Overview:
A New Era of Super 35mm Digital Production
The SONY PMW-F3 is part of the CineAlta 24P family of digital
cinematography products and its support for multiple frame rates includes a
filmic 23.98P as well as S-Log workflows.
- Sony's Exmor™ Super35 CMOS sensor was designed with the
benefit of two decades experience in Digital Cinematography, pioneering digital
HD acquisition for feature films and broadcast TV through the legendary
CineAlta product range. It brings a true 'film look' and superior image quality
into reach for independent movies, pop promos, commercials and other
applications, as well as making the PMW-F3L an ideal B-camera for high-end
feature film production.
- The PMW-F3L is supplied with an industry standard PL Mount
adaptor, providing compatibility with industry standard 35mm lenses. (Also
available is the PMW-F3K with three 35mm lenses.)
- Exceptional flexibility is a key feature of the F3 along
with multiple workflow options. XDCAM EX's proven high-speed, intuitive
workflow offers seamless integration with leading nonlinear editing software -
as standard. In addition, a 10bit 4:2:2 HD-SDI output opens up hybrid recording
possibilities with a variety of external recording devices. And from April
2011, a Dual Link HD-SDI option will enable 10bit RGB uncompressed signal
output - ideal for the high-end film production.
Features:
Exmor™ Super35 CMOS image sensor
- The PMW-F3L is equipped with a Super 35mm sensor which is
the same size as Super 35mm film and has been specifically developed for
digital cinematography. Its positioning within the chassis is exactly the same
as it would be within a 35mm film camera – ensuring exactly the same optical
performance with the unrivalled range of 35mm Cine lenses.
In addition, Sony's advanced accumulated sensor technologies
provide an excellent sensitivity of F11 (ISO 800)* and a remarkable
signal-to-noise ratio of just 63 dB*. Unique Exmor™ sensor offers exceptional
noise reduction and greatly reduces power consumption.
*All measured at 1080/59.94i and typical value.
PL Mount Adapter for compatibility with 35mm Cine Lenses
- The PMW-F3L is supplied with a PL Mount Adapter to provide
immediate compatibility with the huge range of filmic 35mm lenses, including
prime, digital cinematography and even still lenses. There are also hot shoe
electric interfaces for Cooke/i and ARRI LDS.
Sony F3 Original Mount for Zoom Lens
- Sony plans to introduce a range of zoom lenses directly
compatible with the F3 mount. More details will be revealed shortly. Zoom lens
compatibility expands the operational flexibility of the F3 so it can be used
for almost any application.
23.98P Native Recording
- The PMW-F3L camcorder is the first compact camcorder to be a
member of the legendary Sony CineAlta™ family. It offers native 23.98P*
recording which, in combination with advanced creative features such as
selectable gamma curves, makes this camcorder ideal for cinema production.*In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode, images are handled as
23.98P and recorded as 59.94i signals through means of 2-3 pull-down.
Slow
- The PMW-F3L offers a powerful 'Slow
1920 x 1080 HD recording using the "MPEG-2 Long
GOP" Codec
- The PMW-F3L camcorder records 1920 x 1080 HD images using
the 'MPEG-2 Long GOP' codec, which conforms to the MPEG-2 MP@HL compression
standard. 'MPEG-2 Long GOP' is a mature codec - also adopted by the XDCAM HD
and HDV 1080i series of products - which enables users to record stunning
quality HD footage with highly efficient, reliable data compression.
Selectable Bit Rates
- The PMW-F3L camcorder offers a choice of bit rates - either
35 Mb/s (HQ mode) or 25 Mb/s (SP mode) - depending on the desired picture quality
and recording time. The HQ mode supports both 1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720
resolutions. The SP mode supports 1440 x 1080 resolution at 25 Mb/s, which
provides compatibility with HDV 1080i products.
