Sony PXW-Z150 4K Camcorder with 1″ Exmor RS CMOS Sensor Announced

Sony announced the new PXW-Z150 4K Camcorder – the world’s first camcorder with 1.0 type stacked CMOS sensor. Ready for any shooting scenario, Sony’s PXW-Z150 handy professional camcorder delivers stunning 4K image quality, 120fps HFR Full-HD slow-motion and built-in advanced networking for live streaming and wireless workflow.

The PXW-Z150 is planned to be available in April at a suggested list price of $3,595. Now you can pre-order it at B&H and Adorama.

Sony PXW-Z150 4K XDCAM Camcorder Key Features:

  • Single 1″ Exmor RS CMOS Sensor
  • UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 30p
  • HD up to 120 fps
  • Sony G Lens with 12x Optical Zoom
  • 24x Clear Image Zoom, 48x Digital Zoom
  • Discrete Manual Focus, Zoom, Iris Rings
  • XAVC, AVC/H.264, AVCHD 2.0, MPEG-4
  • Slow and Quick Motion Function
  • Two SD Memory Card Slots, Wi-Fi
  • 2 x 3-Pin XLR Audio Inputs

Breakthrough 4K imaging performance – Stunning imagery with world’s first 1.0 type stacked CMOS sensor

1.0 Type, 120 fps HFR – Revolutionary imaging performance with Exmor RS
To deliver imaging performance previously impossible for a compact camcorder, Sony has developed the world’s first 1.0 type stacked CMOS image sensor for professional video applications. A 2x increase in read-out speed, compared to a conventional 1.0 type sensor, enables beautiful 5x slow motion image capture up to 120fps in Full HD and high resolution 4K recording with full pixel readout without binning.

Sony “G” lens with maximum 24x zoom
To maximise the quality of your images, the Z150 has a stunning optical 12x zoom lens that offers high resolution and contrast across the entirety of the image. Sony’s advanced Clear Image Zoom feature doubles magnification to 18x when shooting in 4K QFHD and 24x in HD, to fully exploit the imaging capabilities of the Z150’s large 1.0 type stacked sensor.

Flexible 4K and Full HD recordings
Stunning 4K picture performance is supported with 4K QFHD (3840×2160) XAVC Long GOP at 100Mbps, while integration with established broadcast workflows is simplified with Full HD recording in XAVC Long GOP (4:2:2/10bit 50Mbps) and MPEG-2 HD (50Mbps/35Mbps). You can even use AVCHD to further expand workflow flexibility. However you want to shoot, the Z150 delivers.

Compact and lightweight body
The Z150 is ergonomically designed to provide a lightweight and easy-to-use shooting experience. Three manual, independent lens rings enable smooth, natural adjustment of focusing, zooming and iris control. The camcorder can also be used in full auto mode or completely manual for maximum creative control. Exceptional 6.3W power efficiency offers high performance within a compact handycam body without compromising battery life. Up to 400 minutes with optional NP-F970.

Wireless – Networked for high mobility
The Z150 has advanced networking capabilities that give you more mobility in your work – FTP files directly from the camcorder or live stream from any event using built-in Wi-Fi features with no accessories required. Sony’s unique QoS technology dramatically improves the clarity that’s possible on a wireless connection, giving you better pictures even with the limitations of today’s real-world networks.

You can also remotely control the PXW-Z150 with a smartphone or tablet, including the ability to adjust settings such as focus, zoom, iris, white balance, REC START/STOP and more using Sony’s Content Browser Mobile software.

High resolution monitoring
The Z150 gives you precise monitoring and low latency, however you choose to shoot, with its advanced, wide viewing-angle and high contrast 0.39 type 1440K dots OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) with large eye-cap, and an easily adjustable, flip-out 3.5 type 1550K dots LCD panel.

Wide choice of connections including 3G-SDI
There’s no need to worry about adapters as the Z150 provides a wide variety of built-in connectivity options including 3G-SDI, HDMI, Multi/Micro USB, professional audio XLR terminals, REMOTE and Composite (RCA). A supplied Sony cold shoe adaptor kit provides you with more flexibility for mounting accessories.

Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe
The Z150 takes advantage of Sony’s flexible Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe, which provides power, signal connections and coordinated on/off switching to compatible Sony accessories. For example, you can connect and control Sony wireless microphone systems such as the UWP-D11 or UWP-D12 or attach the HVL-LBPC light.

Dual media slots for recording flexibility
To extend recording times and workflow flexibility, the Z150 is equipped with two memory card slots and is compatible with SDXC and SDHC cards.

‘RELAY’ mode automatically switches recording from the first to the second memory card when the first is full, while ‘SIMUL’ mode permits simultaneous recording to two memory cards (for example to create an immediate back-up version).

Find out more about the new camera at www.sony.com/pxwz150.