The new Sony SRG-A40 and SRG-A12 aren’t too exciting for filmmakers, but the technology they offer has piqued our interest.
In a world where remote production and transmission are becoming increasingly important, reliable and efficient cameras are essential. Sony has once again come out on top with its latest offerings – the Sony SRG-A40 and Sony SRG-A12 PTZ cameras.
But while cinematographers and filmmakers might not be too keen on these new tools, Sony has implemented some impressive AI technologies that are sure to change the cinematic landscape. At least when they eventually make it into Sony’s cinema line.
PTZ is a kind of broadcast
The Sony SRG-A40 and SRG-A12 are both compact and lightweight pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras with integrated lenses. Both have one 1/2.5 type Exmor R CMOS sensor that offers high-quality imaging and advanced color reproduction. The big difference between the two is in the lens, with the A40 offering impressive performance 30x Zoom range over 12x that of the A12. In In teleconverter mode, this is increased to 80x and 24x respectively and offers smooth and precise movements to easily follow the action and capture every moment. For live sports applications, this is a dream.
The SRG-A40 and SRG-A12 both offer a variety of output options including Ethernet, HDMI and HD-SDI. For remote broadcasting, live streaming or live production, these tools can quickly become an important part of your workflow.
One of the outstanding features of these cameras is their compatibility with Sony’s REA-C1000 remote control. Directors in a booth or cinematographers on location can control multiple cameras from one central location, making it easier to manage and coordinate your shots, e.g. B. at a ball game or a music concert.
Another great feature of the SRG-A40 and SRG-A12 is their low-latency video streaming capabilities. With less than 1 second of latency, your video feed is always in sync with the audio, which is critical for projects where every second counts.
But for the cinema? These cameras don’t have as many use cases unless you’re using the Sony FR7, which sacrifices some of the features of these new cameras for a full-frame sensor and Sony E-mount.
So why Should For filmmakers?
This is where things get interesting for narrative creatives.
Sony implements an integrated PTZ auto-framing technology with AI analysis. This allows creatives to use what Sony calls Multiple Auto Framing to automatically set up different angles for close-ups, waist shots or full-body compositions. This not only supports framing, but also zoom tracking and autofocus.
When this technology eventually carries over to Sony’s other cameras, particularly the cinema-focused FR7 PTZ camera, the speed at which creatives can create a shot will increase. This makes a set more efficient and in turn saves you money and we all know how important that is to production. If you think this technology is years away, think again. We have already seen that the AI-assisted autofocus is implemented in the Sony a7R V.
While this will still be a niche toolset for filmmakers, it’s really interesting to see how automation will impact narrative creatives in the future. As AI takes over the artistic world (for better or for worse), the way filmmakers bring their artistic endeavors to life will change. This is inevitable. how she Changing it can mean the difference between success and failure.
What do you think of AI-enhanced composition tools? Would that be something you would want in your cameras? How would you use it in your projects? Let us know in the comments!
