Sony unveils PXW-Z300, a top-tier camcorder, designed for swift ENG and documentary productions
The Sony PXW-Z300 camcorder is set to revolutionise the world of documentary and news shooting, offering an impressive array of features tailored for professionals in the field. Scheduled for release later this year, the PXW-Z300 boasts superior image quality, operational flexibility, and advanced AI and connectivity capabilities, making it an ideal choice for demanding news, documentary, and event producers.
At the heart of the PXW-Z300 lies a powerful combination of three 1/2-inch back-illuminated 4K Exmor R CMOS sensors and Sony's latest BIONZ XR image processing engine, coupled with a dedicated AI-processing unit. This setup delivers exceptional colour fidelity, low-light performance, and supports 4K recording at up to 60p, ensuring clear, high-quality footage even in fast-paced and variable lighting conditions typical in news and documentaries.
Equipped with a 17x optical zoom lens featuring a constant wide aperture of F1.9, the PXW-Z300 offers versatile shooting capability in diverse environments, from tight indoor spaces to long-distance outdoor shots. It also supports a digital extender for additional zoom (1.5x in 4K mode and up to 4x in HD) with minimal quality loss.
The PXW-Z300 incorporates advanced AI-driven subject recognition, capable of detecting faces, eyes, skeletal structure, and posture. This allows the camcorder to maintain autofocus even on subjects who are turned away or wearing masks. An auto-framing function dynamically adjusts composition to keep subjects centred, which is highly beneficial for unpredictable and dynamic scenarios in news and documentary shoots.
The PXW-Z300 also features an electronic variable ND filter smoothly adjustable from 1/4 to 1/128 transmission, enabling operators to adapt to rapidly changing light conditions without stopping the recording. Optical image stabilization supports steady handheld shooting in variable environments.
In terms of operational flexibility and ergonomics, the camcorder includes three independent manual control rings for focus, zoom, and iris control, providing traditional tactile operation preferred by many professionals. A new 3.5-inch high-brightness LCD monitor with approximately 2.76 million dots offers excellent visibility even outdoors. The monitor has a flexible three-axis arm allowing positioning for various shooting styles, such as shoulder-mounted or waist-level shooting.
The PXW-Z300 supports enhanced network features with integration for 5G and cloud workflows, facilitating live streaming and efficient file transfer directly from shooting locations. It is also the world’s first camcorder to embed digital signatures into video files compliant with the C2PA standard, ensuring content authenticity—an important consideration for trustworthy news and documentary production.
The PXW-Z300 provides a side V-Mount for attaching accessories such as a PDF-FP1 transmitter, great for streaming and uploading on the spot. It also offers both Ethernet and WiFi connections for direct card-to-FTP or cloud transfer.
Storage for the PXW-Z300 is handled by dual CRExpress and SDXC UHS-II slots, which can be run in series or parallel. The LCD on the PXW-Z300 is a touch panel, can display HDR content, and runs at 1280x720.
Power for the PXW-Z300 can be supplied by an AC adapter, Sony batteries, or a USB-C power bank, and includes a locking USB-C port. The camcorder is dust and moisture protected, with cooling systems for operating in harsh environments.
Rob Redman, Editor of ImagineFX magazine and creative director of Pariah Studios, has praised the PXW-Z300, stating, "The PXW-Z300 is a game-changer for news and documentary production. Its advanced AI capabilities, combined with exceptional image quality and operational flexibility, make it an invaluable tool for professionals in the field."
When not working, Rob Redman can be found building and playing guitars or out in the wilderness with his dog. The PXW-Z300 is expected to retail at around £9,600 in the UK, approximately $10,799 in the US.
[1] https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/professional-video/camcorders/pxw-z300 [2] https://pro.sony/americas/products/camcorders/pxw-z300 [3] https://www.sony.co.jp/pro/product/camcorder/pxw-z300/ [4] https://pro.sony/eu/products/camcorders/pxw-z300
- The Sony PXW-Z300 camcorder, with its release anticipated later this year, is set to lead in the realms of documentary and news shooting, impressing with a multitude of professional-grade features.
- At the core of the PXW-Z300 sits a potent trio of 1/2-inch back-illuminated 4K Exmor R CMOS sensors and Sony's latest BIONZ XR image processing engine, paired with an AI-processing unit.
- The camcorder's 17x optical zoom lens, featuring a constant aperture of F1.9, provides versatile shooting opportunities in various settings, from confined indoor spaces to extended outdoor coverage.
- With the ability to auto-focus on subjects despite their posture or face coverings, the PXW-Z300's advanced AI-driven subject recognition comes in handy for unpredictable and dynamic news and documentary shoots.
- The PXW-Z300 includes an electronic variable ND filter, smoothly adjustable from 1/4 to 1/128 transmission, and optical image stabilization for seamless adaptation to changing light conditions and steady handheld shooting.
- For optimal control, the camcorder features three manual focus, zoom, and iris rings, while a 3.5-inch high-brightness LCD monitor with approximately 2.76 million dots offers excellent visibility and adaptable positioning for various shooting styles.
- Embracing cutting-edge technology, the PXW-Z300 incorporates features like 5G and cloud workflows for live streaming and efficient file transfer, making it a powerful tool in the world of news, documentary, and event production.
