Press Release from Well Above
Sony is pleased to unveil the latest addition to its NXCAM range of professional video products, the NEX-EA50H. This versatile new camcorder offers the ultimate flexibility in lens selection thanks to its interchangeable E-mount lens system, while the large format Exmor™ APS-C HD CMOS sensor gives the user creative freedom when shooting Full HD videos and high-quality still photos. The new style design means that users can shoot in ways which suit them best, allowing them to quickly switch between handheld and shoulder configurations without the need for additional accessories.
“This all-in-one camcorder brings a new level of creativity to a wider range of professional users than ever before,” said Nick Buchner, Senior Product Manager, Professional Solutions Division, Sony Australia and New Zealand. “It combines affordability and high performance with a range of versatile, professional features for many applications, including event production, budget movie making, corporate video production and training.”
The camera’s ExmorTM APS-C HD CMOS sensor produces high quality, creative video images with low noise and high sensitivity in low light conditions. It enables 1080 progressive and interlace recording with 50/60Hz selection (50p/25p/50i or 60p/30p/24p/60i*).
Users can also capture 16.1 megapixel still pictures with high picture quality. The new camcorder features a built-in mechanical shutter for high-speed performance while capturing still pictures.
The NEX-EA50H incorporates Sony’s E-mount interchangeable lens system, which enables auto focus, auto exposure and stabilisation during video shooting. With its short flange back distance, it is possible to attach not only established A-mount lenses via the lens mount adapter LA-EA2, but also an unrivalled choice of other brands’ lenses using third-party adapters.
The NEX-EA50H camcorder comes with the newly developed Power Zoom E-mount lens E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS SELP18200. It features auto focus, continuous variable iris and Optical Steady Shot™ image stabilisation with Active Mode, making it ideal for shooting moving images. Zooming is electronically controlled by both the zoom rocker lever on the camcorder grip and the camera handle, as well as by the rocker on the lens itself and also via optional LANC remote controllers.
Film-makers can achieve a constant zoom speed and smooth slow zoom, both of which can be difficult to accomplish with manual zoom lenses. In addition, by using fixed focal length lenses users can simulate a zoom effect using the smart digital zoom function, ensuring that they never miss a shot in fast paced environments.
The unique design of the NEX-EA50H further adds to the camcorder’s versatility. When the shoulder pad is extended, users can balance the camcorder on their shoulder, for added stability during longer shooting times. Alternatively, when the shoulder pad is returned to the original position, the camcorder becomes compact enough to use in various handheld styles.
The NEX-EA50H features a range of professional functions usually associated with NXCAM camcorders such as 2-channel XLR audio (the ECM-XM1 shotgun microphone is included with the NEX-EA50H), Linear PCM audio, time code, user bit and built-in GPS. In addition, Sony’s HXR-FMU128 flash memory unit can dock directly to the camcorder for simultaneous backup recording. The camcorder is compatible with the new Mirroring Memory Stick™ (MS-PX64/32/16), which is the world’s first memory card featuring “Mirroring” function. This enables the card to deliver high reliability and data security through dual recording (mirroring) and secure access functions.
The NEX-EA50H camcorder is scheduled to be available from late October 2012, with an expected suggested list price (ex GST) of AUD$4,200 in Australia, NZD$5,400 in New Zealand.