Description
The PMW-F3 camera is equipped with a CMOS sensor Exmor ™ Super 35 a PL mount and two slots for SxS memory cards to record in Full-HD 1920 x 1080. The camera comes with three PL lenses (35/50/85 mm, T2.0) and has the ability to produce and record 4:4:4 RGB signals with S-LOG gamma function using an external recorder.
Exmor Super 35 CMOS Image Sensor
The PMW-F3 is equipped with a Super 35mm sensor, which is the same size as Super 35mm film and has been specifically developed for digital cinematography. Its positioning within the chassis is exactly the same as it would be within a 35mm film camera--ensuring exactly the same optical performance with the unrivalled range of 35mm cine lenses.
PL Mount Adapter for Compatibility with 35mm Cine Lenses
The PMW-F3 is supplied with a PL mount adapter to provide immediate compatibility with the huge range of filmic 35mm lenses, including prime, digital cinematography and even still lenses. There are also hot shoe electric interfaces for Cooke/i and ARRI LDS.
RGB 4:4:4 Signal Output
An RGB 4:4:4 1080 23.98/25/29.97PsF signal is available over an HD-SDI dual-link or 3G-SDI output, allowing the use of an external recorder such as the SR-R1 Memory Recorder for high-quality output for VFX tasks such as chroma-key, compositing, and CGI.
S-Log Gamma
S-Log mode is available with wide dynamic range (800%) for the RGB 4:4:4 10-bit signal.
Apply LUTs (Look Up Tables)
LUTs can be applied to the HD-SDI output and to SxS recording off-line. User-defined LUTs (created by Sony's CVP file editor) can be loaded to the camera from an SxS card. LUTs can be used for off-line editing with SxS-recorded content. You can transfer user-defined LUTs from one camera to another for easy setup.
Built-In LUT for On-Set Video Monitoring
Without applying a LUT, uncorrected S-Log footage looks "flat" and washed out. Pre-loaded LUTs allow you to correct for this, so you can properly monitor on-set. The F3's S-Log gamma mode lets you retain maximum dynamic range from shadow details to highlights and employs exactly the same S-Log workflow as used for high-end products such as the F35 camera.
23.98P Native Recording
The PMW-F3 is the first compact camcorder to be a member of the legendary Sony CineAlta family. It offers native 23.98p* recording which, in combination with advanced creative features such as selectable gamma curves, makes this camcorder ideal for cinema production.
Slow & Quick Motion Function
The PMW-F3 offers a powerful Slow & Quick Motion function--commonly known as overcranking and undercranking in film shooting. This enables users to create unique looks or special effects with slow- and fast-motion images, and can be selected on the control dial on the side of the camcorder.
The PMW-F3 can capture images at frame rates selectable from 1 frame per second (fps) to 60 fps in 720p mode, and from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080p mode--in increments of 1 fps--onto a single card. With the Slow & Quick Motion function of this camcorder, images are recorded natively without interpolating the frames. This means the quality of the slow- and fast-motion images is extremely high and superior to those created in the editing process. In addition, these slow -and fast- motion images can be played back immediately after shooting, without using any converters or processing on nonlinear editing systems.
1920 x 1080 HD Recording Using MPEG-2 Long GOP
The PMW-F3 records 1920 x 1080 HD images using the MPEG-2 Long GOP codec, which conforms to the MPEG-2 MP@HL compression standard. MPEG-2 Long GOP is a mature codec--also adopted by the XDCAM HD and HDV 1080i series of products--which enables users to record stunning quality HD footage with highly efficient, reliable data compression.
Exceptional Workflow Flexibility
The PMW-F3 uses XDCAM EX's proven high-speed, intuitive workflow and offers seamless integration with leading nonlinear editing software. In addition, 10-bit 4:2:2 HD-SDI output opens up hybrid recording possibilities with content simultaneously recorded on internal memory and, in uncompressed form, on a variety of external recording devices.
The Dual Link HD-SDI option enables 10-bit 4:4:4 RGB 23.98/25/29.97PsF or 10-bit 4:2:2 108050p/59.94p uncompressed external recording--ideal for integration with highest quality production workflows such as HDCAM SR. The PMW-F3 also supports selectable gamma, four levels of HyperGamma and S-Log for a wide range of shooting conditions from standard to wide latitude. The PMW-F3 can simultaneously record LUT (Look Up Table) information onto the internal media for additional workflow flexibility.
3G-SDI is available for 10-bit RGB 1080 23.98/25/29.97PsF or 10-bit 4:2:2 1080 50/59.94p output.
Compact Design
The PMW-F3 has a chassis built around its Super 35mm CMOS sensor. Its lightweight, compact design provides exceptional flexibility when shooting, particularly as a B-camera. It also offers a "best of both worlds" combination of compatibility with 35mm lenses via a PL mount adapter, plus support for a huge range of other Sony and third-party digital cinematography accessories.
Low Power Consumption
Sony's chip design expertise means the PMW-F3 operates with exceptional efficiency, with an average power consumption of 24W. This makes the camera more reliable, extends its battery operating time and is also environmentally conscious. With the optional BP-U60 battery attached, the PMW-F3 can record continuously for just under three hours (with dual-link option off).