The SONY F55 all around perfection

[filmgeargod]

The F55 is my personal all time, all around favorite camera period.

Its awesome picture quality and ultimate flexibility in shooting options. It Shoots HD, 2K and debayered 4K internally on SxS cards. The addition of the AXS recorder opens up 4K RAW recording to a whole new level allowing real time proxies to the SxS. Considered altogether, the functionality of this camera beats anything on the market at this price, period. But enough gushing from me, let's look at the overview and specs shall we?

The Sony PMW-F55 CineAlta 4K Digital Cinema Camera features an 8.9MP Super 35mm image sensor, capable of capturing 4K, 2K and HD resolution video in a variety of formats via the camera's internal recorder. The F55 is among the first digital motion picture cameras with a global shutter, which completely eliminates motion skew and other "rolling" shutter distortions. Sony has designed the F55 as the foundation of an exceptionally versatile, modular system.



Optional components of the F55 system include bolt-on recording units, a series of digital viewfinders, and camera support rigs. Notably, the AXS-R5 recorder¹ can be mounted onto the rear of the F55, enabling 4K and 2K 16-bit RAW recording and high speed frame rates of up to 240 fps in 2K². In keeping with Sony's mandate on versatility, the F55 will have a native FZ-mount, which will provide an interface for Sony's SCL-Z18x140³ auto focus servo zoom lens as well as a wide range of lens adapters, such as the included PL-mount adapter.



Many digital sensors can match and even surpass traditional motion picture film for resolution and low light image quality, but with approximately 14.3 stops of dynamic range, film has maintained an advantage over most digital sensors. However, the F55's exposure latitude is rated at 14 stops of dynamic range, for truly film-like rendering of highlights and shadows. Moreover, the F55 incorporates the same color filter array technology used in Sony's flagship F65, for a color gamut that is even wider than motion picture film.



On-board 4K recording requires high-data rate recording media, and the F55 will use Sony's newly developed SxS PRO+ memory cards. A 128 GB card will provide enough space for approximately 40 minutes of 4K video in the XAVC Intra 422 format. SxS PRO+ cards will also allow on-board recording of 2K video at up to 180 frames per second.



Note!

¹ AXS-R5, DVF-EL100, DVF-L700, and DVF-L350 are sold separately

² 240 fps 2K, 60 fps 4K/2K, and 180 fps 2K will require a free firmware upgrade

³ SCL-Z18x140 is sold separately



8.9MP Super 35mm CMOS Image Sensor

With 8.9 effective megapixels (11.6 total MP), the Sony 4K CMOS sensor captures a true 4K 4096 x 2160 DCI-standard cinema image. The sensor approximates the size of traditional 2-perf, Super 35mm motion picture film, which allows cinematographers to use their favorite lenses on the F55 without a significant disparity in apparent angle-of-view.


Internal 4K/2K/HD Recording

The F55 CineAlta camera incorporates high-speed SxS PRO+ memory card recording that allows the choice of 8-bit MPEG-2 HD422 at 50 Mbps, 10-bit XAVC 2K/HD at 100 Mbps, SR Codec 10-bit MPEG4 SStP at 220/440/880 Mbps, and XAVC 4K/QFHD at 300 Mbps. All formats can be recorded at a range of interlace and progressive frame rates. Some recording settings will require a free firmware upgrade.


Electronic Global Shutter

Traditional CMOS sensors employ what is commonly known as a "rolling shutter." The F55 is among the first digital motion picture cameras with a global shutter, which completely eliminates motion skew and other rolling shutter distortions.


Highly Modular Design

In addition to the AXS-R5 recorder, a digital interface on the F55 allows for a variety of optional viewfinders. DVF-EL100 is a 0.7" OLED viewfinder with 1280 x 720 resolution. DVF-L350 is a 3.5" LCD viewfinder with 960 x 540 resolution, and the eyepiece flips up for direct monitoring. DVF-L700 is a 7" LCD viewfinder with 1920 x 1080 resolution for monitoring Full HD pixel-for-pixel. Other modular components include the optional Sony shoulder rig, which features industry-standard rosettes on both sides for quick and easy attachment of third-party hand grips and other accessories.


Optional AXS-R5 "Bolt-on" Recorder

The optional AXS-R5 recorder is designed to dock on the rear of the PMW-F55 and enables 4K and 2K resolution video recording in 16-bit RAW. The AXS-R5 also facilitates high speed frame rates of up to 240 fps in 2K and simultaneous RAW + on-board SxS recording. The recorder uses Sony's newly developed AXSM memory cards, which are compatible with an optional USB 3.0 reader (AXS-CR1). RAW files can be screened using Sony's free RAW Viewer software. (AXS-R5 is sold separately.)


