Last Updated on July 10, 2020
Features
- 1.0″ type Exmor R CMOS sensor
- Full HD 1920 x 1080 at 59.94p / 50p recording
- QFHD recording at 30p/25p/24p
- Optical 12x ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens with lens ring
- 24x Clear Image Zoom, and 48x Digital Zoom
- ND filter control mechanism
- Dual media slots for simultaneous/relay recording
- 3.5″-type color LCD Monitor/0.39″ type OLED Viewfinder
Sony PXW-X80 Intro Video
Sony PXW-X80 Overview
Announced by Sony two years ago, the PXW-NX80 is said to be the smallest camera to hold an XDCAM badge and is “4K” ready. The Sony PXW-NX80 boasts of a sensor that is larger than the Super 16mm film frame, the 1.0” type Exmor R CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20 megapixels. One of this camera’s capabilities is to record High Definition in XAVC Long GOP and enables 422 10-bit sampling at 50 Mbps and in turn allows for a broadcast-quality workflow that is apt for professional applications.
This model also has basic as well as advanced features such as simultaneous recording via the dual memory card slots. Control of the operation via a mobile device is possible with WiFi connection. For the 4K upgrade that will allow recording in 4K as well as Full HD, an upgrade license key specifically for the Sony PXW-NX80 model is available. This provides QFHD shooting support at 30p/24p.
Design & Features
The Sony PXW-NX80 is compact in size, exactly the same as a conventional 1/3” professional compact camcorder but better, in terms of sensor size. This palm-sized camera recorder is portable and easy-to-transport, making it perfect for action shooting like in events, sports and newscast. It also has an ergonomic palm-grip that is thick enough for better handling and integrated with a large zoom lever. Weighing less than three pounds even with the XLR handle unit, battery pack, large eye-cup and lens hood, this professional camcorder is a powerful equipment that offers excellent features at an affordable price.
Aside from the features mentioned above, this has professional interfaces, such as the XLR zoom lever, HDMI and 3G-SDI output connectors and a manual lens ring that has the capability to control focus and zoom. The two SD memory card slots makes simultaneous recording possible as well as relay recording. These slots are also useful for storing files for backup.
The large 1” Exmor R CMOS sensor is useful for high resolution results, high sensitivity and low noise. It also allows for a variety of shooting range. Moreover, the 14.2 million effective pixels make it possible to shoot and record even in low light conditions. A fixed ZEISS Vario-Sonnar lens is 29 mm wide-angle type and provides up to 12x optical zoom. This optical zoom can be doubled to 24x via the Clear Image Zoom. With the Digital Extender, however, it can reach up to 48x zoom.
For the option to choose four conventional mechanicak ND filter positions, this camcorder also has an ND Filter function. Aside from WiFi/NFC connectivity, other wireless network features include live streaming and file transfer. 4K recording is also possible via a licensed upgrade. For recording format, the Sony PXW-X70 is capable of multi-format recording that includes XAVC, AVCHD and DV file-based recording. Full HD resolution (1920 x1080) is achievable with the use of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 CODEC.
Slow and Quick motion with full HD quality is also available even without the need for extra processing. Other features of the Sony PXW include a 0.39”- type OLED of approximately 1.44M dots and a 3.5” – type built-in LCD at approximately 1.56 dots. It also has dual XLR inputs, on top of its other features.
Pros and Cons
The Sony PXWhas a number of good points that make it likeable. One is its affordability and value for money in terms of features. This camcorder has many professional features to boast of. Its size and weight makes it a good choice for video and photography enthusiasts who are on-the-go. The PXW also sports a large CMOS sensor that makes it more appealing than 1/3” professional camcorders. With its price range, this camcorder has basic and advanced features that makes it better than its competitors.
As for the cons, the 4K upgrade is an added expense since this camcorder does not come with an integrated 4K recording capability. The autofocus can be problematic at times when it focuses on other things other than the subject. It also does not have an INGEST plug-in but still, Sony has a free downloadable Catalyst Browse to transcode and manually import it. As for the zoom ring, it is somewhat clunkly as it tries to quickly zoom-in on a subject.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Sony PXW-X70 is an affordable, compact and powerful camcorder that has professional features. While there are a few setbacks, the great features as well as the price of this camera make up for what it lacks. The PXW-X70 is a great camcorder for professional applications.
