Posted Oct 2008, Updated Dec 2009
This camera was first available in the UK and USA right at the end of July/early August 2008, ahead of the rest of Europe. I received mine on 31st July and was told by my supplier (jigsaw24.com) that I was most probably the first person in the UK to actually own this much awaited big brother to the much acclaimed EX1. So how does it fare?
Well, it will come as no surprise to EX1 owners that this camera produces the same stunning images that have been so much admired by those that shoot and receive EX1 content. The EX3 is considerably more expensive than the EX1, typically retailing for around £7000 as opposed to around £4500-5000. Is the extra expense justified? Well that depends on your needs and expectations. Here in a nutshell is what I think you need to know if you’re considering which one to buy. Note that this article was originally posted in the Autumn of 2008 but has been recently updated in some parts to mention new developments.
No doubt about it, the EX3 has much improved ergonomics over its sibling for any hand-held / run and gun type work. The semi-shoulder design makes a big difference (although the center of gravity will still tend to pull the camera forward). The shoulder support has two adjustment positions, all the way in or all out (the way I tend to use it). I do not use the cheap plastic “cheek support” that the camera has as a supplied bolt on extra. I can see no advantage and lots of disadvantages in having this flimsy item permanently fixed to the side of the camera. My guess is that it would only really come into it’s own if you have all the cables plugged into the rear sockets for SDI out, GenLock, Time Code in and out etc. I really do like the fully adjustable right hand grip (basically identical to the EX1’s).
The ergonomics falls down slightly by having many switches which, although better placed than on the EX1, are still a bit too small and fiddly. This is not an issue if you disable most of them and access the highly flexible camera functions via the ‘joystick’ menu pad at the top though. Certainly, the main ‘Camera / Off / Media’ switch is way too small. I know I’m not alone in always checking that it really is off when you’re putting the camera away in the bag after a days shoot. Sure, the cover on the audio dials is a good concept - albeit a bit too fragile and likely to get ripped off sometime! The SxS door cover is definitely a step backward from the more securely fitting one on the EX1 for sure.
The viewfinder scope is truly superb for any outdoor work in bright conditions and the fully adjustable contrast, brightness and peaking is excellent (and best set to blue for clarity in my opinion). It has been said that this is now THE best LCD / scope / viewfinder arrangement available in this class of small professional HD cams and I tend to agree. The rear lower resolution viewfinder on the EX1 is a definite weak point. The EX3’s scope is very adjustable (position wise) and it is even possible to use your left eye rather than the more usual right one if desired - although this will make you more prone to tripping over obstacles I suspect. The scope is detachable and this is the way I tend to use it indoors - so that I can see what’s happening in the periphery of the shot and so make sure nothing gets missed. This lesson was learnt when we were filming an operation and I was so focussed on watching the scope doing a close-up of the vet’s eyes that I nearly missed the incision! Luckily, my mate Henry holding the boom pole alerted me and we got it!
One thing I do like is that even when the scope is removed there is a shroud around the (stunningly sharp!) LCD helping to keep reflections off the screen. However, this is a two edged sword. This, and other things about the adjustable cam that supports the LCD and scope, means that the LCD cannot be folded away when not in use for packing in the bag like on the EX1.
Comparing them side by side the EX3 is a much, much bigger beast and this means that finding a bag to carry it around in has been quite a challenge for EX3 owners. This is partly due to the semi-shoulder design, removable lense arrangement (more on that later) but is MAINLY due to the inability to retract the LCD screen on removal of the scope. Something for Sony to reconsider for the EX5 I think, whenever that might be!
Personally, I use and like the Petrol PWR-HDV roller bag for this EX3 (with the central divide removed). There is little room left for the ancillaries other than a spare battery, a mic support, Rode NTG-3 shotgun mic and some studio monitor headphones, extra SxS card etc. By contrast, the EX1 will fit in many typical camera bags (or any other rucksack) and so makes it more discrete and easy to carry around.