Native FZ-Mount and PL-Mount Adapter

The F55 is designed to accommodate a wide range of lenses. With the PL-mount adaptor, you can take advantage of acclaimed cine optics from Angénieux, Canon, Carl Zeiss, Cooke, FUJIFILM, Leica and more. Slip off the supplied PL-mount adaptor to reveal the native FZ-mount with an 18mm flange focal distance. The FZ-mount provides an interface for native FZ lenses like Sony's SCL-Z18X140 auto focus servo zoom lens or a range of adaptors for still lenses, including Canon EF, Canon FD, Nikon F, Leica M and more.


Dynamic Range Rated at 14 Stops

The ability to render a range of exposure values from deepest shadows to brightest highlights is a crucial test of any digital camera. The F55 is capable of an impressive 14 stops of exposure latitude, low-light sensitivity and low noise in the blacks. The digital sensor's dynamic range approaches that of traditional motion picture film.


Wider Color Gamut than Film

The F55 incorporates the same advanced color filter array technology as Sony's flagship F65, for a color gamut that is even wider than motion picture film.


SxS Pro+ Media Cards

On-board recording of XAVC 4K and 180 fps XAVC 2K/HD requires high-data-rate recording media. The F55 will use Sony's 64 and 128 GB SxS PRO+ memory cards. A 128 GB card will provide enough space for approximately 40 minutes of 4K video in the XAVC Intra 422 format.


Intuitive One-touch Interface

Designed with significant input from cinematographers, the F55 features an intuitive interface for a range of controls. Instead of diving through menus, you get direct, one-touch access to key shooting parameters including frame rate, shutter speed, color temperature, ISO sensitivity and gamma. Assignable buttons mean that your favorite adjustments are always at your fingertips.


Real-time 4K Output and Other Vital Connections

The F55 supports real-time 4K output to a compatible monitor, via four 3G-SDI outputs. There is also HDMI, USB, DC input, a removable XLR audio module and a removable time code/genlock module. The XLR inputs accept balanced analogue signals, provide 48-Volt phantom power and will accept four channels of AES/EBU digital audio with an expected firmware upgrade.


Long-life Olivine Battery and Quick Charger

The F55 takes advantage of Sony's BP-FL75 battery pack, which uses Olivine Lithium Iron Phosphate instead of conventional Lithium Ion cathodes. The result is a substantial increase in charge-discharge cycles, compared to previous Sony batteries. The Olivine battery works with Sony's BC-L90 quick charger. The camera is also compatible with Sony's BP-GL95A, GL65A, L80S and L60S batteries, which use the BC-L70 and L160 chargers.

When I first picked up this camera it felt very familar to me. After a week shooting with it? It was like I reconnected with the long lost friend I grew up with. I really love it! I feel this is the best camera on the market that offers multiple functionality. You can shoot mpeg, 2K and 4K all with the same rig. I've personally been using this camera for over a year now. I've shot in the freezing -35f Arctic and the Arizona 120f desert. I can't say enough good things about it. I've matched it with an F-900, F-800 and an F-5. on several sit down multi cam interviews. If you've watched 60mins, Dateline NBC or 48Hours Mysteries and indeed a good chunk of feature films, you've seen this camera.

Additionally, the rigging options for the camera are almost endless. Manufacturers like iKan, Chrosziel, SHAPE, Vocas, MTF, Wooden Camera, RedRock Micro, MOVCAM and my all time favorites Zacuto. Even ARRI and Panavision have some high end, truly amazing kits for the F55. Like I said, endless. Also, it should be noted that the camera has two options from SONY for a viewfinder, their LED offering at around $3,500.00 and the OLED option (add another $1,000.00) If you can, go the OLED route as the image quality is stunning but! At the time of this writing it should be noted that Zacuto's GRATICAL will be out soon and I think that is going to be the better option and for a lot less cost wise and it looks cool too!

The F55 also certainly seems to be a Red Epic beater for low light, speed of workflow with XAVC and motion (global shutter). I can't say enough about the global shutter, it's just awesome. One of the reasons I am so looking forward to the release of the AJA CION™.

A vast array of lenses including SONY's own CineAlta 6 Pc Primes, an OLED EVF option, SxS Proxies, integrated 4K Recorder with SONY's VERY reliable media, the new Olivine 5 Crystal battery system... the list goes on. Seriously, there isn't anyone else in the market doing what SONY has done for this system. They even considered the cameras width factor for using in a 3D setup. I mean they have not left anything out in terms of what it can do.

All in all, I don't have anything bad to say about the camera. It's solid, versatile, well suited to pretty much any set or location environment. It just rocks! So, in conclusion, if you are looking for something in this range to do literally anything in the production world you need, this is the one stop, go to solution I think.