Sony Introduces New PMW-300 XDCAM HD Camcorder

Sony’s new PMW-300 XDCAM camcorder is the first semi-shoulder mount camcorder to combine the benefits of 1/2-type Exmor Full HD 3CMOS sensor technology with 50Mbps HD recording at MPEG HD422. The PMW-300 camcorder is ideal for production professionals who require a flexible semi-shoulder camcorder that adapts easily to a range of commercial shooting environments.

Sony PMW-300 camcorder

“Sony is continually advancing our XDCAM HD422 technology based on customer feedback and the constantly changing needs of the production community,” said Tatsuro Kurachi, director product marketing, Professional Solutions of America, Sony Electronics’. “This newest camcorder delivers the incredible flexibility and high-end recording capabilities pro shooters at every level of production need, combined with very specific ergonomic and performance enhancements. The PMW-300 is a true workhorse camcorder.”

The PMW-300’s 1/2-type Exmor Full-HD 3CMOS sensors offer high light sensitivity and low image noise to deliver clear, high-resolution images even when shooting in low-light conditions. The camcorder also includes Sony’s advanced signal processing technology to suppress noise effectively and create noticeably clearer images.

The camcorder’s high bit rate ensures excellent capture of fast-moving objects, while its chroma subsampling feature is perfect for a wide range of video encoding areas such as VFX and green screen applications. A planned future upgrade to support Sony’s revolutionary XAVC codec will let users extend the lifecycle of the product for maximum return on investment.

The PMW-300 features the same EX-mount interchangeable lens system as Sony’s PMW-EX3 for compatibility with ½-inch and 2/3- inch lenses.  The camcorder comes with a 14 times zoom lens featuring a focus ring for quick switching between auto and manual focus.

An HD-resolution 3.5-inch color LCD viewfinder (960×540 pixels) enables precision focusing for HD shooting.  Timecode and genlock interfaces as well as an 8-pin remote connector give users added flexibility in multi-camera setups and 3D configurations. The 8-pin remote connector also allows for remote adjustment using a remote control (sold separately). HD-SD/SDI and HDMI outputs let users connect the camcorder to broadcast infrastructures and to compatible consumer devices.

The camcorder has a standard recording mode of 1080/23.98p giving users several shooting options, switching down to 720/23.98p to enable up to 2.5x slow motion.

The PMW-300 camcorder’s innovative semi-shoulder design has a rotary hand grip for more comfortable recording over long periods of time, and its durable magnesium metal body is designed to withstand even the harshest production environments.

Like all of Sony’s solid state XDCAM camcorders, the PMW-300 allows the most flexible choice of recording media. Customers can record on Sony’s professional SxS memory card,as well as SD, Memory Stick and XQD cards depending upon their budget and application.

The camcorder has slots for using Sony’s UWP series wireless microphone systems. For added flexibility, Sony will offer an optional wireless adapter (currently in development) to enhance proxy recording, wireless transfers, Wi-Fi viewing and metadata input.

The PMW-300 camcorder is planned to be available in October at a suggested list price of less than $10,000. The camcorder with the 14 times zoom lens (model PMW-300K1) is also planned to be available in October.