Sony's XDCAM EX lineup continues to expand and improve with the PMW-320K Full HD Camcorder. Nearly identical to the larger-sensor PMW-350L, this professional shoulder-mount camera boasts three 1/2"-type full-HD CMOS sensors, solid state SxS workflow and an impressive set of advanced features, setting new standards for affordable, high-end videography. With a chassis based on the XDCAM HD422, the PMW-320K also manages to be one of the lightest--and most well-balanced--camcorders in its class (even factoring in the included 16x interchangeable Fujinon lens).
But comfort and portability are only the beginning. Pressing the Record button reveals what the PMW-320K is really about: topnotch image quality. And this camcorder comes by it honestly, whether in its High Quality 35Mbs HD setting or using the optional 25Mbs DVCAM recording mode. Either way, your images are captured quietly and efficiently to SxS PRO or the new, lower-cost SxS-1 memory cards--storing up to 280 minutes of MPEG-2 HD video on two 32GB cards. You can even record uncompressed 4:2:2 video by capturing to an external recorder via the camera's HD-SDI output.
Exceptionally low power consumption (down to 15W) means the PMW-320K can run on a single 90Wh battery for up to 5 hours, which is not only good for the environment, but fewer batteries mean less weight (and lower costs) on long-distance shoots. Other features--some passed down from Sony's higher-end F900R and PDW-700--are also worth highlighting, including scene file settings, adjustable gamma, and Matrix settings that can be stored on memory cards. Four channels of audio and a viewfinder that incorporates the EX1/EX3's entire high-resolution LCD screen (and adds image flip) make the shooter's job even easier. With the introduction of the PMW-320K, Sony reaffirms its XDCAM EX cameras as serious high-definition contenders.
What's more, the Exmor CMOS sensor's unique design deploys an A/D converter to each column of pixels, resulting in a much lower clock speed than conventional CMOS sensors. This makes it possible to greatly reduce power consumption of the camcorder.
The SP mode supports 1440 x 1080 resolution at 25Mbs, which provides compatibility with HDV 1080i products. Footage recorded in this SP mode can be seamlessly integrated into HDV-compatible editing systems by transferring the stream from the camcorder via the i.LINK (HDV) interface.
The PMW-320K also supports 25Mbs DVCAM recording in either PAL or NTSC modes, again providing seamless integration into existing DVCAM workflows, offering ultimate flexibility worldwide.
- Compatible with ExpressCard/34 interface slot which is common on modern Windows PCs and Macs
- Uses PCI Express interface and achieves an extremely high "read" speed of 800 Mbs*
- Large storage capacity: SBP-16 (16 GB) and SBP-32 (32 GB) memory cards are available.
- Can record up to 140 minutes of HD video and audio (using one 32-GB memory card)
- Compact size: approx. 75 x 34 x 5 mm (excluding the projecting parts)--half the size of the older PC Card standard
- Low power consumption
- Highly reliable: can resist shocks (up to 1500 G) and vibrations (up to 15 G)
- Affordability: SxS-1 media (introduced in late 2009) provides users with a lower cost alternative to SxS PRO media that offers the same high performance, but with an estimated 5-year life span when recording at full capacity once per day. Users can check the card life on their PMW-320K camcorder and even see an alarm when the data rewriting limit is reached.
- SDHC and Memory Stick media can now be used with MEAD Adaptors.
*This data-transfer speed is a theoretical value. Actual data-transfer speed depends on the file type and the performance of the PC.
*When recording in HQ (35Mbs) mode, recording time may be more than the above specified figure depending on the actual bit rate that is adopted during VBR encoding.
In addition, 59.94P and 50P progressive recording is available in 1280 x 720 mode. In SD mode, both 50/60i and 25P/30P modes are supported.
*In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode, images are handled as 23.98P and recorded as 59.94i signals through means of 2-3 pulldown.
The camcorder is also equipped with a slot to accommodate a DWR-S01D digital wireless microphone receiver, which provides two-channel audio with stable and secure transmission. The WRR-855 Series microphone receiver can also be used in this slot.
The file-based recording allows material to be handled with great flexibility in an IT-based environment--easily available for copying, transferring, sharing, and archiving. All these operations are accomplished without any "digitizing" process required.
File-based data copying allows for degradation-free dubbing of AV content, which can be performed easily on a PC. The file-based recording system also allows for material to be viewed directly on a PC--simply by inserting the SxS memory card into the ExpressCard slot on a PC or Mac, or by linking a PC/Mac to the XDCAM EX unit via a USB2 connection. This works in the same way as a PC reading files on an external drive. The file-based operation can dramatically improve the efficiency and quality of professional video applications.
This is extremely convenient, as camera operators do not have to worry about accidentally recording over good takes, and they don't have to search through footage for the correct position to start the next recording. In short, it means the camera is always ready for the next shot!
Furthermore, thumbnails are automatically generated for each clip as a visual reference, allowing operators to cue-up to a desired scene simply by guiding the cursor to a thumbnail and pressing the 'Play' button.
For further convenience, the 'Expand' function allows one selected clip in the thumbnail display to be divided into 12 even-time intervals, each with their own thumbnail identifier. This is useful if you want to quickly search for a particular scene within a lengthy clip.
*In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode, images are handled as 23.98P and recorded as 59.94i signals through means of 2-3 pulldown.
The PMW-320K can capture images at frame rates selectable from 1 fps (frame per second) to 60 fps in 720P mode and from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080P mode, in increments of 1 fps. For example, when viewed at 23.98P, images captured at 60 fps will appear 2.5 times slower than normal. Conversely, images captured at 4 fps will appear six times faster than normal.
With the Slow & Quick Motion function of this camcorder, images are recorded natively without interpolating the frames. This means the quality of the slow- and fast-motion images is extremely high and incomparable to those created in the editing process. In addition, these slow- and quick-motion images can be played back immediately after shooting, without using any converters or processing on non-linear editing systems.
When the elbow block is opened up, the screen can be monitored directly, while menu setting and thumbnails are easily accessed using switches on the inside panel. The PMW-320K also has an interface for the DXF-20W and DXF-51 viewfinders.*
*The supplied viewfinder and DXF viewfinder cannot be used concurrently.
- High-speed picture search: x4, x15
- Freeze Mix function
- Skin-tone Detail control
- Low-key saturation