Sony has announced the PXW-Z300. It features a 1/2-inch back-illuminated 4K 3-CMOS Exmor R sensors and the BIONZ XR image processing engine, and 4K 60p recording. The camera is being touted as Sony’s flagship handheld XDCAM camcorder with enhanced operational efficiency for newsgathering and production
The PXW-Z300 supports digital signature technology for video authentication, advanced networking capabilities, and AI-powered subject recognition. Sony states that it is ideal for a wide range of applications, including news, sports, corporate, events, documentary, live programming, and reality programmes. The new camcorder is planned to be available in fall 2025.
The PXW-Z300 is claimed to combine exceptional image quality, a 17x optical zoom lens, and Electronic Variable ND filter, with versatile operational capabilities. In addition to high-quality 4K 60p recording, it features AI-powered subject recognition for precise autofocus performance.
The dedicated AI Processing Unit enables accurate recognition of human subjects based on their anatomical structure, posture, and other information. It can recognize subjects even when they’re facing away from the camera, or when their face is not visible, such as when wearing a mask. It can even reliably recognize people that appear small due to their distance from the camera, and in situations where their face is angled to the camera, in shade or backlit. Moreover, the PXW-Z300 can automatically adjust composition to keep human subjects in the center of the frame. An evolved ATW (Auto Tracing White Balance) function helps ensure natural-looking white balance.
The dedicated AI-processing unit in addition to its image processing engine, enables high-precision subject (human) recognition based on face, eye, skeletal structure, and posture information. The system can maintain autofocus on subjects even when they are facing away from the camera or wearing facial coverings. It also features an auto-framing function that automatically adjusts composition to keep human subjects centered in the frame.
The camera also introduces a new articulating Flexible LCD Arm for adaptable capturing styles and a Side V-Mount that allows smartphones or data transmitters to be securely attached. The versatile V-Mount attachment on the side enables a smooth, integrated shooting setup. It’s easy to attach or detach devices such as the PDT-FP1 Portable Data Transmitter (sold separately), smartphone, mobile battery, audio receiver, or other third-party accessories via a 1/4-type screw adaptor.
The PXW-Z300 supports various recording formats designed for a wide range of video production applications, including news footage and documentaries. It offers standard support for MXF file recording in formats adopted by the XDCAM series, such as MPEG HD422, XAVC Intra (4K/HD 4:2:2 10bit), and XAVC Long (4K 4:2:0 8bit/HD 4:2:2 10bit), as well as MP4 proxy recording in HEVC.
In addition to S-Cinetone, ITU709, and 709tone available in Sony’s Cinema Line series, XDCAM, and HDC series, it supports HLG Live, HLG Mild, HLG Natural, and user 3D LUTs. Users can import custom 3D LUTs (.cube files) from memory cards.
The camera comes equipped with a 17x optical zoom with a F1.9 constant maximum aperture lens that includes three independent manual control rings. By utilizing the digital extender function, users can achieve 1.5x zoom in 4K mode and up to 4x zoom in HD mode with what Sony refers to as minimal degradation.
The camera is equipped with an Electronic Variable ND filter that adjusts light transmission from 1/4 to 1/128, and it also has optical image stabilization.
Users can simultaneously record full-resolution video and low-res proxies on two memory cards, or use relay recording for uninterrupted shooting. Dual card slots support both CFexpress Type A* and SDXC UHS-II/UHS-I memory cards.
*Camera does not support the CFexpress 4 standard.
Quickly charge BP-U35, BP-U70 or BP-U100 lithium-ion batteries using the BC-U1A or BC-U2A charger (batteries and charger sold separately). Swap batteries with other Sony camcorders, including PXW-Z280, Z200 and NX800, as well as FX9 and FX6 Cinema Line cameras.
The camera can be powered via an AC adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (PD). The locking mechanism reduces the risk of inadvertent USB cable disconnection, ensuring a reliable power supply*.
*Requires a cable and charger supporting at least 100 W (5 A/20 V).
The camera features a dust-proof and moisture-proof design for dependable performance. A built-in cooling fan and strategically placed air vents are separated from the electrical system, for effective heat dissipation to maintain optimum operating temperature.
A screen magnifier feature enlarges the menu screen with selectable magnification levels, based on the shooting environment and display content.
The PXW-Z300 is claimed to be the world’s first camcorder to embed digital signatures directly into video files, enabling content authentication to address the evolving needs of the content creation industry, including the growing demand for content authenticity.
The PXW-Z300’s network functionality has been enhanced through improved communication device integration, which supports modern production workflows that utilize 5G and cloud technologies. This enables live streaming from shooting locations and efficient file transfer over networks.
The camera also features a 3.5-inch high-brightness LCD monitor with approximately 2.76 million dots. It is claimed to provide excellent visibility even in bright conditions and is significantly brighter than its predecessor, the PXW-Z280.
The newly developed Flexible LCD Arm with three-axis movement allows flexibility in adjusting the monitor’s position and angle. Operators can adjust the viewing distance when capturing content with the camera on their shoulder, position the LCD monitor at the camera’s optical center for stable waist-level capture, or flip it forward for self-recording.
The camera supports new workflows utilizing 5G and cloud technologies, allowing immediate transfer of recorded material from shooting locations and live streaming through smartphone or Wi-Fi/wired LAN connections. Recorded content can be transferred via network to cloud-based media sharing services or on-premises storage in high-quality, efficient formats. For proxy material transmission at lower resolutions, the camera newly supports the HEVC codec, enabling higher quality and compression rates. Additionally, it can transfer clips in chunk format (segmented recording) during shooting. This eliminates the need to remove media and transfer material after shooting, allowing editing to begin as material arrives.
The camera also supports common video streaming protocols including RTMP/RTMPS and SRT, enabling live broadcasting from remote locations. By attaching Sony’s PDT-FP1 Portable Data Transmitter (sold separately) to the Side V-Mount and connecting it to the camera, users can simplify integration and achieve a more stable transmission of video material.
The PXW-Z300 can also utilize cloud services such as the cloud material transfer service “C3 Portal” and Sony’s “Ci Media Cloud”, a cloud-based solution for media collaboration. This allows the camera to support more immediate and efficient video production workflows, which include integration with news file-based systems, material sharing and collaboration among project members, and live streaming with multiple cameras when combined with Sony’s M2 Live Cloud Switcher.
The camera is compatible with Sony’s mobile application “Monitor & Control,” which supports multi-camera shooting by allowing angle confirmation, camera settings adjustment, and remote operation from smartphones or tablet devices.
Additionally, the camcorder enables the recording of up to four channels of audio – including shotgun microphones and Sony’s UWP-series of wireless microphones – via XLR inputs and the Multi Interface shoe. Future support will provide proxy 4-channel audio recording.
World’s first camcorder to support recording of authenticity information in video
The camera supports the C2PA standard for recording authenticity information. It is the world’s first camcorder capable of recording video with embedded digital signatures1. By expanding authenticity initiatives from still images to video, Sony contributes to the growing need for improved content reliability demanded by news organizations in recent years.
Pricong & Availability
The PXW-Z300 is scheduled to be exhibited at the Beijing International Radio, TV & Film Exhibition 2025 (BIRTV), in Beijing, China, starting Tuesday, July 22, 2025. There is no current information regarding pricing, but as a guide, the Sony PXW-Z200 retails for $4,348 USD.
