Sony PXW-Z150 XDCAM Operating Manual

4-586-804-11(1)

®

Solid-State Memory
Camcorder

Operating Guide

PXW-Z150

Identifying Parts and
Controls

Getting Started

Recording

Playback

Using Network Functions

Editing

Using the Menu

Troubleshooting

Additional Information

http://www.sony.net/

Printed in Japan© 2016 Sony Corporation

2

Read this first

Before operating this unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain it for future
reference.

Precautions when using the
camcorder

• Do not hold the camcorder by the following
parts, and also do not hold the camcorder by the
jack covers.

b Notes

• The camcorder is not dustproof, dripproof or
waterproof. See “About handling of your
camcorder” (p. 139).

• When connecting the camcorder to another
device with communication cables, be sure to
insert the connector plug in the correct way.
Pushing the plug forcibly into the terminal will
damage the terminal and may result in a
malfunction of the camcorder.

• Use the camcorder in accordance with the
regulations of a place where you use it.

On the LCD screen and lens

• A menu item that is grayed out is not available
under the current recording or playback
conditions.

• The LCD screen is manufactured using
extremely high-precision technology, so over

99.99% of the pixels are operational for
effective use. However, there may be some tiny
black points and/or bright points (white, red,
blue, or green in color) that appear constantly on

the LCD screen. This is not a malfunction.
These points are normal results of the
manufacturing process and do not affect the
recording in any way.

On sunlight

• Do not record the sun or leave the camcorder
under the sun for a long time. The internal parts
of the camcorder may be damaged. If sunlight is
focused on a nearby object, it may cause a fire.

• Do not expose your camcorder’s viewfinder,
lens, or LCD screen to the sun or strong light
source for extended periods. Doing so may
cause a malfunction of the camcorder.

• Do not attempt to record the sun directly. Doing
so may cause a malfunction of the camcorder.

• Do not expose the lens to beams, such as laser
beams.
That may damage the image sensor and cause
the camera to malfunction.

On the temperature of your camcorder
and battery pack

Your camcorder has a protective function that
disables recording or playback if the temperature
of your camcorder or battery pack is beyond the
safely operable range. In this case, a message
appears on the LCD screen or in the viewfinder
(p. 122).

On recording

• In order to stabilize memory card operation, it is
recommended that you format the memory card
when you use it with your camcorder for the
first time. All data recorded on the memory card
will be erased by formatting, and cannot be

Lens cover with
hood

LCD screen

ViewfinderMicrophone (sold
separately) or
Microphone holder

Black point

White, red, blue or green point

3

recovered. Save important data on the memory
card on other media such as a computer, before
formatting the memory card.

• Before starting to record, test the recording
function to make sure the picture and sound are
recorded without any problems.

• Compensation for the loss of the content of
recordings or the loss of recording opportunities
cannot be provided, even if recording or
playback is not possible due to a malfunction of
the camcorder, storage media, etc., or even if
images or sounds are distorted due to the limits
of the capabilities of the camcorder.

• TV color systems differ depending on the
countries/regions. To view your recordings on a
TV, a TV of the appropriate color system for the
country/region is required.

• Television programs, films, video tapes, and
other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may
be contrary to the copyright laws.

• Because of the way that the image device
(CMOS sensor) reads out image signals, the
following phenomena may occur.

– The subjects passing by the frame rapidly

might appear crooked depending on the
recording conditions. (This phenomenon may
be notable in displays having high motion
resolution.)

– Horizontal lines appear on th e LCD screen

during recording under fluorescent lights,
sodium lamps or mercury lamps. The
phenomena can be reduced by adjusting the
shutter speed (p. 41).

Save all your recorded image data

• To prevent your image data from being lost,
save all your recorded images on PC
periodically.

To handle the recorded images on
your computer

Download software (p. 20).

Format the memory card using
[MEDIA FORMAT] if images are not
recorded or played back properly

If you continue recording and deleting images on
a memory card for a long period of time, the files
on that memory card may become fragmented. As

a result, you may not be able to record and save
images properly. If this happens, save images on a
PC, then format the memory card (p. 96).

