Pro video blog…Produced by Philip Johnston DoP/Editor

Sony is pleased to unveil the latest addition to the professional NXCAM range of camcorders, the NEX-EA50EH. This versatile new camcorder offers the ultimate flexibility in lens selection thanks to its interchangeable E-mount lens system.

The large format Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor gives the user creative freedom when shooting Full HD movies and high-quality still photos. The new form factor enables users to shoot in a way that suits them best, allowing them to switch quickly between handheld and shoulder configuration without the need for additional accessories.

“This all-in-one camcorder brings a new level of creativity to a wider range of professional users than ever before,” said Bill Drummond, Sony Europe. “It combines affordability and high performance with a range of versatile, professional features for many applications, including event production, budget movie making and corporate production.”

The Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor produces high quality, creative images with low noise and high sensitivity in low light conditions. It also enables 1080 progressive and interlace recording with 60/50Hz selection (50p/25p/50i or 60p/30p/24p/60i)*.

By capturing 16.1 megapixel still pictures with RAW format support, the camcorder offers higher picture quality and rich post-processing capabilities. In addition, the NEX-EA50EH has a built-in mechanical shutter to eliminate shutter-induced blur during long exposures while capturing still pictures.

The NEX-EA50EH incorporates the Sony E-mount interchangeable lens system, which enables auto focus, auto exposure and stabilisation during shooting. With its short flange back distance, it is possible to attach both established A-mount lenses via the LA-EA2 lens mount adapter, and an unrivalled choice of other brands lenses using third-party adapters.

 

The unique design of the NEX-EA50EH further adds to the camcorders versatility. When the shoulder pad is extended, the camcorder can be balanced on the shoulder giving added stability for longer shooting times. Alternatively, when the shoulder pad is returned to the original position, the camcorder becomes compact enough to use in various handheld styles allowing users to capture a wide variety of shots.

The NEX-EA50EH camcorder comes with the newly developed Power Zoom E-mount lens E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS SELP18200. It features auto focus, continuous variable iris and Optical Steady Shot image stabilisation with Active Mode, making it ideal for shooting moving images. It is electronically controlled by both the zoom rocker lever on the camcorder grip and top handle. Film-makers can achieve a constant zoom speed and smooth, slow zoom, both of which can be difficult to accomplish with manual zoom lenses. In addition, using fixed focal length lenses users can simulate a zoom effect using the smart digital zoom function, ensuring fast-paced shots are never missed.

The NEX-EA50EH features a range of professional functions usually associated with NXCAM camcorders, such as 2-channel XLR audio (the ECM-XM1 Shotgun microphone is included with the NEX-EA50H), Linear PCM audio, time code, user bit and built-in GPS.

 

In addition, Sony’s HXR-FMU128 flash memory unit can dock directly to the camcorder for recording an immediate backup. The camcorder is compatible with the new Mirroring Memory Stick (MS-PX64/32/16) which is the world’s first memory card featuring a “Mirroring” function. This enables the card to deliver high reliability and data security through a dual recording (mirroring) function. This new professional memory card will be available in 3 different capacities: 16GB; 32GB and 64GB.

author

Having been working in the video business since 1988 I have amassed a great amount of knowledge of both the kit and production values over the last 30 years.

19 thoughts on “The NEW Sony NEX-EA50 (£3000)

  1. FS/100 and 18-200 redesigned? No N/D’s.
    How much?
    You broke the story.

  2. The price is in the title CHRIS !!! As far as I can see no N/Ds, once again Sony don’t appreciate the meaning of large sensor and how it works.

  3. Oh snap, didn’t see that. Might wanna put it in the article. Anyway, wow on the price! Oh snap on the ND. The heliopan is great though. Then we always have standard filter ND’s.
    I think this camera will do well. Defiantly for run & gun, weddings, doc, and just shooting fast. I’d buy this over the FS100 just due to ergonomics. But what changes this cam is the lens and communication to the camera. THe lens even locks, thats great! It this puppy has 422 8bit out Hd/Sdi then I might be sold.
    For news guys though that want a big sensor, this is the cam.

  4. No ND is just so they can sell you this one and 4-6 months later come out with the version with ND.

  5. The question is: Does it uses that stupid AVCHD wrapper under 10 subfolders? Please give us QuickTime / MP4.

  6. Must have a ND. Maybe on top? Seems like a nice package for the price @ 1st glance.

  7. No NDs but maybe some negative gain to compensate. And a HDSDI plug would be nice at the amount of money (3500 euros), or 2 card slots. Ones again another unfinished cam from Sony.

  8. Sony were ignorant again regarding users requirements for ND filters. Why? Nice camera though. Wonder when it will be shipped into Australia? Probably a year after release in the UK/US as usual…..

  9. Power Zoom lens,..YES!
    XLR audio…Fantastic!
    ENG-Style Body…Wahoo!
    Full manual controls…brilliant!
    16mp photo camera sensor?…DOH!!…Nooo!!

    So close, yet so far!! 🙁

  10. Because this is an “NXCAM” we must ask the per-release standard questions:

    1.) Will you be able to control GAIN, IRIS and SHUTTER SPEED at the same time (Some Handycams allow this but not all NXCAMS today do)

    2.) Will this camera have standard audio level meters with “db” values or the non-decrypt “pyramid” type that have no values. (Some Handycams have level meters, some NXCAMs have pyramid type.)

    3.) Will the camera display “gain” values on the screen when shooting or only displayed during playback? (Some NXCAMS today do this)

    CT

  11. This is the first ENG style large sensor camera to come out if you don’t count Ikegami. Good stuff. They even put the viewfinder in the right place and it’s usable when the camera is mounted high on sticks.
    All of that said, I’ll wait for the serious version with a better codec. Also, I do need an ND filter wheel and I don’t need aliasing. By the way, I understand the lack of ND filter wheel isn’t a mistake by Sony – it’s simply a marketing design.

    I believe the zoom rocker from the promo video is on the handle.

  12. Just curious, has anyone cut EX 1 footage with NXCam footage using same frame rate?
    I realize there are differences in image senors, but is there any comparison in imagery (disregarding depth of field)?

  13. From early photographs, it looks like camera does not have separate rings for aperture, zoom and focus.

  14. Yes, we use an EX1 for our main shooting and then an NX70 or MC50 for car bolt-ons. We quite often use the two cameras in car simultaneously for in car presenting to make editing easier and never have any problems switching between them in Premiere as long as you get the colours set right. We even use a 5DIII instead of the EX1 quite often without too many problems. You just have to be prepared to colour correct.

  15. Specs say min lux 1.7, but that is probably with horrible amounts of gain. This camera has the guts of the VG20 with more controls and better video ergonomics. All that can’t fix the sad situation with the sloooow lens. F3.5 – 5.3 horrible. I had a VG20 and sent it back. My little CX 550v or the NX-70 was much better in low light.

    steve

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