HXR-NX5E: Best camcorder in its class?

Back on 10th November 2009, Sony Professional UK invited me over to their HQ to see their new prototype of the first NXCAM branded solid-state camcorder. They allowed me to take the only prototype in the UK away with me so I could evaluate it and try it out for a few days.

Since then I’ve spent a few more weeks with the HXR-NX5E NXCAM camcorder. Actually I’ve been in the USA for three months so Sony were kind enough to FedEx an NX5 over to me in Hays, Kansas, where I have been shooting with the camera. After spending more time using the NX5, I’m now in the position to give you a more comprehensive review in full; so here goes.

WHAT IS NXCAM?

NXCAM is brand new so I’m going to give you a brief low-down on what it is. NXCAM is Sony’s all-new product name for their entirely new Sony digital video production system. It’s not DV or HDV, it’s not XDCAM EX, it’s something else entirely. NXCAM is Sony’s AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) camcorder system, but there’s a difference: this is Sony’s ‘Professional’ AVCHD camcorder system. Until now Sony haven’t had any serious-level AVCHD products; quite surprising considering Sony jointly invented the AVCHD codec with Panasonic. But all that is about to change with their first professional hand-held AVCHD camcorder; the HXR-NX5E, under the all-new NXCAM brand.

WHAT IS AVCHD?

If you’re not familiar with the new AVCHD codec I’ve outlined some of its technologies with some direct comparisons to the tape-based HDV codec.

Announced in 2006 by Sony and Panasonic, this new industry-standard format is now supported by more than 30 companies and implemented in numerous camcorders, NLE systems, and consumer HD playback devices.

The AVCHD codec is considerably more modern than the older HDV codec. It uses a variety of techniques to achieve greater efficiency than MPEG-2, especially at low bitrates and when dealing with difficult material. AVCHD should be capable of delivering really amazing results but we’ll get into real world performance later on.

What’s beyond debate is that HDV has a resolution of 1440x1080 and uses the MPEG-2 compression codec, while NXCAM on the other hand uses full 1920x1080 HD with the more modern MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec (H.264 is what Blu-ray and Sky HD broadcasts use). And of course AVCHD’s efficiency makes it ideal for tapeless operation: it uses SD (Secure Digital) and SD/HC (High Capacity) cards, Sony Memory Sticks and other solid-state flash drives such as Sony’s dedicated HXR-FMU128 128GB flash drive.

AVCHD has twice the compression efficiency and considerably improved video performance, especially at lower bitrates, over the older MPEG-2 compression algorithm used in the HDV codec. HDV uses a “constant” bit rate of 25 Mb/s whereas AVCHD camcorders such as the NX5 use a more efficient “variable” bit rate, with a maximum quality setting of 24 Mb/s.

In contrast with MPEG-2 (HDV), in which inter-frame compression based on the correlation between adjacent frames uses fixed blocks of 16x16 pixels, AVCHD divides the blocks into multi-sizes as small as 4x4 pixels. With this method, it is able to use large blocks to process images that show only slight changes on the screen, and smaller blocks to process images that have considerable change. This raises the accuracy of motion compensation, which in turn, boosts the quality of fast-motion images while increasing compression efficiency.

The recording capacity using the Sony HXR-NX5E onto a single 32GB Memory Stick or SD/HC card is as follows:

HD/FX (24Mbps) mode/Linear PCM audio/1920x1080 HD = 170 minutes.
HD/FH (17Mbps) Mode 1920x1080 HD = 255 minutes.
HD/HQ (9Mbps) Mode 1920x1080 HD = 385 minutes.
HD/LP (5Mbps) Mode 1920x1080 HD = 605 minutes.

WHO IS NXCAM FOR?

So who is NXCAM aimed at and where will it fit into the current marketplace? Having got up to speed with NXCAM and the new NX5 camcorder I would say that it is aimed at a somewhat varied marketplace including those who are currently using cameras such as Sony’s own Z5 for example, but who want to move over from tape to an affordable solid-state system, DVCAM users looking to move over to HD, those stepping up from consumer camcorders, event and wedding videographers, corporate video producers, SIV (Special Interest Videos) producers, independent low-budget filmmakers, and even TV ENG work and various documentary productions With regard to image quality, the new NX5 has a very high quality Sony G-lens, superb Exmor ClearVid CMOS sensors, and of course the more advanced AVCHD codec.

HXR-NX5E CAMCORDER

In a nutshell the NX5 is basically a Z5, but solid-state only. The cost is similar too. There are three key differences. The body is slightly shorter and stockier at the back end due to the fact that the NX5 has no tape-drive mechanism. On the back of the NX5 there are two card slots for Memory Stick cards (these slots also accept SD/HC cards too: nice). Also, on the side of the NX5 there is an area that accepts the bolt-on HXR-FMU128 flash drive. The FMU28 is a solid-state flash drive with a capacity of 128GB. This drive is an optional extra. Without it, the camcorder simply comes with a heavy duty plastic cover that locks securely into place neatly covering the socketry from the elements.

Other differences include an HD/SDI output and a GPS (Global Positioning System). From what I can gather, all the little buttons and dials are slightly larger and less fiddly than on the tape-based Z5. I suspect this is because there is no tape mechanism so there is more room on the body for a ‘neater’ and more ‘logical’ layout of switches. I’m glad to see that Sony has used larger switches and buttons on the NX5. Low-light shooters will be glad to know that the NX5 is approximately 1.5 stops better (minimum illumination 1.5-lux) than the older tape-based Z1. Even though the physical ‘form-factor’ of the NX5 is only slightly different from the Z5, overall, the lines of the NX5 just look sexier with sleeker lines and nicer curves; she’s a modern girl; oh baby!

The NX5 is the very latest in camcorder technology; it’s bang up to date with some superb state-of-the-art technologies and features.

Depending on who you speak to, different people have different views on what makes a decent image. Some will say it’s all about the bit-rate, others say it’s all in the glass, while some might even tell you it’s all in the sensors. Well, they are all wrong. It’s actually an amalgamation of all three - and other things. Sony recognises this fact and this is why the NX5 is so darn good; especially at this price range. It has a brand new lens, Sony’s own in-house designed G-lens. This lens first hit the market with the Z5. Then it has the very latest Exmor CMOS Sensors with ClearVid technology. Then finally the very latest AVCHD MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec, which has the job of processing the images taken from the G-lens and onto the Exmor sensors. Add to this Sony’s fastidious circuitry and it all adds up to a great image that is simply untouchable by the competition at this price level.

Just to clear up the confusion with the two models on the Sony web site. There is an NX5E and an NX5M; the latter need not concern you as it is not available in the UK or USA. The only difference is that the NX5M has no ‘GPS’ system built in. The reason is simple, in certain countries like Syria any device with GPS built in is banned; after all it is used in the military; think about it!