![\"Sony](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.movingpicture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/sonypmwex3camera_med.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1\" "\\"Sony")
<\/a><\/p>\nSony has expanded on their XDCAM EX line with the PMW-EX3, a full-res HD (1920 x 1080p) camera that features an interchangeable lens, Genlock in, Timecode in\/out, three 1\/2\u201d CMOS sensors and much more.Like it\u2019s sister camera, the PMW-EX1, it records to SxS PRO flash memory cards.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Sony SxS 8GB Card<\/p><\/div>\n
The EX3 is a great addition to the EX family of cameras, and the ability to change lenses, along with its other key features, makes it a better camera than most sub-$10,000 units on the market.This includes even Sony\u2019s own XDCAM HD-line of cameras, many of which only feature 1440 x 1080 resolution and 1\/2\u201d sensors.But there are some drawbacks to the camera, most notably the ergonomics, which I\u2019ll touch upon after the features.At the end of this review is a more full list of features.<\/p>\n
PARTIAL FEATURE LIST<\/p>\n
Image Quality:<\/p>\n
With full HD CMOS sensors (1920 x 1080), the image quality is beautiful.Like the EX1, there are many ways to control the image via the Picture Profile menu, which I\u2019ll discuss in more detail shortly.Because there is less compression than, say, HDV, the image is much cleaner without as much noise commonly found in HDV footage.<\/p>\n
Multiple frame rates and HD shooting options include 1080p30\/25\/24, 1080i60\/50, 720p60\/30\/25\/24 (HQ mode).Plus the ability to shoot in HDV mode (SP; 1080i60\/50).<\/p>\n
Picture Profiles:<\/p>\n
There are many options found in Picture Profiles, to control the overall image quality, including color, gamma, white balance, and more.<\/p>\n
Lens Options:<\/p>\n
The EX3 comes with a stock Fujinon 14x zoom lens, which is 1\/2-inch type lens for 1\/2\u201d sensors.Because it\u2019s built on an interchangeable lens system, the camera\u2019s stock lens can be swapped out for a different and compatible 1\/2\u201d lens.Ensure that the new lens can support HD images, or there will be problems.A lens built for standard definition (SD) cameras will be obvious when mounted on the EX3 in HD mode.<\/p>\n
A 2\/3\u201d lens adaptor can be used to mount lenses found on cameras featuring 2\/3\u201d sensors.These lenses are very popular and used not only on high-end HD productions, but any project that can benefit from lenses that allow more depth of field options.<\/p>\n
Sound:<\/p>\n
There are two XLR ports to plug in a solid boom mic or wireless mic to record pristine sound in two-channel, 16-bit, linear PCM uncompressed audio at 48 kHz.There is also a built-in stereo mic, but we recommend using a boom, handheld or wireless microphone.Moving Picture has everything you\u2019ll need to get great audio.<\/a><\/p>\n Sony PMW-EX3 XLR Audio Inputs<\/p><\/div>\n LIKES\/DISLIKES:<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot to love with the EX3: the key features above make this a better camera in many ways than most other sub-$10,000 cameras on the market right now, as I stated above.High resolution, image options, multiple frame rates, etc., make this a dream camera for filmmakers and videographers.<\/p>\n Now, what about the dislikes?The ergonomics issue is the biggest one shooters have.The viewfinder that flips up to become the LCD is large and obtrusive, and makes the camera heavy on the left.Shooters are having to adjust their bodies when going handheld with the cameras.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been shooting on past Sony HDV cameras, you may be irked to see that button and knob placements are in different spots than on previous models.They\u2019re different than even the EX1, and that may have to do with the lens and viewfinder\/LCD placement.Camera companies are usually consistent with button\/knob placements as new cameras come out, but not so with the EX3.<\/p>\n CONCLUSION:<\/p>\n With some many great features, what\u2019s not to like about the EX3?The images are gorgeous, shooters and their clients have many in-camera options to get the shots they desire, and the ability to change lenses is terrific.The SxS system is easy to use, and further evidence that tape is all but dead.All these positives outweigh the negatives, including the ergonomics problems.<\/p>\n We currently have the Sony PMW-EX3 in stock and ready to rent.Below is a more full feature list that you can quickly scan through.<\/p>\n FEATURE LIST:<\/p>\n An interchangeable lens system with a 1\/2\u201d lens mount (which works with the 1\/2\u201d CMOS sensors), which gives you the power to use different lenses. It comes with an incredible Fujinon wide angle 14x lens, with a wide angle view of 5.8mm, according to Sony. There is a special adaptor to use 2\/3\u201d lenses, which are popular on high-end cameras with 2\/3\u201d sensors.<\/p>\n Three 1\/2\u201d Exmor CMOS sensors that can capture full-res HD images (1920 x 1080p). CMOS chips use less power than CCD sensors.<\/p>\n Footage is recorded to 8 or 16 GB SxS PRO memory cards with up to two cards total in the camera, and is ExpressCard\/34-compatible. You can record up to 70 minutes in SP mode on a 16 GB card.<\/p>\n Several shooting modes: HQ, which includes 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p and native 24p); 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p and native 24p). Along with SP, including 1440 x 1080 (similar to HDV; 60i and 24p, though it has a pulldown which places the 24p signal in a 60i stream–see our article, \u201cDemystifying HD\u201d<\/a> for details). The camera can also shoot in PAL mode, both 50i and 25p.<\/p>\n Even more control of the image than ever before in Picture Profiles, giving shooters the power to customize the look.<\/p>\n Slow and Quick Motion Function in HD resolution: 1080P Mode: 1~30fps variable in single frame increments, 720P Mode: 1 ~ 60fps variable in single frame increments. It\u2019s all done in camera, so there\u2019s no need for extra work in post-production. Use this for a dramatic or humorous moment in a movie or TV show, or when shooting sports.<\/p>\n Genlock Input and Timecode Input\/Output (BNC connections), perfect for mutli-camera shoots to keep the timecode synced, whether it\u2019s a live or live-to-tape video shoot, or a project that needs to be cut later.These interface options aren\u2019t available on the EX1.<\/p>\n![\"Sony](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.movingpicture.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/06\/sonypmwex3camera_v2_med.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1\" "\\"Sony")
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