Sony XDCAM EX PMW-EX1 - Camcorder - High Definition - professional - widescreen - optical zoom: 14 x - supported memory: SxS PRO - flash card

This camera seems 2 split the forums. It's a camera that will not work in tourist auto mode, it would be a waste of money 2 do so.
Having tested the cam now 2 month, it will be the main cam 4 my movie short. The image is brilliant, the options are great 2 improve the needed quality. The hot discussed rolling shutter, is nearly not visible when the shutter is set 2 a longer duration. Which supports the mostly wanted CINEMA look, & so no problem 4 me.
Workflow & integration is perfect with Final Cut Pro.
The Lens is a surprise in that price-range & shows the typical breathing, which lenses have, again: in that price range, no critic on that, but just 2 mention it.
After several cams with menu operation, I love 2 have buttons & a adjustments that I can touch & move, & the menu is well organized 4 the 'stuff' you don't need so often.
My only concern is the Microphone so close 2 the Lens, as it gives no real space 2 use any Standard Matte box. (Why the Focus-wheel has no cogwheel & the two other (focal length/aperture) have one, I have no idea, but that is an easy fix.
Th EX1 has real pixels & nothing interpolated or shifted, just true information, which makes the camera outstanding in that price-range. With a Black Magic Extreme card you get 10bit HD SDi 4:2:2.

The only thing that can bother with that camera really, if you are not certain if you would like 2 have a EX3 ;*)

The EX1 model is Sony's first XDCAM model specifically targeted at the higher end of the prosumer segment. It offers the best image quality in its class, bar none.... if the operator is aware of the CMOS vs. CCD sensor differences. The most important item, if one has only shot CCD cameras, is 2 be aware of the rolling shutter situation on CMOS cameras. This is not a problem by any means, just someting that one needs 2 compensate 4 when planning the shot. Frame rate & shutter angle are ever so important when determining panning speed or tracking a moving subject, & when shooting any scene containing strobes (such as live shows, emergency vehicles, etc). This is not an issue specific 2 this camera, but rather 2 any camera employing CMOS sensors.

Focus is dead-on accurate, image quality is superb, battery life on the standard battery could be better, & plan 4 plenty of storage 4 offloading recorded media.

This is not a technical review! I'm a screenwriter & film director & formerly exclusively worked on 35mm & 16mm. I bought the PMW-EX1 in January 2008, shortly after its release & have just shot an arthouse feature film on it. This is undoubtedly the best thing since Super 16mm 4 filmmaking. In fact I prefer it 2 35mm: if you set your scene up smartly, you need almost no lighting. It is light & manageable, so you do not need a huge camera crew. We shot 'documentary style' & our crew consisted of myself, as director, a cameraman, a sound recordist, a continuity/logger, a production manager, & two general assistants. It was a pleasure filming & it was only possible 2 make a professional film this way because of the EX1. The images are crystal clear, the latitude is amazing. We tried 2 make flat, dreary images 4 the story - it's hard 2 make ugly pictures with this camera :-). The SxS workflow is really easy & fast - you just need a fair amount of disk space. But not nearly as much as I was expecting. I am editing the whole picture on one of my 750 GB disks in Final Cut Studio 2 on my quad Mac. It's a great camera & it will truly revolutionize low-budget arthouse filmmaking. And no more sleepless nights about negative scratches & hairs in the gate!!!

This camera is an absolute winner 4 Sony! Incredible full-blown 1080p HD. This is the Panasonic HVX-200 killer. But then, it surpasses the HVX in almost every catagory...from chip size, pixel size & number, Fujinon lens, 2 the much better SxS Flash Express recording medium. Oh, & did I mention the fantastic, in-camera, slow motion (and fast motion) which is silky smooth. What's not 2 love?

Sony announces the latest addition 2 its XDCAM family of tapeless acquisition tools with the launch of the exciting new XDCAM EXTM compact camcorder. In addition 2 the existing XDCAMTM HD optical disc-based products, the new XDCAM EX camcorder, the PMW-EX1, offers all the benefits of tapeless workflow, selectable bit rates & outstanding picture performance that users have come 2 expect with XDCAM HD, coupled with new creative recording features & lens features which will redefine the standard 4 the professional compact camcorder market.