Sony unveils PXW-Z300 4K handheld XDCAM camcorder for news production – Camera Jabber

Sony has expanded its XDCAM line-up with the launch of the PXW-Z300, a new flagship handheld camcorder designed to meet the evolving needs of broadcast news, documentary, and event producers. Announced today in Weybridge, UK, the PXW-Z300 brings several industry firsts and a suite of advanced features to the table, positioning it as a powerful tool for professionals requiring mobility, operational efficiency, and uncompromising image quality.

At the heart of the PXW-Z300 is a trio of 1/2-inch 4K 3-CMOS Exmor R sensors, paired with Sony’s latest BIONZ XR image processing engine and a dedicated AI-processing unit. The result is excellent colour fidelity, low-light performance, and 4K 60p recording, enabling users to capture action-packed content or breaking news with high clarity. The camera’s 17x optical zoom lens with a constant F1.9 aperture, three independent manual control rings, and electronic variable ND filter allows for precise and flexible shooting in a variety of environments.

One of the headline features is its AI-powered subject recognition, which offers face, eye, skeletal, and posture detection. This enables the camcorder to keep subjects in sharp focus—even when they are turned away or wearing masks—and supports an auto-framing function to automatically adjust composition during capture. These AI capabilities will be invaluable for dynamic news and event coverage where unpredictability is the norm.

A significant innovation is the PXW-Z300’s digital signature technology, making it the world’s first camcorder to embed digital signatures directly into video files for content authentication. This addresses the rising demand for content verification in news and production, building trust in an era increasingly focused on authenticity.

The camcorder’s networking features have been considerably enhanced, supporting direct cloud uploads, live streaming, and fast file transfers via 5G, Wi-Fi, or wired LAN. Compatibility with Sony’s C3 Portal and Ci Media Cloud services, plus the ability to attach a smartphone or Sony’s PDT-FP1 data transmitter, ensures the PXW-Z300 can fit seamlessly into modern, remote, and collaborative workflows.

A newly designed Flexible LCD Arm with a 3.5-inch high-brightness monitor increases usability for a range of shooting styles, while support for a wide array of recording formats (including MXF, XAVC, MPEG HD422, and MP4 HEVC proxies) ensures compatibility with industry-standard editing systems. The PXW-Z300 also supports up to four channels of audio, with flexible input options for shotgun and wireless microphones.

Scheduled for public debut at the Beijing International Radio, TV & Film Exhibition (BIRTV) 2025, the PXW-Z300 aims to deliver a comprehensive, future-ready solution for field production teams worldwide.

Sony PXW-Z300 Specifications:

• Sensor: Three 1/2-inch 4K Exmor R CMOS sensors
• Image processor: BIONZ XR with dedicated AI unit
• Lens: 17x optical zoom, F1.9 constant aperture, 3 manual rings
• ND filter: Electronic variable (1/4 to 1/128)
• Recording: 4K 60p, HD up to 4x digital zoom, XAVC Intra/Long, MPEG HD422, MP4 HEVC
• LCD monitor: 3.5-inch, approx. 2.76 million dots, Flexible LCD Arm
• Autofocus: AI-powered subject (human) recognition, auto-framing
• Network: 5G, Wi-Fi, wired LAN, cloud workflows, live streaming (RTMP/RTMPS, SRT)
• Audio: 4 channels, XLR inputs, Multi Interface shoe
• Authentication: Digital signature, C2PA standard
• Other: Side V-Mount for smartphone/transmitter, up to four audio channels

Sony PXW-Z300 price and availability:

The Sony PXW-Z300 is expected to be available in autumn 2025, with pricing yet to be officially confirmed. For the latest updates, potential buyers can visit the official product page at https://pro.sony/products/handheld-camcorders/pxw-z300. Pricing is anticipated to be competitive with other flagship XDCAM models, and will be listed in both pounds and US dollars upon release.