About the operation of the camcorder

You can operate the camcorder using the V/v /B/
b /SET buttons (p. 98).

About this manual

• The on-screen display in English is used for
illustrating the operating procedures. Change
the screen language before using your
camcorder if necessary (p. 113).

• The value you can set in [REC FORMAT], etc.,
depends on the [60i/50i SEL] setting. In this
manual, the values for both [60i] and [50i]
settings are described.

• Design and specifications of recording media
and other accessories are subject to change
without notice.

4

Table of Contents

Read this first ........................................................................................... 2

Identifying Parts and Controls .................................................................. 8

Body ..................................................................................................... 8

Wireless Remote Commander ............................................................ 16

Screen Indicators ................................................................................... 17

Step 1: Checking supplied accessories ................................................. 19

Step 2: Charging the battery pack ......................................................... 20

Step 3: Attaching the accessory shoe .................................................... 22

Step 4: Turning on the camcorder and setting the date and time ..........23

Turning on the camcord er .................................................................. 23

Setting the date and time ................................................................... 23

Step 5: Adjusting the LCD screen and viewfinder .................................. 24

Using the LCD sc reen ........................................................................ 24

Using the viewfind er ........................................................................... 24

Adjusting the viewfinder focus ........................................................... 25

Switching b etween LCD sc reen disp lay and viewfinder disp lay ....... 25

Step 6: Inserting a memory card ............................................................ 27

Recording ............................................................................................... 29

Recording ........................................................................................... 29

Continuous recording on the memory c ards (Relay Rec) .................. 31

Recording movies using both memory card A and B (Simul Rec) .... 32

Changing the setting of the START/STOP button and handle rec ord

button ................................................................................................. 32

Adjusting the zoom ............................................................................. 33

Adjusting the focus ................................................................................. 34

Focusing using the foc us magnifier ................................................... 34

Focusing on a d etected fac e (Face detection) .................................. 35

Selecting the file format and recording format ....................................... 37

Supported file formats ........................................................................ 37

Setting the file format and record ing format ....................................... 37

Setting the output destination when record ing in 4K mode ............... 38

Proxy recording ...................................................................................... 39

Notes on proxy rec ording ................................................................... 39

Proxy recording .................................................................................. 39

Identifying Parts and Controls

Getting Started

Recording

5

Adjusting the brightness ......................................................................... 40

Adjusting the iris ................................................................................ 40

Adjusting the gain .............................................................................. 41

Adjusting the shutter sp eed ............................................................... 41

Adjusting the light level (ND filter) ...................................................... 42

Adjusting the color tone ..........................................................................43

Adjusting the white b alance ............................................................... 43

Audio setup ............................................................................................45

Recording sound from the internal mic rophone ................................ 45

Recording sound from an external aud io devic e . .............................. 46

Recording sound from a Multi Interfac e Shoe comp atible mic rophone

(sold sep arately) ................................................................................ 46

Setting the audio record ing level ....................................................... 47

Setting the head phone sound ............................................................ 47

Useful functions ......................................................................................48

Selecting suitab le setting s automatically (auto mode setting) ........... 48

Shooting in dimly lit locations (LOW LUX) .......................................... 49

Shooting in dark cond itions (NIGHTSHOT) ........................................ 49

Customizing the pic ture quality (Picture Profile) ................................ 50

Setting time data ................................................................................ 57

Slow-motion record ing at hig h frame rate (HFR) ............................... 58

Recording with the Slow & Quick Motion function ............................. 58

Reviewing the most rec ently recorded scene (Last Scene

Review) .............................................................................................. 61

Assigning functions to the ASSIGN buttons ...........................................62

Playback .................................................................................................64

Playback ............................................................................................ 64

Changing/checking the settings in your camcorder ................................ 68

Changing the screen disp lay ............................................................. 68

Displaying recording data (Data Code) ............................................. 68

Checking the setting s in your camc order (Status Check) ................. 69

Connecting to a monitor or a TV ............................................................70

Selecting jac ks for external output ..................................................... 71

Output sig nal formats ......................................................................... 72

Using with a Smartphone ....................................................................... 78

Downloading “Content Browser Mobile” ............................................ 78

