Sony just released a new E-mount camcorder named NEX-EA50. It’s very similar to the NEX-FS100 but has a “more affordable price point than ever before” – about £2,700. The other very interetsing news is that for the first time Sony released an E-mount 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Power Zoom!!! It has continuous variable iris and Optical Steady Shot image stabilisation with Active Mode, which should give a more stable shot. lens is electronically controlled via either the zoom rocker lever on the camcorder grip or the top handle, offering either a constant zoom speed or smooth, slow zoom.
Features of the NEX-EA50:
– Exmor APS-C/Super35mm HD CMOS sensor is claimed to offer low noise and high sensitivity in low light conditions. It also enables 1080 progressive and interlace recording with 50/60Hz selection at 50p/25p/50i or 60p/30p/24p/60i. It records AVCHD 4:2:0 at up to 28Mbps.
– It will capture 16.1 megapixel still pictures with RAW format support.
– two-channel XLR audio (an ECM-XM1 Shotgun microphone is included with the NEX-EA50H); Linear PCM audio; time code; user bit; and built-in GPS.
– Sony’s HXR-FMU128 (128GB) flash memory unit can dock directly to the camcorder for simultaneous backup recording. The camcorder is also compatible with Sony’s new Mirroring Memory Stick (MS-PX64/32/16), the world’s first memory card with mirroring. This enables the card to deliver higher reliability and data security through a dual recording (mirroring) function. The PX Series cards will be available from September, in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions.
42 Responses
Hmmm, Sony’s THIRD 18-200mm e-mount lens. Geez, are they insane? No one wants another gigantic lens for their NEX. They better make some fast pancakes soon before everyone goes to m43!!!!!
fast pancakes? isn’t that an oxymoron?
To be fast, a lens has to gather a lot of light. double for each stop.
To be small, one has to compromise on optical performance and how much light a lens can gather.
the smaller the lens is compared to normal, the more compromises will be made.
And I hate compromises when it comes to optics. I bought my nex-7 because there were a G standard zoom in the horizont. if you pancake whiners have made sony turn the forthcoming standard zoom i’ve been anticipating into a medicore pancake i’ll be very disappointed.
want a small and fast pancake, buy a camera with smaller lens mount. like nikon 1, pentax q and the other almost-compact-cameras. Let us get the much needed quality on the nex.
I’m in the same boat here, although i didn’t pull the trigger on buying the Nex7. Have been saving up since it’s anouncement. Expecting Sony to release a high opt quality zoom but wanted to be sure. IF it’s going to be a pancake i think i’ll go the nikon dslr route… Whats the reason of spending big on a good body when there’s mostly mediocraty to couple it with?
I’m still keeping an eye on this site hoping for something great to be announced but after reading about the release of yet another 18-200 my fait dropped… again.
What are you talking about? This is a motorized zoom, made specifically for video….
Though not identical, it’s Sony’s SECOND 18200. The other one was Tamron’s.
wow… new lens, new mic, new camcoder!
Good stuff, good day!
Nice to have first powerzoom lens, seems like a breakthrough – hope we’ll see more of these.
Pity thought that it seems like ECM-XM1 is completely incompatible with SLTs, but well… can’t have everything.
ECM-XM1 is the same microphone on FS100
XLR,no phantom power,not compatible to any DSLT
Yea, I know 🙂
Yet
Great pricing! 🙂
Am definitely getting two of these!
Uhuh, I wonder if there will be support for future A-mount power zooms on the A99?
Maybe there is a zoom controller lever on the A99 body?
Where did this come from out of the blue anyway? An official Sony announcement that SAR didn´t have a clue about? Strange!
Sony is really keeping things tight nowadays.
Pherhaps the A99 will be released on Monday 🙂
Not strange at all. SAR just doesn’t have any sources in Sony’s video division it seems – and these guys are authors of EA50.
Honestly, I heard about that cam. But the truth is that I forgot to post about it because of the SUPER RUMORS I got in these days. These rumor will make you forget everything you heard until now 🙂
Please please please post more a99 rumors…. Can’t wait until next week!
*read the rumor*
erm… nope, I did not. o_O
Yea, it’s a big thing, but I wouldn’t overprice it. ;]
So no SD card support?
so is this 18-200mm a video lens or still lens or both?
It’s both since it uses the e-mount so it can be mounted on Nex camera and E-mount camcorders. However, the power zoom function is helpful for video for smooth zooming.
Will A99 uses mirroring memory stick as well?
Hahaha 18-200 😀
Anyone seen Memento? Sony’s chief product development should tattoo “18-200” on his forehead…
“hmmm, i don’t feeel drunk…. ?”
Interesting camcorder. Not so interesting lens, although I understand why they have released it. Interesting to see what Philip Bloom is goig to say about this cam.
hopefully someone will get a hands-on out pretty quick as there’s a few questions I’m interested in the answer to, mainly involving what comes out of the HDMI port. Got to admit though, I like the form factor with the extendable shoulder support.
Well, i assume the new lens will work with the zoom rocker on the FS700? Certainly didn’t expect this announcement today!
