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Sony NEX-FS100U: A Super35 CMOS Sensor in an Affordable Camcorder
Some professional camcorders can cost an arm and a leg. Sony’s PMW-F3 falls into that category. Fortunately, manufacturers realize that not everyone can afford to part with an arm and a leg, so they find ways to offer products with similar feature sets to the pro cameras, but which can be had for just an arm. Sony’s new NEX-FS100U fits the bill. Like the PMW-F3, the NEX-FS100U features an Exmor Super35 CMOS sensor and interchangeable lenses. But the NEX-FS100U does not support SDI or HDSDI, and instead of SxS media, the NEX-FS100U uses the more common and more affordable Memory Stick and SD/SDHC/SDXC media.
At 23.6mm x 13.3mm, the Exmor Super35 CMOS sensor is roughly the same size as an APS-C sensor. The plus-size image sensor provides top-notch clarity, excellent low-light sensitivity and shallow depth of field, making this camcorder ideal for use in the ENG and the motion-picture industries. It is sensitive enough to shoot under minimum illumination of 0.28 lux. The camera records in the AVCHD format, which is supported by most popular nonlinear editing systems. Uncompressed 4:2:2 footage with embedded SMPTE timecode can be output through the HDMI port to an external recording unit. A shotgun microphone is included with the camcorder, and dual XLR inputs let you capture high-quality audio from an external source.
The Sony NEX-FS100U can record 1080p full HD video with playback rates of 60, 30 and 24 frames 
per second and bit rates as high as 28Mbps. A slow- and quick-motion function allows you to select a frame rate that’s different than the one used for playback (you can choose from 60, 30, 15, 8, 4, 2 and 1 fps). Of course, the camera can also record in Standard Definition MPEG-2 format.
The Exmor Super35’s imaging area matches that of standard Hollywood film cameras, making the NEX-FS100U compatible with numerous cine-style film lenses. The camcorder's E-mount lens system is compatible with most E-mount lenses made by Sony, Zeiss, Tamron, Sigma and Cosina, and a large selection of Sony A-mount lenses is compatible when used with the optional LA-EA1 lens mount adapter. Most 35mm lenses can be used with third-party adapters. B&H also sells the NEX-FS100U as part of a kit that includes an 18-200mm zoom lens.
The NEX-FS100U can record on compatible Memory Stick Pro Duo media and SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, 
as well as an optional HXR-FMU128 flash memory unit, which allows continuous recording for more than 10 hours, as well as instant backups. Simultaneous recording to memory cards and other media is also possible.
Seeing what you’re shooting is easy with the NEX-FS100U, as it features a 3.5-inch, 921,600-dot XtraFine LCD screen that can be rotated for easy viewing from either side of the camera. A viewfinder tube with a 1.2x magnifier is included with the camcorder to convert the LCD into a viewfinder, making it much easier to see your subject when shooting in bright sunlight.
Other features of the NEX-FS100U include geotagging with a built-in GPS receiver, an onscreen histogram display that enables easier exposure adjustment, a peaking function that allows for more precise focusing, and various markers that can be displayed on the LCD to aid in shooting. Housed in a compact, lightweight body, the NEX-FS100 body is only 5 inches wide by 4 inches high by 7.6 inches deep and it weighs only 2.3 pounds. It features a detachable handle and grip. The angle of the grip can be adjusted as needed, and recording can be controlled by a button on the grip. Screw holes on the handle and on the bottom of the camera body (1/4" and 3/8") allow for flexible mounting of peripherals.
The NEX-FS100U is an impressive piece of filmmaking equipment, chock-full of pro features, at a price point that professionals can easily afford.
Comments
Apart from the much frendlier controls, and handles... e.c.t. and the XLR inputs, how would this camera compare to the new NEX-VG20? The sensor sizes must be very similar, REcording Codecs are the same, it appears that the recording bitrate in both cameras is up to 28Mbps. Both Use the same lenses, both have HDMI outputs (although I have not seen the specs on the output of the VG20, 4:2:2 Uncompressed?).
