World premieres first camcorder capable of digitally inscribing signatures onto video recordings
Sony has unveiled the PXW-Z300, a new XDCAM camcorder designed to cater to the demanding needs of newsgathering and production. This versatile device offers a host of features that make it a go-to choice for professionals.
The PXW-Z300 is equipped with triple 1/2-inch 4K Exmor R CMOS sensors and a BIONZ XR processor, providing superb colour reproduction, high sensitivity, and exceptional detail in 4K UHD video at up to 60p. This ensures lifelike images that are crucial for professional production.
One of the standout features of the PXW-Z300 is its 17x optical zoom lens with a constant maximum aperture of F1.9. This versatile lens covers a range of 30.3-515mm (35mm equivalent) and offers low-light shooting and creative depth of field across the zoom range. It can be digitally extended for additional magnification in both 4K and Full HD.
The camcorder also boasts an innovative content authenticity recording feature, making it the world’s first to support recording of authenticity information in video. This digital signature facility provides trusted verification of footage, essential for news organizations to ensure content integrity.
In addition, the PXW-Z300 features an electronic variable neutral density filter that can be adjusted smoothly from 1/4 to 1/128 strength, offering precise exposure control in changing lighting conditions.
The PXW-Z300 also incorporates advanced AI-powered subject recognition autofocus, ensuring precise and reliable autofocus on subjects, enhancing operator confidence during dynamic shooting scenarios typical in news and documentary production.
Professional audio and recording formats are also supported, including MPEG HD422, XAVC Intra (4:2:2 10-bit), XAVC Long, and proxy MP4 formats. This versatility aids direct integration into broadcast workflows.
The camcorder also offers picture cache recording, buffering video before recording officially starts, ensuring operators capture critical moments even if they start recording slightly late.
Advanced networking features allow for efficient live streaming, file transfer, and remote control, enhancing field reporting and live production flexibility. The PXW-Z300 supports common streaming protocols including RTMP/RTMPS and SRT.
The PXW-Z300 is ergonomically designed, featuring three independent manual rings on the lens, making it suitable for a wide range of production styles, including news, sports, corporate, documentary, and live events.
The camcorder also supports 5G production workflows and cloud technologies, allowing for secure attachment of smartphones or data transmitters with a Side V-mount. Utilizing cloud services such as Ci Media Cloud, the PXW-Z300 enhances collaboration across production workflows and live streaming with multiple cameras.
The PXW-Z300 can transfer clips in chunk format during shooting, and it also supports up to four channels of audio recording, including shotgun microphones and Sony's UWP-series of wireless microphones. Future support will provide proxy 4-channel audio recording.
In summary, the Sony PXW-Z300 combines exceptional image quality, robust zoom and aperture control, innovative content authenticity recording, AI autofocus, and professional audio/recording options with versatile connectivity and ergonomic handling. These features make it highly suitable for rigorous and trustworthy newsgathering and diverse production demands.
The PXW-Z300 not only excels in professional newsgathering and production with its advanced features, but it also extends its versatility to cater to the needs of modern technology, such as the ability to securely attach smartphones or data transmitters with a Side V-mount for 5G production workflows and cloud technologies.
Moreover, the PXW-Z300's innovation in content authenticity recording, combined with its AI-powered subject recognition autofocus, makes it the world's first camcorder to offer a digital signature facility and precise autofocus, which are crucial for both the professional production and smartphone technology landscape.
