Hands-on Review: The Sony XDCAM PMW-200 HD422 Camcorder

The PMW-200 will join Sony’s XDCAM HD422 series of professional camcorders and serve as a successor to the venerable PMW-EX1R. The new camera strikes a balance between the compact, lightweight form-factor of the PMW-100, and the image quality of its larger, shoulder mounted brethren. The key to PMW-200’s superior image quality are its three newly developed ½-inch Exmor CMOS sensors, a configuration which enhances resolution, sensitivity, dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio.

50 Mbps MPEG HD422 Codec

Utilizing the UDF file system, the PMW-200’s MPEG HD422 mode records in a MPEG-2 Long GOP codec. 4:2:2 color sampling gathers more chroma information than older generations of XDCAMs, so the codec’s bitrate has been increased to 50 Mbps to accommodate. The average person may not see the difference, but your footage will be much better suited for color correction, green screen and other chroma keying effects.

If It’s Not Broken, Don’t Fix It

The PMW-200 features the same Fujinon lens as the PMW-EX1R. The lens has a 14x zoom ratio, and the 5.8-81.2mm focal length range has a 35mm equivalent of 30-439mm. At f/1.9, the fast maximum aperture helps when shooting in low-light conditions and allows for reasonably shallow depth of field. There are also built-in 1/8 and 1/64 ND filters. Camera operators who have grown accustomed to the lens on the EX1R will feel right at home with the PMW-200.
The PMW-200 also uses many of the same accessories as the PMW-EX1R and the PMW-EX3; SxS memory cards and BP-U30, BP-U60 and BP-U90 batteries will work with the new camera. Of course, above and beyond hardware considerations, Sony has done well to make the PMW-200 backwards compatible with older video formats and workflows as well.

Backwards Compatibility and NTSC/PAL World Cam

The PMW-200 can record in HD442, HD440 and DVCAM formats, which means that it is fully compatible with all past and present XDCAM workflows, and either UDF or FAT file formats can be used with appropriate recording media. Likewise, you can easily switch the PMW-200 between NTSC and PAL recording formats simply by adjusting the menu setting.

Design Improvements

The PMW-200 is more than a mere upgrade from the EX1R. The new camera is a legitimate successor, with some important design improvements. While the two cameras share similar dimensions, the new camera weighs slightly less and has some notable refinements to the ergonomics.
While PMW-EX1R featured a large handgrip that could pivot 90 degrees to suit the user’s preferences, PMW-200 has a more streamlined handgrip. It is just as easy to get a firm grasp on it, but the new design is closer to the camera’s center of gravity. The grip no longer pivots, but users should appreciate the more balanced approach, which is kinder to the wrist in the long-run.
The PMW-200’s articulated LCD screen folds out from the top of the dorsal handle, rather than the bottom, as with the EX1R. When in use, the LCD screen has more clearance from the body of the camera, providing unobstructed viewing angles. When folded away, the screen is very secure and effectively serves as a cover for the playback buttons and a D-Pad for navigating the menu.

Streamlined Clip Review

When it comes to reviewing your clips, many camcorders will require you to physically flip a switch from “camera” mode to “playback” mode. But the PMW-200 has a more elegant solution. When operating in standby mode you simply press the Thumbnail button, and thumbnails for each of your recorded clips will be displayed on the screen. If you’re reviewing clips and an opportunity to record something suddenly gets the jump on you, all you have to do is hit the REC START button and the PMW-200 will capture the moment.

Cache Recording

Speaking of opportunity getting the jump on you, the PMW-200 features cache recording. When enabled, cache recording will store up to 15 seconds of footage in the camera’s temporary memory. This makes it possible to retroactively capture footage up to 15 seconds before the REC START button is pressed.

Connectivity

The PMW-200 features three BNC connections: one HD/SD Switchable SDI output, one Timecode In/Out and one Genlock In/Out. These staples in live event and broadcast environments are industry standards for external recording and multi-camera coverage. The PMW-200 is also equipped with an HDMI output, an i.Link (FireWire) port, a USB 2.0 port and an A/V output jack for composite video and audio out. Dual XLR jacks with phantom power and line level out can be assigned to any of four audio channels.

Wi-Fi Module

The PMW-200 is compatible with at least one Sony Wi-Fi adapter, and there is speculation regarding future models. The camera includes a mounting bracket for the CBK-WA01, which is a Sony Wi-Fi adapter for professional broadcast cameras. A Wi-Fi adapter will allow wireless remote control of the PMW-200 from Wi-Fi enabled devices such as a smart phone or computer. While we don’t yet know the full potential of such a device, we expect Sony to release more information soon.

Who Cares?

The PMW-200 is such a versatile camera that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly who its intended users might be. Documentary and TV shooters will surely appreciate a true broadcast quality image in a consummate run-and-gun package. ENG professionals should consider the PMW-200 a fitting accomplice to the shoulder-mounted PMW-500. Moreover, any type of video production that could be made using the EX1R should only turn out better using the PMW-200.

