Sony PXW-X200

The Sony PXW-X200 XDCAM Handheld Camcorder is the successor to Sony’s PMW-200, featuring three 1/2″ Exmor CMOS sensors with higher sensitivity and improved signal-to-noise ratio. It records up to 1080p60 video using the efficient XAVC Intra and Long GOP codecs with 4:2:2 10-bit sampling. To fit into existing workflows, MPEG HD422, HD420, and DV recording options are available. The camcorder is equipped with a 17x Fujinon zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent focal range of 29.3-498.7mm. The lens has independent focus, zoom, and iris control rings with hard stops, offering full manual control.

Physically, the PXW-X200 is nearly identical to the PMW-200, featuring the same compact handheld form factor. Dual SxS media card slots support exFAT, FAT, and UDF file format modes, and supports simultaneous recording to two cards, for instant data redundancy and backup. The camcorder provides four-channel audio recording, as well as 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs for video monitoring. Additional features include a Multi-Interface (MI) shoe, a cache recording feature, and slow and quick motion options from 1 to 60 fps. Footage can be monitored using the 0.45″ EVF or the 3.5″ QHD (960×540) resolution LCD panel.

Included with the camcorder is a wireless LAN module. Once attached, the module allows you to connect via Wi-Fi with your mobile device for remote control, file transfer, and monitoring. NFC (Near Field Communication) is also supported for easy, one-touch linking to compatible devices.
Three 1/2″ Exmor CMOS Sensors
The PXW-X200 incorporates three 1/2″ type Exmor CMOS sensors that produce Full HD resolution (1920×1080) without pixel interpolation. Each image sensor boasts 2.07 million effective pixels, and, combined with Sony’s digital signal processing, achieve a wide dynamic range, low noise (S/N ratio of 58dB), and high sensitivity of F12 at 1080/59.94i and F13 at 1080/50i.
17x Zoom Lens with Manual Control Rings
The 17x zoom lens provides a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 29.3mm to 499mm. This makes the lens versatile enough to handle a wide range of shooting situations from wide-angle to telephoto. Independent manual, zoom, and focus rings with end-stop and iris control are provided, and a slide mechanism on the focus ring enables easy switching between auto and manual focusing. The focus indicator can be displayed even when focusing manually.
Multi-Format Recording
The camcorder offers multi-format support to fit into different shooting applications and workflows. It efficiently compresses Full HD (1920×1080) resolution images using MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, and records XAVC using 4:2:2 10-bit sampling. In XAVC, the user can select Intra-frame compression at a maximum of 112 Mbps or high-efficiency Long GOP compression at 50/35/25 Mbps. In addition to XAVC, the PXW-X200 also records in MPEG HD422 (50 Mbps), MPEG HD420 (35/25 Mbps), MPEG IMX (50 Mbps), and DV (25 Mbps) formats, for fitting into existing workflows. Four channels of 24-bit 48 kHz LPCM audio are recorded in XAVC and MPEG HD422, while four channels of 16-bit 48 kHz LPCM are recorded in MPEG HD420.
Slow & Quick Motion
The recording frame rate can be selected from 1 fps up to 60 fps in both 1080p and 720p format to create slow or quick motion images.
3.5″ Type QHD (960×540) LCD Panel
The camcorder features a large, easy-to-read 3.5″ type QHD color LCD panel which helps you frame and focus your shots. The LCD panel also displays a range of information and camera settings, in addition to menu navigation.
Recording Media
The PXW-X200 features dual SxS memory card slots compatible with SxS PRO+, SxS PRO, and SxS-1 cards. These SxS memory cards boast high-speed data transfer, which accelerates the video production workflow. By combining the PXW-X200 with SxS memory cards, users can access a salvage function to restore content if a file is damaged by power loss or memory card disconnection during recording. You can also use XQD cards, Memory Sticks, and SDHC cards when used with optional adapters. An SD/SDHC card slot is provided for Proxy file recording.
Simultaneous Recording
With two SxS memory cards, you can activate the Simultaneous Recording function to record content onto both cards for immediate backup copies.
Continuous Recording
By activating the Continuous Recording function, multiple clips can be recorded as a single clip, which makes it easy to ingest the file to your editing system.
Cache Recording
Once Cache Recording is activated, the PXW-X200 continuously streams audio and video into its internal memory. When the REC start/stop button is pressed, content buffered in the camcorder’s memory is recorded onto the memory card at the start of the recording clip. The caching period can be set at up to 15 seconds. This feature is especially useful in news gathering situations, when capturing spontaneous moments is crucial.
SDI, HDMI, and i.Link
The SDI connector lets you interface with professional video equipment. It is switchable from SD, HD, and 3G-SDI signals, outputting 1080p 59.94/50, 1080i 59.94/50, 720p 59.94/50, or SD resolutions. A 1080i 59.94/50 signal can be output for monitoring while the camcorder is set to 1080p 59.94/50. The PXW-X200 can also be connected via HDMI to HD displays for monitoring. An i.LINK connector is also provided which can be used for HDV when SP 1440 (FAT) made is selected and for DV when DVCAM (FAT) mode is selected.
Wireless Streaming and File Transfer
The PXW-X200 comes equipped with wireless functions including one-touch NFC capability. By attaching the included IFU-WLM3 wireless module, remote control and monitoring functions can be performed from a tablet or smartphone using the Content Browser app. By connecting with internet routers, proxy or high-resolution files can be transferred to a cloud server to begin the editing process even while the location shoot is still in progress. The camcorder will also have streaming capabilities through a future firmware upgrade and the use of an optional LTE USB module.