Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 13, 2011. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Sony’s 8K image sensor with around 20 megapixels is intended to provide high fidelity, according to the manufacturer, while 16-bit RAW output clears the way for a complete end-to-end 4K workflow.
At the heart of the F65 is Sony’s newly developed S35mm-format 8K CMOS sensor (total pixel count around 20 million), which already delivers native 2K and 4K resolutions today. Resolutions above 4K will also be possible in future. With the base resolution of Sony’s S35 CMOS sensor (8K x 2K), the RGB colour channels achieve twice the resolution values compared with a normal 4K Bayer sensor. This is particularly beneficial for digital effects work and colour grading.
The 8K CMOS sensor records at up to 120 frames/s. The sensor performance and 16-bit RAW output format make the F65 an image-acquisition system that meets the Academy IIF-ACES standard. Sony designed the F65 for various production applications. With its compact, lightweight, detachable camera head, the camcorder is suitable for use in 3D rigs and Steadicams. In addition, an optional mechanical rotary shutter eliminates any motion artefacts that can occur with CMOS sensors. Overall, the F65 is intended to be smaller and lighter than the F35.
With the dockable SR-Memory recorder SR-R4, the F65 can record data at up to 5 Gb/s directly to an SR memory card. These storage media are available in 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB capacities. The recorder enables high-speed recording of 16-bit RAW data. At 24 frames/s, a 1 TB memory card can record 50 minutes of 4K material in 16-bit RAW.