Sony unveils FS5 II Super 35mm camera with 4K HDR and 120fps RAW
Sony has announced the latest member of its professional Super 35mm lineup, the FS5 II. Similar in looks and functionality to its predecessor, the upgrades to the FS5 II are mostly features that were available to its predecessor through paid updates—only now they’re ‘free’.
Inside, the Super 35 Exmor CMOS sensor remains untouched. Likewise, the E-mount body of the camera remains identical aside from the updated nameplate and a different color neutral density dial. Where the camera gets the biggest changes is in its color science, Raw shooting modes, and high frame rate functionality.
The stand-out feature of the FS5 II is the updated color science that’s gone into it. Sony says it’s taken everything it’s learned from developing the 6K Venice camera and brought it into the much more compact (and affordable) FS5 II. The changes are said to yield ‘rich mid-range colours, alluring facial tones, and a softer tonal look’. Also added are nine color profiles, including a few designed specifically for S-Log2 and S-Log3.
Here’s a closer look at the new camcorder:
Also present in the FS5 II is Sony’s ‘Instant HDR’ workflow. This is one of the features available for the FS5 via a paid update, but it comes standard on the FS5 II. The Instant HDR workflow eliminates the need for color grading footage. This effectively means HDR video can be streamed straight from the camera when shot in HLG/BT.2020 mode.
Finally, the FS5 II features dual SD card slots that can internally record video up to 4K/30p and Full HD video at 1080/120p. For higher-resolution and RAW video, an external recorder is needed; however, if you are using an external recorder, the FS5 II can output 4K/60p video and even RAW 4K/120p, but only in four second bursts. At 2K, the FS5 II can output continuous RAW footage at 240fps.
The FS5 II is expected to launch in June 2018 for $4,750 USD body-only. For more details, check out the overview video at the top or head over to the Sony Pro website.
Sony Introduces FS5 II with 4K HDR, 120fps RAW and New Color Science
Sony’s Popular Super 35 mm handheld Camcorder Adds New Functionality Based on User Demand
Sony’s new Large Format Sensor lineup is expanding with the introduction of the FS5 II (Body: PXW-FS5M2, Lens Kit: PXW-FS5M2K). Complete with stunning 4096 x 2160 4K HDR and 120fps performance at 60Hz mode (and 100fps at 50Hz mode), as well as RAW capabilities, the new Super 35 mm camcorder marries outstanding image quality with an ergonomic modular frame, offering content creators ultimate creative flexibility.
In addition to S-Log 2/3, the FS5 II offers Instant HDR Workflow to produce HDR content, when shooting in HLG/BT.2020 mode, for quick post-production without the need for grading.
The FS5 II interchangeable lens, E-mount camcorder offers flexibility for applications including web commercials, music video production, dramas, corporate and event videography and documentaries.
Designed to meet the requirements of today’s content creators, the FS5 II features an all-new look with a refined picture tone to capture natural highlights, subtle, alluring and well rendered facial tones and a softer tonal look, for capturing lifelike portrayals. Using the accumulated expertise of Sony’s digital cinematography camera VENICE, the FS5 II promises a fresh and vivid look while still retaining plenty of creative options in post-production, as a result of its high performance 4K Super 35 Exmor® CMOS sensor.
Takuro Ema, product manager for Sony Professional Solutions Americas explains, “When Sony develops new camera technologies we gather feedback from all ends of the production chain – from DOPs to post production professionals. This camera was no exception. We’ve evolved and developed our hugely popular FS5 with default shooting capabilities and the FS5 II is now a powerful addition to the Large Format Sensor line-up which promises even more flexibility and creative choices.”
The FS5 II builds on Sony’s heritage for image quality, delivering stunning High Frame rate shots supporting four seconds of 120fps in 4K and continuous 240fps at 60Hz mode and 200fps at 50Hz mode in 2K (2048X1080) RAW output when used in conjunction with a compatible external recorder. Continuous 4K 60fps RAW output at 59.94p is fully supported, with 50fps supported at 50Hz mode.
The camcorder also offers High Frame Rate (HFR) recording to an internal SD card at Full HD 10bit 4:2:2 image quality and a frame rate of up to 240 fps of 8-second cache recording, allowing up to 10 x slow motion and capturing 239.76fps at HD or 2K, and playback at 23.98p. Continuous recording of 120fps in Full HD is also supported.
With an Instant HDR Workflow users can now reduce time in post-production and produce high-quality HDR content quickly without the need of grading. For productions of longer lead-times, S-Log 2/3 allows the HDR image to be fine-tuned via color grading.
Lightweight but robust, theFS5 II’s well balanced 0.8kg body, adaptability and creative features make it a perfect fit for movie shooting, while its modular design makes it easy to reconfigure for any application including mounting on a gimbal or drone. Sony’s unique Electronic Variable ND filter with Auto ND function covers a wide range of exposure adjustment, as well as creating a wide range of shallow Depth of Field control.
Now with ten Picture Profile settings, the FS5 II allows users to instantly and easily configure the camera for different shooting styles, such as cinematic and online content creation.
The FS5 II is planned to be available in June, with expected pricing as follows:
- PXW-FS5M2, body only — $4,750 USD and $5,940 CAD
- PXW-FS5M2K, with lens — $5,250 USD and $6,560 CAD
For further information, please visit www.sony.com/pro.
