Sony announces new recorder and enhancements for the F5 and F55

During these days Sony has unveiled the new generation of its CineAlta product range, which includes a new recorder, faster cards and an improved firmware version for the Sony F5 and F55 cameras.

According to the company, the new features incorporated are based directly on user feedback, with the main objective of improving 4K and HDR(High Dynamic Range) image capture while maintaining the highest image quality.

AXS-R7 Recorder

This recorder has two main improvements compared to previous recorders. Firstly, the maximum recording speed in 4K RAW has been doubled, going from 60fps to 120fps (on the F55). It is possible to achieve higher speeds at the cost of a drop in resolution, being able to go up to 240fps in 2K (on both the F5 and F55).

The second new feature was cache recording, which allows up to 30 seconds in 23.98 in standby mode.

The design has also been improved with a metal filter that separates the ventilation duct from the electronics to prevent water or dust from entering the recorder. In addition, connections have been made more secure with a bracket that supports four 1/4″ screws with more space between them.

New AXS memory cards

Sony has designed a new generation of AXS memory cards with the write speed required for 4K RAW recording at 120fps in mind. There will be two different models, one with 1TB and one with 512GB capacity, both with write and read speeds of 4.8Gbps.

In the 1TB version it is possible to capture 44 minutes at 59.94p or 22 minutes at 120fps.

Although designed for the new recorder, current AXS A-series cards will also be supported.

Firmware version 8

Finally, the firmware update for the F5 and F55 cameras adds support for XAVC 4K class 480 recording at 23.98p, 24p, 25p and 29.97p.

It is expected that all these new products will be released in the summer, and that during NAB we will be able to know more details about all of them.