Sony PMW-F3L Cine Bundle

The PMW-F3L Super 35mm Full-HD Compact Camcorder is a key component in Sony's CineAlta 24p digital cinema line of high-end image capture devices. The camera's Super 35mm-size CMOS sensor provides a variety of advantages over smaller sensors, including increased depth-of-field control, higher sensitivity in low light, lower image noise, and exceptional dynamic range.  Unlike smaller, broadcast-style sensors, or larger "full-frame" sensor found in some DSLRs, the PMW-F3's chip is comparable to Hollywood film cameras, in terms of field-of-view and depth-of-field. 

Another advantage of the F3L's highly efficient sensor is its low 24-watt power consumption that enables a standard 12V camcorder battery to last nearly 3 hours. Weighing in at only 5 pounds the F3 is the first CineAlta camcorder designed with a handheld form factor.

Using a solid-state workflow based on Sony's proven XDCAM EX platform, the PMW-F3 records natively on professional SxS media, using the MPEG-2 long GOP codec in an 8-bit 4:2:0 color space. More demanding applications can utilize the camera's dual-link HD-SDI ports to output to an external recorder in 10-bit 4:2:2. The combination of four HyperGamma settings with S-Log and LUT capability provide RAW-like flexibility to the image data for increased picture control and dynamic range.

The camera's PL-mount adapter makes the camera compatible with a wide-variety of professional cine-style lenses . . . including full compatibility with Zeiss, Cooke /i and Arri LDS technology. 

Other features, such as variable frame rates, multiple-format recording, slow shutter, and uncompressed PCM audio, make the PMW-F3 an impressive camcorder.

Exmor Super 35 CMOS Image Sensor

• The PMW-F3 is equipped with a Super 35mm sensor, which is the same size as Super 35mm film. Its positioning within the chassis is exactly the same as it would be within a 35mm film camera--ensuring perfect matched optical performance with an unrivalled range of 35mm cine lenses.
• In addition, Sony's advanced accumulated sensor technologies provide outstanding sensitivity of F11 (ISO 800) and a remarkable signal-to-noise ratio of just 63dB (measured at 1080/59.94i and typical value). This unique Exmor sensor also offers exceptional noise reduction and greatly reduces power consumption.

PL Mount Adapter for Compatibility with 35mm Cine Lenses

• The PMW-F3 is supplied with a PL mount adapter for compatibility with most filmic 35mm lenses, including prime, digital cinematography and even still lenses. There are also hotshoe electric interfaces for Cooke/i and ARRI LDS.

23.98P Native Recording

• As the first compact camcorder to be a member of the legendary Sony CineAlta family, the F3L offers native 23.98p (In 1440 x 1080/23.98p (SP) mode, images are handled as 23.98p and recorded as 59.94i signals through means of 2-3 pull-down) recording which, in combination with advanced creative features such as selectable gamma curves, makes this camera ideal for cinema-style production.

Slow & Quick Motion Function

• The F3 offers comes complete with Slow & Quick Motion functions (aka overcranking and undercranking). This enables operators to easily create unique special effects with slow and fast-motion images using a control dial on the side of the camcorder.
• The PMW-F3 captures images at frame rates selectable from 1 frame per second (fps) to 60 fps in 720p mode, and from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080p mode, in increments of 1 fps onto a single card. With the Slow & Quick Motion function images are recorded natively without interpolating the frames. This means the quality of slow and fast-motion images is extremely high and superior to those created in editing. Additionally, slow -and fast- motion images can be played back immediately after shooting, without using any converters, or processing on nonlinear editing systems.

1920 x 1080 HD Recording Using MPEG-2 Long GOP

• The F3L records 1920 x 1080 HD images using the MPEG-2 Long GOP codec, which conforms to the MPEG-2 MP@HL compression standard. MPEG-2 Long GOP is a mature codec also adopted by the XDCAM HD and HDV 1080i series of products which enables users to record exceptional-quality HD footage with highly efficient, reliable data compression.

Selectable Bit Rates

• The PMW-F3 offers a choice of bit rates, either 35Mb/s (HQ mode), or 25Mb/s (SP mode) depending on the desired picture quality and recording time. HQ mode supports both 1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720 resolutions, while HDV 1080i compatible SP mode supports 1440 x 1080 resolution at 25Mb/s.

Multiple-format 1080/720 Recording

• A wide array of recording formats for multiple content creation applications are available with the F3L. Scanning mode is switchable between 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, and 1440 x 1080 resolutions. Frame rates are also selectable between interlace and progressive: 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, and native 23.98p (In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode, images are handled as 23.98p and recorded as 59.94i signals through means of 2-3 pull-down)
• In addition, 59.94p and 50p progressive recording is available in 1280 x 720 mode. The SxS memory card can simultaneously hold multiple files of any of these recording formats, allowing for flexible use of the memory card.

