User manual
Sony PMW-F55 CineAlta 4K Digital Cinema

User Manual for Sony PMW-F55 CineAlta 4K Digital Cinema Camera with ProRes and DNxHD Codec Board

• Product category: Digital Cine Cameras Sony
• Brand: Sony
• Description and content of package
• Technical information and basic settings
• Frequently asked questions – FAQ
• Troubleshooting (does not switch on, does not respond, error message, what do I do if...)
• Authorized service for Sony Digital Cine Cameras

Product description

8.9MP Super 35mm CMOS Image Sensor
• With 8.9 effective megapixels (11.6 total MP), the Sony 4K CMOS sensor captures a true 4K 4096 x 2160 DCI-standard cinema image. The sensor approximates the size of traditional 2-perf, Super 35mm motion picture film, allowing cinematographers to use their favorite lenses on the F55 without a significant disparity in apparent angle of view.

Internal 4K/2K/HD Recording
• The F55 CineAlta camera incorporates high-speed SxS PRO+ memory card recording that allows the choice of 8-bit MPEG-2 HD422 at 50 Mb/s, 10-bit XAVC 2K/HD at 100 Mb/s, SR Codec 10-bit MPEG4 SStP at 220/440/880 Mb/s, and XAVC 4K/QFHD at 300 Mb/s. All formats can be recorded at a range of interlace and progressive frame rates. Some recording settings will require a free firmware upgrade.

Electronic Global Shutter
• Traditional CMOS sensors employ what is commonly known as a "rolling shutter." The F55 is among the first digital motion picture cameras with a global shutter, which completely eliminates motion skew and other rolling shutter distortions.

Highly Modular Design
• In addition to the AXS-R5 recorder, a digital interface on the F55 allows for a variety of optional viewfinders. The DVF-EL100 is a 0.7" OLED viewfinder with 1280 x 720 resolution. The DVF-L350 is a 3.5" LCD viewfinder with 960 x 540 resolution, and the eyepiece flips up for direct monitoring. The DVF-L700 is a 7" LCD viewfinder with 1920 x 1080 resolution for monitoring Full HD pixel-for-pixel. Other modular components include the optional Sony shoulder rig, which features industry-standard rosettes on both sides for quick and easy attachment of third-party handgrips and other accessories.

Optional AXS-R5 "Bolt-On" Recorder
• The AXS-R5 recorder, sold separately, is designed to dock onto the rear of the PMW-F55 to enable 4K and 2K resolution video recording in 16-bit raw. The AXS-R5 also facilitates high-speed frame rates of up to 240 fps in 2K and simultaneous raw + onboard SxS recording. The recorder uses Sony's newly developed AXSM memory cards, which are compatible with an optional USB 3.0 reader (AXS-CR1). Raw files can be screened using Sony's free RAW Viewer software.

ProRes and DNxHD Codec Board
• The factory-installed ProRes and DNxHD Codec Board provides additional support for Apple ProRes and DNxHD with the PMW-F55, PMW-F55LIVE, and PMW-F5 CineAlta cameras. This codec board supports ProRes 4444 12-bit Full HD, ProRes 422 (HQ) 10-bit Full HD, ProRes 422 10-bit Full HD, DNxHD 220x 10-bit Full HD, and DNxHD 145 8-bit Full HD at a variety of frame rates. Camera firmware update version 5.0 or higher is required.

Native FZ Mount and PL Mount Adapter
• The F55 is designed to accommodate a wide range of lenses. With the PL mount adapter, you can take advantage of acclaimed cine optics from Angénieux, Canon, Zeiss, Cooke, Fujifilm, Leica, and more. Slip off the supplied PL mount adapter to reveal the native FZ mount with an 18mm flange focal distance. The FZ mount provides an interface for native FZ lenses like Sony's SCL-Z18X140 autofocus servo zoom lens, or a range of adapters for still lenses including Canon EF, Canon FD, Nikon F, Leica M, and more.

Dynamic Range Rated at 14 Stops
• The ability to render a range of exposure values from deepest shadows to brightest highlights is a crucial test of any digital camera. The F55 is capable of an impressive 14 stops of exposure latitude, low-light sensitivity, and low noise in the blacks. The digital sensor's dynamic range approaches that of traditional motion picture film.

Wider Color Gamut than Film
• The F55 incorporates the same advanced color filter array technology as Sony's flagship F65, for a color gamut that is even wider than motion picture film.

SxS Pro+ Media Cards
• Onboard recording of XAVC 4K and 180 fps XAVC 2K/HD requires high data rate recording media. The F55 will use Sony's 64 and 128GB SxS PRO+ memory cards. A 128GB card will provide enough space for approximately 40 minutes of 4K video in the XAVC Intra 422 format.

Intuitive One-Touch Interface
• Designed with significant input from cinematographers, the F55 features an intuitive interface for a range of controls. Instead of diving through menus, you get direct one-touch access to key shooting parameters including frame rate, shutter speed, color temperature, ISO sensitivity, and gamma. Assignable buttons mean that your favorite adjustments are always at your fingertips.

Real-Time 4K Output and Other Vital Connections
• The F55 supports real-time 4K output to a compatible monitor via four 3G-SDI outputs. There is also HDMI, USB, DC input, a removable XLR audio module, and a removable time code/genlock module. The XLR inputs accept balanced analogue signals, provide 48V phantom power, and will accept four channels of AES/EBU digital audio with an expected firmware upgrade.

Long-Life Olivine Battery and Quick Charger
• The F55 takes advantage of Sony's BP-FL75 battery pack, which uses olivine lithium iron phosphate instead of conventional lithium-ion cathodes. The result is a substantial increase in charge/discharge cycles, compared to previous Sony batteries. The olivine battery works with Sony's BC-L90 quick charger. The camera is also compatible with Sony's BP-GL95A, GL65A, L80S, and L60S batteries, which use the BC-L70 and L160 chargers.

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Technical parameters

Sony PMW-F55 Specs

Lens Mount	Sony FZ Mount PL Mount
Shutter Speed	1/24 to 1/6000 sec
Shutter Angle	4.2 to 360 Rating 80% users recommend this product to others. And what about you? This product has already been rated by 22 owners. Add your rating and experience with the product. Discussion Ask our technicians if you have a problem with your settings, or if anything is unclear in the user manual you have downloaded. You can make use of our moderated discussion. The discussion is public and helps other users of our website who may be encountering similar problems. The discussion is empty - enter the first post Post a new topic / query / comment: Items marked with * are required. Your name *: E-mail : Subject *: Message *: Your email address will not be displayed. Do not forget to fill it in if you want to receive a reply to your enquiry/contribution. Processing of personal data in accordance with GDPR