Pro video blog…Produced by Philip Johnston DoP/Editor

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The HXR-NX100 features a 1.0 type Exmor® R back-illuminated CMOS Sensor with 20 megapixels. The sensor, which is approximately the same size as a Super 16mm film frame, delivers high resolution, low noise and stunning picture quality even in low light conditions, as well as offering more depth of field control as demanded by today’s diverse shooting requirements. Stunning picture quality is further ensured by a fixed Sony G lens, offering 12x optical zoom from 29mm angle of view at wide end that can be increased to 24x with Clear Image Zoom, while retaining full resolution thanks to By Pixel Super Resolution Technology. Furthermore, zoom performance can be doubled at any point with a Digital Extender by up to 48x. These features, combined with built-in 4-step ND filter, mean the HXR-NX100 is well prepared to capture quality content in any environment.

The HXR-NX100 is ergonomically designed to give a lightweight and easy-to-use form factor that ensures quality, reliability and peace of mind during any type of shoot. Three independent manual lens rings give simple access to zoom, focus and iris functions. The camcorder also provides a wide variety of connectivity options including HDMI, Multi/Micro USB, XLR terminals, REMOTE, Composite (BNC) and Multi Interface (MI) Shoe, which allows for a wide range of accessories without the need for cables, such as the HVL-LBPC Video Light and the UWP-D wireless microphone series.

Further extending the recording flexibility of the Sony NXCAM range, the HXR-NX100 is able to record in AVCHD, DV and XAVC S 50Mbps for multiple choices and high quality images. Operational flexibility is maximised by recording onto affordable and readily available consumer memory cards. The HXR-NX100 features dual media slots, which enables recording onto two memory cards either simultaneously or via a relay mode, where recording automatically switches when the first card is full.

“The HXR-NX100 brings the very best in resolution, depth of field control and low light performance thanks to its big 1.0-type Exmor R CMOS sensor, allowing content creators to capture beautiful images in any environment,” said Robbie Fleming, Product Marketing Manager at Sony Professional Solutions Europe. “Its ergonomic design ensures comfortable handling and the ability to record in XAVC S 50Mbps means the camcorder delivers quality content across a range of shoots, such as events and corporate videos. In the HXR-NX100, professionals have a versatile camcorder that lets them concentrate on doing what they love, with minimum hassle.”

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Key features of the HXR-NX100

  • 1.0 type Exmor® R CMOS Sensor and Sony G lens for stunning picture quality.High sensitivity and fantastic resolution with 20 megapixel sensor and sophisticated Sony G lens deliver striking detail, colours and wide dynamic range, even in low light conditions (minimum illumination 1.7 Lux *)

* NTSC model: 1/30 second shutter speed, Iris and gain Auto.       PAL model   : 1/25 second shutter speed, Iris and gain Auto

  • Maximum 48x zoom for wide range shooting.The lens offers a 12x Optical Zoom from 29mm angle of view at wide end, which can be increased to 24x with Clear Image Zoom while retaining full resolution thanks to By Pixel Super Resolution Technology. Zoom performance can be doubled at any point with a Digital Extender up to 48x.
  • Three independent manual lens rings, built-in 4-step ND filter and other professional functions.Manual lens rings ensure intuitive control of zoom, focus and iris and the built-in 4-step ND filter helps to control exposure in bright scenes. Other professional features include 0.24 type 1550K dots EVF and 3.5 type 1550K dots LCD for easy monitoring, and a wide variety of professional interfaces, including HDMI, Multi/Micro USB, XLR terminals, REMOTE, Composite (BNC) and Multi Interface (MI) Shoe, delivering a seamless integration for video light and wireless audio.
  • Breadth of recording format capabilities.  The camcorderprovides multiple choices including AVCHD and DV which are suitable for conventional workflow, and newly implemented XAVC S 50Mbps which delivers better image quality especially for professional needs.
  • Dual media slots for recording flexibility.Two memory card slots enable various recording options such as backup, simultaneous,relay and independent recording. The camcorder is compatible with SDXC and SDHC cards as well as Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2)and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo. “SIMUL” mode permits simultaneous recording to two memory cards, while “RELAY” mode automatically switches recording from the first to the second memory card when the first is full. The user can also use buttons on the camcorder to independently start and stop recording on different memory cards.

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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.

13 thoughts on “NEW camcorder from Sony…the HXR-NX100 (October 2015)

  1. Looks like a decent camera for those not interested in 4K, and recording on cheaper SD cards is a godsend. Its all boils down to the price of it in the end though?

