The newest member of Sonys CineAlta lineup, the PMW-F3 inherits DNA from the F35, which has been used for years in high-end digital cinematography, as well as most of the features and file-based workflow capabilities of PMW-EX1R and EX3 XDCAM EX solid-state memory camcorders.The PMW-F3 is equipped with the newly developed Exmor Super 35 CMOS image sensor, PL lens mount, and SxS card for 1920 x 1080 full-HD recording.The PMW-F3 features future expandability, including RGB 4:4:4 baseband output with S-LOG gamma for external recording which means it can be used in an HDCAM-SR workflow. It also offers a 3D-LINK option, which allows two camcorders to be controlled simultaneously for 3D stereoscopic shooting.
Highlights:
The PMW-F3 is equipped with a newly developed Exmor Super 35 CMOS image sensor which offers creative shallow depth of field, similar to that of a film camera. This sensor has an extremely high sensitivity of F11 (ISO800) with a very low noise level (an S/N ratio of 63 dB). This is a significant advantage especially when shooting in low-light conditions or at night using only ambient light.
The PMW-F3 employs a PL lens mount that is standard for film cameras, allowing use of a virtually unlimited number of prime and zoom lenses for 35-mm film cameras. This greatly broadens the choice of lenses for a wider spectrum of creative expression. A PL lens mount adapter comes with the camera as standard. The PMW-F3 supports the Cooke/i Technology protocol, which enables the camcorder to communicate with the lens to obtain lens metadata such as focus and iris position. The ARRI LDS interface will be supported as well. This improves post-production workflow as lens metadata can be recorded onto an SxS card and brought into the post-production process.
The recording format and recording media are identical to the existing PMW-EX1R and PMW-EX3, and proven, high-speed, intuitive XDCAM EX workflow can be used with high reliability. This workflow offers seamless integration with leading nonlinear editing software.
The PMW-F3 has a small, compact body with a very modest footprint, and weighs just 2.4 kg (5 lb 4 oz). It offers mobility, flexibility, and cost efficiency. In addition, the camcorders power consumption is only 24 W, and about three hours recording can be achieved with only one BP-U60 battery.
The PMW-F3 has an HD-SDI Dual-link output connector which offers 4:2:2 1080 50/59.94p uncompressed signal output as standard. By using external recording devices such as HDCAM-SR recorders, users can achieve x 2.5 natural slow-motion playback in 1080/24p mode.
The PMW-F3 delivers a scalable external recording solution. When the RGB and S-LOG output option is added, RGB 4:4:4 baseband signal output is available for external recording devices such as HDCAM-SR recorders. A LUT (Look Up Table) function is also provided for monitoring purposes when S-LOG output is activated. The same option includes 3G-SDI output functionality. It enables users to select Dual-link HD-SDI or 3G-SDI depending on the connecting devices.
Another new feature of the PMW-F3 is the 3D-LINK option which is especially convenient for 3D stereoscopic shooting. Two PMW-F3 cameras can be controlled by one camera remote controller at the same time. The two cameras are connected with a special 10-pin cable that includes genlock, timecode in/out, and control line. Simultaneous control of the Iris and Focus functions of two cameras is extremely useful.
Camera Section Specifications Detail:
Built-in Optical Filters OFF: Clear, 1: 1/8ND, 2: 1/64ND
Gain -3, 0, 3 ,6, 9, 12, 18 dB, AGC
Imaging Device Exmor Super 35mm equivalent CMOS
S/N Ratio 63 dB (Y) (Typical)
Sensitivity (2000 lx, 89.9% reflectance) T11 ISO800 (Typical)
Shutter Speed (Time) 1/32 to 1/2000 sec.
Slow Shutter 2 to 8 frames
White Balance Preset (3,200 K), Memory A, Memory B/ATW
General Specifications Detail:
Battery Operating Time Approx. 130 min (HD-SDI Dual Link ON, w/BP-U60)
Approx. 170 min (HD-SDI Dual Link OFF, w/BP-U60
Built-in Microphone None
Dimensions (W x H x D) 151 x 189 x 210 mm (6 x 7 1/2 x 8 3/8 inches)
Mass Approx. 2.4 kg (5 lb 4.7 oz) without accessories
Operating Temperature 0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F)
Power Consumption Approx. 18 W (Typical) (HD-SDI Dual-Link OFF, VF ON, LCD monitor OFF.
Max. 24 W (Typical) (HD-SDI Dual-Link ON, VF ON, LCD monitor ON)
Power Requirements DC 12 V (11.0 v to 17.0 V)
Recording Format Video: HD HQ Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35 Mbps / VBR
HD SP Mode: MPEG-2 MP@H-14,25 Mbps / CBR:
Audio: LPCM (16 bits, 48 kHz, 2 channels)
Recording Frame Rate HD HQ Mode: 1920 × 1080/59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P,23.98P; 1440 × 1080/59.94P, 50P, 29.97P,25P, 23.98P; 1280 × 720/59.94P, 50P, 29.97P, 25P,23.98P
HD SP Mode: 1440 × 1080 /59.94i, 50i (23.98P is converted to 59.94i in 2-3 pulldown processing).
Recording/Playback Time HQ Mode:
Approx. 100 min with SBP-32 (32 GB) memory card
Approx. 50 min with SBP-16 (16 GB) memory card
Approx. 25 min with SBP-8 (8 GB) memory card
SP Mode:
Approx. 140 min with SBP-32 (32 GB) memory card
Approx. 70 min with SBP-16 (16 GB) memory card
Storage Temperature -20 °C to +60 °C (-4°F to +140 °F)
Inputs/Outputs Specifications Detail:
Audio Input XLR-type 3-pin (female) (x2), line/mic/mic +48 V selectable
Audio Output RCA phono jacks (x2), 10 dBu (47kΩ load, reference level)
Composite Output BNC type (x1), 1.0 Vp-p, 75Ω, HD-Y or analog composite signal
DC Input XLR-type 4-pin
DC Output N/A
EXT 50-pin N/A
Genlock Input BNC (x1)
HDMI Output A-type (x1)
Headphone Output Stereo mini jack (x1), 18 dBu (reference level output, 16Ω load)
Lens Remote N/A
MIC XLR-type 3-pin (female) (x2), line/mic/mic +48 V selectable
Remote 8-pin
SDI Output BNC
Timecode Input BNC (x1)
Timecode Output BNC (x1)
USB Mini-B/USB2.0 Hi-Speed (x1)
i.LINK i.LINK, IEEE1394, 4-pin connector (x1), S400
Lens Specifications Detail:
Focal Length N/A
Focus N/A
Iris N/A
Lens Mount PL mount (with supplied lens mount adapter)
Monitoring Specifications Detail:
Built-in LCD Monitor 8.8 cm diagonal (3.5-inch) color LCD, 16:9 Aspect ratio, Picture size 640 (H) × 3 (RGB) × 480 (V) delta sequence, Hybrid (semi-transmissive) type
Viewfinder 1.148 cm diagonal (0.452-inch), 16:9 Aspect ratio, 852 (H) × 480 (V) Picture elements