Sony PXW-FS7 4K XDCAM Super 35mm Camera

The Sony PXW-FS7 Camera is designed for handheld shooting and ideal for long production days due to its compact and lightweight design. It suits documentary-style, reality TV, broadcast news in the field, and commercial or corporate applications. The PXW-FS7 delivers 4K resolution with a Super 35 CMOS sensor. 

The FS7 features Sony’s native E-Mount to provide an extensive amount of lens options. It also delivers smooth and near-silent iris, focus, and zoom control. Sony’s SteadyShot stabilization will help retain the even motion you require. 35mm lenses are accepted due to a shallow, 18mm flange-back distance. Add an A-mount or PL mount adapter to expand your lens options further. S-Gamut3/S-Log3 are also supported.

Features:

• Native E-mount
• Sony A-Mount lenses supported with adapter (not included); provide fast, accurate phase detection autofocus in virtually any light condition
• Third party lenses such as Canon EF, PL Leica etc support with inexpensive adapters (not included)
• 4K Super35mm EXMOR sensor with 11.6 million pixels
• UHD 3840 XAVC-Intra & XAVC-Long, both up to 60fps
• HD 1080p XAVC-Intra (up to 180fps) & XAVC-Long up to 120fps
• 1080p & 720p MPEG-2
• Records to XQD Memory (dual recording with simultaneous or individual trigger)

Sensor & Recording

The camera’s 11.6 million-pixel Super35 Exmor CMOS sensor delivers enhanced sensitivity, shallow depth of field, a high signal-to-noise ratio for fantastic low light performance. 

Capture 10-bit recording 4:2:2 color at 50 Mbps in HD Mode. Record on-board 4K (3840x2160), the same 113 Mbps XAVC-I as the high-end Sony F5, and MPEG HD 422. Sony expanded to record Apple ProRes in firmware 2.0 which was a free update in spring of 2015. This enabled progressive and interlaced HQ and 422 recording.

Two Shooting Modes

Custom Mode – for ENG-style productions. It features gain settings and video-friendly frame rates

CINE-El Mode – for a high-end style capture using exposure indexing and shutter angles. Many reviewers agree that the look of the FS7 can be cinematic in style which is encouraging for those in the indie film realm who are seeking portable cameras with film quality.

Camera Body & To Rig Or Not To Rig

The camera grip is attached with standard Rosettes on the front camera body which means you can swap out alternate grips. However, the grip included with the FS7 camcorder offers quality and necessary features. It is shaped like the old-style camera grips where the grip sits within your palm yet this is designed to be ergonomic. Controls on the grip, within easy reach of your fingers, include start/stop, a zoom rocker for servo zoom lenses, plus menu navigation and two customizable buttons. 

The compact form of the PXW-FS7 may fool you to think you gain less than its big brother F5, but both deliver 4K resolution and UHD. The flexibility and ergonomics of the FS7 bumps it up several notches, as does the fact that is basically ready-to-go right out of the box. 

Although the magnesium bodied FS7 is designed mostly for the shoulder rig shooting style, it also works with a tripod for more traditional production. Check out the At the Bench: Sony FS7 Rigging Options video blog by Ian to learn more about the functionality and rigging available with the FS7.

While most cameras require complex cages or rigs, Sony designed the PXW-FS7 with the proper balance on your shoulder. A telescoping hand grip provides start/stop, zoom, and assignable controls in convenient reach on the inside panel. The viewfinder is offset to the left and can be moved within a generous fore-aft adjustment range. If you prefer, expand your flexibility by adding an optional viewfinder extension box and a 15mm rod mount. There is a sample graphic showing four ways to position the FS7 to capture handheld footage in our photos.

Additional Features

Dual XQD memory card slots round out the FS7. The card controller and communication within the camera enable read/write speeds up to 600 Mbps. The dual slots support simultaneous recording and relay recording. XQD cards are available in 64 and 32GB capacities. You can improve upon that when using the FS7 Slow and Quick Motion (for over and under-cranking) with 4K internal recording by using the 128 GB XQD G series. That card features ultra-high speed transfer up to 440MB per second (read) and 350 MB per second (write). 

Please update your firmware at the Sony website to 4.00 in order to use the faster XQD G E cards.

(4) built-in ND filters (clear, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64) allow full exposure control in a range of lighting conditions. The camera is also supplied with GPS, environmentally sealed electronics, a 16-bit analog-to-digital recorder, plus wireless operations with CBK-WA100 (sold separately).

If you are curious about the FS7 scene files be sure to investigate Andy’s blog.

The FS7 accepts Sony U series batteries which are durable and reliable. Gain up to three hours of shooting time by using the BP-U90.

Need a mattebox, but don’t want too much weight? Consider the Bright Tangerine Misfit, constructed of carbon fiber. It offers clamp-on or swing away positioning if you add a lightweight arm. If can accommodate up to a 14mm (such as the Cooke S4) with no vignetting.