Multiple-format recording - 1080/720 and Interlace/Progressive
switchable operation
- The PMW-F3L camcorder offers a wide array of recording
formats for multiple content creation applications. Scanning mode is switchable
between 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, and 1440 x 1080 resolutions. Frame rate is
also selectable from interlace and progressive - 59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P, and
native 23.98P*.
- In addition, 59.94P and 50P progressive recording is
available in 1280 x 720 mode. The SxS memory card can simultaneously hold
multiple files of any of these recording formats, allowing for flexible use of
the memory card.
*In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode, images are handled as
23.98P and recorded as 59.94i signals through means of 2-3 pull-down.
Slow Shutter Function
- The PMW-F3L camcorder offers a 'Slow Shutter function' for
capturing clear images in low-light environments. This allows the shutter speed
to be extended to a maximum of 8 frames. 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- and 8-frame periods.
High-quality uncompressed audio recording
- In addition to HD recording, high-quality audio is an
equally significant feature in the XDCAM EX system. The PMW-F3L camcorder
records and plays back high-quality, two-channel 16-bit, 48-kHz linear PCM
uncompressed audio.
Exceptional workflow flexibility
- The PMW-F3L uses XDCAM EX's proven high-speed, intuitive
workflow and offers seamless integration with leading nonlinear editing
software. In addition, 10bit 4:2:2 HD-SDI output opens up hybrid recording
possibilities with content simultaneously recorded on internal memory and, in
uncompressed form, on a variety of external recording devices.
- From April 2011, a Dual Link HD-SDI option will enable 10bit
RGB 23.98/25/29.97PsF or 10 bit 4:2:2 108050P/59.94P uncompressed external
recording – ideal for integration with highest quality production workflows
such as HDCAM SR. The PMW-F3L also supports selectable Gamma, four levels of
HyperGamma and S-Log for a wide range of shooting conditions from standard to
wide latitude. The PMW-F3L can simultaneously record LUT (Look Up Table)
information onto the internal media for additional workflow flexibility.
- 3G-SDI is available for 10bit RGB 1080 23.98/25/29.97PsF or
10bit 4:2:2 1080 50/59.94P output.
SxS Memory Cards combine high transfer speeds and high
reliability
- Both SxS PRO™ and SxS-1A™* memory cards use the PCI Express
interface to achieve an extremely high data-transfer speed of 800 Mbps -
1.2Gbps, and can resist considerable shock (1500 G) and vibration (15 G). Also,
a unique 'Salvage function' serves to restore content damaged by power loss or
memory disconnection during recording.
Long Recording Time
- Utilising a mature and highly efficient compression format
together with high performance SxS memory cards, the PMW-F3L can record superb
quality HD images for an exceptional 140 minutes* on a single 32Gb update SxS
card. As the PMW-F3L features two memory card slots, this recording time is
easily doubled to 280 minutes (with two 32Gb cards) and when recording across
two cards, the transition is seamless without any frame loss.
*When recording in HQ (35 Mb/s) mode, recording time may be
more than the above specified figure depending on the actual bit rate that is
adopted during VBR encoding.
IT Friendly
- The PMW-F3L is part of Sony's highly successful XDCAM EX
product family which supports a high speed nonlinear workflow. With XDCAM EX,
recordings are made as data files in the 'MP4' format, which is widely used in
a number of recent electronic portable devices and has been standardised by
ISO.
- File-based recording allows material to be handled with
great flexibility in an IT-based environment - easily available for copying,
transferring, sharing, and archiving. All these operations are accomplished
without any 'digitising' process required.
- File-based data copying allows for degradation-free dubbing
of footage, which can be performed easily on a PC. The file-based recording
system also allows for material to be viewed directly on a PC - simply by
inserting the SxS memory card into the ExpressCard slot on a PC or Mac, or by
linking a PC/Mac to the XDCAM EX unit via a USB2 connection. This works in just
the same way as a PC reading files on an external drive. The file-based
operation can dramatically improve the efficiency and quality of your workflow.
