Sony Electronics Inc. announces the launch of the PXW-Z300, a handheld XDCam camcorder featuring 1/2-inch 4K 3-CMOS Exmor R sensors, the latest Bionz XR image processing engine, and a dedicated AI-processing unit. This model comes equipped with a professional lens system that includes three independent manual control rings. Designed for a wide range of applications including news, sports, corporate, faith, events, documentary, live programming, and reality, the new camcorder is planned to be available in fall 2025.
The PXW-Z300 combines exceptional image quality, a 17x optical zoom lens, and Electronic Variable ND filter, with versatile operational capabilities. In addition to high-quality 4K 60p recording, it features AI-powered subject recognition for precise autofocus performance. The camera introduces a new articulating Flexible LCD Arm for adaptable capturing styles and a Side V-Mount that allows smartphones or data transmitters to be securely attached.
According to Sony’s release, “The PXW-Z300 is the world's first camcorder to embed digital signatures directly into video files, enabling content authentication to address the evolving needs of the content creation industry, including the growing demand for content authenticity.”
The PXW-Z300's network functionality has been enhanced through improved communication device integration, which supports modern production workflows that utilize 5G and cloud technologies. This enables live streaming from shooting locations and efficient file transfer over networks.
“This latest camcorder has new enhancements, including content authenticity capabilities, that will be very beneficial for those in the news and production industry, whether they’re capturing action-packed content, breaking stories, or producing educational documentaries,” says Kento Sayama, Deputy Head, Media Segment, Imaging Solutions at Sony Electronics.
Imaging Performance and Operational Capabilities
The camcorder features 1/2-inch back-illuminated 4K 3-CMOS Exmor R sensors and the Bionz XR image processing engine, enabling excellent color separation, 4K 60p recording F12 sensitivity in High Sensitivity mode for 4K recordings and in Normal mode for HD recordings.
It incorporates a 17x optical zoom lens with F1.9 constant maximum aperture and three independent manual control rings for traditional camera operation.
By utilizing the digital extender function, individuals can achieve 1.5x zoom in 4K mode and up to 4x zoom in HD mode with minimal resolution degradation, making the camera suitable for a wide range of capturing scenarios, including news gathering and event documentation.
Additionally, the camera is equipped with an Electronic Variable ND filter that adjusts transmission from 1/4 to 1/128, along with optical image stabilization. This allows for brightness adjustment and stable capture when moving between locations with varying light conditions, such as from bright outdoor areas to dim interior spaces.
The PXW-Z300 incorporates a dedicated AI-processing unit in addition to its image processing engine. This enables high-precision subject (human) recognition based on face, eye, skeletal structure, and posture information. The system can maintain autofocus on subjects even when they are facing away from the camera or wearing facial coverings. It also features an auto-framing function that automatically adjusts composition to keep human subjects centered in the frame.
The camera also features a 3.5-inch high-brightness LCD monitor with approximately 2.76 million dots. It is designed for excellent visibility even in bright conditions and is significantly brighter than its predecessor, the PXW-Z280. It incorporates the newly developed Flexible LCD Arm with three-axis movement, which allows flexibility in adjusting the monitor's position and angle. This enables the camera to accommodate various shooting styles. Operators can adjust the viewing distance when capturing content with the camera on their shoulder, position the LCD monitor at the camera's optical center for stable waist-level capture, or flip it forward for self-recording.
Additionally, this camcorder will be offered as an all-in-one solution (VTK-Z300) that also includes wireless digital audio and accessories, such as a tripod and transport bag for capturing great video and audio on the go.
Enhanced Network Functions
The camera supports new workflows utilizing 5G and cloud technologies, allowing immediate transfer of recorded material from shooting locations and live streaming through smartphone or Wi-Fi/wired LAN connections. Recorded content can be transferred via network to cloud-based media sharing services or on-premises storage in high-quality, efficient formats. For proxy material transmission at lower bitrates, the camera newly supports the HEVC codec for higher quality and compression rates. Users can select between HEVC 9Mbps and HEVC 16Mbps. HEVC 6Mbps support is planned for future implementation. Additionally, it can transfer clips in chunk format (segmented recording) during shooting. This eliminates the need to remove media and transfer material after shooting, allowing editing to begin as material arrives.
The camera supports common video streaming protocols including RTMP/RTMPS and SRT, enabling live broadcasting from remote locations. By attaching Sony’s PDT-FP1 Portable Data Transmitter (sold separately) to the Side V-Mount and connecting it to the camera, users can simplify integration and achieve a more stable transmission of video material.
Furthermore, the PXW-Z300 utilizes cloud services such as Ci Media Cloud, a cloud-based solution for media collaboration through a paid separate contract. This allows the camera to support more immediate and efficient video production workflows with material sharing and collaboration among project members, and live streaming with multiple cameras when combined with Sony’s M2 Live Cloud Switcher.
Support for Various Recording Formats and Looks for Diverse Content Production
The PXW-Z300 supports various recording formats designed for a wide range of video production applications, including news footage and documentaries. It offers standard support for MXF file recording in formats adopted by the XDCAM series, such as MPEG HD422, XAVC Intra (4K/HD 4:2:2 10bit), and XAVC Long (4K 4:2:0 8bit/HD 4:2:2 10bit), as well as MP4 proxy recording in HEVC.
The camera also accommodates diverse looks. In addition to S-Cinetone, ITU709, and 709tone available in Sony’s Cinema Line series, XDCAM, and HDC series, it supports HLG Live, HLG Mild, HLG Natural, and user 3D LUTs. Users can import custom 3D LUTs (.cube files) from memory cards.
The camera is compatible with Sony’s mobile application Monitor & Control, which supports multi-camera shooting by allowing angle confirmation, camera settings adjustment, and remote operation from smartphones or tablet devices.
Additionally, the camcorder enables the recording of up to four channels of audio – including shotgun microphones and Sony’s UWP-series of wireless microphones – via XLR inputs and the Multi Interface shoe. Future support will provide proxy 4-channel audio recording.
Supports Recording of Authenticity Information in Video
The camera supports the C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) standard for recording authenticity information.
“It is the world's first camcorder capable of recording video with embedded digital signatures. By expanding authenticity initiatives from still images to video, Sony contributes to the growing need for improved content reliability demanded by news organizations in recent years,” the announcement states.
The PXW-Z300 is scheduled to be exhibited at the Beijing International Radio, TV & Film Exhibition 2025 (BIRTV), in Beijing, China, starting Tuesday, July 22, 2025. For more information, please visit https://pro.sony/ue_US/products/handheld-camcorders/pxw-z300 or sign up to receive updates https://na.info.pro.sony/Sign_up_for_information_PXW_Z300.html.