Using a smartphone as a remote controller ....................................... 78

Connecting the camcord er to an And roid smartp hone eq uipp ed with

the NFC function using One-touc h .................................................... 79

Connecting without using the NFC function (And roid) ...................... 80

Playback

Using Network Functions

Cont inued ,

6

Connecting without using the NFC function (iPhone/iPad) ................ 81

Configuring a wireless LAN .................................................................... 82

Selecting and registering an ac cess p oint ......................................... 82

Registering an ac cess point using the WPS function ........................ 83

Registering an ac cess point using the WPS PIN method .................. 84

Registering an ac cess point manually ............................................... 84

Changing the devic e name ................................................................ 85

Configuring a wired LAN ........................................................................ 86

Using the streaming function (STREAMING) ......................................... 87

Streaming formats .............................................................................. 87

Configuring streaming (preset registration) ....................................... 87

Streaming distrib ution ........................................................................ 88

Using the FTP transfer function ............................................................. 89

Registering an FTP server .................................................................. 89

Selecting an FTP server ..................................................................... 90

Using FTP transfer .............................................................................. 90

Checking FTP transfer results ............................................................ 91

Importing a root certificate ..................................................................... 92

Resetting network settings ..................................................................... 93

Protecting movies (Protect) .................................................................... 94

Dividing a movie ..................................................................................... 94

Deleting movies ..................................................................................... 95

Formatting a memory card ..................................................................... 96

Deleting all data from the memory card completely ............................... 96

Repairing the image database file ......................................................... 97

Operating the menu ............................................................................... 98

Menu items ............................................................................................ 99

CAMERA SET menu ........................................................................... 99

REC/OUT SET menu ......................................................................... 102

AUDIO SET menu ............................................................................. 104

DISPLAY SET menu .......................................................................... 107

TC/UB SET menu .............................................................................. 110

NETWORK SET menu ....................................................................... 111

OTHERS menu ................................................................................. 113

EDIT menu ........................................................................................ 114

Editing

Using the Menu

Table of Contents (Continued)

7

Troubleshooting .................................................................................... 115

Warning indicators and messages .......................................................122

Recording time .....................................................................................126

Function limitations when recording .....................................................129

Limitations for eac h file format ......................................................... 129

Slow & Quick Motion and High Frame Rate recording limitations ... 130

Proxy recording supported formats ......................................................131

Streaming supported formats ...............................................................132

Using your camcorder abroad ..............................................................134

File/folder structure on the recording media .........................................135

Maintenance and precautions ..............................................................136

About the XAVC format .................................................................... 136

About the MPEG format ................................................................... 136

About the AVCHD format ................................................................. 136

About memory c ards ....................................................................... 136

About the “ InfoLITHIUM” b attery p ack ............................................ 137

About hand ling of your camc order .................................................. 139

Specifications .......................................................................................142

Index .....................................................................................................145

Troubleshooting

Additional Information

8

Identifying Parts and Controls

Identifying Parts and Controls

The numbers in ( ) are reference pages.

A Hook for shoulder strap

B Accessory shoe receptacle (p. 22)

C ASSIGN4/LAST SCENE button (p. 61)

D Microphone holder (p. 9)

E Multi Interface Shoe (p. 46)

F Power zoom lever (p. 33)

G Grip belt attachment

H ASSIGN5/FOCUS MAG button (p. 34)

I Grip belt attachment

Body

9

Identifying Parts and Controls

Attaching the microphone (sold
separately)

This section explains how to connect an
external microphone (sold separately).

1 Place the microphone A into the

microphone holder B .

2 Connect the plug of the microphone to

the INPUT1 jack or INPUT2 jack C .

3 Place the microphone cable into the

cable holder D .

Put the cable in the outer cable holder.

Cont inued ,

10

A Lens (G lens)

B Lens cover with hood (p. 11)

C Internal microphone (p. 45)

D Remote control sensor (p. 16)

E Recording lamp (p. 113)

Flashes when remaining capacity of the
memory card or battery becomes low.

