Sony PXW-X180 XDCAM HD Camcorder

by Sony
Order, 1 - 2 weeks $4550.00
Sony PXW-X180 XDCAM HD Camcorder
Three 1/3" Exmor CMOS Sensors
XAVC Intra and Long GOP Codecs
MPEG HD 422, AVCHD, and DV Codecs
G Lens with 25x Optical Zoom
Electronic Variable ND Filter
Dual SxS Memory Card Slots
3G/HD-SDI and HDMI Output
MP4 Proxy Recording to SD Card
0.5" OLED Viewfinder
Wi-Fi Remote Control via Included Module

Features

Three 1/3-inch type Exmor(tm) CMOS Full HD sensors for a wide range of shooting conditions
The PXW-X180 incorporates three 1/3-inch type Full-HD Exmor(tm) CMOS sensors to achieve high resolution, high sensitivity, low noise, and wide dynamic range. The sensor has 2 million effective pixels and achieves full HD 1920 x 1080 shooting without pixel interpolation, enhancing shooting under severe lighting conditions and providing more freedom of creative expression.

25x professional HD zoom lens with three independent rings with end-stop and large focal length
The PXW-X180 is equipped with a G Series fixed 25x zoom lens with 26mm wide-angle. Due to a quick electric zoom function, the change of shooting from wide-angle to tele-angle can be made quickly. The lens has three independent control rings with end-stop, which means focus, zoom and iris can be manually controlled, making for better and faster adjustment.

High quality XAVC Intra and XAVC Log GOP recordings
The PXW-X180 supports not only MPEG HD 422 50 Mbps in MXF (Material eXchange Format), which is widely accepted by major broadcasters worldwide, but also XAVC Intra and XAVC Long GOP codecs. XAVC technology is based on the H.264 standard, which provides an exceptional performance compression technology. XAVC Intra (frame) compression means that every frame is encoded independent of the other frames - providing a better quality picture, without compromises. With a Long GOP codec, only certain frames are encoded individually. This allows the codec to squeeze the video into a much smaller bitrate than Intra technology. The main benefit is faster ingest and editing. XAVC Long GOP files also require less storage space than XAVC Intra files, providing budget savings on recording media. The XAVC codec adopts 10 bit sampling for high definition recording with rich tonal expression. The bite rate of XAVC recording is 111 or 112 Mbps at 1080/59.94i or 50i and 89, or 112 Mbps at 1080/23.98P or 25p. The high bit rate gives a better quality picture.

Switchable recordings for greater flexibility
As well as shooting at XAVC HD, MPEG HD 422 50 Mbps and MPEG HD 420 35 Mbps, the camcorder also supports DVCAM at 25 Mbps in MXF file format and AVCHD in MTS file format, which is compatible with NXCAM camcorders. MPEG HD 422 gives a high quality image with more detailed colour reproduction, as well as being ideal for chromakeying. It is also compatible with other XDCAM HD 422 and NXCAM camcorders, including the PMW-500, the PMW-200, HXR-NX3/VG1 and many others, which streamlines workflow and reduces time in the edit. High-quality MPEG HD422 50 Mbps is fully compliant with the latest EBU recommendations for long-form broadcast production and is widely accepted in broadcasting stations and production houses. This recording capability makes the PXW-X180 ideal for a wide range of different applications, including newsgathering and documentary production.

Wi-Fi/NFC (Near Field Communication) with Content Browser Mobile(tm)
By attaching the supplied dongle IFU-WLM3, the PXW-X180 can be remotely controlled from a smartphone or tablet computer (iOS 4.3 through 7.0 or Android 2.3 through 4.3) via a Wi-Fi connection, and recorded video files can be transferred from camcorder to smartphone in MP4 format.* One-touch authentication is also possible with smartphones that offer NFC connectivity. The required Content Browser Mobile(tm) mobile smartphone application can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or App Store.

* Wi-Fi operation cannot be guaranteed with all smartphones and tablet computers.

Proxy recording on SD card
The PXW-X180 can record proxy video H.264 on an SD card. The resolution and bitrate of proxy video can be changed for a more flexible workflow. The proxy files are recorded in MP4 format for better compatibility with broadcast systems. The lightweight proxy video files are generated separately from the main line recording and recorded to SD cards for quick sharing of content over low-bandwidth mobile networks.