The supplied lens is truly superb. It goes almost as wide as I’d like and, at X14, has reasonable reach (although I miss the X20 of the V1). Certainly, its best performance (as with many camcorder lenses) is in a sweet spot range of F settings between F2.8 and F4 when lighting conditions allow (as this gives the sharpest images). And the best bit, assuming your budget stretches to it, is that the the lens is detachable. Sony supplies the ACM-18 lens adapter with the camera too. I’m eagerly awaiting the launch of the new Fujinon wide angle lens for this camera. Whilst it won’t be cheap it’s certainly good to know that it’s a future possibility and a much better solution than the ‘add-on’ wide angle adapter route dictated by the fixed lens EX1.
The side mounted variable frame control dial is a joy to use for slow motion or speeded up time lapse effects. Sure, the same options are accessible via the LCD menu on the EX1 but, somehow, it just seems so much better to have it right there where you want it. You cannot (at this class of camera - at least not yet anyway) vary the frame rate during recording but that’s no real loss for my applications. For slow motion or time lapse type work having this dial is a great tool, just asking for experimentation. It’s rim glows a pleasing blue when in use - although that’s a little gimmicky it at least confirms you’re in frame mode and makes me smile too!
The EX3 has two cold shoe mounts to the smaller EX1’s one. This is actually quite useful, even necessary, as in my case the front shoe is often used for a Rode suspension mount holding a NTG-3 and the rear one for the Sennheiser G2 radio microphone receiver. Why not use the Sony microphone holder? Simple, it’s the same rubbish design as the EX1’s and is weak / prone to break. Anyhow, if I HAVE to have a mic on the camera, I at least want it in a nice, sloppy suspension support and the narrow diameter of the Rode shotguns means you would have to pack the Sony holder with bubble wrap / foam or whatever anyway.
Whilst we’re on gripes, the EX3’s base is a slightly odd design as it has a slight curve around the tripod mounting screw. This does not appear to be a good design because the EX3 is a heavy camera for such a small single screw. There were several web reports of this screw attachment plate getting pulled out of the lighter EX1’s. The slight curve may also mean it might ‘wobble’ around on certain tripod fittings. I personally use a Manfrotto slide plate on a Libec LS37 tripod and so far have not had any issues, but again Sony, be sensible here when it comes to the tripod fixing design on any future EXs. Early in 2009 I bought a black DM Accessories reinforcement baseplate for my EX3 (from the USA, for about $180) and that’s cured this fault completely, giving superb stability and ruggedness / security in tripod mounting, albeit with the loss of the retractable / extendable shoulder pad function (not really an issue).
One other minor gripe is that you get flashing green screens in the viewfinder when, for example changing from 1080p to 720p - it’s a similar story with the EX1. I’m just surprised they did not improve the firmware to put up a nice blue screen or something to hide this inelegant effect! You soon get used to it and learn to ignore it though.
The EX3 has 4 user assignable buttons (3 well located and one a pig to reach). As on the EX1 these are labelled with Sony’s idea of what you might use them for - unfortunate but of no real consequence! Certainly, I was advised to assign one to a ‘last clip delete’ early on and this button gets used quite a bit to ensure you keep only the good stuff on those precious SxS cards or cheaper KxS. Don’t worry, you have to confirm this action by executing it in the menu via the top joystick so accidentally erasing an important clip is less likely than you might think. This method certainly beats the wait when switching it to Media mode.
I’ve used a Sony PD150 extensively in the past and this (and the PD170) were a legend for getting great images in relatively low light conditions, when necessary. I have to say, using the EX1 / 3’s it’s the first time I’ve had the same feeling about a HD camera. They now, at last, match the flexibility of those workhorses of the DV era. No other HD camera in this price class can match this capability. That’s the result of great technology at work by Sony’s new Exmor CMOS sensors.
In some situations the infra red contamination (making some blacks look dark red/brown) is noticeable with both the EX1 and EX3. It’s been tolerable for my corporate work but I’ve read wedding videographers sometimes have issues with it (with all the black suits they typically have in shot). The new EX1R has reduced this IR contamination issue, or if it is bothersome you can always buy a special 77mm Tiffen IR filter, street price about £70, but it will slightly reduce the light coming into the camera.