F NIGHTSHOT light emitter (p. 49)

G ASSIGN1/WB SET button (44, 62)

H ASSIGN2/STATUS button (62, 69)

I ASSIGN3/S&Q button (p. 58)

J DISPLAY button (p. 68)

K SLOT SEL button (p. 28)

L ASSIGN6/VF/LCD PANEL button

(p. 26)

M INPUT1 (LINE/MIC/MIC+48V) switch

(p. 45)

N CH-1 (INT MIC/EXT/MI SHOE)

switch (p. 45)

O AUTO/MAN (CH-1) switch (p. 45)

P AUDIO LEVEL (CH-1) dial (p. 45)

Q AUDIO LEVEL (CH-2 ) dial (p. 45)

R AUTO/MAN (CH-2) switch (p. 45)

S CH-2 (INT MIC/EXT/MI SHOE)

switch (p. 45)

T INPUT2 (LINE/MIC/MIC+48V) switch

(p. 45)

U IRIS AUTO/MAN button (p. 40)

V FOCUS AUTO/MAN button (p. 34)

W ND FILTER switch (p. 42)

Identifying Parts and Controls (Continued)

11

Identifying Parts and Controls

Attaching the lens cover with hood

Align the marks on the lens hood to those
on the camcorder, and turn the lens hood in
the direction of the arrow

2 until it is

locked.

Removing the lens cover with hood

Press and hold the PUSH (lens hood
removal) button, and turn the lens hood in
the opposite direction to the arrow.

z Tip

• If you attach or remove a 62 mm (2 1/2 in.) PL
filter or MC protector, remove the lens hood.

Opening/closing the lens cover

To open the lens cover, move the lens cover
lever to the OPEN position. To close it,
move it to the CLOSE position.

PUSH (lens hood removal) button

Cont inued ,

12

A SDI OUT jack (p. 70)

B VIDEO OUT jack/AUDIO OUT jack

(p. 70)

C HDMI OUT jack (p. 70)

D Multi/Micro USB jack (p. 70)

E DC IN jack (p. 20)

F Cable clamper/loop clamper

G Air vents

May become warm due to heat
dissipation.
Do not block the vents when shooting.

H Handle zoom lever (p. 33)

I Handle record button (p. 29)

J INPUT1 jack (p. 45)

K INPUT2 jack (p. 45)

L Grip belt

M Tripod receptacles (1/4 inch, 3/8 inch)

Supports 1/4-20UNC and 3/8-16UNC
screws.
For mounting on a tripod (sold
separately, screw length 5.5 mm or
shorter)
Some tripods may not be designed to
attach in the proper direction.

N START/STOP button (p. 29)

O POWER/CHG lamp (p. 30)

Cable clamper/loop clamper

Attaching the power cord, HDMI cable, and
other cables, inserted in the corresponding
connectors, in the cable clamper helps
prevent the cords from being disconnected.
However, not all HDMI cables are
supported.
Attach any cables that are no t in the cable
clamper to the loop clamper at the bottom

Identifying Parts and Controls (Continued)

13

Identifying Parts and Controls

of the cable clamper using a cable tie or
similar object.

b Note

• Do not use the cable clamper/loop clamper for
any purpose other than securing cables (for
example, attaching a strap for carrying the
camcorder).

Cable clamper

Loop clamper

Cont inued ,

14

A Focus ring (p. 34)

B Lens cover lever (p. 11)

C Zoom ring (p. 33)

D Iris ring (p. 40)

E Hook for shoulder strap

F Eye sensor (p. 24)

G Viewfinder (p. 25)

H Large eyecup (p. 25)

I BATT RELEASE button (p. 2 1)

J Battery pack (p. 20)

K ON/STANDBY switch (p. 23)

L FULL AUTO button (p. 48)

M SHUTTER button (p. 41)

N WHT BAL button (p. 43)

O GAIN button (p. 41)

P Manual lever (p. 41, 43)

Identifying Parts and Controls (Continued)

15

Identifying Parts and Controls

A LCD screen (p. 24)

B MENU button (p. 98)

C V/v /B/b /SET buttons (p. 98)

D THUMBNAIL button (p. 64)

E Memory card slot A/Memory card

access lamp (p. 27)

F Memory card slot B/Memory card

access lamp (p. 27)

G i (headphones) jack (p. 47)

H REMOTE jack (p. 113)

The REMOTE jack conn ects to a video
deck or other devices used to control
playback.