Dual SxS media slots, "Simul" or "Relay" recording, and independent record control
The PXW-X180 is equipped with two SxS memory card slots. The camcorder is compatible with SxS PRO+ and SxS-1 memory cards, XQD, SDXC and SDHC cards can be also used with an appropriate card adaptor. Two media slots can record in either "Simul" or "Relay" mode. "Simul" mode permits simultaneous recording to two memory cards, while "Relay" mode automatically switches recording from the first to the second memory card when the first is full. The user can set up the two Start/Stop buttons on the PXW-X180, one on the grip and one on the camcorder body, to independently start and stop recording on different memory cards while recording in Simul mode.

Variable dual ND filter control mechanism
The PXW-X180 is equipped with a variable ND Filter function, allowing you to choose either four conventional mechanical ND filter positions or the linear control dial. The optical filter changes the density electrically, allowing the light amount to be reduced more conveniently. The density can be changed gradually and fluidly. Different from conventional optical ND filters, the ND filter on the PXW-X180 can be controlled from 1/4ND to 1/128ND linearly. By choosing the density value properly, the iris control has more flexibility.

Multi Interface Shoe (MI Shoe) for flexible connection without XLR cable
The PXW-X180 is equipped with a Multi Interface Shoe (MI Shoe) that has an electric interface in its mechanical attachment allowing the camcorder to communicate with an attached accessory. Accessories attached to the MI Shoe can be controlled by the camcorder. Using an MI Shoe connection, the audio signal from a UWP-D11 or UWP-D12 wireless microphone package can be input from the wireless microphone receiver to the PXW-X180 without an XLR cable. The power can be supplied from the PXW-X180 to the receiver and a battery is not required for the receiver operation. So, for example, if the HVL-LBPC video light is attached to the MI Shoe, video light power can be switched on and off from the camcorder.

Viewfinder includes amazing OLED technology
This 0.5-inch OLED viewfinder has the incredible clarity of 1024 x 768 High Definition, plus superb OLED brightness, contrast and response. The high resolution of the viewfinder allows better precision of manual focus operations and eliminates any colour-breaking phenomenon.

Wide choice of connections
The camcorder offers numerous connections to suit the broadcast workflow, including 3G HD-SDI, HDMI(R), USB, composite output, timecode input/output and genlock input. The 3G-SDI connector is able to output the 1080/59.94P or 50P signal. Down-conversion output from HD to SD is also possible. Simultaneous output from both SDI and HDMI is possible. The Rec Trigger signal can be sent through SDI and HDMI to link an external recording device.

Lens Remote (LANC)
The PXW-X180 has a LANC interface. Using a LANC remote controller such as the RM-1BP and the VCT-PG11RMB, the focus, zoom, rec start/stop and rec review can be controlled remotely.

GPS functionality
The PXW-X180 is equipped with a GPS device. The GPS data is automatically recorded in two file locations.

Specifications

Camera

Imaging Device : 3 x 1/3" type Exmor CMOS sensor
Effective Pixels (H x V) : 1920 x 1080

Sensitivity :
F9 (typical) (1920 x 1080/59.94i mode)
F10 (typical) (1920 x 1080/50i mode)

S/N Ratio : 60 dB (Y) (typical)
Shutter Speed : 1/32 to 1/2000 sec
White Balance : Present (3200K), A, B
GPS : Yes
Wi-Fi : Yes
NFC : Yes
Built-In ND Filters : Clear, 1/4 to 1/128 variable

Lens

Type : Fixed
Zoom Ratio : 25x (optical), servo/manual
Focal Length : 3.7 to 92.5 mm
35mm Equivalent Focal Length : 26 to 650 mm
Aperture : f/1.6 to f/11, and closed
Focus : Autofocus / manual focus selectable

Minimum Focus Distance :
Wide - 0.39" (10 mm)
Tele - 31.5" (800 mm)

Image Stabilizer : ON/OFF/ACTIVE selectable, shift lens
Filter Diameter : 82 mm

Recording

Video Recording Format

XAVC-Intra
1920x1080 59.94i: 111 Mbps max
1920x1080 50i: 112 Mbps max
1920x1080 29.97p: 111 Mbps max
1920x1080 25p: 112 Mbps max
1920x1080 23.98p: 89 Mbps max
1280x720 59.94p: 111 Mbps max
1280x720 50p: 112 Mbps max

