Another day, another Sony camera. I know the pun is stupid, but it’s not far from the truth. Do you remember the beautifully named SNC-VB770 4K surveillance camera from the same Japanese company we told you about (here) not that long ago? Well, it looks like Sony is taking a similar concept, putting in the same sensor with 4K resolution and ultra-high sensitivity into a rectangular shaped box that is supposedly a camera you can strap to a helmet, a bike, a drone, you uncle Larry’s mobility scooter or just about anything that moves or doesn’t. The new camera is called UMC-S3C (who comes up with these names really?) and features a 12 megapixel full-frame sensor that is gleefully resembling the same sensor from the SNC-VB770 and by the power of logic – the one from the A7s/A7sII. The expandable ISO 50-409,600 is a dead giveaway but Sony won’t tell you that.
There is no word on Slog2/3 or whether it will have slo-mo. According to Sony:
The camera also features tremendous flexibility and long duration video recording with 12 megapixel color still image capture capabilities.
“New products like the UMC-S3C allow us to expand our 4K line-up and bring high resolution and high sensitivity to new markets,” said Atsushi Seki, Director, Business Development at Sony Electronics. “This latest video camera is a testament to Sony’s continuing efforts to provide solutions that meet users’ individual business requirements.”
Connectivity: HDMI – micro. Good luck.
Codec: XAVC-S 100mb/s – same as on the A7sII.
Lightweight – around 400 grams
Monitor: none – you have to monitor via PC or a portable monitor
There is a memory card slot (possibly SDXC) on the camera body instead of network cabling. With a 64GB memory card, users can record up to 125 minutes of 4K footage at standard quality (30 fps/60 Mbps). In 4K resolution, where images are four times more detailed than full HD, users can cover larger areas with the highest image quality.
No price yet, availability Summer 2016. Looks to me that Sony is possibly trying to compete with the Canon Fish camera (you know the ME20F-SH) that’s a similar box, with a full frame Canon sensor but Full HD only. ISO goes up to 4 million though and no internal recording. It’s a niche product more targeting wildlife docs, MOD, and other productions who need to see in the dark in colour. It costs around 12 grand British money.
This new Sony box appears to be targeted towards more regular shooters with a prosumer on board codec, consumer media, and an more compact design.
PRESS RELEASE
Sony’s new UMC-S3C video camera offers the highest sensitivity in its class with 4K video recording, allowing users to capture details even in challenging low-light conditions. The camera also features tremendous flexibility and long duration video recording with 12 megapixel colour still image capture capabilities.
“New products like the UMC-S3C allow us to expand our 4K line-up and bring high resolution and high sensitivity to new markets,” said Atsushi Seki, Director, Business Development at Sony Electronics. “This latest video camera is a testament to Sony’s continuing efforts to provide solutions that meet users’ individual business requirements.”
Capable of achieving sensitivity and resolution with colour video recording in 4K, the UMC-S3C realises the highest sensitivity in its class – under 0.004lx, expandable to ISO 50-409600. The camera uses advanced imaging technologies from Sony’s consumer and professional groups – a full-frame 35mm Exmor sensor, to realize high sensitivity with high light condensing efficiency, and an image processing engine, which enhances noise reduction. Using compatible E-mount lenses that maximize the performance of the 35mm full-frame sensor, resolution is kept high across the entire image area.
Area-specific noise reduction selectively divides images into areas based on patterns. Image quality is further enhanced through detail reproduction technology, allowing clear and sharp video recording in near pitch-black environments beyond the capabilities of the human eye. This helps optimized images fit various scenes while ensuring a more natural sense of dimension. In addition, the camera’s high shutter speed allows users to capture letters and numbers clearly.
Weighing approximately 400g, the lightweight UMC-S3C is currently the most compact camera in Sony’s full-frame line-up. With mounting points on the camera body to enhance mobility, it easily attaches to moving objects. Users can control the camera via multi terminal, including micro USB compatible devices, remote controls or compatible software.
The UMC-S3C is suitable for a variety of applications including disaster response; wildlife monitoring; landscape mapping or surveying; surveillance, inspections and investigations; live camera; and as a dashboard/professional point-of-view (‘POV’) camera, among others.
Supporting multi-camera systems, the UMC-S3C fits into nearly any existing infrastructure and also allows playback functions with the use of a PC as well as Live View via HDMI.
Long-duration video recording is also possible as the camera is equipped with a memory card slot on the camera body instead of network cabling. With a 64GB memory card, users can record up to 125 minutes of 4K footage at standard quality (30 fps/60 Mbps). In 4K resolution, where images are four times more detailed than full HD, users can cover larger areas with the highest image quality. The UMC-S3C also supports the XAVC S format for high-quality 4K recording at 100Mbps, especially useful in environments where cabling or space is limited.
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Does it run high frame rates in HD like the A7S?
Can we get more than 8bit out of the HDMI port?
With the various monitors and recorders out there today, these companies should create a ‘box’ with a full frame 4K sensor, global shutter, full size connectors either 6G SDI or HDMI 2 port, and take away any need for internal processing/record. Then we (us operators) can build our own cameras from sensor blocks and external recorders.
Every time a new small form factor camera is released, I secretly hope for this. Black magic have tried (and continue to do so) and have come close. There always seems to be a compromise somewhere.