Checked, it support SD, hope a version without lens, as film maker I’m not interested in power zoom lens. Andrea, but the FS100? They plan to dismiss it or reduce the price?
hmmmm if this cam starts at 2700..they should lower a bit the NEX-VG20 or keep the pace with improvement when the NEX-VG30 Comes out…
interesting announcement…wondering if the lens extends and if it’s available to other NEX cameras with let’s say, a on-lens zoom rocker..would have prefered a 18-135 E mount instead..but after all, this lens and camera are for video and they get priority over ALPHA SLT and NEX department
They might drop the VG line altogether at this point.
G standard zoom where it is ? I am waiting for very good quality . I do not need compact size .Give us 18-70 f3 . I DOES NOT MATTER OF SIZE
Pounds ! Thats 2700 pounds!!! Thats 3430 Euros as of this moment. Still a very interesting camera. I am tempted to sell my trusty Canon XA10 for this.
this isn’t really like the FS100, more a souped up VG20. It has the VG20’s 16MP sensor, which is not nearly as good for video as the o e found in the fs100. still looks pretty nice for its price, a lot of people would have wet themselves over this 18 months ago.
to those complaining about another 18-200 lens, this lens isn’t designed for you and you nex. It is video optimised lens for their range of camcorders.
interested to find out what sort of UI this has, whether it is just another nex in wolf clothing.
I wonder if this the end of the VG line? The VG10/20 never had enough to separate it from the Nex 5/5n, making it tough to swallow the fact that it costs 3x as much for the same sensor – all you were really getting was a top handle, a built in mic and no record time restrictions or overheating.
Andrea, have you heard anything about a new VG camera?
Erm there is a bit more to it than that, want a list:
18-200mm included
power adapter included
EVF built in
hot shoe
cold shoe
much better microphone
mic input
headphone socket
large capacity battery (compared to nex)
option for larger batteries
top handle
locking tripod mount
just adding EVF, 18-200mm and AC adapter to a 5n kit brings the price pretty in line with the VG20. Sharing the same sensor does not make these two the same.
None of what you listed allows for better video – add to that the fact that the user adjustable picture profiles that the 5n has were left off the VG20 – the 5n shoots better video at 1/3 the price and a $100 Zoom H1 captures better audio than the VG on-baord mics. Body only VG20 is $1500, I paid $500 for my 5n body, there are no compelling reasons to buy the VG over a 5n unless you want a handle and so-so on board audio.
The VG line has been underwhelming from the start and Sony just doesn’t seem interested in putting much into it. I wish that wasn’t the case as a few tweaks would make it the perfect companion to my FS100 and 5n, but the lack of updates to the VG20 to address some major complaints makes me thing its DOA.
The big difference IMHO is the ISO in video mode. NEX-5N allows for a maximum ISO of 3200 in video mode. NEX-VG20 has +30db (which is equivalent to ISO 16000) and it is very clean. This makes a big difference in low light.
“APS-C/Super35mm” is wrong, it is not Super35 sensor, like in NEX-FS100/FS700, it is an APS-C senzor (optimised for photo), with 16.1 megapixels, the same used in NEX-5N and NEX-VG20, and named APS-C HD CMOS. This NEX-EA50 is an NEX-VG20 with: more manual controls, power zoom, better balance for handheld. It cannot compete with NEX-FS100/F700 that have Super35 sensor (more expensive sensor and optimised for video and low light). For 4200 USD (£2,700) it is not cheap compared with the better NEX-FS100 at 5000 USD. I expected an NEX-VG30 with Super35 sensor, now I think that it will not happen, so I’ll wait to find more about the future Sony Full Frame cameras.
I think this will probably end up around $3000, not $4200
Love the new lens with power zoom… Way to go sony!!!
This camera, as mentioned, is a souped up vg20. Here’s my gripe with it. It is put in to a true pro style camcorder body, yet has a sensor that is designed more so for photo work versus video. It should have the TRUE super35mm sensor, and SONY is attempting to flat out trick its customers by calling it a “APS-C/Super 35mm sensor”!!!! This camera design contradicts itself, and is a complete moronic move by the marketing/engineering department.
Also, and more importantly, this is NOT a good buy for us video folks. At 2,700$, i’d rather go on ebay and buy a used FS100 for around 3,000$. I’ve bought two already that have very low hours, like new, with pelican case, and rokinon lense, la-ea1 adapter and with all accessories for 3400$.
Just looked around the web, and I don’t see anyone else, including sony, calling this a SUPER 35 sensor.
This is anything but a small fs100. 16MP sensor? This will have the usual fake 1080p res
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ9aPHpIB9o
Makes much more sense than the VG series. Offering what the nex cameras couldn’t, and the power lens makes a lot of sense. Very awesome looking package, can see this having a lot of amateur uses, if it isn’t as complete as the fs100. It can compete in good lighting
Great camera, I hope the lens does not rotate on zooming nor extend.
Here’s the Sony NEX EA50 User Group on Vimeo to upload your EA50 films:
https://vimeo.com/groups/153499sonynexea50users
Here’s the Sony NEX EA50 User Group on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SonyNEXEA50UserGroup?skip_nax_wizard=true&success=1