14 DAY TRIAL // At NAB2008, Sony released underwhelming details about the higher-end update to its hit camera of the year, the PMW-EX1. Despite a different look, no advances have been made by Sony in the camcorder's imaging technology, so the EX3 is left to fend of for itself with the same trio of 1/2" native 1920 x 1080 CCD sensors and hardware/firmware architecture.
The most obvious change here involves the Fujinon 14x lens, which is now removable. Which means that had it not been for the announced $13,000 price, the EX3 would have joined the extremely slim ranks of sub-$10,000 camcorders with support for interchangeable lenses. Speaking of price, the EX3 will cost as much as two retail EX1's, making the addition of a lens mount, some dials, and multi-camera capabilities pale in comparison. Ask any producer - the best multi-camera support system is actually being able to afford several cameras, and while the EX1 is a great camera for the price, the EX3 isn't.
The mount can fit both 2/3" and 1/2" lens mount adapters, as well as lenses built specifically for the EX3. Hot shoe lens connectors provide compatibility with lenses that have electrical functions, such as image stabilization and electrical focus or zoom rings.
Video is saved to the same Sony SxS cards, or a 60 GB HDD that plugs into the SxS slot, and there is no change in codecs or compression rates.
Time-code in, time-code out and Genlock provide support for multi-camera shoots, and a tongue twisting array of ports (HD-SDI, S-video, composite BNC, USB, and i.LINK) let you capture a less compressed video signal or attach all manners of gadgetry to the camera.
The viewfinder and LCD now share the same screen, located at the very front of the unit's body. When using the camera for hand-held shooting, the viewfinder can be flipped out of the way to reveal the LCD. The viewfinder housing is large, and together with the bulky 'chainsaw' formfactor (reminiscent of Canon's XL line) and extendable shoulder pad, it creates a good design for shoulder mounting. A 'head brace' was being displayed on some EX3 models inside the Sony booth, and reportedly added a nice feel to the camcorder.
A panel attached to the viewfinder adds dials for brightness, contrast and peaking, and the viewfinder itself greatly magnifies the LCD image. Another high-end feature is the frame-rate button - EX3 users can say goodbye to the habit of changing modes or hunting through menus just to get a different frame-rate, but their $13,000 are still not enough for Sony to include frame-rate control during actual recording. A remote panel (not 'remote control' - with its colorful dials and flickering lights, this device is huge and reminiscent of a 60's SCI-FI computer) looks like it gives real control over the EX3 from a distance, but it is not clear if it's sold separately or bundled with the camcorder.
