Las Vegas – Sony used the start of today’s National Association of Broadcasters convention to introduce a pro-level video-centric A7S mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (ILC) that includes a full-frame sensor capable of recording up to 4K Ultra HD resolution video.
The camera, which looks like the previous A7 and A7r mirrorless ILCs, differs by the addition of up to QFHD-level (3,840 by 2160 pixels) video capture, in addition to offering an expanded 50 to 409,600 ISO range.
Using a full-frame 12.2-megapixel 35mm Exmor CMOS sensor and new Bionz X image processor, the A7S is billed as “the world’s first camera to utilize the entire width of a full-frame image sensor in 4K video acquisition, and does this without cropping or line skipping as it can read and process data from every one of the sensor’s pixels,” according to a Sony statement. “This allows 4K video shooters to utilize all of the artistic and creative benefits provided by the unique sensor.”
Sony said the new sensor was designed to collect more light than traditional cameras for highly detailed, low-noise images, “even in the darkest environments.”
Pricing on the camera is to be announced later.
The A7S will output 4K Ultra HD video in the XAVC S recording format. The camera also supports AVCHD and MP4 codecs.
The A7S supports a host of frame rates and will record FullHD at 60p, 60i, 30p and 24p frame rates.
The camera allows switching between Full-Frame and APS-C crop mode, which also provides support for 720/120p recording and slow-motion playback.
Support for professional XLR microphones and video/audio controls is also provided.