The PXW-X500 is equipped with three 2/3-inch type Full HD CCD sensors. Based on the latest on-chip lens structure, this type of CCD offers a high sensitivity of F12 at 50i (F11 at 60i) and improved S/N ratio of 60 dB (with NS on) with a typical CCD's characteristics of no jello effects and no flashband symptom. This new CCS sensors can work in 50p/60p system operation at 1080x1920, and realize the high frame rate recording upto 120psf.

The PXW-X500 supports not only MPEG HD 422 50 Mbps in MXF (Material eXchange Format), which is widely accepted by major broadcasters worldwide, but also XAVC Intra frame and XAVC Long GOP codecs. The camera records a wide variety of frame rates including 1080 XAVC Intra frame 59.94p*, 50p*, 59.94i, 50i, 23.97p, 25p and 23.98p, as well as 1080 XAVC Long GOP 59.94p, 50p, 59.94i, 29.97p, 25p and 23.98p. XAVC technology is based on the H.264 standard, which provides an exceptional performance compression technology. XAVC Intra frame compression means that every frame is encoded independent of the other frames – providing a better quality picture and simpler handling in the post process, without compromises. With a Long GOP codec, only certain frames are encoded individually. This allows the codec to squeeze the video into a much smaller bitrate than Intra technology. The main benefit is faster ingest and editing. XAVC Long GOP files also require less storage space than XAVC Intra files, providing budget savings on recording media. The XAVC codec adopts 10 bit sampling for high definition recording with rich tonal expression.
* Requires firmware version 4.0.

As well as shooting at XAVC HD, MPEG HD 422 50 Mbps and MPEG HD 420 35 Mbps, the camcorder also supports MPEG SStP 422 Lite (HDCAM SR), as well as SD MPEG IMX and DVCAM at 25 Mbps in MXF file format. High-quality MPEG HD422 50 Mbps is fully compliant with the latest EBU recommendations for long-form broadcast production and is widely accepted in broadcasting stations and production houses. This recording capability makes the PXW-X500 ideal for a wide range of different applications, including newsgathering and documentary production.

In addition to MPEG SStP, XAVC, MPEG codes, recording directly in Apple ProRes codec and Avid DNxHD codec are available by license key options.* The DNxHD or ProRes files can stored in the easy-to-manage MXF OP-1a or Quicktime wrapper, and recorded onboard to Sony’s SxS PRO+, SxS-1, or XQD G/S Series memory card.

* ProRes codec option PXWK-501 and DNxHD codec option PXWK-502.

The PXW-X500 offers a powerful Slow and Quick Motion function as an option that enables users to create elegant fast- and slow-motion footage. The PXW-X500 can capture images at frame rates selectable from 1 fps (frame per second) to 120 fps in 1080p in the XAVC codec. It offers approx. 5x slow motion at 23.98p, 4.5x slow motion at 25p and 4x slow motion at 29.97p. In MPEG HD422 codec, the camcorder offers as a standard feature the ability to capture from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080p mode, in increments of 1 fps. (With the 50Hz mode, frame rates are selectable up to 25 fps in 1080p mode.)

* Slow & Quick Motion function for XAVC is available as an option.

Wireless operation is available by the connection with Wi-Fi dongle or LTE dongle* for remote control of camera setting, metadata management, file transfer, streaming* features. It could be utilized with Content Browser Mobile application running on Android OS and iOS tablet.

* LTE dongle operation and streaming capability will be available later.

The PXW-X500 can record XAVC proxy video (H.264 MP 420 Long GOP) with AAC-LC 2ch audio on an SD card. The resolution and bitrate of proxy video can be changed for a more flexible workflow. The proxy files are recorded in MP4 format for better compatibility with ordinary viewers. The lightweight proxy video/audio files are generated separately from the main line recording and recorded to SD cards for quick sharing of content over low-bandwidth mobile networks.
1080 60i/50i proxy recording is added with firmware version 5.0 planned for release early 2017.

This feature allows you to pick and organize frequently used menu items – similar to the bookmark feature of a web browser. By using this feature, you can save a lot of time with no need to repeatedly search for specific menu items. In addition, the user menu can be locked with a 4-digit passcode to ensure there are no unnecessary changes.
* Requires firmware version 4.0.

With two SxS memory card slots, the camcorder is compatible with SxS PRO+ and SxS-1 memory cards and XQD and SDXC cards can be also used with an appropriate card adaptors. Two media slots can record in simultaneous recording mode which permits simultaneous recording to two memory cards cards for XAVC, MPEG HD422, and MPEG HD (420) while the Relay mode automatically switches recording from the first to the second memory card when the first is full.

The camcorder offers numerous connections to suit the broadcast workflow, including 3G HD-SDI, HDMI®, USB, composite output, timecode input/output and genlock input. The 3G-SDI connector is able to input/output the 1080/59.94P or 50P signal. Down-conversion output from HD to SD is also possible. Simultaneous output from both SDI and HDMI is possible. The Rec Trigger signal can be sent through SDI and HDMI to link an external SONY recording device.

The PXW-X500 is fitted with a 2/3-inch B4 lens mount.

The PXW-X500 is equipped with a GPS device. The GPS data is automatically recorded in MXF file locations.

The PXW-X500 incorporates a 3.5-inch 1,555K dot LCD, offering high resolution and flexible composition options.

The camcorder allows various functions to be displayed in the viewfinder, including Focus Mag and Waveform/Vectorscope/Histogram. Viewfinder options include the HDVF-20A, HDVF-200 and CBK-VF02.

Four types of HyperGamma curve – inherited from Sony's CineAlta camcorders – are provided in addition to six standard gammas.

The Digital Extender function of the PXW-X500 enables images to be digitally increased in size 2x, 3x or 4x. Unlike lens extenders, the Digital Extender function performs this increase without any F-drop phenomenon (i.e., without loss of image sensitivity). This can be used with a lens extender.

This feature decreases chromatic aberration caused by the lens. ALAC is activated only with third-party lenses that incorporate compensation data. (Please check with lens manufacturers for ALAC support.)

The PXW-X500 records uncompressed four-channel, 24-bit 48 kHz audio in MPEG4 SStP, XAVC Intra, XAVC Long, MPEG HD422 mode or MPEG IMX mode. Each channel level can be adjusted independently by individual level controllers.

Free clip management tool for both PC & Mac that supports all Sony professional formats.
Review footage on location, add metadata and review colour corrections.
Seamless upgrade to advanced Catalyst Prepare media preparation tool.