New Sony PXW-X400

Sony has just announced the new PXW-X400, the latest in the XDCAM line, a camcorder with a 2/3″ Exmor CMOS sensor and 10-bit 4:2:2:2 HD recording capabilities.

The company has talked about the internal restructuring of the camera to compensate the weight between the body and the lenses, thus facilitating shoulder use, especially during long shots. The body, without adding lenses, viewfinder or microphone, weighs 3.6 kg.

Recording options

Available recording codecs include XAVC-Long GOP at 50p and 59.94p, and a variety of XAVC Intra, MPEG-2, MPEG IMX and DVCAM.

For slow and fast camera recording it is possible to select from 1 to 60fps, but it should be noted that 60p can only be achieved using XAVC-Long GOP.

A function allows the recording of an external 1.5GB HD-SDI signal on SxS cards at a maximum of 1080i/59.94.

Enhanced network connections and capabilities

Network functions have been improved, for example, by adding an Ethernet interface (RJ-45 connector) for direct network connection when wireless such as Wi-Fi is unavailable or unstable.

We also have these possibilities available:

• Wireless MPEG TS transmission.

• Auto-upload proxies to cloud or FTP servers (proxies can be saved to an SD card).

• On/off control over the network server PWS-100RX1

In addition, with the Sony Content Browser Mobile app, it can be configured and operated remotely from Android or iOS devices.

Prices and kits

The new Sony X400 is scheduled to go on sale next February, priced at $16,500 for the camera body alone.

A package with a 16x auto-focus lens (this feature will come out as an upgrade in May 2016), an EVF and a stereo shotgun microphone will also be offered for $20,600; or this same kit but replacing the lens with a 20x manual focus lens for $21,100.