The PXW-Z90 offers broadcast-quality 4K with advanced features such as high-speed auto focus, Instant HDR workflow, up to 960fps* super-slow motion and streaming at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz** with QoS.

*960fps (NTSC). 1000fps (PAL).

**5 GHz support dependent on support from country/regional regulation.

First professional palm camcorder with 4K HDR

The PXW-Z90 is the first professional palm-sized camcorder to deliver stunning 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) content with Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) file-based workflows. S-Log3 is also supported, enabling you to create beautiful imagery with a wide color gamut and color range.

*3840 x 2160 pixels. Connect this product to HDR (HLG) compatible TV via HDMI cable and turn to HDR (HLG) mode by TV when displaying 4K QFHD movies.

Express your vision beyond realtime motion

High Frame Rate shots can turn everyday actions into slow motion ballet and the PXW-Z90 delivers a stunning 120 frames per second (fps) in Full HD XAVC 10bit 4:2:2, giving you continuous five-times slow motion expression. Higher frame rates up to 960fps using S&Q motion cache recording are also possible for even greater creative flexibility. *960fps (NTSC). 1000fps (PAL). **120fps (NTSC)/100fps (PAL).

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, whilst 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 30 p / 25 p / 24 p, XAVC HD Long GOP 422 50 Mbps, MPEGHD422 50 Mbps*, MPEGHD420 35 Mbps and AVCHD.

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

Networked for high mobility

The PXW-Z90 comes with 5 GHz* and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi as standard – simply turn on and log onto your preferred network to enable a host of advanced wireless production features:

• Ustream® Direct Streaming allows you to share scenes as they happen with high-quality picture and sound without a switcher
• QoS Streaming to XDCAM air allows images to be streamed live from the camcorder for viewing at a remote location
• FTP Transfer allows content files recorded with MPEG HD 422/420 proxy feature (CBKZ-SLMP required) and other content files shot in XAVC (QFHD/FHD) and AVCHD formats to be sent over the internet for remote storage on an FTP server
• XDCAM air can upload proxy footage to the cloud from multiple camera operators in the field, so editing can start immediately. Uploaded content can be accessed securely from any location. News teams can even start logging clips while shooting’s still going on, saving even more valuable time when a story’s breaking
• Wi-Fi/NFC (Near Field Communication) with Content Browser Mobile™ allows the PXW-Z90 to be remotely controlled from a smartphone or tablet computer (iOS 9.0 – 10.3 or Android 4.4 through 7.1) via a Wi-Fi connection. One-touch authentication is also possible with smartphones that offer NFC connectivity
• Wired LAN connection allows the PXW-Z90 to be connected to the internet over a wired connection via the separately available VMC-UAM2 USB adapter cable and network adapter kit (CBK-NA1), allowing files to be streamed or transferred by FTP

*5 GHz support dependent on country/regional regulation.

*The Content Browser Mobile™ application can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or App Store. Wi-Fi operation cannot be guaranteed with all smartphones and tablet computers.

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 2359 K dot OLED viewfinder and 3.5-type 1550 K 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.

Dual XLR inputsr

The Z90 has two XLR connectors – so even if you remove the handle with its standard, easy-access XLR connector then a second on the body is still available, making it ideal for applications such as shooting in a confined space, such as a car interior, or when mounting on a gimbal.

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. The camcorder can connect to the optional RM-30BP and MCX-500 Multi Camera Live Producer to form a simple live solution.

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.

Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe

The PXW-Z90 takes advantage of Sony’s flexible Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe, which provides power, signal connections and coordinated on/off switching to compatible Sony accessories. For example, you can connect and control Sony UWP-D wireless microphone systems (sold separately). Please note that to use the MI-Shoe, the XLR handle must be removed.

Wide choice of connections

The PXW-Z90 offers numerous connections to suit the broadcast workflow, including 3G HD-SDI, HDMI®, Multi/Micro USB jack and composite output. The Rec Trigger signal can be sent through SDI and HDMI to link an external recording device. HDMI/SDI/composite output is possible during QFHD recording*.

*HDMI supports up QFHD resolution, 3G-SDI supports up to HD resolution. Composite is SD-only.

Simple live solution

The PXW-Z90 is designed to work seamlessly with Sony’s MCX-500 Multi Camera Live Producer, a robust and cost-effective switcher that makes it easy for one person to run a multi-camera live event shoot. When used with the MCX-500 and Remote Commander RM-30BP, a Tally indicator will automatically appear on each PXW-Z90’s LCD panel and viewfinder – a red icon indicates when the shot is live (PGM) while green indicates preview mode (PVW). The MCX-500 supports up to nine video inputs, five channel stereo inputs including XLR with both internal recording and live streaming via Ustream™, Facebook Live, and YouTube Live*.

*Facebook Live and YouTube Live available with V2.0 firmware.

Easily synchronize multiple camcorders

When shooting with multiple camcorders, you can synchronize the timecode of each camcorder using Content Browser Mobile™ (CBM) smartphone application* with optional CBKZ-WTCL upgrade. With this feature, all camcorders can synchronize to the primary camcorder you select or to a manually set time – whichever you prefer.

*Version 3.0 Content Browser Mobile™ required, which is compatible with iOS 9.0 – 10.3 or Android 4.4 through 7.1.