Sony DSLR HD Camcorder in Development – Sneak Peek

Want a quick look into the future of video camcorders from Sony?

I think you’ll like what you see.

In my last post I talked about the just announced Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras and why their HD video functions were not quite going to cut it for ‘real’ video production.

But Sony has released a sneak peek video of a camcorder in development that is likely to be worth a serious look. No specs yet.

Well, there is a little bit of info on the Sony blog.

This video is a very early look at a AVCHD high definition camcorder featuring an interchangeable lens system still in development at Sony. The details are few, but we can tell you it will be equipped with the same “Exmor” APS HD CMOS sensor used in Sony’s newest digital still cameras, models NEX-5 and NEX-3.

Followed by…

In addition, the camcorder will be compatible with “E Mount” interchangeable lenses developed for NEX-5 and NEX-3, and also the wealth of “A Mount” interchangeable lenses from the existing “α” DSLR camera lineup via a mount adapter.

Okay, here’s a look at their video.

How’s the view so far?

• It looks like a camcorder and that means it should have mic inputs, audio level adjustments, headphone jack, and meters so you can record decent sound.
• It should shoot longer than 12 minutes for a clip so you can record events in the real world.
• And it shows a view finder that flips out, swivels and allows monitoring what you’re shooting when the camera is not at eye level.
• As a Sony camcorder it should have manual control over shutter speed and exposure. They’re using so much of the same tech as the NEX-3 and NEX-5 I’d bet on the same autofocus system. Hopefully it will have an easy way to turn it off.
• And you’ll be able to mount manual focus lenses to the body even if it means using an adapter – like that nice Zeiss lens they flash through the scene.

So far, so good.

• The issues of rolling shutter from a CMOS sensor will hopefully be dealt with successfully but we’ll have to see how well Sony does. But they have other CMOS camcorders that have minimal rolling shutter issues so there’s hope.
• And there’s the AVCHD format for the recorded video. I’m working on a post about this format as so many cameras are using it and it’s still difficult to work with in a computer. That depends on the computer and software you’re using – Premier on Windows seems to be okay. Still not much that’s great on Mac but I’m looking into this.
• You lose the cool DSLR stealth-video factor but I think that’s not really that important to most people.
• This will still be a very light camera so you’ll need good camera support for steady shots. Especially if you load up one of those larger lenses on the front end of this thing and need to shoot for more than two minutes!

Am I excited?

You bet.

I know that camera choices are a religious issue and there are plenty of people who would never choose to shoot with a Sony much less own one.

But I’m on the other side of that. I’ve used Sony cameras for a long time and I’m very comfortable with how they feel, the menu structure, and the look of them. I like Sony, plain and simple.

It’s due out this fall and I’m sure we’ll see more of it before then. What do you think – would this kind of camera work for you?