Slow Shutter Function

• The PMW-F3's Slow Shutter function can capture clear images in low-light environments. This feature allows the shutter speed to be extended to a maximum of 8 frames. The Slow Shutter function not only increases camera sensitivity but also produces a special blurring effect when shooting moving objects. Shutter speed is selectable from 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-frame periods.

High-quality Uncompressed Audio Recording

• In addition to HD video recording, high-quality audio is an equally significant feature in the XDCAM EX system. The PMW-F3 camcorder records and plays back high-quality, two-channel 16-bit, 48-kHz linear PCM uncompressed audio.

Exceptional Workflow Flexibility

• The PMW-F3 uses XDCAM EX's proven high-speed, intuitive workflow and offers seamless integration with leading nonlinear editing software. In addition, 10-bit 4:2:2 HD-SDI output opens up hybrid recording possibilities with content simultaneously recorded on internal memory and, in uncompressed form, on a variety of external recording devices.
• The PMW-F3 also supports selectable gamma, four levels of HyperGamma and S-Log for a wide range of shooting conditions from standard to wide latitude. The PMW-F3 can simultaneously record LUT (Look Up Table) information on internal media for additional workflow flexibility.
• 3G-SDI is available for 10bit RGB 1080 23.98/25/29.97PsF or 10bit 4:2:2 1080 50/59.94p output.

SxS Memory Cards = High Transfer Speeds + High Reliability

• Both SxS PRO and SxS-1A memory cards use the PCI Express interface to achieve extremely high data-transfer speeds of 800 Mbps to 1.2Gbps, and are resistant to up to a 1500G shock and 15G's of vibration. Also, SxS cards have a unique Salvage function that can restore content damaged by power loss, or memory disconnection during recording.
• In addition, with an optional MEAD-MS01 or MEAD-SD01 Media Adaptor, a high-speed Memory Stick or SD memory card can be used as emergency or alternative recording media. (Slow Motion and the Salvage function are not supported.)

Long Recording Time

• Utilizing a mature and highly efficient compression format together with high performance SxS memory cards, the F3 can record approximately 140 minutes (in HQ mode) on a single 32gb SxS card. With the cameras two memory card slots, recording time is easily doubled to 280 minutes.

Immediate Recording Start and No Overwriting Footage

• By recording on flash memory cards, the PMW-F3 can start recording virtually the instant the camcorder is turned on. Moreover, the camera automatically records on an empty area of the card eliminating the danger of overwriting existing content.

Instant-access Thumbnail Search with Expand Function

• Each time a recording is started and stopped on the PMW-F3, the content is recorded as a single clip. During playback, users can cue up the next, or previous clip simply by pressing the Next or Previous button. At the same time, thumbnails are automatically generated for each clip as a visual reference, allowing operators to cue up a desired scene simply by guiding the cursor to a thumbnail and pressing the Play button.
• The Expand function allows one selected clip in the thumbnail display to be divided into 12 even-time intervals, each with their own thumbnail identifier. This is useful to quickly search for a particular scene within a lengthy clip.

3.5" Hybrid Color LCD Screen / Viewfinder

• The F3L is equipped with an easy-to-view, high resolution of 1920 x 480 pixels color LCD screen. It can be used to instantly review recorded footage, as well as access the camera's setup menus and view thumbnail display status indications such as audio meters, depth-of-field indicators, and the remaining memory and battery time. Sony's Hybrid LCD screen is alos designed for clear viewing even in bright sunlight.

Genlock and Timecode Interfaces

• The includes genlock and timecode interfaces, making it ideal for multi-camera operation and entry level HD studio use.

Remote Control Capability

• The PMW-F3 comes with a professional remote control for various camera features via a standard Sony 8-pin control interface. This allows use of Sony optional RM-B150 and RM-B750 remote control units also provides increased flexibility for studio/location use.

Low Power Consumption

• Sony's chip design expertiseenables  the F3 to operate with exceptional efficiency, consuming only 24W. This makes the camera more reliable, extends battery operating time and is also environmentally conscious. With the optional BP-U60 battery attached, the PMW-F3 can record continuously for just under three hours.

Wide Array of Interfaces

• The camcorder comes equipped with a wide range of interfaces optimized for a variety of operational needs. These include dual HD-SDI output, downconverted SD-SDI output, i.LINK (HDV) input/output, USB2, and analog composite output.