Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens)

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

I bought this camera for indie film production. In a typical shoot, I will wear many hats and the hassle (not to mention the expense) of rigging and shooting with a DSLR just isn't practical for me.

This camera does it all. I am very pleased with the quality of video from the camera and the E Mount lens that I bought with it. It shoot very high quality video in very low light and there is minimal noise/grain that I can see on my 30" cinema monitor.

The one thing that would have been nice would have been a servo zoom. Possibly this is difficult because of the interchangeable lens.

Sony did some nice things with the ergonomics of this cam. The only thing that is a little bit of an issue is the selection wheel for the menu. It is too sensitive and often you inadvertently select something while trying to turn the wheel.

Personally, I think Sony picked up the ball that Canon and Panasonic dropped in this category of video cams. With other similar products sure to come, the DSLR video market really has nothing to offer me.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

This is a great camera for Indie filmmakers and videographers. With the super 35mm Exmor sensor you have a very sensitive sensor for low light capabilities and shallow depth of field. I definitely suggest getting the kit lens as it works for auto focus and image stabilization for quick shoots.

Also suggest using the Atomos Ninja and getting ND filters.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

I use this camera for commerical, weedings and short films.

i thinks the picture is very clean and very crips thats very great for me.

i dont like how the camera dont have auto zoom on it. Sony! come on! what were you thinking?

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

Ive been using this camera for a few weeks now and it is by far the best Image Quality of any video camera i have ever owned, the low light is stunning and with a few tweeks it is comparable to cameras 3x its size. would highly recommend for anyone who wants to the best value for money for any productions

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

Our quality of this product exceeded all my expectations. I patch this product to all producers by independet quality and low cost. Jefferson Augustine (Brazil)

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

As a long time Sony Ex1r and Canon 5D/7D user, I was just waiting for Sony to bring out this camera that is a hybrid of the two. Now I have a camera with professional audio inputs and the option to change lens. With the right len's, like the (Planar T* 50mm F/1.4 ZF.2 Lens with Nikon F-Mount) you can get stunning DOF images. The camera is economically a bit random, but so is the Canon 5D until you kit it up. So you need to buy some type of shoulder rig to really run and gun with the primes and rack focus. Currently I'm using the Manfrotto Fluid Video Monopod and racking by hand, and thats ok, but you don't always nail it smoothly the first time, like with a follow focus.I've just used the camera this past weekend in Arizona and just love the landscape images and color tones of the skin it produces. You can push the gain to 30db and still get away with it in post with out to much grain. The picture profile gives you great control for any environment and comes with four presets from Sony, but you can't give the picture profiles personal names like on the Sony Ex1. Not having the ND filters is a pain when changing environments fast, but well, spend more and get the F3... or buy the Singh-Ray 77mm NDs. Over all this camera is a great upgrade from the Sony Ex1 and Canon 5D, no more rolling shutter.Abel Cine has some great options to look into here, http://resources.abelcine.com/2011/06/16/lenses-and-accessories-for-the-nex-fs100/And here are some great reviewsSony FS100 and PMW-F3 side by side testshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3V8HdXsj0cPhillip Bloomhttp://philipbloom.net/category/largechip/fs100/

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

I use this camera for a variety of things (music videos, documentaries, short films, commercials, etc.). With all the lens adapters coming out for this camera, I don't see why more people aren't buying it. It is the PERFECT hybrid between the unaffordable cameras (F3, RED, Alexa), and the cameras that don't quite meet the ergonomics of a professional camera (Canon and Nikon DSLRs). The FS100 has the image quality of a 5D, with the features of a professional camera such as the Sony F3. Besides a few minor cons, I'd say this camera was the best purchase I've made in years.

The body itself feels plastic-y at first, but after a while, you will discover that the construction is solid and has a good weight to it. Also, I initially felt that the design of the camera was awkward. But after time, I got used to it and found ways to work with it (that is how most people get used to their equipment anyways). I definitely had to get used to my 7D when I first started using it.

