Sony PXW-Z150 4K XDCAM Camcorder

The PXW-Z150 4K XDCAM Camcorder from Sony brings high-quality performance, adaptability, and ease of use to a compact, handheld body that is the same size as the HXR-NX100. Suitable for corporate video, house of worship, and legal deposition recording. The camcorder features a single Exmor RS sensor with a UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution, Sony G lens with 12x optical zoom range, and 18/24x Clear Image Zoom in 4K/HD. It can record 4K in XAVC Long at 4:2:0 8-bit, and HD in XAVC Long at 4:2:2 10-bit, as well as MPEG2HD at 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 in 8-bit only. The integrated zoom lens features individual lens control rings for focus, iris, and zoom, and produces smooth-rounded-out-of-focus highlights. The lens can be used in either full-auto mode with servo control, or as a completely manually operated lens.

Breakthrough imaging performance

The Z150 is the world’s first professional camcorder to feature a 1.0 type stacked CMOS image sensor. This breakthrough in sensor integration delivers a 2x increase in read-out speed compared to a conventional 1.0 sensor for stunning 120fps slow motion in Full HD and spectacular 4K recording. Full pixel read-out helps realise the full potential of the big 1.0 type sensor – there’s no need for pixel binning or line skipping which can result in moiré effects.

The large 1.0 type sensor is also brighter, has higher resolution and offers more bokeh with a shallow depth of field, allowing you to create beautiful, cinematic images that will inspire you and delight your clients.

Stunning 4K HDR image capture

The Z150 offers a step-change in image capture in its class with 4K QFHD (3840×2160) using the advanced XAVC Long GOP 100Mbps codec for truly broadcast quality 4K performance. 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) content is also supported with Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) file-based workflow for truly stunning imagery with a wide colour gamut and colour range.*

To maximise the quality of your images, the Z150 has a stunning optical 12x zoom lens that offers high resolution and contrast across the entirety of the image. Sony’s advanced Clear Image Zoom feature doubles magnification to 18x when shooting in 4K QFHD and 24x in HD, to fully exploit the imaging capabilities of the Z150’s large 1.0 type stacked sensor.

No compromises pro functionality

The Z150 transforms expectations of what’s possible with a handy camcorder so you can be confident using it for almost any application. This includes up to 120 frames per second (fps) High Frame Rate continuous recording in Full HD quality, delivering beautiful 5x slow motion. Stunning 4K picture performance is supported with 4K XAVC Long GOP at 100Mbps, while integration with established broadcast workflows is simplified with Full HD recording in XAVC Long GOP (4:2:2/10bit 50Mbps) and MPEG-2 HD (50Mbps/35Mbps). You can even use AVCHD to further expand workflow flexibility. However you want to shoot, the Z150 delivers.

The perfect handy camcorder

The Z150 isn’t simply a compact, lightweight design – it also integrates advanced features to reduce the need for bulky accessories that slow you down. A built-in four position ND filter means no need to carry a box of filters, MI Shoe eliminates cabling when fitting a microphone or even light. Advanced networking capabilities include built-in Wi-Fi for live streaming and FTP wireless connection*, greatly increasing your mobility, while the camcorder can also be easily controlled by a smartphone or tablet using Wi-Fi remote. Every last detail has been thought of – including power efficiency to deliver a remarkable 400 minutes** continuous recording time.

Revolutionary imaging performance with Exmor RS

To deliver imaging performance previously impossible for a compact camcorder, Sony has developed the world’s first 1.0 type stacked CMOS image sensor for professional video applications. A 2x increase in read-out speed, compared to a conventional 1.0 type sensor, enables beautiful 5x slow motion image capture up to 120fps in Full HD and high resolution 4K recording with full pixel readout without binning.

The Z150’s single 20 megapixel* 1.0 type large size sensor gives you low noise and less blur because more light reaches the sensor, offering clear and steady pictures even in a dark scene with minimum illumination 1.7 lux**. The large sensor size also enables beautiful background defocusing (bokeh) to enable you to focus on what you want to show and defocus the rest of the image.

Instant HDR workflows

Shoot, edit and view HDR content in HLG without the need for additional color grading.

