After a bit of time off the air (due to lots of work and a few personal video projects) we’re back to chat about the news in the world of Digital Media Production. We also go in depth with Sony’s new PXW-Z150 video camera.

NEWS

RAW shooting coming to iOS 10

iOS 10 will allow RAW shooting, enabling a new “higher end” class of photography apps on the platform.
Will be hardware limited to recent devices (iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE a iPad Pro 9.7)
iPad Pro can also capture in DCI P3 colour space (on top of sRGB)
iOS devices are the world’s most popular camera, so hopefully this will be the next evolution in “iPhoneography”.

Hasselblad release X1D Mirrorless medium format camera

50MP
Wifi & GPS, USB C, audio in and out
1080p (not 4k)
Dual SD
New lenses. Old ones will work with an adaptor
14 stops
$9k US. I want one but can’t afford one.

Tascam DR-10SG

Shotgun microphone with a built in recorder
Handy for shoots where you need to record without wireless or cables

Premiere CC 2015v3 released

Big focus on proxy workflow. Some similar elements to FCPX
360° video support (not creating it, but editing and viewing it)
Built in stock purchase
Edit while importing
Performance enhancements using Metal (Mac) and Intel IRIS H.264 on Windows
Native decode (no Quicktime) on Windows

MAIN DISCUSSION

We review the Sony PXW-Z150

Discussion Notes General

Sony’s latest “Pro Camcorder” for run and gun event, doco, corporate, news, etc.
How much is it? $5600 AU
What does it come with? Camera, Cables, Charger, NP-F770 battery
What else is needed? Shotgun microphone (spacer req), bag, memory card (SD), extra batteries
Zoom ratio – 29 to 348mm (12x) clear zoom gets your further (18x in QFHD and 24x in HD). Z5P had 20x, x160 has a 25x
Size and Weight: 2.3kg with NP970 battery, 171.3 x 187.8 x 371.3 mm)
NEX-EA50H – 142.5 mm × 203 mm × 429.5 mm 1.7kg
PXW-X70 – 1.4 no shotgun, 260cm x 230 x 150cm
HVR-Z7 – 2.4kg,
PXW-FS5 – 2.23kg (with 18-105 (no battery?))
PXW-X160 – 3.2kg 191.5 × 201.5 × 412 mm (W x H x D)

Discussion What do we like?

Size and weight and form factor (Still get a sore hand after a longer shoot though).
Good to see “playback” is now a sensible name. (not “visual index”)
Autofocus. Ok. Face tracking works well.
Memory format. Good to see SD. Dual slots for relay recording.
Price
Built in ND
Chromatic aberration seems well held
Wifi smartphone control isn’t too laggy (although options are a bit limited in terms of control)
Lens isn’t too susceptible to flare.
Lcd – Good. Clean and clear.
EVF is ok, some lag though
Low light – needs a lot of light. However the gain is generally very usable.
Battery life – standard sony (good). NP 970 is recessed in the body.
Depth of field – easy to get that shot, not super sexy though
Lens handles macro stuff well
Stabilisation – generally solid. What’s expected for this sort of camera.
Menu system – yes it’s Sony, but it’s fast.

Discussion what could be improved?

Number of buttons – would like to see a few more. Found after reprogramming them that I was at least one button off. (histogram, peaking etc).
Having to reach up on top for menu is a little annoying.
Weird defaults – buttons need reprogramming (IMHO), interlaced formats, clear zoom off, just not what i’d want.
Higher FPS @ UHD
ND not variable
“Transition” between optical and clear zoom that is noticeable
Some banding and noise issues in shadows
USB connection – micro USB – lame. Supplied cable too short.
Charger – what the hell!?
Lens – wish it was faster at the long end.
Smaller size can be an issue (doesn’t wedge into your shoulder like other Sony cameras)

Conclusion

This is a camera with a tried and true form factor.
Good image quality, not sexy shallow DOF stuff though.
A reliable workhorse
Needs a few more buttons.
Perhaps not the “exciting boring camera” we had hoped. More of the boring boring, but there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. For those owning a similar camera from the past decade, this is the same thing, just updated with UHD and other modern fangled things (face tracking, wifi, etc)
Who should buy this? People who want the same camera but modernised
Who shouldn’t? People wanting a shallow DOF look, interchangeable lenses or work in lot light often.