Last Updated on July 25, 2020
If there’s one brand out there that always stands out when it comes to camcorders, it’s definitely Sony. Its range of professional camcorders is second to none and the Sony PXW-Z190 is no exception. Here’s why
PXW-Z190 Highlights
- 3 X 1/3″ Exmor R Cmos
- 4K UHD Output up to 60 fps
- 25x Optical 4K UHD Zoom Lens
- Simultaneous HD/4K Recording
- Advanced Face Detection AF
- Built-in Variable ND Filters
Sony PWX-Z190 4K Overview
If you’re a professional videographer, you know the history of XDCAM cameras, which are highly lauded for their exceptional quality. The PXW-Z190 Compact 4K 3-CMOS 1/3-Type Sensor XDCAM camcorder continues this fine tradition with a few improvements in between.
For starters, its three 1/3” Exmor R CMOS sensors make it a cut above the rest because it offers excellent low-light capability as compared to standard sensors.
A lot of camcorders promise 4K recording, but only a few deliver to that promise including the PXW-Z190 Compact 4K 3-CMOS 1/3-Type Sensor XDCAM camcorder. It boasts excellent 4K video recording at up to 60p and it also integrates a 25x Sony G optical zoom lens and an electronic variable ND filter, making it the camcorder of choice for both amateurs and professionals.
The PXW-Z190 is especially excellent for newsgathering, interviews, event coverage, nature shooting and other professional video work. This camcorder also supports different types of codecs and it even has an optional MPEG HD license that allows you to shoot HD videos.
- 4K 60P recording in XAVC long gop format
- 25x optical zoom Sony g Lens with 28.8mm...
- Electronic Variable ND filter
- Instant HDR workflow w/ hlg
Sony PXW-Z190 Compact 4K 3-CMOS 1/3-Type Sensor XDCAM is versatile enough for different formats
Another notable feature of the PXW-Z190 Compact 4K 3-CMOS 1/3-Type Sensor XDCAM camcorder is its ability to support Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG). This allows the camera to shoot footage compatible with both Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR), which mean that there’s no need to do any exhausting post-production work just to produce good quality video materials.
Additionally, the camera has dual SD card slots for a wide range of recording options including simultaneous 4K and HD recording. It even has 2.4 and 5GHz Wi-Fi capabilities. The other notable features of the PXW-Z190 Compact 4K 3-CMOS 1/3-Type Sensor XDCAM camcorder include:
- 3840x2160 Image Sensor
- f/1.6 Prism Speed
- 7 to 92.5mm Focal Length
- 82mm Filter Size
- f/11-1.6 Minimum to Maximum Aperture
- Autofocus and Manual Focus Controls
- 1/24 to 1/8000 sec Shutter Speed
- Stereo Built-In Microphone
- XAVC: 4-Channel 24-Bit 48 kHz LPCM Audio Recording
- LCD Display with 3.5” Screen at 1,560,000 Dots Resolution
- Sony BP-U Series Batteries
Video credit: Sony
At 2.3 kilograms, the PXW-Z190 Compact 4K 3-CMOS 1/3-Type Sensor XDCAM camcorder is considered lighter than most contemporary camcorders, but it is packed with feature that make it a worthwhile investment for anyone who wants to create excellent YouTube content or any other video work with ease.
The PXW-Z190 is available in the market for $3,748 and it comes with a limited one-year warranty on labor and 90-day warranty on parts.
