Sony NEX-FS100U Super 35mm SensorThe NEX-FS100U Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder is Sony's first affordable and fully professional large-sensor video camera. Hot on the heels of the PMW-F3, this compact, highly modular camera uses the same S35-size CMOS sensor as the F3. Unlike smaller, broadcast-style sensors or the larger "full-frame" sensors of some DSLRs, the NEX-FS100's imaging area matches that of standard Hollywood film cameras, providing complete compatibility with cine-style film lenses (via optional adapters) as well as any of Sony's E-Mount lenses. The sensor's large size offers a variety of other advantages, including increased control over depth of field, higher sensitivity in low light, lower image noise, and an exceptional dynamic range. Able to shoot full 1080p video in a range of frame rates up to 60p, the FS100 provides the option of recording 28Mbps AVCHD footage onto SD or Memory Stick media, or it can output 4:2:2 video (with embedded timecode) to an external recording unit. Simultaneous recording to both is also possible when instant backup is called for. There's no stinting on audio, either, as the camera includes not only a shotgun microphone with mount/carrying handle, but dual XLR inputs for recording uncompressed, professional-level sound from an external source. Other features--such as a rotating 3.5" XtraFine LCD panel with detachable viewfinder, SD recording, GPS geotagging, and slow shutter--make the FS100 an impressive companion to other cameras in the S35 line. Not only will it intercut perfectly with the F3, F35, or SRW-9000PL as a 2nd unit or B camera, it can stand on its own in applications as diverse as indie film, commercials, music promos, education, and wedding videos. Note! Lens not included, must be purchased separately. Exmor Super 35 CMOS Sensor for Shooting Motion Pictures Equipped with a large CMOS sensor equivalent in size to Super 35mm film, the NEX-FS100 enables shooting with the same creative depth of field as the PMW-F3. The sensor also features the optimum number of effective pixels for shooting HD moving images. At a high 60fps in all-pixel scan mode, this allows images to be captured with less color aliasing, jaggedness and rolling shutter than DSLR cameras, while providing the sensitivity to shoot at a minimum illumination of 0.28 lux. Another advantage of Exmor technology is minimal noise when shooting lowlight scenes. E-Mount Interchangeable Lens System Sony's E-mount interchangeable lenses let you enjoy a level of creative freedom unimaginable with camcorders of the past. All feature precision-crafted optics with aspherical glass elements for compact high performance, and circular iris mechanisms for smooth background defocusing. Thanks to the E-mount's short 18mm flange-back distance, using a mount adapter allows shooting with a wide range of existing lenses. For example, with the optional LA-EA1 mount adapter, you can take advantage of the abundant lenses (A-mount lenses). Third-party adapters enable use of an even wider variety of lenses. Modular Design for a Variety of Shooting Styles Featuring a compact, lightweight body with detachable grip, handle, and viewfinder, the NEX-FS100 is ideal for a wide range of shooting situations. During handheld shooting, the angle of the grip can be changed as desired, and recording started and stopped with a button on the grip. Recording start/stop buttons are also provided on the top and lower right of the camera. There are also 1/4" and 3/8" screw holes on both the handle and the bottom of the camera body for mounting various peripheral devices--plus a tape measure hook and an image sensor position index on the body. XtraFine LCD Panel Located on the optical axis, the 3.5"-type XtraFine LCD panel enables easier, more intuitive framing, especially during handheld shooting. And the LCD panel can be rotated for stress-free operation when shooting low-angle scenes and digital signage footage. For easier, more precise focusing in daylight, the viewfinder comes with a detachable 1.2x magnifier. 1920 x 1080P Slow & Quick Motion Recording images at a different frame rate from that used for playback provides the extra versatility of slow and quick motion shooting. The NEX-FS100 enables Full HD (1920 x 1080) progressive slow and quick motion. Frame rates are selectable from among 60fps, 30fps, 15fps, 8fps, 4fps, 2fps, and 1fps. So, for example, when recording at 1080/30p, if the frame rate is set to 60fps, images are recorded in 2 times slow motion. S&Q shooting plus last scene review permits checking the S&Q effects on-set, immediately after shooting the scene without drilling down menus. Hybrid Recording Recording to the directly mountable HXR-FMU128 Flash Memory unit allows continuous recording for over 10 hours without changing the recording medium. Simultaneous recording using memory cards and other media is also possible for secure backup when shooting footage that can't be reshot. Note: When recording on different media, the resolution must be HD or SD. HD and SD cannot be simultaneously on different media. NXCAM Recording Format Like other NXCAM series cameras, the NEX-FS100 uses the well established AVCHD recording format supported by a wide range of nonlinear editing systems. Better still, it's ready to shoot with a maximum frame rate of 1920 x 1080/60p (28Mbps) for even higher quality recording. For more flexibility, it's also possible to record in Standard Definition MPEG-2 format. Uncompressed 4:2:2 Output with Embedded Timecode When shooting, the NEX-FS100 can output uncompressed 4:2:2 footage via HDMI (with an embedded SMPTE Timecode) that can be recorded onto external media, such as HDD. Geotagging with Built-in GPS Receiver A built-in GPS receiver makes the NEX-FS100 an ideal choice for professional videographers. The receiver gives you the ability to "geo-tag" shooting locations--making it easy if you need to return to the same location or to create a log when surveying remote locations. Your locations can be tracked on Google Maps and all GPS data can be extracted with a PC. Additionally, the receiver automatically adjusts your camcorder's clock to the proper time zone when international travel is part of your assignment. Picture Profile Six picture profile settings for different shooting conditions are provided as default settings. Selecting a picture profile for a particular scene offers an easy way to creatively change your shoot. Last Scene Review Press a single button to immediately review the last recorded scene. Expanded Focus Press a button and this enlarges the centre of the displayed image by 2x, a particularly useful feature when making critical focusing adjustments. Histogram Onscreen display of a histogram enables easier exposure adjustment. The histogram also shows the point where the zebra pattern appears (the zebra point). This enables confirmation of overall brightness distribution and the brightness level set with the zebra function. As well as preventing overexposure, this is useful as a guide when aiming for optimum exposure of certain parts of an image, such as faces. Peaking A peaking function draws a defined line around the subject displayed in the LCD monitor and viewfinder. Peaking sensitivity and color (red, white, yellow) can be selected to enable more precise focusing. Markers Center, aspect, safety zone, guide frame and other markers can be displayed on the LCD. Firmware Update Sony has implemented a firmware update scheme for future functions. Camcorder (Body Only) - features description