The latest Sony firmware update roadmap reveals some exciting additions to the Sony FS5 such as continuous slow-motion of 120 frames per second in Full HD, which will be supported in July as part of firmware version 4.0.
The worthy note here is that according to Sony, the new slow-motion frame rate will be sold as a paid license. No details have been released yet as to how much this will cost. At the moment the FS5 is limited to 1080/50/60 continuous slow-mo in camera.
You may recall, we recently posted about the upcoming Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) HDR update that’s also coming to the FS5 and Sony Z150 in July as part of firmware update v4.0 and v2.0 respectively, however a closer look at the firmware roadmap that Sony have posted on their website reveals some more details as to what is to come to the FS5, Z150 and the shoulder-mount PXW-X400 camera.
Another interesting addition in the upcoming firmware v4.0 for the FS5 will be the ability to change the native (minimum ISO) from ISO 3200 (the current ISO for Slog3/2) to ISO 2000, which much more manageable in bright exteriors.
The FS5 is equipped with the excellent Electronic Variable ND, which offers up to 8 stops of ND and can be set to adjust automatically in step-less increments, thus allowing for much smoother exposure adjustments in tricky lighting conditions, but having the option to lower the ISO to 2000 in Slog2 or Slog3 is a major plus. Whether such change will come at the expense of DR is hard to tell without testing first.
Here are more details about each firmware update.
Sony PXW-FS5 Firmware v4.0 – is a free firmware update scheduled for July 2017.
New Features & Improvements:
- Support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) by shooting in Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) standard
- Support for continuous 120fps High Frame Rate (HFR) recording in 1080p with CBKZ-FS5HFR (sold separately)
- Option to change the minimum ISO sensitivity number to ISO 2000 from ISO 3200 when recording S-Log2/S-Log3
Sony PXW-Z150 Firmware v2.0 – free of charge and available in July 2017.
New Features & Improvements:
- Support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) by shooting in Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) standard
- Support for high-quality streaming using QoS by network client mode
- Support for the system link (tally display and synchronized recording) with RM-30BP Remote Commander (sold separately) and MCX-500 Multi-Camera Live Producer (sold separately)
- Support for the enhanced zebra marker function and two types of setting are available. Also the level settings can now be adjusted in 1% increments
Sony PXW-X400: 4K upgrade kit
CBK-Z450UK is an optional paid for upgrade for PXW-X400 and will be available in early 2017.
4K upgrade kit gives PXW-X400 4K QFHD recording options
The CBK-Z450UK is an optional 4K upgrade kit for the PXW-X400 advanced shoulder camcorder that allows you to record 4K QFHD (3840 x 2160) as XAVC Intra and XAVC Long GOP at 50p/59.94p.
High quality recordings in 4K QFHD and HD
The CBK-Z450UK 4K upgrade kit for the PXW-X400 supports a variety of 4K and HD formats, including 4K QFHD (3840 x 2160) at 50p/59.94p, using the XVAC Intra and XAVC Long GOP workflow standards.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.
Claim your copy of DAVINCI RESOLVE - SIMPLIFIED COURSE. Get Instant Access!
hope it’s not an april’s fool. 😉
not unless Sony is pranking all of us by posting their roadmap 3 days before 1st April 🙂
thanks, very cool. I hope lowering to iso 2000 will not decrease DR, and maybe enhance noise levels (noise levels is the N°1 bad thing about this camera i think)
I dont think it will decrease DR. F55 uses same sensor with additional more advanced voodoo around it and has a native ISO of 1250
Hope they also add some additional updates to the FS7.
This is excellent so long as the upgrade isn’t another £500. £100-200 would be great. It sucks that this is a feature on the A7s ii and not on the FS5 – these upgrades are giving the camera some extra life. I’m impressed.
On the roadmap link it says,
“Upgrade is free of charge and available in July 2017.
New Features & Improvements:
● Support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) by shooting in Hybrid Log-Gamma** (HLG) standard
● Support for continuous 120fps High Frame Rate (HFR) recording in 1080p with CBKZ-FS5HFR (sold separately)
● Option to change the minimum ISO sensitivity number to ISO 2000 from ISO 3200 when recording S-Log2/S-Log3
*4K: XAVC-Long 4:2:0 8-bit, HD: XAVC 4:2:2 10-bit. “
Exactly. The HLG firmware is free. The High Frame Rate 120fps is not.
At Sony everything is being paid..to canon C200 all is in 🙂 i must sell my FS5 to buy new C200
Why? The c200 is $3000 more than the stock fs5