IBC 2013: Sony has added to its range of 4K-capable devices with the launch of the PXW-Z100, an XDCAM camcorder which features a 1/2.33” Exmor R CMOS sensor.

The sensor has total of 16 million pixels and is able to acquire 4K content at 4096 x 2160 at 50p or 60p. 

The camera has a fixed lens and uses the XAVC recording format, which was first used in the PMW-F55 camera. 

MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression is used for HD (1920 x 1080), quad full HD (QFHD) (3840x2016) and 4K (4096×2160) content.

Image sampling is 4:2:2 10-bit, with an intra-frame system that compresses each frame individually at a maximum bit rate of 500Mbps or 600Mbps during 4K 50p or 60p recording and 223Mbps during HD 50p or 60p recording. 

A firmware update is planned for the middle of 2014 to support the Long GOP mode for extended 4K recording time and to add support for AVCHD recording.

The PXW-Z100 includes two XQD Memory Card slots. 

The HDMI interface on the camera can output 4K as a 50p/60p signal. 

A firmware upgrade is planned to provide compatibility with the HDMI 2.0 standard. A 3G HD-SDI interface supports output up to HD 60p. It also supports HD output during 4K recording.

Focus, zoom, aperture settings and record start and stop can be controlled over WiFi using a smartphone or tablet.

The PXW-Z100 will be available from November.

Meanwhile, Sony has also announced the launch of a consumer-focused FDR-AX1 Handycam, which has a similar specification to the PXW-Z100 but is only capable of QFHD (3840 x 2160) recording with the XAVC S format. 

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