Sony launches world’s first cinematic PTZ camera

Because it is based on a large-format sensor and can be fitted with E-mount lenses, “it allows users to create a shallow depth of field, for a more creative look”, said Olivier Bovis, Sony’s Head of Media Solutions, Europe. It also “gives a huge amount of sensitivity”, and is very much “a premium PTZ camera”, capable of fitting into IP-based production, using NDI, or broadcast infrastructures, using SDI.

It supports a wide range of E-mount lenses, ranging from 12mm to 1200mm, offering great flexibility in zoom capability and wide-angle shooting. “The cinematic look and feel is fast becoming the norm in broadcasting and live production as it opens up new ways to tell a narrative,” added Norbert Paquet, Head Of Live Production, Sony Europe. The last two years have also seen “a steep rise in content created remotely or in small locations where access is difficult.” The FR7 is an answer to both these trends.

It uses a back-illuminated 35mm full-frame CMOS Exmor R sensor with 15+ stop latitude for wide dynamic range, low noise and cinematic full-frame bokeh. In low light it can be set to 409,600 ISO for the highest sensitivity. Preset scene files include S-Cinetone for natural skin colour. The FR7 can shoot at up to 4K 120p for slow motion.

The PTZ system allows pan and tilt speed to be continuously varied from 0.02º per second to 60º per second, with a pan angle range +/-170° and tilt angle from -30° to +195°. Other features include: 100 camera position presets; real-time eye autofocus and real-time tracking; electronically controlled Variable ND; internal XAVC recording to CFexpress and SDXC memory cards, and external Raw output via SDI; HDMI and 12G-SDI connectors (optional fibre); Ethernet supporting RTSP, SRT, NDI|HX and PoE++; timecode and genlock; and tally lights.

Stand Number: 13.A10, 13.D203, 13.D204, 8.MS22

Company: Sony