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Normally when I travel up to arctic Norway for my annual Northern Lights expeditions I take a large sensor video camera. Last year it was the Sony FS5, which performed very well and gave me some great results.

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But this year I decided to down size and instead of taking a bulky camera I chose to take a pre-production sample of Sony’s diminutive new PXW-Z90 camcorder. In Norway with the PXW-Z90.

Sep 12, 2017. Card Reader Driver 4.5.1.2 for Windows 10 Anniversary Update sony. CLICK work Sony HXR-NX31 NXCAM Camcorder Firmware 1.03 for. * HXR-FMU128 formatted by a 50i (60i) camcorder cannot be used by a 60i (50i) camcorder. Camcorder must be rebooted if unit is attached when power is ON. Content Management Utility Software The included Content Management Utility is an easy to use Microsoft Windows(R) application for clip management and file uploading. Key features include; 1. NXCAM CAMCORDER 3D COMPACT The HXR-NX3D1U is a compact, lightweight, WorldCam 3D/2D NXCAM camcorder suitable for principal photography in small budget productions or as a B camera in big budget productions. Thanks to its small size, low weight, simple operation and exceptional flexibility it can shoot 3D at camera angles.

On the outside the Z90 looks almost exactly the same as the older PXW-X70 camcorder. I’ve shot several videos with the X70 and it’s a great little camcorder that produces a very good image considering it’s small size. Being a new model I expected the Z90 to offer some small improvements over the X70, but what I didn’t expect was the very big improvements that the Z90 brings. The Z90 is the first camcorder from Sony to incorporate a new design of sensor. It’s a 1″ type sensor, so like the X70, bigger than you used to find on small handycams, but not as big as the super 35mm sensor found in the FS5, FS7 etc. This is a nice size for this type of camera as it makes it possible to obtain a shallow depth of field by using the cameras built in ND filters (yes- it really does have ND filters built in) and a large aperture. Or if you need a deeper depth of field for easier focussing or run and gun then you can use a smaller aperture by switching out the ND filters.

The maximum aperture of the zoom lens is f2.8 but it does stop down to f4 towards the telephoto end. Sony’s new stacked CMOS EMOR RS sensor This new sensor uses a new construction method that allows it to have several layers of electronics immediately below the imager pixels. The “stacked” sensor can as a result incorporate more image processing and a large memory area right under the pixels.

This means that the sensor can be read out much more quickly than is normal for this type of camera and as a result rolling shutter is hugely reduced (I didn’t notice any in any of my footage). As well as a reduction in rolling shutter compared to other similar sensors, the ability to do more on chip image processing appears to bring other advantages as the noise levels from this camera are very low indeed. Frame grab from a night time snow scooter ride.

Shot at +15dB gain the noise is still very minor. (click on the image to view a larger version. The low noise levels mean that this camera performs surprisingly well in low light.

Adding in +6dB was not a problem if needed. Even with +15dB of gin the images hold together very well. Clearly the camera is doing a fair bit of electronic noise reduction at higher gain levels and there is a slight increase in image smear as a result. Plus in certain circumstances the noise levels do rise, especially if you have large dark areas amongst in an otherwise brighter scene. In my sample footage during the night time snow scooter ride, which was shot at +15dB gain, you don’t see and noise over the snow, but you can see some grainy noise over the dark jacket of the snow scooter driver (see the frame grab above). The fact that you can push the camera up to +15dB and in most cases get a pretty good image is very nice.

Frame grab form a PXW-Z90 – Hybrid Log Gamma. Click on the image to see a larger version. On top of good sensitivity you also have great dynamic range, more than the X70 and enough to make direct HDR shooting and log shooting possible with this tiny hand held camcorder. It doesn’t quite have the dynamic range of an FS5 or FS7, but there is still plenty of range to help deal with challenging lighting situations. As well as bringing a nice improvement in image quality over the X70 (which is pretty good already) the new sensor brings a vastly improved autofocus system. There are 273 focus detection points which are combined with faster readout, faster on sensor processing and the same AF processing technology as used in the flagship Sony A9 stills camera.

