Description Sony HXR-NX5E AVCHD NXCAM Camcorder

Fast forward your creativity with NXCAM

Sony’s first professional AVCHD camcorder redefines the performance and features expected of this product class. It records stunning quality 1920 x 1080 images at 24Mbps (50i or 25p), as well as supporting 720/50p and Standard Definition recording. Sony’s “G Lens” and Exmor™ technology provide excellent resolution, colour and contrast, as well as exceptional low-light sensitivity.

Operational flexibility is maximised by AVCHD recording onto affordable and readily available consumer memory cards. Using two 32GB cards, the NX5 can record six hours of HD footage which can be further extended by simply swapping cards. Simultaneous HYBRID HD and/or SD recording is supported via a unique, optional 128GB Flash Memory Unit (HXR-FMU128) which offers 11 hours HD recording time at 24Mbps.

The NX5E is the first camcorder of its class to feature a built-in GPS locator, high quality Linear PCM audio recording and new Active SteadyShot stabilisation technology.

Sony’s exclusive High-performance G Lens

The “G Lens” provides great picture quality and versatility with a wide angle of 29.5 mm (equivalent to 35 mm film) and a 20x high quality zoom. Two ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements reduce chromatic aberrations caused by differences in light refraction to minimize colour fringing. The advanced 10-group, 15-element lens structure also includes a compound aspheric lens for images that are crisp and clear, even when shooting videos at a high zooming ratio. A six-blade iris diaphragm is nearly circular, enabling the creation of extremely beautiful background blur. The “G Lens” advanced optical lens technology also makes the most of Sony’s Exmor™ CMOS Sensor to realise sharper images with higher resolution and less noise even when shooting in very low light.

Natural-touch Lens Operation

The iris ring, located next to the zoom ring allows users to adjust exposure with great precision. The zoom function is variable and can be controlled by using the lens barrel ring, the lever at the lens grip or the lever on the camera handle. Additionally, once you select the high-speed zoom mode, you can zoom from wide to telephoto 1.5x faster than with the HVR-V1E.

Three Neutral Density Filters

The HXR-NX5E is equipped with three built-in ND (Neutral Density) filters – 1/4, 1/16, 1/64 – which help to vary the depth of field with iris control.

Three 1/3” Exmor™ CMOS Sensors with ClearVid array

Three state-of-the-art 1/3” Exmor™ CMOS sensors with a ClearVid array ensure high resolution, high sensitivity, a wide dynamic range, and excellent colour reproduction.

Exmor™ Technology Noise Reduction System

Multiple A/D (analogue-to-digital) converters on each pixel row convert analogue signals to digital as soon as they are generated, unlike traditional technology that only provides one A/D converter on each chip. Consequently, Exmor™ technology can eliminate the influence of external noise that enters the signal chain during transfer to the A/D converter, resulting in high-quality digital signals with extremely low noise. This significantly enhances shooting in low-light environments with a sensitivity of just 1.5 lux (1/25 shutter, auto iris, and auto gain).

ClearVid Array for Higher Sensitivity and Resolution

CMOS sensors equipped with a ClearVid array achieve a bigger sensor pixel size than ordinary image sensors, and this leads to higher sensitivity. Furthermore, an unique interpolation technique from Sony utilises the 45-degree rotated pixels on each chip, increasing resolution.

AVCHD – Ideal for Memory Recording

AVCHD is a highly efficient data compression format which greatly reduces memory requirements, maximizing the benefits of file-based recording with high image quality in a small file size. This is made possible by the exceptionally efficient MPEG4 AVC/H.264 codec.

Relay Record with Dual Memory Slots

The HXR-NX5E introduces a new feature which supports seamless, continuous recording between two memory card slots. For example, with two 32-GB memory cards, six hours of continuous HD footage can be recorded. Even longer continuous recording time can be achieved by simply waiting until recording has switched to the second card, at which time the first card can be safely ejected and a new blank memory card inserted. This procedure can be repeated for as long as necessary.

