Sony NXCAM to be Released in Summer of 2011

When Sony released their groundbreaking world’s first interchangeable camcorder NEX-VG10, they mentioned that a professional model will follow as well. Currently under development, new NXCAM has surfaced and like its semi-professional cousin, it will be compatible with e-Mount lenses as well as “α” A-mount lenses. It will deliver 1080p (60p / 30p / 24p or 50p / 25p) recording modes in AVCHD, something that NEX-VG10 is missing and left with 1080i to entertain your video projects. Here is a little video teaser and a short press release. Looks a little boxy, but  we’ll take it anyways, even though it will cost probably 3 times more than NEX-VG10.

Sony Corporation announced today that it is developing a new type of E-mount interchangeable lens camcorder for professional use that is equipped with a Super-35mm equivalent large format CMOS sensor. This new addition to Sony’s professional “NXCAM” line will be available in the middle of 2011.

Already a key player in the 35mm digital cinematography business with the highly acclaimed “CineAlta” F35 and SRW-9000PL for high-end digital cinema production, Sony has just strengthened its lineup in this category with the recent PMW-F3 announcement. In addition to this, with this new “NXCAM” HD camcorder now (still under development), Sony looks to further strengthen its position in the entry-level segment by providing an affordable yet highly capable professional solution for many applications including independent film, music video and corporate communications all looking for the cinematic look.

This “NXCAM” HD camcorder under development will be equipped with a Super-35mm equivalent sensor, a widely used film stock size in the film industry that is perfectly designed for capturing motion picture. This new sensor will have extraordinary performance in terms of picture quality and sensitivity, and is able to create rich “Bokeh” effect (beautifully defocused image) that is perfect for artistic story-telling in motion picture.

Thanks to the adoption of the E-mount interchangeable lens system that is identical to the “α” series NEX-5, 3 and “Handycam” NEX-VG10, the E-mount lenses will be compatible with this new professional camcorder. In addition, a very short flange back distance (the distance between lens mount surface and sensor surface) let various “α” A-mount lenses be mounted via a mount adapter (LA-EA1). Furthermore, it is also possible to attach many other lenses using third-party mount adapters^*1. With such flexibility, users will be able to experiment with various creative expressions by exploiting the characteristics of different optics.