Sony PMW-EX3 XDCAM EX

Pros: Interchangeable lens. Amazing viewfinder. Superb picture quality. Versatile shape and frame rates. Accepted by major broadcast companies for full productions.
Cons: Precarious position of the viewfinder. Sometimes hard to operate, especially if you have big sized hands.

Though I don't have The Sony PMW-EX3 yet (just trying from a rental nearby), I can assure myself this is my new favorite camera, and will probably stay that way for a long time (yet I know the speed of technology growth will negate my saying soon enough). The EX3 is the perfect combination of quality, versatility, size, and price. Retailing not more than $8,400 , we can call it the first true professional camcorder under $10k.

The EX3 is an upgrade from its very popular brother, Sony XDCAM PMW-EX1. The differences, in order of importance are: the EX3 can use interchangeable lenses, the EX3 has a magnificent viewfinder (I'll tell you why I call it magnificent later), and the last is that the EX3 doesn't have the bugs from the early productions of the EX1. The downsides, though it's minimum, still need to be mentioned that the EX3 viewfinder is now perched off to the side and seems prone to breakage, and the price is $2k more expensive than the EX1. But for wildlife and nature work, its obvious; go with the EX3 over the EX1, in fact, over any other camera you can find.

Interchangeable Lens
This feature is a winner, and that's a major plus because the default lens that is 14x Fujinon lens, although of exceptional quality (and amazing in low light), is barely adequate for wildlife. To change a lens simply release a lens lock button and then turn a lever upward while holding the lens. Pull the stock lens strait out (i.e., directly away from the camera). Reverse the steps to afix a new lens. Fortunately, lens can be changed while the camera is mounted on most rail or other support systems. The camera comes with a 1/2" adapter for standard Sony bayonet lens. Many wildlife videographers are puchasing third party adapters that allow the use of Nikon SLR lens (make sure its a lens with a manual diaphram ring). The use of such lens will increase your magnification by about 5-fold. I tested my EX3 on a Sigma 50-500 and the quality was amazing. The wider angles come in handy for finding your target before you zoom in on it. Of course, you will be on full manual mode with the use of such lens (what Sony calls "non-exclusive lens").

Magnificent Viewfinder
Imagine if you can open viewfinder of a camera and inside you can see an LCD, both have extraordinary resolution. Yes, the EX3 has this new kind of viewfinder, and you can now trust your viewfinder and your LCD when you want to focus your picture, because of it's amazing quality. The only downside is that the large viewfinder sets off to the side of the camera, connected at only one spot. It seems prone to breakage. Also, the unit may not fit as easily into your bag as the EX1 or many other models.

Like the EX1, the EX3 uses SxS memory cards. However, unlike earlier versions of the EX1 the EX3 comes ready to handle 32gb cards. In addition, the EX3 can use Kensington adapters and SDHC cards (such as those by Transcend and SanDisk) in the card slots, and with the doors completely close (unlike the EX1). These cards/adapters cost only about one-fifth the cost of SxS cards (but you can't overcrank at 1280x720 60fps with the adapters). I've had no problem with the adapters and I strongly recommend having a collection of them in your bag. The EX3 also has a hot shoe on the back for peripherals such as the Sony PHU-60k hard drive, but to be honest, I think a bag full of adapter cards is a cheaper and better solution.

The "chainsaw" shape of the EX3 allows for shoulder-mounted shooting by use of an extendable shoulder pad and/or a cheek pad. The shoulder pad is made of a foam-like material; it will be interesting to see how it holds up over time.

In summary, this camera sets a new standard for professional video. Canon, Panasonic, and JVC have their work cut out for them. With a decent lens this is an excellent camera for nature and wildlife work.

image source: www.testfreaks.com, www.dvuser.co.uk