Hybrid Recording with Optional Flash Memory Unit

The 128-GB capacity of the optional HXR-FMU128 provides continuous recording for approximately 11 hours in the highest FX 24-Mbps mode (21-Mbps video data, 3Mbps audio and other data). Despite its huge capacity, the HXR-FMU128 integrates neatly with the HXR-NX5 – attaching directly to the back of the unit.
HXR-FMU128 formatted by a 50i (60i) camcorder cannot be used by a 60i (50i) camcorder. Camcorder must be rebooted if unit is attached when power is ON.

Content Management Utility Software

The included Content Management Utility is an easy to use Microsoft Windows(R) application for clip management and file uploading. Key features include;

1. Merging files divided due to FAT32 file system – which automatically divides files larger than 2GB during recording.

2. Merging files split across multiple Memory Cards. (When recording, the HXR-NX5E will automatically carry on recording on the next card, if capacity is exceeded in the first.)

3. Maps GPS data embedded in video data. System Requirements: OS Microsoft Windows XP SP3*, Windows Vista SP2 Windows 7
64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported.
Starter (Edition) is not supported. For more information, please refer to Specifications Table.

MPEG-2 for Standard Definition Recording

Standard Definition recording uses MPEG-2, which is the same compression codec as standard DVD-VIDEO Discs. This is easily edited in most NLEs and ideal for delivery using DVD-Video discs.

Loss-less Audio Recording Capability

The HXR-NX5E provides a choice of two audio recording formats; Dolby Digital stereo or Linear PCM stereo. The latter is capable of capturing uncompressed, CD quality audio data.

Active SteadyShot

In addition to conventional SteadyShot technology, the HXR-NX5E features Active SteadyShot technology which provides superior stabilisation – reducing hand-held camera shake. Improved stabilisation allows the user to concentrate more on composition and shot transition, rather than worrying about how to stabilise the camera. Depending on the shooting environment, users can select normal SteadyShot or Active SteadyShot for hand-held applications.

Built-in GPS

The HXR-NX5E is the world’s first professional AVCHD camcorder with an internal Global Location Positioning (GPS) locator which can automatically embed satellite navigation data in AVCHD video data files. Mapping data can be created using bundled CMU software. Also GPS data can be extracted from video files, using CMU (Content Management Utility) software, in a commonly used latitude/longitude NMEA data format.

XtraFine™ LCD Touch Panel

The HXR-NX5E features a 3.2-inch-type XtraFine™ LCD Touch panel with approximately 921,000 pixels (1920 x 480) and this higher resolution allows for easier focus adjustment. The XtraFine™ LCD displays virtually 100% of the recorded picture area at a colour temperature of approximately 6500K.

Easy Operation with Touch Panel and Buttons

The XtraFine™ LCD Touch Panel has an interface specifically designed for the HXR-NX5. A Visual Index Button makes it easy to browse clips, while most settings are easily adjusted by touch screen operation. It’s also possible to use buttons and switches, so users can choose which is best for any specific shooting situation.

XtraFine™ Electronic View Finder

The 0.45 inch type XtraFine™ EVF (Electronic View Finder) has approximately 1,227,000 pixels (852×3[RGB] x 480). This device has three independent LEDs for Red, Green, and Blue colours, which allows users to monitor objects with remarkable colour reproduction accuracy and high resolution*. The EVF has a selectable display mode between Colour or Black and White. The XtraFine™ EVF displays virtually 100% of the picture area at 6500K colour temperature.
When the camcorder is panned quickly or when an object in the screen moves quickly, the primary colours of R/G/B may be seen on the object in the EVF momentarily.

Multiple Interfaces

The HXR-NX5E has a variety of flexible interfaces. An HD-SDI interface allows you to connect to a high-end video editing system with a single BNC cable. No conversion boxes are needed and the output is uncompressed, providing the highest picture quality. Timecode and audio signals are embedded in the HD-SDI signal.

A HDMI interface allows easy connection to consumer HD displays, while TC Link enables two camcorders to be connected with a standard mini-plug cable so time codes can be synchronised. A USB2.0 slot enables simple connection to a computer with no need for an external power supply. Also featured are RCA-pin-type composite and audio outputs terminals, component output with AV/R-out and Remote Terminal.

Accessories Compatibility

The HXR-NX5E is compatible with many of Sony’s standard professional accessories, for example batteries, chargers, LCD hoods and more. Please take a look at our professional accessory line-up and choose the best combination for your requirements.