Cameras

The Canon XF line of cameras have a long standing tradition in the broadcast world. Starting with the XF305, which has been widely popular with major broadcasters like the BBC, the smaller XF105 also let documentary filmmakers, news gathering professionals and everyone in between get a solid camera in a small package. With the more recent release of the XF200 and XF205, Canon are continuing the XF line legacy and have just announced a free firmware update for the XF200/205 which will make them even more desireable for documentaries, ENG work, events and loads more.

We love the last week of February, as it's the one time of the year where the UK broadcast video industry gets together for Broadcast Video Expo. Bigger and better than ever, BVE 2015 was once again held at the London Excel centre in East London, where major and independent brands from all over the UK and Europe, dealer, and tens of thousands of video professionals and enthusiasts from all walks of life got a rare chance to get their hands on the latest video and audio kit.

Sony recently announced their next firmware update for the PXW-FS7 and PXW-X70 cameras. The FS7 gains 4K (4096 x 2160) internal recording in XAVC-I in the form a free update in March 2015 in addition to ProRes HQ/422 at 1920 x 1080p up to 30p internal recording on XQD cards (requires XDCA-FS7 extension unit). The Sony PXW-X70, which at the moment is limited to 1080p, will receive a paid firmware update to allow for 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) in XAVC-L up to 30fps – the firmware update for the PXW-X70 is expected to be available in June 2015.

ARRI has done it again – they've taken the best features of the ALEXA and this time given it a lightweight carbon fibre treatment in a very compact package. The ALEXA MINI is designed for wireless operation for drones and 3-axis hand held gimbal stabilisers. Such stabiliser device have been growing in popularity across a variety of productions from narrative, commercials, music videos to documentaries and corporate work.

ARRI have just released SUP 11.0, a free firmware update for the ALEXA XT cameras and ALEXA Classics, primarily allowing for ProRes 3.2K capture internally. Designed for TV productions on a budget, 3.2K capture is perfect for 4K deliverables. Despite the fact that the majority of TV content is still delivered in HD, mastering certain programmes in 4K/UHD will future proof such productions. See the details of SUP 11.0 below.