  2. No 4K?

    Weird. That 20Mp 1″ seems to be the same one used in the AX100 and PXW X70, and no mention of future 4K like the X70 was launched with.

    I wonder what Sony is thinking, especially considering you can churn out 200Mb/s (bits not Bytes) on a U3 SDXC card. Maybe protectionism of the FS7?

    Still doesn’t make much sense to me. Any word on price?

  3. Looks like a CX900 in a bigger box. The X70 should have had this form factor. Doesn’t look like it has touch focus or mention of NFC for phone/laptop control and has the same silly lens cap rather than the lens cover that is on all the cameras with a similar style. Sony is acting very strange these days. The obvious seems to miss them completely !!!

  4. REMOTE? I hope thats of LANC variety. I’m with Sony, and see a particular market for this type of camera. And it uses NP-F style batteries. Looking forward to pricing.

  5. Hi all we will be showing the new model at the kit plus tour in Manchester and London next week, come along and have a look! Unfortunately I will be in Phil’s home country, Scotland in Perthshire on Holiday, but we will have Robbie Fleming on hand to answer any questions!

  6. Hi Bill,

    What was the camera like to use? Similar quality to the PXw X70? I’m looking to buy a PXW for work but I’m wondering if I should hold off for this.

    Cheers

  7. Hi everyone,
    I’m looking to buy a Sony PXW-X70 for work (wedding) but I’m wondering if I should hold off for this.

  8. Does anyone know something about the HDMI output? 4:2:2 or 4:2:0, 10 Bit or 8 Bit?
    In my opinion the official sony beauty video shows problems in highlights and some parts look a little bit flat. The gradation is not smooth enough.

  9. another product made possible ONLY because the GH4 doesn’t have a servo zoom. A bit “retro” given the composite BNC (and what’s that for????) and the HD only footage. But it has a servo zoom with 3 rings. All to be held in mid-air for the pleasure of our arms but even heavier than the others (AX100,CX900,X70). I’d say that if the marketing guys obsessed with all the limitations to study over and over (day and night) between models “ad libitum” don’t get it togheter then in the end people will really start shooting in mid-air with their phones ignoring these cameras completely.
    same X70 but with 3 rings and 4Kless , really? I mean.. seriously? They are distributing “scientifically” the gadgets to create a market. Enough…

  10. sara : paid weddings will most likely end up on DVD. May I suggest the JVC GY-HM70 ? surprisingly good footage and a shoulder mount. I sold it for another JVC (890) but I’m going to buy it back and sell the 890 waiting to get the pmw-400 next year. In case the HM70 needs a pound counterweight to make it perfect. After that stays on your shoulder for hours and you won’t even feel it. Then needs good microphones (the processed audio is poor but with a sennheiser wireless is decent) . Low light is outstanding but only on wide angle, still outstanding. (the lens stops down to 1.2 again only to be used on wide angle). It’s fast, gets the focus right pretty much all the time, ready to point and shoot for sudden changes. Perfect for weddings. Gets even a decent bokeh on longer close-ups and again the footage is truly good. Slightly better than the x70 in HD, with the difference that the HM70 takes always stable footage due to the native shoulder mount instead. Also if you plan to distribute a short featurette on youtube then the 108060p will shine, and on DVD will still deliver sharp and solid quality. Doesn’t blur for normal pans, the rolling shutter is decent as well. Back to the audio I had a small passive beachtek for 2 XLR for both audio quality and counterweight (velcroed on the back of the shoulder mount). That camera is (was) in my opinion one of the hidden gems , cheap and surprisingly good HD, seriously underrated.

  11. I just received a HXR-NX100. I connected a Manfrotto 522 Lanc control with the Stereo mini mini jack to remote – the control light is burning, but nothing works. Even if the option for remote control in the menu is on or off.
    The Manfrotto Lanc control works fine with a HDR-FX1000 and even with a HDR-CX900 with an adapter to the multi/micro usb connection. I also tried this connection at the HXR-NX100 – but not working.
    What can I do?

    HDW : Sadly as time has moved on so has Sony’s reluctance to keep things like “Lanc” standardised, Sony have also made redundant a lot of people who used to read the blog and could have helped here.

  12. Bernd the Sony RM-1BP is the remote for the camera , and it’s a standard lanc protocol. the only difference is that the manfrotto gives 8 steps of zoom while the sony only 3 . Can you try another lanc ?

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