 Sony PMW-200
Camera & Imaging
Imaging Device     3 x 1/2" Exmor CMOS Sensors
Effective Picture Elements (HxV)     1920 x 1080
Slow Shutter     2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 32 & 64 frame accumulation
Sensitivity (2000 lx, 89.9% reflectance)     F11 (typical)
Gain Section      -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 dB
Recording
Video Recording Format     UDF Mode (HD)
MPEG HD422 (MPEG-2 422P@HL):
CBR, 50 Mb/s
MPEG HD420 (1440 x 1080, MPEG-2 MP@HL):
HQ mode (VBR, maximum bit rate: 35 Mb/s)
SP mode (CBR, 25 Mb/s) - playback only
LP mode (VBR, maximum bit rate: 18 Mb/s) - playback only
UDF Mode (SD)
DVCAM (CBR, 25 Mb/s)
FAT Mode (HD)
MPEG HD420 (1920 x 1080, MPEG-2 MP@HL):
HQ mode (VBR, maximum bit rate: 35 Mb/s)
SP mode (CBR, 25 Mb/s)
Fat Mode (SD)
DVCAM (CBR, 25 Mb/s)
Audio Recording Format     UDF Mode (HD)
MPEG HD422 (MPEG-2 422P@HL):
4 channels, 48 kHz, 24-bit LPCM
MPEG HD420 (1440 x 1080, MPEG-2 MP@HL):
4 channels, 48 kHz, 16-bit LPCM
UDF Mode (SD)
DVCAM: 4 channels, 48 kHz, 16-bit
FAT Mode (HD)
MPEG HD420 (1920 x 1080, MPEG-2 MP@HL):
2 channels, 48 kHz, 16-bit LPCM
Fat Mode (SD)
DVCAM: 2 channels, 48 kHz, 16-bit LPCM
Recording / Playback Time     UDF Mode (HD)
50 Mb/s MPEG HD422 (MPEG-2 422P@HL): approx. 120 min with 64GB memory card
35 Mb/s VBR, HQ Mode MPEG HD420 (1440x1080, MPEG-2 MP@HL): approx.180 min with 64GB memory card
UDF Mode (SD)
25 Mb/s DVCAM: approx. 220 min with 64GB memory card
FAT Mode (HD)
35 Mb/s VBR, HQ Mode - MPEG HD420 (MPEG-2 MP@HL): approx. 200 min with 64GB memory card
25 Mb/s CBR, SP Mode - MPEG HD 420 (MPEG-2 MP@HL-14): approx. 280 min with 64GB memory card
FAT Mode (SD)
25 Mb/s DVCAM: approx. 220 min with 64GB memory card
Recording Media     SxS Express 34 Cards
Inputs / Outputs
Genlock Input     1 x BNC (switchable to Composite video out), 1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohms
TC Input     1 x BNC (switchable to TC out), 0.5-1.8 Vp-p, 10 ohms
Audio Input     2 x XLR 3-pin female (Line, Mic & Mic + 48V selectable)
SDI Output     1 x BNC (HD/SD switchable)
Composite Video Output   

1 x BNC (switchable to Genlock in), HD-Y / Composite switchable,                1.0 Vp-p, 75 ohms
Audio Output     1 x A/V out jack (10-pin connector)
TC Output     1 x BNC (switchable to TC in), 1.0 Vp-p, 10 ohms
Headphone Jack     1 x 3.5 mm mini-jack (rear, stereo)
Monitor Speaker     1 x monaural speaker (250 mW)
Built-In Microphone     1 x omni-directional stereo electret condenser microphone
i.Link     1 x FireWire IEEE-1394 (4-pin), HDV (1080i) / DV in-out, S400
USB Port     1 x USB 2.0 mini-B (device)
Lens
Type / Focal Length     Fujinon / 5.8 - 81.2 mm (30 - 439 mm 35 mm equivalent)
Zoom Ratio     14x optical (servo / manual)
Iris     f/1.9 - 16 & close (auto / manual selectable)
Focus     Autofocus / Manual Focus / Full Manual Focus selectable (Macro)
Monitoring
Viewfinder     Electronic Viewfinder (EVF); approx. 1.2 million pixels; 852 x 3 x 480 (HxRGBxV)
Built-In LCD Monitor     3.5" (8.9 cm) color LCD display; 852 x 3 x 480 (HxRGBxV)
General
Media Type     2 x ExpressCard/34 slots
Power Requirements     DC 12 V
Power Consumption     13 W
Battery Life     Up to 4 hrs (BP-U60)
Operating Temperature     32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)
Storage Temperature      -4 to 140°F (20 to 60°C)
Relative Humidity     10 to 90%
Dimensions (WxHxD)     6.9 x 6.5 x 16.5" (172 x 164 x 419 mm)
Weight (Camera Only)     5.1 lb (2.3 kg)
Weight (Fully Loaded)     6.0 lb (2.7 kg)