Full frame Sony A7S with 1.1x sensor crop in 4K mode and XAVC-S codec

[Andrew Reid]

I've just had some information from a source that may be of interest to those awaiting Sony's NAB announcement.

Read the full article here

[xenogears]

If the AX100 even with a smaller sensor and the same Bionz X engine (i guess) can generate so alarming levels of rolling shutter, then on this a7s this will be something to take at look.

[Andrew Reid]

The AX100 sensor is 20MP though.

 

This is 12MP and will run a lot faster hence the "S".

 

Unless that stands for 'slow' ;)

[Don Kotlos]

I am very excited about this. It really depends on the implementation of the 4k, but I also tried an em1 and I couldn't believe how useful the sensor stabilization is. Choices...

[abortabort]

From memory the AX100 does 100Mbit 4K and 50Mbit 1080p.

[dustylense]

Why do people take any of Andrews words seriously?  

Andrew says "I also did some research on XAVC-S. It records in MP4 format but perhaps rather disturbingly it has a much lower bitrate than the GH4′s 4K codec. It is just 60Mbit/s vs 100Mbit/s on the GH4 in Ultra HD."  He did his research eh?.  

 

Then explain the Sony FDR-AX1's 150M/bit XAVC-S in which a 1 minute research would find and I quote, "In order to provide 4K video recording in a consumer model, Sony designed the FDR-AX1 to support the XAVC-S 4K/HD recording format which is usually reserved for professional applications. However, since the XAVC-S codec will save as an MP4 wrapper, you can still create web-friendly videos that can be easily shared on social media sites like YouTube. Another highlight of the XAVC-S recording format is its ability to record images at 150 Mbps in 4K".  

 

Seriously, do your homework Andrew.  

[abortabort]

Or maybe I am.thinking of the AX1, but XAVX-S I believe can do higher than 60Mbps.

[TC]

Wondering where Canon is in all of this?  Fear not!  Just three days ago they announced two new Full HD Camcorders: the XF200/XF205.  Yes, Full HD, none of that 720p HD nonsense.  And they are a bargain, starting at $3,900.  Here are the details:

 

http://***URL removed***/news/2014/04/02/canon-launches-xf205-and-xf200-hd-professional-camcorders

[/p/]

[joe1946]

Or maybe I am.thinking of the AX1, but XAVX-S I believe can do higher than 60Mbps.

The Sony FDR-AX1 does 4K @ 60fps using XAVC-S at 150Mbps and the AX100 4K at 30fps at 60Mbps.

[fuzzynormal]

Fujio Mitarai says: "We match products to the needs of the times, and we concentrate our resources on what we do best. Our forte is hardware, but not every kind of hardware. We focus on value-added input and output technologies."

[abortabort]

AX1 does 150Mbps 4K with XAVC-S, 60Mbps is a chosen limitation of the AX100 aimed at consumers. http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sonydigitalimaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/AX1_Brochure.pdf&sa=U&ei=9nY_U7zKE4nwkAWakIHADQ&ved=0CBUQFjAE&usg=AFQjCNEnzhcRHMt1363hqjOHZH4woLmqtg

 

Edit: 

 

150Mbps @ 50/60fps

100Mbps @ 24/25/30fps

 

But this shows XAVC-S is not limited to 60Mbps. 

[mastroiani]

60Mbps would be less desirable than 150Mbps :)

[abortabort]

Why do people take any of Andrews words seriously?  

Andrew says "I also did some research on XAVC-S. It records in MP4 format but perhaps rather disturbingly it has a much lower bitrate than the GH4′s 4K codec. It is just 60Mbit/s vs 100Mbit/s on the GH4 in Ultra HD."  He did his research eh?.  

 

Then explain the Sony FDR-AX1's 150M/bit XAVC-S in which a 1 minute research would find and I quote, "In order to provide 4K video recording in a consumer model, Sony designed the FDR-AX1 to support the XAVC-S 4K/HD recording format which is usually reserved for professional applications. However, since the XAVC-S codec will save as an MP4 wrapper, you can still create web-friendly videos that can be easily shared on social media sites like YouTube. Another highlight of the XAVC-S recording format is its ability to record images at 150 Mbps in 4K".  

 

Seriously, do your homework Andrew.  

 

I don't know, there are always factual errors in every one of Andrew's posts. Like the one about the GH4 being 'the first 4K camera for $2000'... Uhm, nah. 

[Bandido]

What kind of media it will use for 4k XAVC S?. If they decided to use SD cards, we can safely assume that the bit rate is going to be limited to 60Mbps. But if it uses the new XQD cards, then there is a big chance that the maximum bit rate is going to be the same as the Sony FDR-AX1 (150Mbps); as long as there is no overheating issues.

[Joel]

What kind of media it will use for 4k XAVC S?. If they decided to use SD cards, we can safely assume that the bit rate is going to be limited to 60Mbps. But if it uses the new XQD cards, then there is a big chance that the maximum bit rate is going to be the same as the Sony FDR-AX1 (150Mbps); as long as there is no overheating issues.

Not necessarily. U3 SD cards are rated to handle 240mbps and there are SD cards that will do a lot more. The BMPCC uses a much higher bit rate than that shooting raw—although only a few cards can handle it.

 

EDIT: Knowing Sony this is just wishful thinking. If there's an excuse to require a proprietary memory card they'll take it! Consumer codec but we'll require a pro level card. Sigh.

[Germy1979]

Ugh. They put a guy on the moon with technology capable in an iPhone 2 generations ago. Tech capability is not the excuse or the issue anymore, willpower and desire is.

[Robert]

I don't know, there are always factual errors in every one of Andrew's posts. Like the one about the GH4 being 'the first 4K camera for $2000'... Uhm, nah. 

I'm all for fact checking, but you're acting like he's the New York Times or something. Give the dude a little slack.

[theSUBVERSIVE]

Not necessarily. U3 SD cards are rated to handle 240mbps and there are SD cards that will do a lot more. The BMPCC uses a much higher bit rate than that shooting raw—although only a few cards can handle it.

 

EDIT: Knowing Sony this is just wishful thinking. If there's an excuse to require a proprietary memory card they'll take it! Consumer codec but we'll require a pro level card. Sigh.

 

With Sony it's always a wishful thinking. But if you think that they chose a 12MP instead of what they would normally do, that something that can make us wonder what's gonna be this time, will take the next step or step back?

 

I have no expectations. LOL.

[/p/]

it's 4k huehuehue