Test Videos
Low Light Test
Specification
XAVC-L QFHD 150 mode:
3840x2160/59.94P, 50P, 29.97P, 23.98P, 25P
XAVC-L HD 50 mode:
1920x1080/59.94P, 50P, 59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 23.98P, 25P 1280x720/59.94P, 50P
XAVC-L HD 35 mode:
1920x1080/59.94P, 50P, 59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 23.98P, 25P
XAVC-L HD 25 mode:
1920x1080/59.94i, 50i
<DVCAM>
DVCAM mode:
720x480/59.94i, 29.97PsF 720x576/50i, 25PsF
XAVC-L QFHD 150 mode
When using 128GB memory card:
Approx. 88 minutes
XAVC-L HD 50 mode
When using 128GB memory card:
Approx. 240 minutes
XAVC-L HD 35 mode
When using 128GB memory card:
Approx. 325 minutes
XAVC-L 25 mode
When using 128GB memory card:
Approx. 445 minutes
<DVCAM>
When using 128GB memory card: Approx. 425 minutes
1920x1080, 9Mbps
1280x720, 9Mbps
1280x720, 6Mbps
640x360, 3Mbps
480x270, 1Mbps
480x270, 0.5Mbps
(equivalent to 28.8 mm to 720 mm on a 35 mm lens)
F1.6 to F11 and C(close)
10 mm to ∞ (Macro On, Wide)
800 mm to ∞ (Macro On, Tele)
AF/MF/Full MF selectable
OFF: CLEAR
1: 1/4ND
2: 1/16ND
3: 1/64ND
Linear variable ND (Approx. 1/4ND to 1/128ND)
F12 (typical, 1920 x 1080/50p, High Sensitivity Mode)
(1920 x 1080/59.94i mode, F1.6, +30 dB gain, High Sensitivity Mode, with 64 frame accumulation)
1,000 TV lines or more (1920 x 1080p mode)
2160P: 1-60 fps
1080P: 1-60 fps
720P: 1-60 fps
Memory B/ATW
LINE：+4, 0, -3dBu/10kΩ
MIC：-80dBu to -30dBu /3kΩ
(0 dBu=0.775 Vrms)
0.5V-1.8Vp-p, 3.3kΩ
1.0Vp-p, 75Ω
Host:USB 3.0/2.0 type A(x1)
USB 2.0 type A(x1)
-16dBu 16Ω
Output: 500mW
Approx. 5 lb 1.1 oz (body)
Approx. 2.8 kg (with lens hood, eyecup, BP-U35 battery, a SD memory card)
Approx. 6 lb 2.8 oz (with lens hood, eyecup, BP-U35 battery, a SD memory card)
7 1/2 x 8 x 16 1/2 inches (With the accessories (lens hood, eyecup), excluding the grip belt and including the projecting parts)
Battery: 14.4V
Please use genuine Sony batteries to ensure correct and safe operation*1
(while recording with LCD Off, EVF On when the external device connector is not used.)
Approx. 36W
(while recording with LCD On, EVF On when the external device connector is used.)
Approx. 2 hours, 10 minutes with BP-U60 battery (while recording with LCD Off, EVF On when the external device connector is not used.)
Approx. 3 hours, 15 minutes with BP-U90 battery (while recording with LCD Off, EVF On when the external device connector is not used.)
32°F to 104°F
-4°F to +140°F
XAVC-L QFHD mode:
VBR, maximum bit rate 150Mbps, MPEG-4 H.264/AVC
XAVC-L HD 50 mode:
VBR, maximum bit rate 50Mbps, MPEG-4 H.264/AVC
XAVC-L HD 35 mode:
VBR, maximum bit rate 35Mbps, MPEG-4 H.264/AVC
XAVC-L HD 25 mode:
VBR, maximum bit rate 25Mbps, MPEG-4 H.264/AVC
<DVCAM>
DVCAM mode:
CBR, 25Mbps, DVCAM
XAVC-L mode:
LPCM 24-bit, 48kHz, 4 channels
<DVCAM>
DVCAM mode:
LPCM 16-bit, 48kHz, 4 channels
Unboxing
User Reviews and Ratings
Sony PXW Z190 Review
Summary
If you are after a production broadcast-ready 4K video camera then this Sony is a great choice. Its controls and functions will be familiar to Sony users which makes learning how to use this camera easy.
- 4K 60P recording in XAVC long gop format
- 25x optical zoom Sony g Lens with 28.8mm...
- Electronic Variable ND filter
- Instant HDR workflow w/ hlg
