P+S Technik PS-Cam X35 speeds in

P+S Technik's new PS-Cam X35 combines the benefits of sync-sound and higher speed rates into a single, flexible digital camera, which can record at any speed from 1-450 frames per second.

It has a Super-35 CMOS sensor with global shutter (which avoids rolling shutter jello effects), base sensitivity of 640 ISO, dynamic range of 11 stops, and HD-SDI outputs (1.5 or 3Gbps). Onboard memory (18GB) records more than four minutes in normal speed or 40 seconds at 150fps. It will also deliver 24-60fps shooting via its HD-SDI output.

"The PS-Cam X35 is the first film-style digital cinematography camera made for the DAILY creative use of various kinds of special speed and motion effects (slow motion, fast motion, ramped motion and time lapse)," the company claimed.

It is "a proper all-purpose sync sound camera" and "an exciting alternative for crews and producers who want to make the leap from film to digital as seamlessly as possible while having motion effects capability with their main camera package at their fingertips." It means the main camera can be used for any motion effects footage without the additional cost of a separate high-speed camera and technician.

It will take just about any type of lens thanks to the PS-IMS (interchangeable mount system), which can accept a wide range of cine, TV and stills lenses.

It will initially record uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 HD, with both 10-bit 4:4:4 uncompressed and 12-bit RAW uncompressed planned future options, and P+S is working with Codex Digital, whose Onboard Recorder can be used with the camera and subsequently generate whatever editing formats might be needed, such as Avid's DNxHD, Apple ProRes or DPX. Price should be about €58,000.

This is the first camera that is a 100% P+S Technik product (it co-developed and manufactured the Weisscams and SI-2K). It will compete with the likes of the Red Epic and Weisscam's upcoming T-1, as the whole area of higher-speed cameras begins to open up.

There is an interesting blog post about the X35 from Joel Bergvall (director, DoP, editor, etc.), who had the chance to try out the prototype on a shoot and goes into a lot of detail. He also has a "Thank You For Not Smoking" commercial shot with the camera on another post.

Related post: P+S Technik to launch PS-Cam X35

By David Fox