Sony PXW-Z280 4K XDCAM Handheld Camcorder

The Sony PXW-Z280 4K XDCAM Handheld Camcorder captures 4K at up to 60p relying on three 1/2" Exmor R sensors that provide improved low-light capability when compared to standard sensors. The PXW-Z280 features a 4K 3CMOS 1/2-type sensor with a deep depth of field and class-leading performance provides the pinnacle of 4K HDR performance in your hand. Moreover, face Detection AF keeps your subject in focus, while HLG and S-Log3 provide stunning HDR to suit any workflow. The camera integrates a 17x optical zoom lens and an electronic variable ND filter. The camera supports modern codecs such as XAVC, as well as legacy codecs such as MPEG HD and DVCAM, allowing you to use one camera to shoot 4K, HD, or SD video.

Networking capabilities
Deliver your content faster, wherever you are. PXW-Z280 is the world’s first camcorder with Dual Link Cellular capability for double the uplink performance and reliability.

Three 1/2" Exmor R CMOS Sensors
The PXW- Z280 imager is custom-designed for broadcast 4K acquisition. Its three 1/2-type Exmor R™ CMOS delivers a deep depth of field with superb image quality. Red, blue, and green light are independently captured by separate image sensors, contributing to high resolution, high sensitivity of F12 (59.94p), and wide dynamic range. An advanced LSI (featuring intelligent noise reduction, enhanced detail reproduction, and distortion correction technologies) delivers remarkably lifelike 4K 4:2:2 10-bit images. Even if you’re delivering in HD, your recordings will capture detail and image texture that HD sensors simply cannot see.

17x HD zoom lens with three independent rings
The PXW-Z280 is equipped with a 17x professional zoom lens able to zoom from 30.3 mm to 515 mm (35 mm equivalent). The 1/2-inch type lens has three independent control rings with end-stop, which allows manual control of focus, zoom, and iris, making for better and faster adjustment. The image can be enlarged without any picture degradation in HD mode and 34x times zoom equivalent image is captured with sensor cropping extender.

Support HDR performance
Demand for HDR content is increasing and Z280 offers you a choice of two powerful workflows. S-Log3 is the proven choice for premium applications where you wish to capture as much data as possible for the ultimate flexibility in grading Instant HDR Workflow is all about speed. Shoot, edit and view content in Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) to deliver content quickly without compromising on imaging expression and quality of content.

Auto focus
The PXW-Z280 features newly developed Face detection AF. You can choose between Face Priority AF and Face Only AF. Simply keep the person in frame and, however you move to obtain a better angle, you can be confident the PXW-Z280 will keep your subject in pin-sharp focus.

Built-in electronic Variable ND Filters
Sony’s ground-breaking integration of electronic variable ND Filters into the body of a camcorder enables fast, agile shooting. Moving from shadowy interiors to bright sun-lit exteriors is no problem with PXW-Z280. Unlike conventional optical ND filters, the electronic ND filter on the PXW-Z280 can be controlled from 1/4ND to 1/128ND linearly while ND Filters can be set to fully auto. You can even manually adjust Depth of Field using the iris lens ring, while relying on the PXW-Z280 to maintain constant exposure without changing gain nor shutter speed.

12G-SDI accelerated workflow
Revolutionize your workflow with 12 Gbps content transfer—four times the bandwidth of 3G-SDI over a single cable and ideal for working with highest quality 4K content or speeding through HD content. Sony is the first broadcast manufacturer to build 12G-SDI into a compact handheld camcorder. Once you’ve tried it, you won’t want to use anything else.

Accurate OLED viewfinder
An expansive 0.5-inch high quality OLED viewfinder is perfectly offset for right-eye or left-eye viewing. OLED’s superb accuracy, high contrast, and high resolution (2.36M dot) enables precise manual focus and eliminates any color-breaking phenomenon.

Networked for high mobility
The PXW-Z280 comes with 5 GHz* and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi as standard—simply turn on and log onto your preferred network to enable a host of advanced wireless production features:

• Dual Link Cellular—use two cellular networks in combination to provide an even more reliable network connection. The PXW-Z280 is compatible with standard USB cellular dongles from most networks. (Please check for the most appropriate service provider for your region. Standard network fees will apply.)

• High-quality Sony QoS Streaming to Network RX station (sold separately) and XDCAM air allows images to be streamed live from the camcorder for viewing at a remote location.

• FTP Transfer allows content files recorded with MPEG HD 422/420 proxy feature and other content files shot in XAVC (QFHD/FHD) to be sent over the internet for remote storage on an FTP server even while shooting. In case of signal interruption, the system will automatically resume as soon as connection is restored

• Trimming function is available for both proxy and PGM without need for a PC. Any clip can have its start and endpoints selected to eliminate time wasted transferring unnecessary content

• XDCAM air can upload proxy footage to the cloud from multiple camera operators in the field, so editing can start immediately. Uploaded content can be accessed securely from any location. News teams can even start logging clips while shooting’s still going on, saving even more valuable time when a story’s breaking

• Wi-Fi/NFC (Near Field Communication) with Content Browser Mobile™** allows the PXW-Z280 to be remotely controlled from a smartphone or tablet computer (iOS 9.0–10.3 or Android 4.4 through 7.1) via a Wi-Fi connection. One-touch authentication is also possible with smartphones that offer NFC connectivity

• Wired LAN port allows you to connect the PXW-Z280 to the Internet with a standard Ethernet cable, allowing files to be streamed or transferred by FTP