Cont inued ,

16

Remove the insulation sheet before using
the Wireless Remote Commander.

A DATA CODE button (p. 68)

B TC RESET button (p. 57)

C SCAN/SLOW buttons (p. 64)

D . > (PREV/NEXT) buttons

(p. 64)

E PLAY button (p. 64)

F STOP button (p. 64)

G DISPLAY button (p. 68)

H Transmitter

I START/STOP button (p. 29)

J Power zoom lever

K PAUSE button (p. 64)

L MODE button

M b /B /v /V/ENTER buttons

b Notes

• Aim the Wireless Remote Commander towards
the remote sensor to operate your camcorder.

• Point the remote sensor away from strong light
sources such as direct sunlight or overhead
lighting. Otherwise, the Wireless Remote
Commander may not function properly.

• When you are operating with the Wireless
Remote Commander supplied with your
camcorder, your video device may also operate.
In that case, select a commander mode other
than DVD2 for your video device, or cover the
sensor of your video device with black paper.

To change the battery of the Wireless
Remote Commander

1 While pressing on the tab, inset your

fingernail into the slit to pull out the
battery case.

2 Place a new battery with the + side

facing up.

3 Insert the battery case until it clicks into

place.

• When the lithium battery becomes weak, the
operating distance of the Wireless Remote
Commander may shorten, or the Wireless
Remote Commander may not function properly.
In this case, replace the battery with a CR2025
lithium battery. Use of another battery may
present a risk of fire or explosion.

Wireless Remote Commander

Insulation sheet

WARNING

Battery may explode if mistreated. Do not
recharge, disassemble or dispose of in
fire.

Tab

Identifying Parts and Controls (Continued)

17

Identifying Parts and Controls

Screen Indicators

Upper left

Center

Upper right

Bottom

Indicator Meaning

100% Remaining battery

.

INTELLIGENT AUTO
(face detection/scene
detection/camera-shake
detection) (p. 48)

SCENE SELECTION
(p. 48)

Recording format
(p. 37)

Optical zoom (p. 100)

Z99 ×1.2
Z99 ×2.3

Clear image zoom
(p. 100)
Digital zoom (p. 100)

Simultaneous recording
(p. 32)
Relay recording (p. 31)

Proxy recording [ON]
(p. 39)

Indicator Meaning

Vibration warning

Memory card (p. 27)

REC STBY Recording standby (p. 30)

Upper left Upper right

Bottom

Center

E Warning (p. 122)

N Playback indicator (p. 64)

Processing

Relay recording (p. 31)

SDI/HDMI REC
CONTROL (p. 104)

Indicator Meaning

VF/LCD PANEL (p. 25)

0min

Estimated remaining
recording time

Recording/playback
media

00:00:00:00

Time code
(hour:minute:second:
frame) (p. 57)

Indicator Meaning

Face detection [ON]
(p. 35)

Peaking (p. 107)

Zebra (p. 107)

NFC active (p. 79)

Airplane mode [ON]
(p. 112)

Image stabilization (
STEADYSHOT) (p. 100)

9 Manual focus (p. 34)

to Picture profile (p. 50)

F5.6 Iris (p. 40)

9dB Gain (p. 41)

100 180° Shutter speed (p. 41)

AVCHD audio format
(p. 104)

-2.0EV AE shift (p. 99)

Auto setting (p. 40)

Indicator Meaning

Cont inued ,

18

z Tip

• Indicators may look different or appear at
different positions.

Data during recording

The date, time, and recording conditions are
recorded automatically.
They are not displayed while recording.
However, you can check them by selecting

(DISPLAY SET) t [DATA CODE]
and choosing the data that you want to
display, or by pressing the ASSIGN button
to which the DATA CODE function is
assigned, during playback.

n A

B

White balance (p. 43)

Histogram (p. 107)

LOW LUX (p. 49)

Audio level display
(p. 109)

Digital extender (p. 99)

NIGHTSHOT (p. 49)

ND filter (p. 42)

Multi Interface Shoe
video light (p. 101)

Manual volume
adjustment (p. 47)

Indicator Meaning

Screen Indicators (Continued)

19

Getting Started

Getting Started

Step 1: Checking supplied accessories

Make sure that you have following items
supplied with your camcorder. If, for any
reason, there is something missing, contact
your Sony dealer.
The number in the parentheses indicates the
number of that item supplied.