General
Approx. 2 lb 1.7 oz (with lens hood, eyecup)
Approx. 1320g (with lens hood, handle, eyecup, NP-FV70A battery)
Approx. 2lb 14.6oz (with lens hood, handle, eyecup, NP-FV70A battery)
4 7/8 x 4 1/8 x 10 7/8 inches (With the accessories (lens hood, large eyecup) , excluding the grip belt and including the projecting parts)
130.0x181.5x287.0 mm (With the accessories (lens hood, large eyecup, XLR handle unit) , excluding the grip belt and including the projecting parts)
5 1/8 x 7 1/4 x 11 3/8inches (With the accessories (lens hood, large eyecup, XLR handle unit) , excluding the grip belt and including the projecting parts)
Battery: 7.4V
Approx. 6.1 W (while recording with LCD and XAVC S 4K 2160/30p 60Mbps)
32°F to 104°F
-4°F to +140°F
(while recording with LCD, XAVCS 4K 2160/30p, 60Mbps)Approx. 265 min. with NP-FV70A battery
(while playing with LCD, XAVCS 4K 2160/30p, 60Mbps)
H.264 4:2:0 Long profileXAVC S HD : MPEG-4 AVC/
H.264 4:2:0 Long profileXAVC S Proxy: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 4:2:0 Long profile
AVCHD : MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 AVCHD 2.0 format compatible
XAVC S HD : Linear PCM 2ch, 16bit, 48kHz
XAVC S Proxy : Linear PCM 2ch, 16bit, 48kHz
AVCHD : Linear PCM 2ch, 16bit, 48kHz / Dolby Digital 2ch, 16bit, 48kHz
XAVC S HD (1920 x 1080) @120p, 100p 100Mbps/60Mbps
XAVC S HD (1920 x 1080) @59.94p, 50p 50/25Mbps
XAVC S HD (1920 x 1080) @29.97p, 25p 50/16Mbps
XAVC S HD (1920 x 1080) @23.98p 50Mbps
XAVC S Proxy (1280 x 720) @59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p 9Mbps
XAVC S Proxy (1280 x 720) @59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p 3Mbps
AVCHD (1920 x 1080)@59.94p, 50p, PS mode (28 Mbps)
AVCHD (1920 x 1080) @59.94i/50i FX mode (24 Mbps) FH mode(17 Mbps)
AVCHD (1920 x 1080) @29.97p/25p/23.98p, FX mode (24 Mbps)
AVCHD (1440 x 1080) @59.94i, 50i LP mode (5Mbps)
AVCHD (1280 x 720) @59.94p, 50p, HQ mode (9 Mbps)
Approx. 75 min with 64 GB memory card
XAVC S 4K, HD @LPCM 2ch 60 Mbps
Approx. 125 min with 64 GB memory card
XAVC S HD @LPCM 2ch 50 Mbps
Approx. 150 min with 64 GB memory card
XAVC S HD @LPCM 2ch 25 Mbps
Approx. 300 min with 64 GB memory card
XAVC S HD @LPCM 2ch 16 Mbps
Approx. 465 min with 64 GB memory card
AVCHD @LPCM 2ch PS Mode
Approx. 305 min with 64 GB memory card
AVCHD @LPCM 2ch FX Mode
Approx. 360 min with 64 GB memory card
AVCHD @LPCM 2ch FH Mode
Approx. 495 min with 64 GB memory card
AVCHD @LPCM 2ch HQ Mode
Approx. 880 min with 64 GB memory card
Approx. 1540 min with 64 GB memory card
Lens
equivalent to f=29.0 – 348.0mm on 35 mm lens(16:9)
equivalent to f=32.8 – 393.6mm on 35mm lens(3:2)
auto/manual selectable
Camera Section
Standard [50i] 3lux(1/50 Shutter Speed, gain 33dB)LowLux [60i] 1.7lux(1/30 Shutter Speed, gain 33dB)
LowLux [50i] 1.7lux(1/25 Shutter Speed, gain 33dB)
[50i]:2160p:Frame rate selectable 1,2,3,6,12,25fps
[60i]:1080p:Frame rate selectable 1,2,4,8,15,30,60,120fps
[50i]:1080p:Frame rate selectable 1,2,3,6,12,25,50,100fps
[50i]:1080p:Frame rate selectable 250,500,1000fps
Streaming
1280x720 at 3Mbps
640x360 at 1Mbps
Input/Output
Monitoring
Built-in Microphone
Media
Wi-Fi/NFC
Unboxing the Sony PXW-NX80
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