The lens isn't great, but it gets you were you need to be in order to afford more expensive lenses. There is NO use in attaching a follow focus to the focus ring, because it does not accurately measure focus. It does however, register very accurate focus distance on the LCD screen. Having done recent tests on this, I was happy enough to find out that the lens doesn't have back focus problems. I will be using a lens adapter for my EF lenses in the mean time.

The sensor is truly incredible. It is absolutely true what they say about it in that the low light quality has very low noise. Sony is coming out with a bunch of goodies for the firmware update. Apparently they will offer guide frames for 2.35:1, 1.85:1, and 1.66:1 aspect ratios, 4x and 8x expanded focus, as well as a host of other awesome things. If you want to have the power of an F3, at the price of a 5D (including all the attachments you will eventually buy), don't thing twice about the FS100.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

Recently upgraded cameras from a Sony Z7U to this beauty and couldn't be happier. Very nice pictures and sensitivity, a real bargain for a 35mm sensor camera.Great in low light and no loss of time for editing.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

The image quality of this camera is outstanding - especially considering the price. It does remarkably well in low light, it's modular design makes it easy to customize your rig, and the uncompressed HDMI port opens up a world of possibilities.

The Sony 18-200 E mount lens is just ok. It's the first thing I will replace. It will not work with any follow focus rigs, but it does have a nice range.

I wish: 1) Sony had made a better decision about where the viewing system is located to make shoulder-mounted hand held shooting easier. 2) They had added an SDI port!... or 3) Added a second HDMI port that didn't carry the monitor display information so when you add a 3rd party RS 4:2:2 recording device (like a Ki Pro Mini or Nano Flash), you don't have to turn the display info off and fly blind. and 4) I wish they would just enable servo control so ENG-style zoom lenses can eventually be added. Then, this camera would be the ultimate.

Also, for this camera to really shine, you do need to surround it with a lot of 3rd party add-ons.

Still, it's an awesome camera with limitless possibilities at an excellent price point. I'm glad I got it!

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

The exposure latitude on this camera is amazing. No more need for 6k HMI to light a street at night. Existing lights is enough.

Only two complaint... uncompressed HDMI doesn't work as well as HD SDI out. HDMI has only 60i output which means you have to remove 3:2 pulldown to get to 24fps which on most external recorders (like Nanoflash) is a compromise.

If you use any lens but Sony Alpha lenses, the camera can't read the lens info.

This is the little brother to the F3 which I would have got instead if I could have afforded it. If you can't afford an F3 get this camera... and spend money on lenses that you use with any camera for years to come.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

best on tripod
very light
easy to adjust all settings

not for beginner

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

Like a lot of other people I purchased this camcorder to satisfy my need for a DSLR platform with pro features. It's an amazing camcorder for the price.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

It's a great camera, specially for those who owned a Sony video camcorder before. it's definitely a DSLR killer, its image quality is great and it has all the features that video cameras have: professional sound inputs, auto focus, etc.

The Sony lens that comes with the camera performs very well.

It could have better ergonomics; sometimes you just don´t know where to grab it. Also the sound inputs and headphone output get in the way when you hold the camera sometimes. The viewfinder is too large an sometimes gets in the way.

You definitely need to get a variable ND filter, it´s a MUST.

I recommend getting the 128Gb flash memory.

All in all it´s a great camera for professional videographers.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

Shoots great in low light. The lens is really too slow but it's usable until I can afford to move up to PL lenses. Wish it had SDI. Not sure about the 8-bit HDMI yet. I haven't tried going to a deck with it. Mic mount and lack of handle is pretty dumb! Eyepiece is useless... GET A MONITOR!!!