• Memory cards are sold separately.

AC Adaptor (p. 20)

Power cord (mains lead) (p. 20)

RMT-845 Wireless Remote Commander
(p. 16)

A button-type lithium battery is already installed.

Large eyecup (p. 25)

Lens cover with hood (p. 11)

Accessory shoe kit (Accessory shoe (1),
Accessory shoe plate (1), screws (4))
(p. 22)

USB cable

Rechargeable battery pack (NP-F770)

Battery charger (BC-L1)

CD-ROM “Manuals for Solid-State Memory
Camcorder”

Operating Guide (2)

IS1293 power cord for India.
Not supplied in some countries.

Cont inued ,

20

Software Downloads

When the unit is used with a PC
connection, download any device drivers,
plug-ins, and application software you
require from the following websites.
You can work with recorded video on a
computer, for example, combining relay-
recorded movies, using the “Catalyst
Browse” application software. For details,
see the supplied brochure.

Sony Professional products website:
U.S.A. http://pro.sony.com
Canada http://www.sonybiz.ca
Latin America

http://sonypro-latin.com

Europe, Middle East, and Africa

http://www.pro.sony.eu
Japan http://www.sonybsc.com
Asia Pacific

http://pro.sony-asia.com
Korea http://bp.sony.co.kr
China http://pro.sony.com.cn

Although the data regarding recorded
materials are stored over multiple files and
folders, you can easily handle the clips
without considering its data and directory
structure, by using the dedicated application
software.

Step 2: Charging the
battery pack

You can charge the “InfoLITHIUM”
battery pack (L series) (sold
separately) with the supplied AC
Adaptor.

b Note

• You can use a large capacity battery pack, NP-
F970 (sold separately), with your camcorder.

1 Push the battery in and slide it

down into position.

Power cord

DC plug

DC IN jack

To power outlet

AC Adaptor

Step 1: Checking supplied
accessories (Continued)

21

Getting Started

2 Connect the DC plug to the DC IN

jack of the camcorder.

3 Connect the power cord (mains

lead) to the AC Adaptor and the
wall outlet (wall socket).

4 Turn the ON/STANDBY switch to

STANDBY (1 ).

The CHG lamp lights up and charging
starts.

When charging ends

The CHG lamp turns off when the battery is
fully charged.

Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC
IN jack.

z Tip

• You can check the remaining battery life with
the status check function (p. 69).

To remove the battery pack

Turn the ON/STANDBY switch to
STANDBY (1 ). Press and hold the BATT
RELEASE button, and slide the battery up
and out.

To store the battery pack

If the battery pack is not in use for a while,
run down the battery and store it (p. 138).

Charging time

Approximate time (minutes) required when
you charge a fully discharged battery pack.

Battery pack Full charge time

NP-F770 420 minutes

NP-F970
(sold separately)

600 minutes

BATT RELEASE button

Cont inued ,

22

On the battery pack

• Always turn the ON/STANDBY switch to
STANDBY (1 ) before changing the batt ery
pack.

• The CHG lamp flashes during charging, or the
Battery Info will not be correctly displayed
under the following conditions.

– The battery pack is not attach ed correctly.
– The battery pack is damaged.
– The battery pack is worn-out.

Using a power outlet

You can use the AC Adaptor to obtain the
AC power. While you are using the AC
Adaptor, the battery pack will not lose its
charge even when it is attached to your
camcorder.

Perform the procedure up to step 3 of “Step
2: Charging the battery pac k” (p. 20).

On the AC Adaptor

• Do not short-circuit the DC plug of the AC
Adaptor or battery terminal with any metallic
objects. This may cause a malfunction.

Step 3: Attaching the
accessory shoe

To mount the accessory shoe

Mount the accessory shoe on the accessory
shoe mount as illustrated.

