Sony has announced the release of two new models to their XDCAM EX line of professional camcorders - the PMW350 and the PMWEX1R...

Sony has announced the release of two new models to their XDCAM EX line of professional camcorders - the PMW350 and the PMWEX1R.

The PMW350 is an entirely new camcorder from Sony and it is the company's first memory-based camcorder to include a 2/3-inch sensor.

The shoulder-mounted PMW350 offers full 1920 x 1080 HD recording, includes professional connectivity options (including Timecode-in/out, Genlock-in/out, HD-SDI, and HDMI-output). The PMW350 features a 2/3-inch bayonet lens mounting system, and the camcorder can be packaged with a 16x optical zoom kit lens. The kit lens offers automatic lens aberration compensation, three independent control rings, and a focal length of 8 - 128mm. The camcorder will also be available without the kit lens. The PMW350 is expected to be available in January 2010.

Sony's other announcement, the PMWEX1R, is an upgrade to a previous XDCAM model, the PMWEX1. The new EX1R features a DVCAM recording capability (for standard definition recording), an HDMI output, a higher-resolution viewfinder, and a number of design alterations to improve comfort and control. The PMWEX1R features a hand-held design, does not have an interchangeable lens system, and will be available in December 2009.

To improve compatibility with Sony's XDCAM HD 422 models, both of these new camcorders offer 1440 x 1080 record modes at 35Mbps in addition to their Full HD and DVCAM recording options.

Sony also announced the MEADMS01 adapter, which is compatible with both the PMW350 and PMWEX1R, as a method for expanding the recording media options for XDCAM camcorders. The MEADMS01 adapter enables you to record to Sony's Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX memory cards as a backup recording option if you happen to run out of space on your SxS memory cards.

Sony also made some updates to its supplied editing software, Clip Browser, in order to accommodate for the new models. Clip Browser version 2.6 features support for new recording formats and the ability to display metadata while viewing clips.