Sony introduces the PMW-300 semi-shoulder mount camcorder, bringing a new workhorse to broadcast, productions and corporate events.
Sydney, Australia – June 12, 2013: Sony today announced the PMW-300 XDCAM camcorder, equipped with 1/2"-type Exmor™ Full-HD 3CMOS sensors capable of delivering incredible images even in low-light conditions. The PMW-300 is ideal for broadcast producers and corporate event camera operators who require a flexible semi-shoulder mounted camcorder that can easily be adapted to suit a wide range of production environments.
An evolution of Sony’s industry leading PMW-EX3, the PMW-300 is able to record 50Mbps HD material in MPEG HD422, meeting broadcast standards around the world for HD broadcast acquisition. The high bit rate ensures excellent capture of fast moving objects, while its chroma subsampling is perfect for a wide range of video encoding areas such as VFX and green screen applications. The camcorder can also be upgraded in the future to support Sony’s revolutionary XAVC codec, extending the lifecycle of the product to ensure maximum return on investment*.
The 1/2"-type Exmor™ Full-HD 3CMOS sensors offer high light sensitivity and low image noise. As a consequence, it delivers clear high-resolution images even when filming in low-light conditions. The camcorder also includes Sony’s advanced signal processing technology, which suppresses noise effectively and thus creates noticeably clearer images.
“The PMW-300 incorporates all the market leading features from our XDCAM family in a semi-shoulder HD422 50Mbps camcorder,” said Anthony Kable, Senior Product Manager, Australia and New Zealand. “From working closely with our customers we know there is strong demand for a truly versatile semi-shoulder camcorder that has been designed to meet the needs of the broadcast, production and corporate event worlds.”
The PMW-300 features the same EX-mount interchangeable lens system as the PMW-EX3, making it compatible with a wide range of 1/2 inch and 2/3 inch lenses. There are two types of lens packages planned to be available for the PMW-300. One is with a 14 times zoom lens (PMW-300K1), and the other is with a 16 times zoom lens (PMW-K2). Both lenses have a focus ring for quick switching between auto and manual focus, in addition to the dedicated zoom and iris rings.
An HD-resolution 3.5-inch colour LCD viewfinder (960×540 pixels) enables precision focusing for HD filming, while the 8-pin remote control and multi-camera operation capability allows the PMW-300 to be used in 3D configurations and high-end camera systems.
With HD-SD/SDI and HDMI outputs, the PMW-300 connects not only to broadcast infrastructures, but also to consumer devices equipped with HDMI inputs. Timecode and genlock interfaces enable use in multi-camera setups and 3D configurations. The 8-pin remote connector allows for remote adjustment from a remote control sold separately.
Based on customer feedback the PMW-300 features an innovative semi-shoulder design that has a rotary hand grip, allowing comfortable recording over long periods of time. Its magnesium metal body ensures the camcorder is robust and like its predecessor, the PMW-EX3, can withstand even the harshest production environments.
Like all of Sony’s solid-state XDCAM camcorders, the PMW-300 has the most flexible choice of recording media in the market, allowing customers to choose to record on Sony’s professional SxS memory card as well as other media such as SD, Memory Stick and XQD cards depending upon their budget and application.
Sony today also confirmed that an optional wireless adapter currently in development will enhance proxy recording, wireless transfers, Wi-Fi viewing and metadata input.
An ideal companion for the PMW-300 would be the new UWP series of wireless professional audio products.
The PMW-300K1 with a 14 times zoom lens will be available from October 2013.
The PMW-300K2 with a 16 times zoom lens release date is still to be confirmed.
*XAVC support for HD will be available in 2014.