Sony has unveiled the new FS7 II camcorder that adds advanced features to the FS7 including Electronic Variable ND technology, a lever lock type E-mount, and a new mechanical design for faster and easier set-up.

The new camera will be available from January.
 
The FS7 will remain as part of Sony’s line up with the new FS7 II designed for long-form shooting and production applications, especially for documentaries and independent filmmaking. Amongst the various enhancements, the FS7 II can also record in BT2020 colour space, “making it ideal for today’s 4K broadcast productions.”
 
Below are the advances to the FS7 that Sony is highlighting for the FS7 II  

Electronic Variable ND Technology
The camcorder’s Electronic Variable ND Filter system, combined with its large sensor, delivers greater exposure control, with the option of preset or variable operation modes. Variable ND mode (clear + 2~7 stop range, in seamless transition steps up to 1/128) allows the user to vary the density of the ND filter during shooting and to transition easily between steps. This also ensures an optimum motion delivery by maintaining desired shutter speed.
 
The camera’s expanded ND operations enables fine exposure adjustment by relegating iris to set depth of field, prevents soft focus caused by diffraction, and prevents colour shift caused by stacking multiple external ND filters.
 
The camera can compensate for exposure fluctuation caused by iris control while adjusting the depth of field. Users can adjust exposure while keeping the same bokeh in changing shooting or lighting environments.
 
Preset mode lets users assign three ND settings to the filter turret, useful in selecting the most appropriate filtration range for changing light conditions, for example. Auto ND mode is also available allowing exposure to stay at a fixed level while adjusting the depth of field with iris control.
 
E-mount (Lever Lock type)
The FS7 II revisited E-mount (lever lock type) gives users the ability to change lenses by rotating the locking collar rather than the lens itself, which means that in most cases lens support rigs don’t need to be removed, saving time during a production. The new E-Mount will fit any existing E-mount lenses in the market and other mount lenses with an adapter.  The new FS7 II camcorder also supports Sony α Mount System, which includes more than 70 lenses.
 
Mechanical Design Enhancements
The FS7 II features several design and ergonomic updates. Sony says these new features are based on customer feedback around the FS7.
 
The FS7 II “tool-less” mechanical design lets users make on-the-fly changes to the camera’s set-up and operation. For example, no tools are required to adjust the Smart Grip or viewfinder positions.
 
The detachable viewfinder eyepiece, which comes with a pop-up hood, provides a third stabilising contact point when shooting handheld. Durable square section rods and lever-clamps on the LCD and camera body provide simple and precise front-to-back VF adjustment while retaining level positioning.
 
New Sony 18-110mm Sony G lens
Sony also introduced a new E-mount, Super 35mm lens specifically designed for documentary and motion picture production.
The new lens, model E PZ 18-110mm F4 G OSS, covers Super35mm and APS-C sensors. Compact and lightweight — 2.4 lbs (1.1Kg) — with an 18 to 110 focal range (6x zoom) it uses a new fully mechanical/servo zoom switchable system, capable of snap zooms and entirely devoid of lag. The focal range is optimised for Super 35 and APS-C sensors.
 
The lens is compatible with Sony α Mount System cameras, including the α7 series interchangeable-lens cameras and professional Super 35mm 4K camcorders like the FS7 or FS5.

XQD Cards
The FS7 II supports the XQD memory card format, designed for capturing and transferring high-bandwidth, high resolution files. The newest XQD card from Sony, QD-G256E enables recording time of approximately 45 minutes at 4K 60P and 3.5 hours at 2K 30P. Combined with a read speed of 440MB/s and write speed 400MB/s. 
 

Staff Reporter

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