It was a matter of time before the Ex1 got a big brother but it seems
Sony have wasted no time in attempting to establish XDCAM EX as more
than a just a camera, but rather has an holistic production platform.
Panasonic attempted (and had much success) with P2 in the same vein -
an integrated system of format, codec, camera, hardware. But as I have
argued previously, Panasonic, in moving first into solid-state, picked
the wrong horse with P2, a quickly outdtaed technology base. They were
also misguided (in my judgement, though not everyone's) in the chocie
for trading expanded colour space (422 rather than 420) at the expense
of Resolution and file format efficiency (record times are two short
and file sizes are way too big).
This where Sony
have gained much by waiting and watching what happened in the
solid-state sphere - they've got a firmer more advanced and broadly
accepted technology base for the cards themselves (Express Card 3/4
SxS), they've got a highly efficient 35mbps full raster HD Mpeg2 based
format allowing long record times, and they've got an excellent
workflow system of software browsers and import utilities up and
running with all major NLE's and utlizing a full range of metadata.
So now with one camera, the EX1, out in the wild
Sony now add a second, some extra hardware and software workflow
updates.
The
EX3 wont be shipping for 3-6 months or so. But with interchangeable
lenses... This camera could be the Solid-State bomb! Apparently comes
with an adapter to allow any 1/2" sensor HD lens to fit using B4 mount - which means Canon and Fujinon lenses are open slather. Also means
huge possibilities for a P+S and Redrock extensions. Not to mention a
REAL viewfinder built over the already awesome LCD screen. that the Ex1
has.
Its got all the hallmarks of being
THE indie digital cinema camera of the next few years: full raster
1920x1080 progressive, variable frame rate, 1/2? sensors,
interchangeable lenses, full-size viewfinder, Genlock, solid-state
XDCAM. All in a sub 15K price tag
This
video walks you through the differences between the EX3 and the Ex1 and
some of the key features. It has a throughly verbose opening but when
it gets down to the nitty gritty is very
informative.
