Revolutionary imaging performance with Exmor RS

To deliver imaging performance previously impossible for a compact camcorder, a large 14.2-megapixel (effective) 1.0-type stacked CMOS image sensor delivers beautiful background bokeh defocus effects and superior sensitivity for capturing high-quality images with less noise, even under dark or bright conditions. This sensor integrates up to 273 phase-detection AF points that densely cover approx. 84% of the image area, for precise tracking of subjects throughout the shooting frame.

The sensor gives you low noise and less blur, because more light reaches the sensor, offering clear and steady pictures even in a dark scene with minimum illumination 1.7 lux.*

*LOW LUX mode.

Enhanced Fast Hybrid auto focus captures action

Enhanced Fast Hybrid auto focus (AF) is comprised of a number of features: Phase-detection AF with up to 273 reference points covering approximately 84% of the image area, face detection and lock-on auto focus technology to estimate subject movement. They all work together seamlessly to capture fast-moving subjects with amazing sharpness.

Auto Focus Creative Control

AF Drive Speed means you set the speed at which focus switches—rapid for a sports event and slow for a drama production. It’s easy to get the results you need. AF Track Depth allows you to choose a Wide depth of field when a subject is fast moving, while Narrow fine tunes performance for a subject at a consistent distance. AF Switching Sensitivity lets you lock tight to a single subject or fluidly switch focus—such as when shooting a line of runners.

Instant HDR workflows

Shoot, edit, and view HDR content in HLG without the need for additional color grading.

As the expanding need for HDR content continues, Internet video platforms and professionals producing corporate or event content are paying more attention to the added value of HDR. They need to deliver content quickly, without compromising on imaging expression and quality of content. To meet this demand, the PXW-Z90 offers Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) recording, in addition to S-Log3, for easy file-based workflows, while achieving the image quality of HDR. This simple workflow enables the shooting, editing, and viewing of HDR content in HLG, without devoting a lot of time to post-production work and additional color grading.

Broadcast-quality 4K (QFHD) and HD

The PXW-Z90 allows you to record a wide range of 4K (QFHD) and HD formats for maximum flexibility from this stunning palm-sized camcorder. The Z90 supports XAVC QFHD 100-Mbps recordings at 30p/25p/24p, XAVC HD Long GOP 422 50 Mbps, MPEGHD422 50 Mbps,* MPEGHD420 35 Mbps, and AVCHD.

*MPEG HD recording requires optional license (CBKZ-SLMP) upgrade. 

Wide-angle zoom lens with great control

The PXW-Z90 is supplied with a fixed 29-mm wide-angle ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens, ideal for capturing panoramic landscapes. The 12x optical zoom can be increased to 18x with Clear Image Zoom, maintaining QFHD resolution using Super Resolution Technology or 24x in HD. In addition, the digital extender can double this range again, up to 48x zoom.

The camcorder’s lens ring enables smooth, natural adjustment of focusing or zooming, depending on which mode is selected, while the manual dial and buttons on the side of the body allow swift and easy adjustment of IRIS (aperture), ISO/GAIN, and shutter speed.

Superb quality monitoring with enhanced OLED viewfinder

You have superb monitoring options with the Z90, an enhanced 0.39-type 2359K dot OLED viewfinder and 3.5-type 1550K dot LCD. The super-high-resolution OLED viewfinder offers excellent quality brightness, contrast, and response, giving you better precision of manual focus operations and eliminating any color-breaking phenomenon. The LCD gives you further flexible composition options.

Remote operation

The PXW-Z90 has a featured remote interface (2.5-mm stereo mini-mini jack) wired interface. Using a wired remote controller such as the RM-1BP or RM-30BP, the focus, zoom, rec start/stop, and rec review can be controlled remotely.

Dual media slots

To extend recording time and workflow flexibility, the PXW-Z90 is equipped with two memory-card slots and is compatible with SDXC and SDHC cards as well as Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2) / PRO-HG Duo.*

Relay mode automatically switches recording from the first to the second memory card when the first is full; Simul mode allows simultaneous recording to two memory cards (for example, to create an immediate back-up version). The PXW-Z90’s two start/stop buttons on the handle grip and camcorder body can independently start and stop recording on different memory cards while recording in Simul mode.

*Memory Card Slot 1 only.