Sony continues its commitment to the CineAlta camera range by announcing a new, faster 4K Raw recorder - AXS-R7 for the F55/F5 cameras. The new raw recorder is capable of 4K RAW Recording at 120 frames per second as well as Cache Raw Recording, which documentary and wildlife productions will love. There are also new AXS media cards for the new recorder, and Sony also announced details for the next Firmware Version 8.0 for the F5/F55 cameras. Sony F55 Axs R7
“We’re answering the question, “why shoot in 4K 16-bit RAW?” said Peter Crithary, marketing manager for large sensor technologies at Sony Electronics. “These new products make working in 4K RAW and High Dynamic Range (HDR) just as easy as HD RAW, while maintaining the highest level of image quality.”
The new AXS-R5 recorder features a rugged build designed for field use. The new recorder is dust and water resistant thanks to a metal filter that separates and seals the recorder’s ventilation shaft from the electronics. The recorder’s connection to the camera is secured with a top bracket that features four widely spaced 1/4 inch screws for extra stability. Sony F55 owners who upgrade to the new recorder will love the 4K/120fps slow-motion feature, which at this stage is reserved for the F55 camera only. However, both cameras can do 2K Raw at 240fps for 10x slow-motion. AXS-R7 Raw recorder AXS-R7 Raw recorder Side Raw Cache Recording is available in 23.98p for up to approximately 30 seconds while in standby mode - this has been a widely demanded feature by documentary and wildlife productions. According to Sony, the new features in the new recorder are a direct result of Sony listening to its customers and implementing the most important features they wanted to have in the next generation recorder. Sony has also prepared new AXS media cards with a black trim for the new AXS-R7 raw recorder. AXS R7 media AXS cards 512 and 1TB The new media cards are available in 1TB and 512 GB capacities and are super-fast capable of sustained read and write speeds of 4.8 Gbps, delivering 44 minutes at 59.94p or 22 minutes at 120fps (1TB version). The dual-slot recorder also accepts current A-series AXS media, but the new cards are designed to support the write speeds required for 4K RAW 120 FPS recording for those who require that level of performance. F55 upgrade promo The upcoming Firmware version 8.0 for the F55/F5 will give those camears a new codec - XAVC 4K Class 480, which is available at 23.98p, 24.0p, 25.0p and 29.97p. Leading third-party NLE's already support XAVC 4K Class 480, for creative professionals requiring a higher data rate version of XAVC for heavy VFX workflows and cinema exhibition. The class number represents the approximate bitrate value at 29.97p.
“These newest additions and updates to our CineAlta platform are all the direct result of user feedback,” Peter Crithary added. “It’s no longer about simply delivering a product. It’s about delivering the right products that can grow with a customer and fit within a workflow that is constantly evolving as production requirements change.”
Planned availability for the new Raw recorder and the rest of the new announcements are as follows:
  • AXS-R7 New RAW recorder: Summer, 2016
  • AXS-A1TS48 Media (1TB): Summer, 2016
  • AXS-A512S48 Media (512 GB): Summer 2016
  • Firmware version 8: Summer 2016
Pricing is not yet known, but once this happens we'd be sure to let you know. For all your Sony CineAlta needs give us a ring at 0208 977 1222.