Lastly, we come to one of the most exciting things about this camera - and it’s identical and equals the EX1 here. That is, the sheer joy of instant clip reviewing either on camera or on a MacBook Pro using Sony’s clip browsing software (at least ones like my mid-2008 2.5GHz 15 inch one that still has the highly important Expresscard 34 expansion slot). The days of boring HDV tape capture in real time are now far behind me as this workflow is so fast and efficient and has numerous advantages. Sure, you have to back everything up on hard drives (in duplicate) and burnt DVDs - but that’s what I always did anyway. The significant cost of SxS cards is also not such a problem now that we have the option of using much cheaper media such as SDHC card adapters that fit EX1’s and EX3’s, like KxS, and the newer cheaper media that will be available from Sony in early 2010
So, to sum up. Is the EX3 right for your work / needs? Well, that depends. It’s big and won’t get into some corners that an old EX1 or newer EX1R will and the price difference between the two will buy you that Mac Book Pro. One of those (or at least something similar) will be so very necessary for downloading clips in the field for any kind of professional use. It has more ‘presence’ with Joe Public which can be a good or bad thing depending on the situation - you always get noticed! All in all, I’m delighted with the EX3 despite it’s slight shortcomings as mentioned above. However, no doubt about it, the original EX1 (and new EX1R) remain great cameras too and all concern on cost will be forgotten when you view stunning images from either. Whichever one you choose, you’ll be as happy as a Cheshire cat with the results!
UPDATE December 2009:
Loss of Focus Issue: There have been reports since October 2008 of some EX3’s loosing the ability to focus, especially after using the Macro function. Fortunately, this has only happened twice on mine (so far!) and is rectified by me simply re-booting the cam (not something one really wants to have to do at critical times in a shoot though). Web forums indicate that Sony have started to rectify this problem with a new firmware upgrade for the PMW-EX3. Unfortunately, this has to be installed by a Sony service centre. I’m busy with work so cannot afford not to have the cam right now. When things settle down a bit I’ll put mine in the queue to get it updated (as it’s covered by Sony’s excellent 2-year ‘Silver Service’ in the UK).
Reliability: No issues.
KxS and KxT: I have four Kensington 7-in-1 express card 34 adapters, each with a 16GB SDHC card designated exclusively to it (one Sandisk Ultra II, supposedly Class 4, and three Transcend Class 6). These have been both very useful and very, very cost effective. Sure I don’t try and overcrank with them as is routinely possible with SxS. When each KxS or KxT combo arrived my tests showed around 50 fps was the limit in 720p - rather than the normal 60 fps maximum with SxS. All I do is simply switch to a slot with a SxS in it for any over cranking. KxS and KxT has improved the affordability of the EX1 / EX3 workflow for sure - but it’s still an expensive technology overall.
Am I still pleased - you bet! Getting great pictures and making lovely videos for web and DVD!
The Future? Well the new EX1R looks good (went to see one at a Sony Broadcast event in London in November 2009). We all expect a similar (i.e. modest) EX3R upgrade to become available some time in 2010. We are also now promised a EX3 firmware update (which will be officially user installable for the first time) around the end of Feb 2010. This is, I think, primarily to allow the new lower cost Sony media sticks to be used.
Alternatives? If you want to spend a LOT more and want a big true shoulder camera the new PMW-350 with its 2/3 inch chips is for you. Not for me, way too big for my needs so I’ll stick with the 1/2 inch chipped EX3! The new AVCHD Sony NXCAMs also looked promising (they were also on show at the Sony Bishopsgate event) - but remember that they won’t have the CineAlta colour space or quite such good low light abilities of the EX series (they are 1/3 inch chips). Canon are long overdue making a major solid state videocam announcement - maybe early 2010 they will have something to match the EXs? The EX3 will remain my main corporate workhorse camera. However, in November 2009 I did buy a Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR to supplement my EX3s capabilities with certain kinds of complimentary video shots (and stills too, especially where a shallow depth of field is desired). Sure, the 7Ds 1080p25 HD video mode has nowhere near the (true) resolution of the EX3 and also has a few challenges when used for HD video work, but I can do some things with it that are technically and creatively difficult otherwise. With both these revolutionary cams in my arsenal I’ve got some powerful tools at my disposal!
Copyright © 2009 Andy K Wilkinson PhD
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