By using a 64gb 95/mb/s card in the this camera, you can record in the XAVC HD codec instead of the AVCHD codec.
The differences are that you will record at 50mbs instead of 35mbs and you will be recording in 4:2:2 10 bit instead of 4:2:0 8 bit.
If you shoot a scene correctly in both codecs and compare them on a screen, you will not see a lot of difference at first , but the image will hold up much better when you make changes in colour correction and your keys against a green screen will be more effective.
This is also a better setting to record high speed footage at 50 frames per second (50p) as you need a higher bitrate.
The BBC minimum requirement for data acquisition is 50mbs a second.., so if you were commissioned to shoot material for broadcast, the majority of the content of production has to be 50mbs or above.
The second SD card in the camera holds the picture profile that I use every time I shoot with the Sony X70.
Whilst it is not a true Log setting, it is a flatter and softer image with less saturation and detail than the default Sony which looks quite ‘video like’.
It also sets the assignable buttons 1 and 2 on the side set of the camera to Zebra and Focus peaking.
I have the Zebra set to 70 % which is a safe way to set your exposure on the brighter parts of the human face (cheekbones, forehead etc) . This camera does not look good when overexposed, particularly on skin tones.
Put the smaller SD card into slot A ( the front one)
Press menu on the side of the camera
Scroll down to the ‘OTHERS’ which looks like a chest of drawers.
Go down two lines to ‘CAMERA PROFILE’
Choose ‘MEMORY CARD A’
Choose ‘LOAD’
Choose 01 which will have a long code in yellow on the right hand
Choose YES (Reboot after settings)
The camera will reboot, then will remind you that you need use an XAVC card, which is supplied as well.
Put this in and format.
Scroll down to ‘REC/OUT SET’
Choose’ REC SET’
‘FILE FORMAT’ ‘XAVC HD’
‘REC FORMAT’
1080/25p 50Mbps (for a film look or 1080/50i 50 mbps for a TV ‘live” look or
1080/50p 50Mbps for high speed to be slowed down later in an editing package)
RETURN then out of menu
Written by FR