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This brings a really remarkable autofocus system to this camera. The AF system is a newly developed hybrid system that combines phase detection AF with new algorithms created specifically for video rather than stills photography. At last this is an autofocus system that really works for a video camera. It is intelligent and responsive. There is no hunting for focus, it just seems to get on with the job. Adjusting the AF response on the PXW-Z90.

Just about every aspect of the autofocus system can be customised in the camera menu. You can choose between using focus zones, the full image width or selectable focus spot areas. The cameras LCD screen is a touch screen so you tap the screen where you want to focus. You can also tailor the AF’s response speed, you can adjust the size of the tracking range, using a wide range for occasions when you want the AF to follow an object through the shot, or use a narrow range to restrict the focus depth range.

The PXW-Z90’s variable AF drive speed. You can customise how quickly the AF will move from one object to another, from staying locked on to a faster more responsive setting. In addition it has that wonderful Sony face detection system that allows you to choose one face out of a crowd of people using the thumb stick on the hand grip or the touch screen. Once selected the camera will stay locked to that face. Working with the PXW-X90 in Norway.

While I was up in Norway it was between -24c and -30c. In those temperatures you really don’t want to take your mittens off for more than a minute or so. Being able to rely on the cameras autofocus allowed me to keep my fingers warm.

Not one shot out of all my rushes from the trip has incorrect focus. That is truly remarkable and made shooting with this camera a real pleasure. I’m not saying that you should always use autofocus. When possible I love to be able to pick and choose how I focus. But in many situations or for less experienced shooters this autofocus system will be a game changer.

For my test shoot in Norway I mostly used Picture Profile number 10 which gives an instant HDR workflow thanks to the use of Hybrid Log Gamma. Using HLG you can shoot as you would do with any other conventional camera.

Then take the footage and play it back in HDR on an HDR TV without any grading or other post production work. I also shot at a couple of locations using S-Log2 to test how that worked (I was shooting in UHD and the camera is 8 bit in UHD. For 8 bit I prefer S-Log2 over S-Log3). The Z90 has 10 picture profiles that allow you to tailor how the image looks, including a crunchy DSLR type look. Some filmic looks using Sony’s cinegammas as well as profiles for shooting S-Log2, S-Log3 and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG). Dog sledding in the arctic (frame grab). Shot in HDR using HLG on the PXW-Z90.

The Z90 has Sony’s XAVC-L codec. This high quality codec offers 10 bit 4:2:2 broadcast quality recordings in HD and 8 bit 4:2:0 recordings in UHD (3840 x 2160). The camera records to SDXC cards, so media costs are very low. There are two card slots and you can record to each slot singly, record to one card after the other or dual record on to both cards at the same time for redundancy and an instant back.

You can even use each of the cameras two record buttons to control the records on each card independently should you wish. The PXW-X90 is very small, so carrying it around on the snow scooters was easy. The rear of the hand grip of the PXW-Z90. The Z90 is a small camcorder and like all small camcorders this doesn’t leave much room for large buttons and switches.

The menu system and many of the cameras functions can be controlled via the touch screen LCD or the small joystick/thumb stick on the hand grip. Iris, shutter speed and gain each have a dedicated access button that selects the function. The Full Auto switch and ND filter control on the PXW-Z90. Then you use the thumb stick to select the value you want, or you can set each item to Auto.

In addition there is a switch to put the camera into full auto on the rear of the camera. Just below the full auto switch is the control switch for the ND filters. The Sony PXW-Z90 compact 4K camcorder. The lens is a Zeiss 12x optical zoom with built in optical image stabilisation. It is controlled by a single ring around the barrel of the lens which can be switched between focus control or zoom control. In addition there is the usual zoom rocker on the handgrip as well as a small zoom switch on the top handle. In addition to the optical stabilisation the camera also has Sony’s electronic “super steadyshot” stabilisation that can be used in addition to the optical stabilisation.

Another very handy function is “Clear Image Zoom”. This is a form of electronic zoom function that makes use of a database of textures and object types. When using clear image zoom the camera uses this database to apply just the right amount of image processing during the electronic zoom process. In most cases you can’t see any degradation of the image when using clear image zoom. I left it on for all of the Norway shoot as it turns the 12x zoom into a very handy 18x zoom. The wide end of the PXW-X90’s zoom range.

The long end of the PXW-X90’s zoom lens. After doing so much shooting on large sensor cameras with restricted zoom ranges getting back to a small camera with a big zoom range was fun. For future Norway trips I am very tempted to switch to a camera like the Z90. The right side of the PXW-Z90. The Z90 body is almost exactly the same as the X70. The cameras top handle has 2x XLR connectors with the audio controls for the two channels on the opposite side of the handle. The audio controls of the PXW-Z90.

If you want to make the camera more compact the handle can be removed, but when you do this you will no longer have any XLR connectors. Instead you will have an MI shoe on the top of the camera body that can be used to connect a Sony UWP-D radio mic or a n XLR adapter. There is also a stereo microphone built into the main body of the camera, so even with the hand grip removed there are plenty of audio options. The PXW-Z90’s flip out LCD screen. The flip out LCD panel acts as the cameras main viewfinder.

Opening and closing the LCD screen turns the camera on and off. It starts up and shuts down very quickly. The resolution of the LCD is similar to most other modern camera LCD’s.

It’s adequate for this type of camera, but it isn’t the highest resolution screen in the world. To check focus you have a button on the top of the hand grip to activate the image magnification function and the camera has a coloured peaking system to help pick out what is, and what is not in focus. I suspect that with this particular camera, many users will take advantage of the cameras excellent auto focus system and there is a lot of feedback to the user of how this is working including coloured boxes that indicate exactly what the camera is focussing on. The rear of the Sony PXW-Z90. As well as the side LCD panel there is also a small OLED electronic viewfinder on the rear of the camera. This is very useful for use in very bright sunlight, but it is rather small.

The cameras gain, shutter and iris functions each have a dedicated button on the side of the camera. One push of the appropriate button enables that function to be controlled by a small dial wheel just under the front of the lens. Iris, gain and shutter speed controls on the side of the PXW-Z90. Press the shutter button and the wheel controls the shutter. Press the gain button and the wheel controls the gain.

Overall this system works well, but I would still prefer a separate gain switch and a shutter speed up/down switch. On the rear of the hand grip there is a small joystick that sits under your thumb. You can use this thumb-stick to set many of the cameras settings and to navigate through the cameras menu system.

In addition you can use the LCD touchscreen to navigate through the menu as well as select your autofocus points etc. The PXW-Z90 is a small camera that packs a very big punch. It’s never going to give the fine degree of image control that you get with most large sensor cameras and it won’t quite deliver the same image quality either (although it’s really, really close). If you need a small, discrete camera, perhaps you travel a lot, or you just need a “B” camera, then the Z90 offers a possible solution. I haven’t even touched on all the streaming, ftp and wifi capabilities of this camera. The auto focus system is a delight to use and it’s the best AF system I’ve ever come across on a video camera.

The new sensor in the Z90 is clearly a fairly large step forwards from the sensor in the previous similar model the X70, it has more dynamic range, a lot less rolling shutter (not that it’s a big problem on the X70) and the final images look better as a result. I might just have to add one to my camera collection. If you would like to join me on one of my adventures to arctic Norway please see I’ve been running these trips for 11 years and EVERY tour has seen the Northern Lights. This year was no exception and we got to see some really great Auroras and had a great time dog sledding, ice fishing and exploring the Finnmarksvidda. 2018 was yet another great year for my Aurora tours. This picture taken on January 20th.

That’s the problem with using grading plugins within edit software rather than dedicated grading software. The plugins only really work within very small ranges and typically don’t understand S-Log2. There will be no difference between S-Log2 and S-Log3 in terms of the look if both are handled with the same corrections and the correct transform. However with an 8 bit recording S-Log3 will have less data and this will show up as more artefacts. In Resolve etc I can always make both look the same, except the 8 bit S-Log-3 always exhibits more banding and macroblocking.

Hi Alister, based on your review and others I purchased the Z90 to replace my Canon xa25. The sony fits in nicely with all my other Sony gear. One limitation I found is to do with audio: on the canon I used to work with a rode mic connected to the mini jack and a wireless system connected to a XLR port. I can assign the mini jack to channel 2.

I have not found a way to do this on the sony: I can assign channel 1 and 2 to one XLR input (and change levels) but the mini jack although mono is recorded on both channels. NB strange i can not record to all 4 channel inputs they are there in the recording. Why is it that this output information is always so difficult to get. Should be a standard listing in the tech info with regard to output specifications and choises.

This part is also very difficult to check in the resulting file. And there are differences between SDI and HDMI HD output quality also. SDI should be HD 422 please. And note that output is 50p standard (there is no 25p). If 50p is not desired (multicam mixing in BM atem p.e.) you should use HD 50i (and 422 would be a bonus). Is this correct Alister? I don’t know why it’s so difficult to get the HDMI specs.

There is a lot of confusion as there are many permutations. 25p is not included in the HDSDI standard so you must use 25psf (which is actually 25p, just packaged so it looks like a 50i stream to any connected device).

25psf is used for maximum compatibility with both 50i and 25p workflows. The HDSDI is 10 bit 422.

HDSDI and HDMI should be the same quality, but HDMI is more prone to interference and image degradation due to bad cables, so HDMI can become degraded while HDSDI either works or doesn’t work. I would always prefer HDSDI over HDMI. I’m looking a camcorder to replace my JVC Everio GZ-HM30BU, a 2012 costumer camcorder. This will be my first pro or semi-pro camcorder. I’ve been reading about several brands and models and I still can’t decide.

My idea is to do some local news coverage, an amateur coverage. Some public events, documentary and nature film and stuff like these. I won’t be doing this everyday, it’s not my job. I won’t do weddings. But, I got a budget and I want something a bit more professional than a common consumer camcorder.

I believe, at least in my case, this would be a camcorder I’ll be using for several years. I’m not a professional videomaker or journalist but I want something a step beyond the consumer camcorders. So, I’m not going to be selling it and buying another camcorder so frecuently. This is an expensive product, at least in my country, and I don’t think I would have the chance to buy something like this in the near future, either ’cause I didn’t like the image or I don’t feel comfortable with the rings location or the lack of three rings or something else.

I have to use very well my budget. What am I looking for?

Well, the first concept I learn about was: “entry-level”. So, I could say that’s what I want (wanted? – I still can’t find a good “entry-level” camcorder yet), an “entry-level” camcorder. I have the JVC Everio GZ-HM30BU, a 2012 costumer camcorder, so I’d say any current handycam would be better than this. But, I want something a bit more semi-professional than a common handycam. I want something which allows me to handle the exposition, focus, gain, white balance. Also something with a direct mic connection like XRL connection, so I can receive a more direct audio and not an ambient audio, for example, when doing an interview.

That’s why I started looking for a camcorder in accordance with my needs, but without going that far. So, I put a limit to my budget. The limit is 2600-2800 USD. It would be nice if I could find something nice for that price, but until now I’m not finding anything. So, my new limit, in case I need to get this far, is the Sony HXR-NX5R (USD 3400 here in Argentina). So, now I’ve explained about my budget I’ll tell you about the models and brands I was reading about for the last 3 month (yes, is not easy, much money and most of the concepts I’ve found are new for me). Keeping always in mind the “entry-level” concept, the first model I saw or my first option was the Panasonic AG-AC90, but I was told the AC90 is really old now and although it was quite good for its time is really rather outdated now.

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I also was told that Panasonic camcorders don’t have a good performance in low light conditions, so I could say I dismissed Panasonic. My second option was the Sony HXR-NX5R and I think it was a very good option, still is. I didn’t read any negative comment about it yet. In fact, I’ve read it has a very good performance in low light conditions despite of its three 1/2.8 sensors (I used to think bigger sensors, like 1″ sensors, had a better performance in low light but it doesn’t seem to be like this). The only complaining I read was about it’s not a 4K camcorder.

Due to the NX5R price (USD 3400 here in Argentina) I started looking at the Sony HXR-NX100 (USD 2600). I must say I thought I have found it. I was almost convinced to buy it, but I read the negative comments: – Iris doesn’t open – E:62:10 code error – Focusing issues – Bad performance in low light So, I dismissed the NX100.

I was advised not to take the risk. What was my next option? The HXR-NX80.

Small, lots of professional settings, I thought this was going to be my new camcorder, until I read the negative comments. I couldn’t believe it!

Negative comments about a 4-5 month old camcorder? Some customers complaints were about: – Touch panel was completely unresponsive. – Bad focusing. Well, I could go for the PXW-Z90V, haven’t read any negative comments yet. But, something I never liked about these camcorders was the touch screen (tends to fail in the NX80) and the removable XLR handle unit. Don’t know about you, but to me it seems it’s going to break anytime.

Touch screen can be useful in cell phones but not in a camcorder. I don’t like it to get dirty every time I need to change something or do a focus on something (Z90 / NX80). So, dismissed the Z90? Not yet, but it doesn’t convinces me. So, which one is still in my list as possible acquisition?

Basically, I’m looking for a camcorder with more controls than a consumer camcorder, with a decent (good) performance in low light and with no negative comments about failures. I didn’t research about other brands, like JVC or Canon. As for resolution, well, I wasn’t looking for a 4K camcorder. Although, I was told everything now is tending to 4K and I should consider a 4K camcorder even if I’m not going to edit in 4K. Truth is I’m not going edit 4K videos, I should upgrade my Pc in order to do that and I don’t have in mind upgrading my Pc right now. But, this was only an advise, you know: Is better to have it and no to need it than to need it and not to have it.

But, I found 4K camcorders (e.g. NX80), at least Sony’s, didn’t offer me the controls that others did (e.g. So, I found the PXW-Z150. But, again, disappointed by the negative comments about it, especially its bad performance in low light. So, where do I find myself now? In the middle of nowhere. With new concepts, with things I believed I understood but I realize I don’t (e.g.

1/2.8 sensors with better image quality and performance in low light than a 1″ sensor). And of all the camcorders I’ve been researching about only one it’s still in my list: NX5R. I know this is technology. Nothing is perfect.

But, I’m trying to find the camcorder that fit for me, always within my budget. There’s no perfect cam, but I need to feel comfortable and convinced.

And most important, I wouldn’t like to waste my money, once it’s done there’s no going back. So I hope you can help me and guide me. I would like to read your opinion, your point of view about whether or not I’m in the right way, about the models I’ve been reading about, about its failures. Tell me about your experience with this kind of camcorders or suggest other brands or models. Any help you could give me will be welcome.

Thanks in advance! A common problem is people comparing the low light performance of a S35mm camcorder with a camcorder with a much smaller sensor with much smaller pixels. The two will never perform the same. The NX80/Z90 are a generation later than the Z150 and NX100 and have a better sensor and better AF. But the smaller package size inevitably means less space for buttons and switches, so more reliance on the touch screen etc. I have never met anyone with a failed touchscreen on a NX80, X70 etc. I’m not sure that it’s that common a problem.

The NX80/Z90 both perform very well in low light due to some very effective noise reduction and I think these are the best of the bunch right now. Well, I’ve been suggested to go for the Z90. Most of the suggestions were based on the new 4K resolution.

But, there’s something I don’t understand. I’ve told not to choose the NX5R due to the time it’s been in the market, I mean, the time it’s pased since its lauch date. Other people told me it’s still a great camcorder and it worth going for it.

So, my doubt is, why the NX5R, an almost 1 year and half old camcorder, is more expensive than the Z90, a 5-6 month old camcorder? The prices I got them from Sony’s webpage: NX5R (Launched September 2016) – 2799 USD Z90 (Launched Dicember 2017) – 3249 USD If this difference is correct, then, there must be something the NX5R offers and the Z90 doesn’t. What do you think?

Hi Alister, Sony has a new firmware update to the Z90. So time to update. Just wondering how i save all my settings, because there is a warning all will be reset to defaults. Can I use the save camera profile function for that?

As i understands it saves all settings to my sd card, but will this include all tweaks and settings made to custom picture profiles? The manual and the info on sony website is very poor great camera, and i understand this update improves camera stability in high framerate, So worth the update (next one will have proresRAW recording?) cheers Stefan.