Sony NEX-FS700 Hands on Video Overview
Sony have just announced their latest Super 35mmm camcorder the NEX-FS700.
Not so long ago $10k would buy you an EX-3, a 1/2inch xdcam EX camcorder. In itself a fantastic workhorse of a small form HD camera. In under 3 years we’ve seen a tremendous transformation of camera technology and price point vs. feature set.
The DSLR revolution kicked it all off and for a good while Canon had the the race by some merging on the big sensors. But one thing about Sony is they never stop developing camcorder technology.
Disclaimer: I have largely shot with Sony Camcorders all my career from the early days of Betacam SP right up to HD cam. (I’ve been shooting professionally since 1994) This has largely been by request of the clients I was either working for at the time or employed by; Reuters Betacam SP, BBC, Betacam SP, ITV beta cam SP, beta cam SX, freelance-various . So I am most familiar with Sony menus, camera layout and their idiosyncracies.
I never used to consider working with smaller camcorders as ‘proper’ and I guess for the most part until the EX-1/EX3 came out they didn’t quite match up.
But for me the FS100, I believe changed all of that. We now have affordable Super 35mm video camcorders capable of giving us the film look without having to bolt on extra bits of kit like DOF adaptors.
12 months later and…
Enter the New Kid – add a new sensor that is 4K ready and Boom….
The NEX FS700 is born and it’s an impressive start.
Not to mention:
• ND filters
• HD-SDI
• Super SlowMo 240fps at 1080P!!!
• Cine Gammas
• Cine Frame line/markers
• Face detection (when using E Mount lenses or Alpha with LEA2 adaptor)
• New improved top handle
• New improved side handle
• Improved expanded focus
Here’s my 16 minute video review of the pre-production Prototype.
NB: This is a camera is still in development and while most of the features have been set, the engineers at Sony in Japan are still working on the image. That said it’s pretty good out of the box, but we have been feeding back with comments. As Beta testers, it’s only fair to maintain a balanced view of a camera when the images and features have not quite been finalised.
FS700 Video Blog from HANGMAN | F-STOP on Vimeo.
Here is our film VS that we created with James Tonkin from Hangmanstudios.com. This project was more of a creative elaborate camera test.
VS – 1080p Film shot on Sony NEX FS700 from HANGMAN | F-STOP on Vimeo.
435 days ago
Wicked! The dynamic range beyond 60fps is mind blowing!!! Rival to Alexa?
434 days ago
In the right hands certainly possible to grade like alexa
435 days ago
As usual Den, you set the bar for great information and creativity. Thanks to you and your friends input Sony has brought us a great cinematography tool. Can’t get my eyes off the great images you have acquired with this camera. Let’s not forget it is the talent of the operator, but still, 240fps is a great tool.
435 days ago
Thanks Den great video and nice shooting. You didn’t speak about the viewfinder. How is it? Does it still just flip up and not out to side? Is that a pro or con in your opinion.
Take care. Appreciate all your efforts cheers.
David
434 days ago
Same as on FS100 mate
435 days ago
Thanks for the demo! The footage looks fantastic!
Will this be usable out of the box or are there necessary accesories in addition to the body? I’m assuming there will be an included lens option, do you have other lens recommendations?
Thanks again!
434 days ago
Yes mate can shoot out of the box without accessories although I use MTF adaptor tio fit my Zeiss ZF.2 and CP.2 lenses
435 days ago
Interesting overview of this new camera Den. I’m curious as to why they came out with it so quickly on the heels of the FS100. For those of us who bought the first string of cameras, this is making us take pause! We all can’t afford to buy the newest camera every 6 months.
It’s an exciting time though. As an AF100 owner/operator, I’m curious as to what Panasonic is going to do next.
435 days ago
Dear Den,
Great review about fs700, more than ever I want to have my hands on it.
I want to know if you have some 960fps material to upload and check it out? and again, great review
434 days ago
I’m uploading some footage today, so check back in 24hrs
435 days ago
Well done guys! thank you Den for making this helpful review. I am sold..I WANT THIS CAMERA NOW!
435 days ago
Thanks a lot for that review!
I see you guys also use the F3 frequently. Could you compare the resolution of the FS700 with the F3? Is it the same? The Fs100 was a little (about 850 lines) softer than the F3 or what 1080p allows.
434 days ago
FS100 has exactly same sensor as F3, FS700 has brand news sensor, not compared it to F3 yet…
435 days ago
Thanks for the exclusive look!
435 days ago
Hi Den! thanks for this great review of the FS 700 … keep it up!
435 days ago
Den, thanks for the link to your blog!
This camera is very exciting…I am already thoroughly enjoying my FS100 and this camera definitely kicks it up a notch!
It is a great time to be shooting video with all the great tools coming out and my hat is off to Sony for pushing the envelope with another great camera. Great job by you, James and the crew on the video! Awesome lighting and color grading.
Thanks again for sharing!
Michael T.
434 days ago
Thanks Michael
435 days ago
[...] have to visit his page as the video has been restricted and cannot be embedded in this article: LINK If you enjoy our site please consider helping us with a donation. Thanks. Tags: fs-100, fs-700, [...]
435 days ago
Such a strange video and other than showing off slowmotion I really don’t know what it’s about?
434 days ago
It’s 200fps at 1080P for £6500 , 4K ready and a host of other cool features. This is a show an tell.
434 days ago
[...] Sony NEX-FS700 Hands on Video Overview [...]
434 days ago
hi Den, do you think the touch focus could work, in a future, with the 85mm 1.4 zeiss sony ? thx
430 days ago
Wonderful , robust review. Is it wrong to lust after a camera?
425 days ago
Hi,
Wonderful camera , but i wanted to know , does the FS700 record 200fps slow mo through the HDSHI ?
423 days ago
It will buyer and allow you to record the HD-SDI out onto a 3rd party device like an Atomos Samurai
421 days ago
Greetings the Super SlowMo 240fps at 1080P generate a avch file with the same aspect ration bitrate and ecc of a “conventional” 60p shot? I understand such a footage has a limit of capturing time (8 to 16 right), what is fine, my only doubt is, to make sure over this two slow mo modes the quality still the same of a conventional 1080 60p.
Looking forward to hear from you,
396 days ago
EDIT
Is the footage interlaced and H264 Codec?
Thought Progressive and XDCAM was the way to go?
How does the footage handle in fcp etc ?
Any tricks?
thanks for being on the cutting edge mate!
peter
396 days ago
Files are AVC HD 24mb/s and are progressive. Footage cuts fine in FCP. Transcode to ProRes and off you go.
Den
363 days ago
[...] we have all seen how well you can pull back any detail loss in over exposed areas by Den Lennie. I had the chance to have a quick play with the Picture profiles and there’s a lot to [...]
316 days ago
HI! !
I have a question that is not covered by your otherwise fine and informative video
The flip up viewfinder obviously does not work very good working handheld.!
Any good ideas on a good setup to work handheld with the NS700?
Which shoulder rig and external Evf would you choose?
(the NS100 has too much delay on the HDMI output to work with a Zacuto, same problem with the NS100?
All the best/ cinematographer Anders Lofstedt DFF