The Sony NEX-FS100 is is an interchangeable-lens camcorder featuring a Sony E mount and a super 35mm sized Exmor CMOS sensor. Sony claims that: “the new sensor is designed with outstanding exposure latitude and sensitivity” for high-definition footage that’s free of “image artifacts typical of HDSLRs”. Capable of 1920x1080 60P recording at 28Mbps, it enables HDMI output with embedded time code for 4:2:2, and also offers simultaneous recording to an optional HXR-FMU128 flash memory unit and an SD or MS memory card. The Sony NEX-FS100 NXCAM has a retail price of $5,850 and will be available in May.

Sony has also unveiled the HXR-NX70, a dust proof and rain proof professional HD camcorder, which will be available in June at a retail price of $3,200. The NX70 incorporates an ‘Exmor’ R CMOS sensor to deliver superior low-light footage and offers enhanced manual controls.

Sony Professional expands its family of NXCAM products

New NXCAM Super 35mm motion picture camcorder and the world’s first rain and dust proof camcorder launched to the professional market

BASINGSTOKE, UK, March 23, 2011 – Sony today revealed two new professional camcorders based on extensive customer feedback in the “NXCAM™” line-up. The NEX-FS100E is a new E-mount professional camcorder equipped with a Super 35mm motion picture sensor and is a further addition to Sony’s 35mm line-up. The HXR-NX70E is the world’s first rain and dust proof professional HD camcorder and is ideal for use in unforgiving environments. Sony’s expanding NXCAM line-up, including the existing HXR-NX5E provides a superb solution to many shooting applications.

The NEX-FS100E – Digital Super 35mm made affordable:

Originally announced in November 2010, Sony can now reveal the full specifications of the new NEX-FS100E. The NEX-FS100E is equipped with an ‘Exmor™’ Super 35 CMOS sensor specifically designed for shooting motion pictures. This large, super 35mm equivalent sensor is capable of producing footage with a shallow depth of field similar to that of a film camera. Thanks to this cutting edge sensor technology, it is possible to record the image in 1080/50p AVCHD format as well as capturing 1080p quality slow and quick motion.

“The NEX-FS100E NXCAM Super 35mm camcorder enables budget content creators and videographers to experience a new level of cinematic expression”said Bill Drummond, Strategic Marketing Manager, of Sony Professional. “Sony has responded to professional user feedback to create this new camcorder with an ergonomically designed body and accessories offering really flexibility in use.”

The NEX-FS100E adopts the Sony E-mount interchangeable lens system used in the “α” series NEX-5, 3 and NEX-VG10E “Handycam®”. It’s very short flange back distance (the distance between lens mount surface and sensor surface) allows various “α” A-mount lenses be mounted via a mount adaptor (LA-EA1). It is also possible to attach a huge range of other lenses, such as PL mount lenses using third-party mount adaptors*. With such flexibility, users will be able to experiment with numerous creative options by exploiting the characteristics of different optics.

• Not all types of adaptors and lenses are guaranteed. For details, please ask the adaptor manufacturers.

The NEX-FS100EK lens kit model comes supplied with the E18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS zoom Lens which gives users optical Steadyshot™ and auto focus.

The NEX-FS100E accepts affordable and readily available Memory Stick PRO Duo™ or SDHC cards. It is capable of recording images at various frame rates providing the added creative freedom of slow and quick motion with full HD. The camera operator can simply adjust the frame rate without using converters or editing software, making the camera ideal for commercials and music videos, as well as action scenes in budget movies for example. The grip, handle and hybrid LCD viewfinder are detachable also making it ideal for handheld scenes and shooting in confined locations.

The HXR-NX70E - World first dust proof and rain proof professional HD camcorder:

Bill Drummond, Sony Professional, said of the new HXR-NX70E, “Filmmakers and journalists will travel to some of the most remote and dangerous locations in pursuit of a story. We wanted to respond with a camcorder that, like them, can stand up to the rigours of the world’s most challenging conditions. For this Sony has created the HXR-NX70E, a robust ultra-compact camcorder that allows them to not only capture footage in any conditions, but also store it on a 96GB internal memory. When you are miles from anywhere, you don’t want to be worrying about having to find an extra memory card!”

The main unit of the HXR-NX70E has been proven to reach dust-proof and rain-proof performance requirements specified by IEC60529 IP54. Sudden rain or dust will not affect the operation of the camcorder, making the HXR-NX70E ideal for the most inhospitable of environments.

The HXR-NX70E incorporates an ‘Exmor’ R CMOS sensor to deliver superior quality low-light footage and enhanced manual controls give the precision filmmakers need for shooting professional quality HD content . CinemaTone technology captures stunning footage with deeper, more film-like colour tones and the wide-angle Sony G lens can take in more of the action with sharp images and brilliant, accurate colour. The optical SteadyShot image stabilisation with Active Mode also compensates for greater degrees of camera shake than ever before to deliver smooth video from wide-angle to full telephoto perspectives. A built-in GPS receiver makes the HXR-NX70E an ideal choice for journalists and documentary makers as it gives them the ability to ‘geotag’ footage when on location.

The NEX-FS100E and EK version will be available in May.

The HXR-NX70E will be available in June.