Sony reinforces its popular XDCAM line with the new PXW-X160 camcorder

An improved version of the popular HXR-NX5E and PMW-150 camcorders, Sony's new proposal has three 1/3″ Full HD Exmor CMOS sensors and a new G lens with 25x optical zoom.

Sony has just added the new PXW-X160 to its line of professional XDCAM camcorders. It has three 1/3″ Full HD Exmor CMOS sensors and a new G lens with 25x optical zoom that extends from a 26mm wide angle. It can record in XAVC Intra and Long GOP, enabling 10-bit sampling for high-definition recording with rich tonal expression, as well as MPEG HD422 at 50 Mbps, one of the formats currently preferred by broadcasters and producers. It can also record in MPEG HD420 at 35 Mbps, AVCHD and DV formats.

This camcorder, due to its characteristics, is ideal for the production of news, documentaries and programs, among others. The PXW-X160 is an improved version of Sony's well-known HXR-NX5E and PMW-150 camcorders. Unlike the previously announced PXW-X180, the PXW-X160 does not include features such as wireless connectivity, NFC and GPS, reducing the price while maintaining the same level of performance.

Main features

The 26mm wide-angle G lens offers the best quality of Sony's G lenses and a 26mm wide-angle view at the end of its 25x zoom range (equivalent to 26-650mm on a 35mm lens). This range is more than sufficient for a wide variety of recording situations. It incorporates independent manual zoom and focus rings with stop and iris control. Additionally, a sliding mechanism on the focus ring allows you to easily switch between manual and auto focus.

On the other hand, Sony's Exmor CMOS 3-sensor system provides independent 1/3″ CMOS image sensors for the red, blue and green color channels, each with 2.07 effective megapixels (16:9). The result is high resolution and high sensitivity that contribute to excellent color reproduction. The advanced image processor, featuring sophisticated noise and distortion reduction, is instrumental in delivering exceptional reproduction of detail and texture, with image quality settings that rival those offered by high-end broadcast camcorders.

In addition to XAVC Intra/Long GOP, the PXW-X160 records in MPEG2, AVCHD and DV formats. When recording in XAVC it ​​uses the MXF file format, which efficiently compresses Full HD (1920 x 1080) images using the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec. Image sampling is 4:2:2 at 10 bits with intra-frame compression at 112 Mbps or Long-GOP high-efficiency compression at 50, 35, or 25 Mbps.

To support a wide variety of workflows, the PXW-X160 includes two high-speed read/write SxS memory card slots. The XQD card adapter allows you to record to XQD memory cards, while the SD card adapter allows you to record to SD memory cards for greater savings when recording for long periods of time.

The PXW-X160 is Sony's first professional camcorder to feature a continuously variable neutral density filter. The new electronic density control system allows continuous adjustment from 1/4 ND to 1/128 ND with simple dial operation. Combined with iris and shutter speed settings that control depth of field and brightness, this advanced filter enables recording techniques such as using a slow shutter in daylight and other lighting conditions. For operators who prefer the conventional ND selector interface, the camcorder incorporates a dual ND filter control mechanism that provides both continuous electronic control and the standard four-position switch.

The new camcorder is equipped with a 3.5-type QHD LCD panel (960 x 540 x RGB, 16:9) that offers easy viewing in a wide variety of lighting conditions. Both models also incorporate a 0.5 type OLED viewfinder (1024 x 768 x RGB, 3:4). High resolution facilitates precise manual focusing. Compared with LCOS devices, there is no color splitting and viewing comfort is greatly improved.

Finally, note that compatible accessories attached to the multi-interface shoe can be controlled from the PXW-X160. On the camcorder it is possible, for example, to activate or deactivate the HVL-LBPC video light. Power and audio for the UWP-D11 or UWP-D12 wireless microphone receivers are connected through the wireless microphone receiver, minimizing the need for additional batteries or cables.