1 Lift the edge of the accessory shoe plate

and pull it in the direction opposite to
that of the arrow on the accessory shoe
plate and remove it from the accessory
shoe.

2 Place the accessory shoe as its

protrusions matches recesses of the
accessory shoe mount, then fix it to the
mount with four screws.

3 Insert the accessory shoe plate in the

direction of the arrow on the plate
surface until the end of the plate
engages the end of the shoe.

To remove the accessory shoe

Remove the shoe plate in the same way as
step 1 of “To mount the accessory shoe.”
Loosen the 4 screws and remo ve the
accessory shoe from the accessory shoe
mount.

Accessory shoe plate

Accessory shoe

Accessory
shoe

Accessory shoe plate

Step 2: Charging the battery pack
(Continued)

23

Getting Started

Step 4: Turning on the camcorder and setting
the date and time

Turn the ON/STANDBY switch to ON
(❙).

When you use your camcorder for the first
time, the [CLOCK SET] screen appears.

To turn off the power

Turn the ON/STANDBY switch to
STANDBY (1 ).

b Note

• If a warning message is displayed, follow the
instructions.

Set the date and time when you use your
camcorder for the first time.

z Tip

• If you do not use your camcorder for about 3
months, the built-in rechargeable battery gets

discharged and the date and time settings may
be cleared from the memory. In that case,
charge the rechargeable battery and then set the
date and time again (p. 140).

When you set the date and time again, press
the MENU button, and select
(OTHERS) t [CLOCK SET].

1 Select your area using the V/v /B/

b /SET button, then press the

button.

Turning on the camcorder Setting the date and time

MENU button

V/v /B/b /SET buttons

Cont inued ,

24

2 Set [SUMMERTIME], [Y] (year),

[M] (month), [D] (day), hour and
minute, using the V/v /B/b /SET
button, then press the button.

The clock starts.

• Set [SUMMERTIME] to [ON] to move the
time forward 1 hour.

• You can set any year up to the year 2037.

• Midnight is indicated as 12:00 AM, and
noon as 12:00 PM.

z Tip

• The date and time are automatically recorded on
the selected memory card, and can be displayed
during playback (p. 109).

Step 5: Adjusting the
LCD screen and
viewfinder

The LCD screen can be rotated in the range
as illustrated below, allowing a person other
than the camera operator to see the image.

The display switches to view finder display
automatically whenever your eye is near the
eye sensor on the side of the viewfinder.
When you move your eye away from the
viewfinder, the display switches back to the
LCD screen.
You can adjust the angle of the viewfinder
to suit your shooting style.

Using the LCD screen

Using the viewfinder

1 Open 180°

2 90° (max.)

2 180° (max.)

Eye sensor

Step 4: Turning on the camcorder and
setting the date and time (Continued)

25

Getting Started

b Note

The LCD screen and the viewfinder do not
operate at the same time.

b Note

• Some primary colors may become visible in the
viewfinder if you change your line of sight, but
this is not a malfunction.
These colors are not recorded onto the memory
cards.

When the picture in the viewfinder is
hard to see

If you cannot see the picture in the
viewfinder clearly under bright
circumstances, use the supplied large
eyecup. To attach the large eyecup, stretch
it slightly and fit it over the gro ove of the
eyecup attached to the camcorder. You can
attach the large eyecup facing either the
right or left side.

b Note

• Do not remove the eyecup attached to the
camcorder.

Set [VF/LCD PANEL] (p. 109) in the
(DISPLAY SET) menu to one of the
following.

• To use only the LCD screen, select [LCD
PANEL].

appears on the screen.

• To switch automatically between the LCD
screen and viewfinder, select [AUTO].
When [AUTO] is selected, the display
switches to viewfinder display
automatically whenever your eye is near
the eye sensor on the side of the
viewfinder. When you move your eye
away from the viewfinder, the display
switches back to the LCD screen.

z Tips

• The default setting of [VF/LCD PANEL] is
[AUTO].

Adjusting the viewfinder focus

Diopter adjustment dial

Move it until the picture becomes cle ar.

