Sony launches cinematic PTZ camera, the FR7

Sony has launched a cinematic PTZ camera (the ILME-FR7) that captures filmic, shallow depth of field images. It’s the world’s first PTZ camera to combine a full-frame image sensor, lens interchangeability, and remote shooting functionality, says Sony.

Sony describes the FR7, which is the latest addition to Sony’s Cinema Line, as “cinematography meets robotics”.

The camera has a 35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor and uses E-mount lenses. It captures at 10.3 effective megapixels and 15+ stops of latitude. It also delivers high sensitivity that enables ISO to be expanded up to 409,600 when shooting in low light. The FR7 has dual media slots that support CFexpress Type A and SDXC memory cards, and can also output raw images, including slow mo (up to 4K 120p), onto external devices.

It can use a wide range of lenses, including lenses for the Sony Venice, although, due to the small size of the camera body, some of the larger E-mount Zoom lenses will be too big and heavy to be mounted securely to the FR7.

A number of pre-set scene files are included, such as S-Cinetone for natural mid-tones, for healthy-looking skin colour, plus soft colours and ‘gorgeous’ highlights. 

Sony is pitching it at most genres of production, for multi-camera reality shows, events, music videos and so on, and also for capturing images from unusual angles.

The FR7 can memorise up to 100 camera position presets. Sony has created a new web interface for remote control of the camera via a web browser, which provides zoom, pan and tilt controls and access to the PTZ memory pre-sets. For focusing, you can touch on an object on screen and it will keep focus on that object. You connect the camera to the browser by scanning a QR code on the back of the camera.

It is also possible to use the Sony RM-IP500 hardware controller instead.

Sony says the FR7 provides the most smooth movement of any PTZ camera on the market. It also says the camera has a very quiet operation, making it possible to use it to capture video during a radio broadcast, for example.

The FR7 will be around £11k, and the FR7K, which comes with a SELP 28135G lens, will be approximately £12.5k. The cameras will be available at the end of September, start of October.

Christian Branteghem, solutions specialist, live production at Sony Professional Solutions Europe, told Broadcast: “There’s a huge demand for the cinema look. Sony has the number one market position for the cinematic look, with the F55, Venice 1 and 2 and the FX range, and there’s a big demand for the shallow depth of field look, for Netlix and other broadcasters.

“Many people have been waiting for new PTZ cameras from Sony and we’ve been in discussions for the last two years to plan and design this type of solution. If we’re introducing a new PTZ, it makes sense to add the cinematic look.”

Branteghem is slightly cautious about the mass availability of the camera on launch, saying: “There may not be enough stock in September or October for big productions, but we’re hoping they will be available in good numbers.”

Norbert Paquet, head of live production, Sony Europe, added: “The cinematic look and feel is fast becoming the norm in broadcasting and live production as it opens up new ways to tell a narrative. In parallel, especially in the last two years, we’ve seen a steep rise in content created remotely or in small locations where access is difficult. This new camera, the FR7, will answer both these trends in the market with its PTZ and Cinematic features.”

The FR7 will be showcased for the first time on Sony’s booth at IBC 2022 in Amsterdam from 9-12 September.