My question in a nutshell... apart from the XLR Inputs and the much nicer manual controls... where does the other $3400 go?
As you mentioned the sensors sizes of the two cameras are quite similar in size, but the NEXFS100’s Super 35 is more closely matched to Sony's higher end models should you begin to build a multi camera system. The two cameras do have the same lens mount and also shoot using the same codec and bit rate.
This is pretty much where the similarities stop and here is where the worth of the FS100 shows.
Uncompressed video with a 4:2:2 color space and embedded time code out of the HDMI which is much superior to what the VG20 can do.
Dual XLR inputs and the included shotgun microphone for professional quality sounding audio.
1920x1080 slow motion and fast motion video.
The FMU128 hard drive recorder mount for long record times and simultaneous backup recording.
Standard definition recording capability.
FS100 is built and sold under Sony’s Pro division with their Pro support. The VG20 is a more consumer built camera and handled under Sony’s consumer Sony Style division.
What about the rolling shutter issue?
Hello,
The issue of Rolling Shutter has nothing to do with a camera as it does with the sensor type it uses. Like many of the popular cameras currently available, the Sony NEX-FS100U has a CMOS sensor.
One difference between CCD and CMOS sensors is the way they capture each frame. A CCD uses what's called a "Global Shutter" while CMOS sensors use a "Rolling Shutter".
Global Shutter means that the entire frame is captured at the exact same time. The best way to envision this is by thinking of the sensor as a piece of film; as light passes through the cameras lens the light exposes the entire film frame at once. A CCD captures light in much the same way, all at the same time.
On the other end, rolling shutter exposes the frame from top to bottom. Imagine a TV as it writes an image line-by-line. A CMOS sensor captures light though capturing each pixel one-by-one. Each row of pixels (from top to bottom) is captured in sequential order, creating a rolling effect, hence the name "Rolling Shutter".
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/newsLetter/Comparing-Image-Sensors.jsp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_shutter
Sony has this to say on the matter;
Minimal “jello-cam”
Sony is a world leader in semiconductor image sensors and a leader in the fundamentals of CMOS technology. While CMOS sensors have many strengths, they can be susceptible to “jello-cam,” a type of geometric distortion experienced with moving subjects. Jello-cam occurs because CMOS uses a rolling shutter where each row of pixels is exposed slightly after the row above.
Sony sought to minimize “jello-cam” by speeding up the readout process. Conventional CMOS sensors use only a handful of digital-to-analog converters, creating a traffic jam that slows down the readout process. Sony’s Exmor™ CMOS design supplies each column of pixels with its own, dedicated converter. The sensor has literally hundreds of converters, reducing rolling shutter to a minimum.
http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/files/show/highend/pdf/NEXFS100U.pdf
The best thing about this camera is that it's easy to rig properly for professional use. Hot Rod Cameras makes the best accessories for this camera on the planet, bar none. I just got done using one on a national commerical. Using a Hot Rodded FS100 simpy blows away a stock FS camera!
Peter B.
I guess no servo zoom?
Is the "Auto" focus the type you'd see in a video camera or a DSLR, where it isn't continuously adjusting focus?
Hello;
The Sony NEXFS100U's Kit lens has buttons for full autofocus but also allows you to switch into manual mode on the fly so the lens does not hunt or continuously adjust. Its what you would expect from an autofocus video camera. The lens has a spinning focus ring and the iris is controlled on the camera with an iris wheel. Iris changes are smooth and the reviews out there show that videographers are happy with the autofocus system.
What about the zoom? Manual or servo too?
Hello,
Sony "E" mount lens will maintain servo zoom. All others willbe manual.
I've been watching this move towards becoming available with great interest. Any word on what pricing will be?
Just click the link in the product name, above.
Hello,
The current pricing is on our web site; http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=NEX-FS100U&N=0&InitialSearch=yes
Hello,
We have pricing on our web site; http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=NEX-FS100U&N=0&InitialSearch=yes