, the PXW-FS5,” said Claus Pfeifer, Strategic Marketing Manager at Sony Professional Solutions Europe. “The PXW-FS5 presents unrivalled flexibility coupled with complete creative control, equipping professionals with all the tools needed to exceed any brief. It stands apart in the current market as a comfortable handheld, lightweight camera, which at the same time delivers high quality imagery for content creation spanning; cinematic wedding videography, corporate footage, online and event videography. Professionals have all the practical and creative functionality at their disposal, leaving them without any limits to realise their full potential.”

*As a Super35mm camcorder with integrated electronic variable ND filter, based on Sony research.

Key features of the PXW-FS5

• Flexible handheld shooting with a compact 0.8kg lightweight body

The lightweight body with excellent weight balance ensures comfortable handheld shooting as well as an easy fit with a drone or gimbal. The one-touch rotatable grip enables instant switching between low or high angle shooting. Shooting parameters can be changed with one hand even during recording thanks to the multi-functional grip. In the same way the zoom can be operated with a single hand. The detachable handle, one-touch rotatable grip and flexible LCD panel support various shooting styles.

• Creative expressive performance, including 4K shooting and 240fps high-speed shooting

The camcorder is equipped with an 11.6million pixel Super35 Exmor™ CMOS Sensor, enabling 4K XAVC long GoP high-definition video shooting. It is the world’s first Super35mm camcorder with a built-in electronic variable ND filter, supporting linear control from 1/4ND to 1/128ND and further expanding the depth of field representation. 1/10 times Super Slow Motion reproduction is possible thanks to the 10bit 4:2:2 full HD 240fps High Frame Rate, with no sensor cropping. Low light capabilities and background defocus are heightened by the high sensitivity and large sensor size. On top of this, the 14 stops of latitude in exposure deliver strong grayscale rendition without crushing shadows or blowing out light details.

• Variety of shooting applications and rich network functions

The camcorder is equipped with enhanced interfaces including 3G-SDI, 4K HDMI output, MI shoe, SD Dual card slots, Wi-Fi and wired LAN terminal, supporting various system configurations. The Clear Image Zoom allows users to zoom in at up to 2x, even with a fixed focal length lens.

Find out more about the PXW-FS5 here.