As the expanding need for HDR content continues, internet video platforms and professionals producing corporate or event content are paying more attention to the added value of HDR. They need to deliver content quickly, without compromising on imaging expression and quality of content. To meet this demand, the PXW-Z150 offers Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) recording for easy file-based workflows, whilst achieving the image quality of HDR. This simple workflow enables the shooting, editing and viewing of HDR content in HLG, without devoting a lot of time to post-production work and additional color grading.

Flexible 4K and Full HD recordings

The Z150 is designed to provide true broadcast quality performance for both 4K and Full HD productions, recording with the advanced XAVC Long GOP 100Mbps codec for brilliant 4K QFHD imagery and flexible workflows. XAVC Long’s higher bit rate produces outstanding images with more details and less noise to create the number one 4K picture quality in its class. For even more flexibility in workflows, the Z150 is switchable between PAL and NTSC operation.

120fps continuous slow motion

High frame rate shots can turn everyday actions into slow motion ballet and the Z150 delivers up to 120 frames per second (fps) in Full HD, giving you a maximum of 5 times slow motion expression. There’s no sacrifice in bit depth and no ‘windowing’ of the sensor. So there’s no crop factor, no loss in angle of view.

Sony G lens with maximum 24x zoom

A high quality 29-348mm wide-angle lens with 12x optical zoom makes it easy to capture even the most expansive landscape scenes while also offering superb clarity and sharpness – maximising the performance of the Z150’s large 1.0 type sensor and providing high resolution and contrast from the centre to the edge of your image.

Getting close into even the most distant scenes is further enhanced by Sony’s advanced Clear Image Zoom feature. Once you’ve zoomed in at maximum 12x optical magnification, By Pixel Super Resolution Technology can enlarge the image to 18x in 4K QFHD or 24x in HD, while still preserving image quality.

Networked for high mobility

The Z150 has advanced networking capabilities that give you more mobility in your work – FTP files directly from the camcorder or live stream from any event using built-in Wi-Fi features with no accessories required. Sony’s unique QoS technology* dramatically improves the clarity that’s possible on a wireless connection, giving you better pictures even with the limitations of today’s real-world networks. You can also remotely control the PXW-Z150 with a smartphone or tablet, including the ability to adjust settings such as focus, zoom, iris, white balance, REC START/STOP and more using Sony’s Content Browser Mobile** software.

High resolution monitoring

The Z150 gives you precise monitoring and low latency, however you choose to shoot, with its advanced, wide viewing-angle and high contrast 0.39 type 1440K dots OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) with large eye-cap, and an easily adjustable, flip-out 3.5 type 1550K dots LCD panel.

Compact and lightweight body

The Z150 is ergonomically designed to provide a lightweight and easy-to-use shooting experience. Three manual, independent lens rings enable smooth, natural adjustment of focusing, zooming and iris control. The camcorder can also be used in full-auto mode or completely manual for maximum creative control.

Dual media slots for recording flexibility

To extend recording times and workflow flexibility, the Z150 is equipped with two memory card slots and is compatible with SDXC and SDHC cards.

RELAY mode automatically switches recording from the first to the second memory card when the first is full, while SIMUL mode permits simultaneous recording to two memory cards (for example to create an immediate back-up version).

Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe

The Z150 takes advantage of Sony’s flexible Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe, which provides power, signal connections and coordinated on/off switching to compatible Sony accessories. For example, you can connect and control Sony wireless microphone systems such as the UWP-D11 or UWP-D12 or attach the HVL-LBPC light*.

Wide choice of connections including 3G-SDI

There’s no need to worry about adapters as the Z150 provides a wide variety of built-in connectivity options including 3G-SDI, HDMI, Multi/Micro USB, professional audio XLR terminals, REMOTE and Composite (RCA). A supplied Sony cold shoe adaptor kit provides you with more flexibility for mounting accessories.

Simple live solution

The PXW-Z150 is designed to work seamlessly with Sony’s MCX-500 Multi Camera Live Producer, a robust and cost-effective switcher that makes it easy for one person to run a multi-camera live event shoot. When used with the MCX-500 and Remote Commander RM-30BP, a Tally indicator will automatically appear on each PXW-Z150’s LCD panel and viewfinder – a red icon indicates when the shot is live (PGM) while Green indicates preview mode (PVW). The MCX-500 supports up to nine video inputs, five channel stereo inputs including XLR with both internal recording and live streaming.