Immediate recording start and no overwriting footage
- By virtue of recording on flash memory card, the PMW-F3L can
start recording virtually the instant the camcorder is turned on. Moreover, the
PMW-F3L automatically records on an empty area of the card - there's no danger
of overwriting existing content.
- This is extremely convenient, as camera operators do not
have to worry about accidentally recording over good takes, and they don't have
to search through footage for the correct position to start the next recording.
In short, it means the camera is always ready for the next shot!
Instant-access thumbnail search with 'Expand' function
- Each time a recording is started and stopped on the PMW-F3L
camcorder, the content is recorded as a single clip. During playback, users can
cue-up to the next or previous clip simply by pressing the 'Next' or 'Previous'
button, as you would do on a CD or DVD player.
- Furthermore, thumbnails are automatically generated for each
clip as a visual reference, allowing operators to cue-up to a desired scene
simply by guiding the cursor to a thumbnail and pressing the 'Play' button.
- The 'Expand' function allows one selected clip in the
thumbnail display to be divided into 12 even-time intervals, each with their
own thumbnail identifier. This is useful if you want to quickly search for a
particular scene within a lengthy clip.
3.5-inch* Hybrid Colour LCD Screen / Viewfinder as per EX1R
- The PMW-F3L is equipped with a newly developed,
easy-to-view, colour LCD screen with a high resolution of 1920 x 480 pixels.
The LCD screen is located in an easy viewing position on the side of the
camera.
- The LCD Screen can also be used to instantly review recorded
footage, as well as to access the camera's set-up menus and view thumbnail
display status indications such as audio meters, depth-of-field indicators, and
the remaining memory and battery time. What's more, the Hybrid LCD screen -
which comprises transmissive and reflective panels - offers clear viewing even
in bright sunlight.*Viewable area measured diagonally.
Genlock and Timecode Interfaces
- The PMW-F3L includes genlock and timecode interfaces, making
it ideal for multi-camera operation and entry level HD studio use. 3D System Link Option*
- Using this option you can easily synchronise timecode,
genlock and control functionality with a single cable, locking together left
and right cameras to simplify 3D acquisition. *Available from April 2011.
Remote Control Capability
- The PMW-F3L offers professional remote control of various
camera features via standard Sony 8-pin control interface. This allows use of
Sony optional RM-B150 and RM-B750 remote control units offering increased
flexibility for studio/location use.
Compact Design
- The PMW-F3L has a chassis built around its Super 35mm CMOS
sensor. Its lightweight, compact design provides exceptional flexibility when
shooting, particularly as a B-camera. It also offers a 'best of both worlds'
combination of compatibility with 35mm lenses via a PL Mount adaptor, plus
support for a huge range of other Sony and third-party digital cinematography
accessories.
Low power consumption
- Sony's chip design expertise means the PMW-F3L operates with
exceptional efficiency with an average power consumption of 24W. This makes the
camera more reliable, extends its battery operating time and is also
environmentally conscious. With the optional BP-U60 battery attached, the
PMW-F3L can record continuously for just under three hours (with dual-link
option off).
Wide array of interfaces
- The PMW-F3L camcorder comes equipped with a wide range of
interfaces optimised for a variety of operational needs. These include dual
HD-SDI output, down-converted SD-SDI output, i.LINK (HDV) input/output, USB2
and analogue composite output.
Additional Information
- Only SxS memory cards are guaranteed for use with the
PMW-F3L XDCAM EX cmcorder. USB based memory cards cannot be used with the XDCAM
EX range. USB based memory cards might work with the XDCAM EX range in some
cases, but Sony does not guarantee that all the functions will operate. The
performance of USB based memory cards can vary.
What's in the Box?
- Sony PMW-F3L Super 35mm XDCAM EX Full-HD Compact Camcorder
with S-Log Gamma
- PL Lens Mount Adapter
- IR Remote
- Shoulder Strap
- Microphone with Windscreen
- CD-ROM
- 1 Year Limited Warranty
Panel Features:
Specifications: