Sony brings the full frame sensor and interchangeable lenses to the PTZ world with the new FR7

IBC 2022 It will be the first event worldwide in which the ILME-FR7 of Sony, a PTZ camera included in the Cinema Line series with full frame, interchangeable lenses and E-mount.

The FR7 includes “for the first time” in a pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) camera a back-illuminated image sensor CMOS Full Frame of 35 mm Exmor R with approximately 10.3 effective megapixels and more of 15 steps of latitude wide. In addition to wide dynamic range, low noise and full frame cinematic bokeh, this sensor also offers a high sensitivity which allows you to extend the ISO up to 409.600 when recording in low light. In parallel, the FR7 has the Sony E mount and is compatible with a wide variety of lenses, such as the series G Master. Users will be able to choose focal lengths ranging from 12 mm up to 1200 mm to have total creative control of the production.

Norbert Paquet, head of live production at Sony Europe, considers that this solution will serve to continue bringing the “cinematic look” both to the world broadcast like that of the live productions. In this way, Sony has included several features of the Cinema Line range that aim to offer a cinematic look. Among them, we find the inclusion of preset scene files; way Who THEY to set the base sensitivity to ISO 80 or ISO 12,800, or possibility of recording in slow motion in up to 4K 120p.

Remote capabilities

The FR7 of Sony has a new exclusive web application that allows you to control the pan, tilt, zoom, focus, recording, playback and all camera settings from a tablet or computer web browser. This system also makes it possible for several people to simultaneously observe video footage from the FR7 remotely as well as multi-camera control capabilities.

With its integrated tilt and swivel mechanism as well as remote control capabilities, the FR7 can be mounted on a tripod, on a roof with the CIB-PCM1 specific or en other locations with limited access to be able to track and record objects discreetly from unique points of view. It is also compatible with the remote control Sony RM-IP500 for multi-camera production, system that can remotely control up to 100 PTZ cameras and allows you to manage pan, tilt and zoom with a joystick.

Features designed for the broadcast industry

Sony's latest development features a wide selection of characteristics carefully designed to respond to the demands of broadcast productions that, at the same time, whoever looks for a more cinematic and careful look.

In this way, the FR7 includes functions such as a pan and tilt speed that can be changed at any time 0.02 to 60 degrees per second, to achieve a wide variety of stable and fluid camera movements; until 100 camera preset positions, controllable using the integrated web application and the optional RM-IP500 remote control; functions of hybrid approach with real-time tracking capabilities using the engine Bionz XR, or the incorporation of variable neutral density filter electronically controlled from Sony.

Other keys that seek to turn the FR7 into a unique product are its interfaces for different production flows, whether simple automatic installations or more complex high-end productions; internal XAVC recording/external RAW output, so that the system can record contents on CFexpress type A and SDXC memory cards; HDMI type A and 12G-SDI connectors as a video output, plus an optical output for long transmissions; AUDIO IN connector (type 5 pin XLR), ready to receive the signal from an external microphone or audio device; connectivity ethernet, both for camera control and for audio and video transfer (with protocols such as RTSP, SRT and HX), and food; and the synchronization of multi-camera productions, as the timecode input jack receives timecode for syncing with an external device, while the Genlock receives sync signals in multi-camera setups.

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