Latin America. Sony launched the PXW-Z300, a flagship 4K XDCAM handheld camcorder with three 1/2" Exmor R® CMOS sensors, the latest BIONZ XR™ image processor and a dedicated AI processing unit. This model comes equipped with a professional lens system that includes three independent manual control rings.
The new camcorder is ideal for applications including news, sports, corporate use, events, religious ceremonies, documentaries, live shows and reality shows, and is scheduled to launch in autumn 2025.
The PXW-Z300 camcorder combines exceptional image quality, 17x optical zoom lens and variable ND electronic filter, with versatile operational capabilities. In addition to high-quality 4K 60p recording, it features the AI-powered subject recognition feature to achieve accurate autofocus performance. The camcorder introduces a flexible LCD arm that articulates to accommodate different shooting styles, and its side V-mount mechanism allows smartphones or data transmitters to be securely attached.
The PXW-Z300 is the first camcorder to insert digital signatures directly into video files, enabling material to be authenticated to meet the evolving needs of the content creation industry, which increasingly demands content authenticity.
The network functionality of the PXW-Z300 camcorder has been revamped through improved integration of communication devices, supporting modern production workflows using 5G and cloud technologies. This allows you to stream live from recording locations and transfer files over the network efficiently.
"This latest camcorder has new enhancements, such as content authenticity capabilities, that will be very beneficial for those working in the news and production industry, whether they are capturing action content or breaking stories, or producing educational documentaries," said Kento Sayama, deputy director of the media segment for Imaging Solutions at Sony Electronics.
Versatile image performance and operational capabilities
The camcorder features three 1/2" back-illuminated 4K ExmorR CMOS sensors and the BIONZ XR image processor, enabling excellent color separation, F12 sensitivity, and 4K 60p recording.
The camcorder incorporates a 17x optical zoom lens with constant F1.9 maximum aperture and three independent manual control rings to operate the camcorder in a traditional way.
By using the digital extender feature, users can achieve 1.5x zoom in 4K mode and up to 4x zoom in HD mode with minimal image degradation, making the camcorder ideal for a wide variety of recording situations, such as newsgathering and event documentation.
In addition, the camcorder comes equipped with a variable electronic neutral density (ND) filter that seamlessly adjusts transmission from 1/4 to 1/128, along with optical image stabilization. This allows for uniform brightness adjustment and stable capture when changing locations and different lighting conditions, for example, when moving from a brightly lit outdoor area to a dimly lit indoor space.
The PXW-Z300 camcorder features a dedicated AI processing unit for its image processor. This allows (human) subjects to be recognized with great precision based on information about the face, eyes, bone structure and posture. The system can maintain autofocus on subjects, even when they are away from the camcorder or with their faces covered. In addition, the camcorder has an auto-framing function that automatically adjusts the composition to keep human subjects centered in the frame.
The camcorder also has a 3.5-inch LCD screen and high brightness level, with approximately 2.76 million dots. It offers excellent visibility, even in very bright conditions, and has a brightness much higher than that of its predecessor, the PXW-Z280. It incorporates a new flexible LCD arm with three axes of motion, which provides flexibility to adjust the position and angle of the screen. This allows the camcorder to adapt to various recording styles. Operators can adjust the viewing distance when capturing content with the camcorder on their shoulder, place the LCD screen in the optical center of the camcorder for stable capture at waist level, or rotate it forward to record themselves.
Moreover, this camcorder will be offered as an all-in-one solution (VTK-Z300) that also includes accessories and wireless digital audio, such as a tripod and a carrying bag to capture excellent audiovisual material anywhere.
Enhanced network features
The camcorder supports new workflows using 5G and cloud technologies, allowing for immediate transfer of recorded footage from recording locations and live streaming via smartphones or Wi-Fi or wired LAN connections.
Recorded content can be transferred over the network to cloud-based content sharing services or local storage facilities in efficient, high-quality formats. To stream proxy material at lower resolutions, the camcorder supports the HEVC codec, allowing for higher compression rates and higher quality. In addition, you can transfer clips in fragmented format (segmented recording) during recording. This eliminates the need to erase content and transfer material after recording, and allows editing to begin as soon as the material arrives.
The camcorder supports common video streaming protocols, such as RTMP/RTMPS and SRT, making it possible to stream live from remote locations. By placing the Sony PDT-FP1 portable data transmitter on the side V-mount and connecting it to the camcorder, users can simplify integration and achieve more stable transmission of video footage.
In addition, the PXW-Z300 camcorder uses networked services such as Ci Media Cloud, a cloud-based content collaboration solution. This allows for more immediate and efficient video production workflows, material sharing and collaboration between members of each project, and live streaming with multiple camcorders when also using the M2 Live Cloud switcher.
Recording authenticity information in the video
The camcorder supports the C2PA standard for recording material authenticity information. It is the world's first camcorder that can record video with digital signatures inserted1. By extending authenticity initiatives from photos to videos, Sony is contributing to the growing need for greater content reliability that media organizations have been demanding in recent years.
The PXW-Z300 camcorder will be exhibited at the 2025 Beijing International Radio, Film and Television Exhibition, in Beijing, China, from Tuesday, July 22, 2025. For more information, visit https://pro.sony/ls_MX.
