A Sony vai apresentar hoje, na inauguração da NAB 2008 o seu novo modelo de camcorder da serie XDCAM EX. A nova PMW-EX3 com um preço estimado de $13.000, é o segundo modelo da Sony a usar como sistema de gravação os cartões SxS. Esta nova camcorder é uma evolução da EX1, um pouco maior, mas agora com um inovador sistema de lentes intermutáveis, que lhe permite usar lentes com sistema de montagem B4 de meia polegada, sejam Canon ou Fujinon sem alteração da distancia focal.
    Discussões e opiniões sobre esta nova camcorder, siga este link .

PMW-EX3 Solid-State Interchangeable Lens HD Camcorder

Well it would appear that there is simply no stopping Sony. Just a few short months ago they launched themselves into the solid-state HD camcorder market with the PMW- EX1. The EX1 has proved to be a formidable smash hit, so much so that Sony’s production line is struggling to keep up with demand.

Sony have just announced (NAB April 2008) something even more spectacular; say hello to the all-new PMW-EX3. The EX3 is basically an EX1, but with the option of interchangeable lenses. There are of course a few other slight differences, which I will come to later.

You’ll notice by the pictures that the EX3 is notably larger than the EX1; it is in fact what Sony refer to as a “semi shoulder-mounted” camcorder. At first glance the EX3 has a vague resemblance to Canon’s famous XL series camcorder, namely the XL H1; but that’s where the similarity ends. The EX3 takes half-inch interchangeable lenses, but with a different mount to that found on Sony’s professional half-inch shoulder-mount XDCAM HD camcorders. Having said that, the EX3 will ship with an included adapter to allow use of standard half-inch lenses (such as those currently used on Sony’s XDCAM HD full size camcorders such as the F330, F350, F335, and F355) to be used; standard B4 mount. And better still, this adapter incorporates the hot shoe contacts like those found on the dedicated Fujinon half-inch XDCAM HD lenses. This will allow information to be passed from the camcorder to the lens, e.g. exposure control. Why use a different half-inch mount, you might ask. In a nutshell it’s down to ergonomics and rigidity/strength. Due to the size and shape of the camcorder body, the lens mount had to be designed somewhat differently. Because the chips in the EX3 are half-inch there will be no change in focal length when using any other standard half-inch B4 mount lens from Canon and Fujinon. However, there will be a small increase in focal length when using standard 35mm film lenses.

To open a high-resolution 1920 pixel version of the photo below in a separate window, simply click on it.

The EX3 will ship with the same lens that is built into the EX1, with the main obvious difference being an interchangeable version. Sony have also decided to add an optical image stabilizer button on the lens, as opposed to in the menus like that of the EX1.

Another small difference (though to me, personally, this is a very big deal indeed) between the new EX3 and its smaller sibling the EX1, is the addition of a framerate dial set on the side of the EX3’s body. Before all you Super-16mm filmmakers start asking “Can I now do frame -cranking during a shot?” I’m afraid the answer is no. Sony have simply moved the over/under-cranking feature out of the menus and onto the body itself by means of manual push/dial; right where it should be. This new external Framerate button lights up with a cool blue ring-light around the outside when pushed in, so you know you are in Framerate mode. Push again to turn off. For me personally, this is the best thing Sony could have done. If you use over/under-cranking as often as I do you will appreciate the convenience of being able to push this button and dial in the framerate without having to scroll through the menus; thank you Mr Sony!

Like the EX1, the new EX3 records to exactly the same format i.e. three half-inch 1920x1080 CMOS HD chips at a variable bit rate of 35mbps. Similarly the EX3 also has two SxS card slots.

The next thing you’ll notice about the EX3 is what appears to be the biggest viewfinder you ever saw; allow me to explain. What you are seeing is basically the same fold-out LCD screen found on the EX1, only Sony have stuck a huge magnified eye piece on the front of it. Personally, I think this is a great idea as the LCD screen on the EX1 is quite simply the best on the planet. The same can’t be said of the viewfinder found on the EX1, with its rather questionable image quality; and that’s putting it nicely. Sony have decided to throw this viewfinder away (good choice) and turn the LCD screen into the ultimate high-definition viewfinder; eat your heart out Canon XL H1.

To open a high-resolution 1920 pixel version of the photo below in a separate window, simply click on it.

The EX3 also sports an ingenious fold-out shoulder-mount system. Though this does not balance the camera on the shoulder like a conventional full size shoulder-mounted camcorder, it is more akin to that of a shoulder support system hence the EX3 is somewhat front-heavy during hand-held/shoulder use. Not too dissimilar to that of Canon’s XL H1.

The EX3 is not available body only, it comes with a standard lens similar to that found on the EX1. However, Fujinon are also bringing out a dedicated EX3 wide-angle lens.

It could be argued that the EX3 is what the EX1 should have been, but this is not the case. The EX3 is aimed at a different market altogether. Corporate video producers and wedding videographers will be more than happy with the built in lens of the EX1, and its focal range capabilities. Hence they could put that money they save to buying a tripod and lighting kit etc. Independent filmmakers and wildlife videographers will prefer the EX3 and its interchangeable lens options, especially with 35mm adapters from the likes of Letus for example (whom I’ve been informed are making an adapter to fit directly into the EX3’s body), allowing the use of 35mm stills lenses for that film depth-of-field film-look. Wildlife videographers, on the other hand, will appreciate being able to fit telephoto lenses to film that far away leopard for example. EX1 is not redundant or deleted, far from it. EX3 is a different camcorder altogether, not a replacement. Think BMW 3-series and BMW 5-series, different size cars for different people's requirements. The EX3 is an addition to the EX family; expect a smaller (A1 size) camcorder to appear too. And finally, why EX3 and not EX2? simple, Sony don't do even numbers.

Other features over the EX1 include BNC timecode in/out, Genlock and remote control for studio operation; making the EX3 the most versatile HD camcorder in its class.

The recommended retail price of the EX3 will be £5995 inc. vat. This is approximately £1500 more than the EX1.