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

For the price this is the most amazing camera I've ever shot with. The body is about the size of my old Brownie Hawkeye! I bought the cheapest of the Nikon>E-mount adapters and it works great. I've tested in candlelight with my 50mm 1:1.4 and the blacks are silky smooth. Coming from the Z1, this is so refreshing. I just miss not having a servo zoom. Also Premier CS5 wants to intrepret progressive footage as interlaced, and it drops resolution on playback. I have to re-interpret the footage as Progressive and it plays fine. I'm trying to find a fix for that, maybe it'll come in the January software update for the camera.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

The Sony FS100 is intended for the true independent film maker. (Think Robert Rodriguez) If you think your going to spend [$] and make great films you are mistaken. You haven't spent half your money, yet. This camera was designed to be used on a tripod with a mat box. Its not a run and gun which most entry film makers probably need first. Its delicate. I asked Sony if the camera could handle the vibration in a race car or motorcycle and they told me to pick a different camera. Their answer was, "it's not made for that, its made to be mounted on a tripod with a mat box." The kit lens works for weddings but won't give you a cinematic feel. This is a great camera for the real indie film maker who has at least $10-$12K to spend on each camera. Its over kill for weddings and commercials. If you only have $25K to spend on 2 cameras, 3 used Zeiss lenses, and $4k for sound equipment then this would be a great choice for you. This camera has limited applications and is really for film that will be shown on a theater screen. If your film is going onto DVD, YouTube, or television you probably won't notice any difference unless you spend twice for the better lenses which doubles the price! The sensor is very sensitive but you need lenses that cost what the camera does to realize the full potential of the camera.Most of you would be better off buying the cheaper camera and putting the savings into better sound and lighting. This camera has a very limited market but if you have $25-$30k to spend AND YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR STUFF, you can make one great film! Read this last sentence carefully. If your reading this review right now to find out if this is your camera your probably not even in the same league as the people who will be able to fully utilize the potential of this camera. You should probably choose another camera.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

I am so glad i bought this camera and not a DSLR. This camera is a real video camera, but with the advantages of a DSLR like a large sensor, interchangeable lenses, and light weight compact design.
The image quality is amazing, and I am sure it will only get better when I invest in some higher quality lenses.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

It´s a wonderful magic box with an excellent sensor in one side and in/out signals in the other (with all the buttons you want to manage those items).

2 things make this box wonderful, and 2 things make it unfriendly:

It´s wondelfull because the outstanding image you could get and the great sensitibity of his sensor.

It´s unfriendly because its poor design (awkward position of some connectors, absence of ergonomics and due to the small size of the box itself it has very little space between buttons, conectors, cables … etc) and its lack of internal nd filters.

I call it unfriendly cause these are not truly bad things, they are just things that makes things harder in some specific situations. So the trick is to find the way to handle the box in each situation.

If you are shooting with time to properly adjust the camera, correct the exposure, move the lights, connect the accessories (nd filters, external recorders ... etc)… you´ll love the camera.

If you are shooting in a rush running behind the events while correcting the exposure, this box will demand a lot of practice and concentration, and one of the things that will make it harder is the use of nd filters in front of the lens, an absolutely indispensable accessory for this camera. With time to prepare every shot you would use a Matbox and a set of square nd filters, and there´s no problem with that since that´s the way to do it properly in any film shooting, but without time to do so (like eng shooting and documentaries) you will need a variable nd filter and so you get an optic restriction, because the variable nd filter has a noticeable gradation at the borders that could be seen in the image when using angular lenses (With the kit lens using the Heliopan nd variable filter you will see this effect when using the zoom between 18mm to 35mm).
Bottom line it´s magnificent box that will give you wonderful images if you treat it wisely, if you have time to do it will be delightful, if you don´t have time to do it it will be stressful. Anyway it´ll be challenging and fun.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

This is a splendid camera. After a year of using the 5D this camera is very simple to use.

The lack of ND filters is really a shame.
The Handle / remote isn't really practical ( One like the EX3 would be great)
The footage does look a little more like video.

Comments about Sony NEX-FS100UK Super 35mm Sensor Camcorder (with Lens):

This camera is the solution to all the problems that I faced with my DSLR. With the beautiful Super 35mm Exmor sensor this camera has everything my 7D had and a hundred things it didn't. The peaking, zebra, last scene buttons are some of my favorite features. The only thing that worries me about this camera is the build the very first time I picked it up I felt like I was picking a Matel Toy. it doesn't feel very durable and that worries me.