XAVC-Long
1920x1080 59.94i, 50i: 50/35/25 Mbps max
1920x1080 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p: 50/35 Mbps max
1280x720 59.94p, 50p: 50 Mbps max

MPEG HD422
1920x1080 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p: 50 Mbps max
1280x720 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p: 50 Mbps max

MPEG HD420
1920x1080 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p: 35Mbps max
1440x1080 59.94i, 50i: 35 Mbps max
1280x720 59.94p, 50p: 35Mbps max

AVCHD
1920x1080 59.94p, 50p: 28 Mbps max
1920x1080 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p: 24 Mbps max
1280x720 59.94p, 50p: 24 Mbps max

DVCAM
720x480 59.94i: 25 Mbps
720x576 50i: 25 Mbps

Proxy
1280x720: 9 Mbps
640x360: 3 Mbps
480x270: 1 Mbps
480x270: 500 Kbps

Slow & Quick Motion Function

1920x1080p: Frame rate selectable 1 to 60p (depends on Recording Format)
1280x720: 1 to 120p (depends on Recording Format)
Angle of view becomes smaller over 60fps

Audio Recording Format

LPCM, AC-3 (AVCHD): 2 channel
LPCM (XAVC/MPEG2/AVCHD/DVCAM), Dolby Digital (AVCHD): 2 channel

Interface

Input : 2 x XLR 3-pin, female
Audio Output : 1 x 3.5 mm
HDMI Output : 1 x HDMI, Type A
SDI Output : 1 x 3G-SDI, BNC connector
Composite Output / GENLOCK-IN : 1 x BNC connector
USB : 1 x USB 2.0, mini-B; 1 x type A (for Wireless LAN module)
Timecode Input & Output : 1 x BNC connector
Remote : 1 x 2.5 mm
DC Input : 1 x DC jack
Shoe Mounts : 1 x Multi Interface shoe
Headphone Output : 1 x 3.5 mm
Built-In Microphone : Omni-directional stereo electret condenser microphone

Monitoring

Viewfinder :
0.5" (1.27 cm) color OLED
2.36 million dots

LCD :
3.5" (8.89 cm) color LCD monitor
Aspect ratio: 16:9
1.56 million dots

Recording media

2 x ExpressCard/34; supports SxS PRO+ and SxS-1 memory cards (for XAVC/MPEG2/AVCHD/DV)
1 x SD/SDHC/SDXC (for Proxy)
1 x SD/SDHC/SDXC (for Utility)

General

Power Requirements :
19.5 VDC (AC Adaptor)
14.4 VDC (battery pack)

Power Consumption : Approx. 19.9 W (while recording with LCD Off, EVF On when the external device connector is not used)

Battery Operating Time :

With battery pack BP-U90: approx. 4 hours (While recording with LCD Off, EVF On when the external device connector is not used)

With battery pack BP-U60: approx. 2 hours, 35 minutes (While recording with LCD Off, EVF On when the external device connector is not used)

With battery pack BP-U30: approx. 1 hours, 15 minutes (While recording with LCD Off, EVF On when the external device connector is not used)

Operating Temperature : 32 to 104oF (0 to 40oC)
Storage Temperature : -4 to 140oF (-20 to 60oC)
Dimensions (WxHxD) : 7.54 x 7.93 x 16.22" (19.15 x 00.15 x 41.20 cm); without protrusions

Weight :

Approx. 5.95 lb (2.7 kg); body only
Approx. 7.05 lb (3.2 kg); with lens hood, eyecup, battery pack BP-U30, SxS memory card

In the Box

Len Hood
EVF Large Eyecup
USB Cable
Audio Connecting Cable
IR Remote Commander
Lithium Battery (for IR Remote Commander)
AC Adapter
BC-U1 Battery Charger
BP-U30 Lithium-Ion Battery
2 x AC Cable
Cold Shoe Kit
Shoulder Strap
Wireless LAN Module
Accessory Shoe Kit
XQD Card Adapter
Sony PXW-X180 Manual

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