Switching between LCD screen
display and viewfinder display

Using the menu

Large eyecup
(supplied)

Cont inued ,

26

• The eye sensor will be activated if the eye
sensor is blocked, even if you are not looking
into the viewfinder.

Press the ASSIGN6/VF/LCD PANEL
button.
The [VF/LCD PANEL] menu setting
changes with each press of the button.
This allows you to switch instantly, without
having to access the menu.

Using buttons

Step 5: Adjusting the LCD screen and viewfinder (Continued)

27

Getting Started

Step 6: Inserting a memory card

Supported memory cards

*1SDXC memory cards (U3) are required for simultaneous XAVC HD (50 Mbp s) and proxy (9 Mbps)

recording.
*2SDXC memory cards (U3) are required to record at 100 Mbps.
*

3

SDXC memory cards (U3) are required for simultaneous MPEG HD 422 and proxy (9 Mbps) recording.

b Notes

• Operation with all memory cards is not assured.

• See page 126 for the recording time of memory cards.

• Movies recorded on SDXC memory cards can be imported to or played back on other equipment, such as

a computer or A/V device, by connecting the camcorder to the equipm ent with the USB cable. However,
the equipment must support the exFAT file system used for SDXC m emory cards. Confirm in advance
that the connecting equipment is supporting the exFAT file system. If y ou connect equipment not
supporting the exFAT file system and the format screen appears, do not perfor m the format. All the data
recorded will be lost.

File format Supported memory cards

AVCHD SD, SDHC, SDXC memory cards (Class 4 or U1 or faster)

Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark2), Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo

AVCHD
(Slow & Quick Motion)

SDHC, SDXC memory cards (Class 10 or U1 or faster)

XAVC HD SDXC memory cards (Class 10 or U1 or faster)

XAVC HD
(Slow & Quick Motion, High
Frame Rate)

SDXC memory cards (U3)

XAVC HD
(Proxy simultaneous recording)

SDXC memory cards (Class 10 or U1 or faster)*1

XAVC QFHD

SDXC memory cards (Class 10 or U1 or faster)*2

XAVC QFHD
(Proxy simultaneous recording)

SDXC memory cards (U3)

MPEG HD422/420 SDXC memory cards (Class 10 or U1 or faster)

MPEG HD422/420
(Slow & Quick Motion)

SDXC memory cards (U3)

MPEG HD422/420
(Proxy simultaneous recording)

SDXC memory cards (Class 10 or U1 or faster)*3

Cont inued ,

28

Open the cover, and insert the
memory card with the notched edge
in the direction as illustrated until it
clicks into place.

• If you insert a memory card into the slot in the
wrong direction, the memory card, the memory
card slot, or image data may be damaged.

• Memory card slot A accepts both “Memory
Stick PRO Duo” and SD cards. Memory card
slot B accepts SD cards only.

To eject a memory card

Lightly push the memory card once.

b Notes

• If “The image database file is corrupted. The
media must be restored to use again.” appears,
format the memory card (p. 96).

• When inserting or ejecting the memory card, be
careful of the memory card popping out and
dropping.

Selecting the memory card slot to be
used for recording

Press the SLOT SEL button to change
which slot is selected for recording. You
can confirm the selected slot on the screen.

b Notes

• You can only select a slot that already has a
memory card inserted.

• When recording to a memory card, you cannot
switch the slot even if you press the SLOT SEL
button.

z Tip

• When only one slot has a memory card inserted,
the slot that has the memory card is selected
automatically.

Memory card slot A

Note the direction of the notched
corner.

Memory card slot B

SLOT SEL button

Step 6: Inserting a memory card (Continued)

29

Recording

Recording

Recording

Your camcorder records movies on memory cards. The factory setting for recording is XAVC
HD. Do the following steps to record.

1 Open the shutter of the lens cover with hood.

Recording

Handle record button

START/STOP button

Lens cover with
hood

Recording lamp

Cont inued ,

30

2 Turn the ON/STANDBY switch to ON (❙).

3 Press the START/STOP button (or the handle record button) to start

recording.

The recording lamps light up during recording.

To stop recording, press the START/STOP button (or the handle record button) again.

b Notes

• When the access lamp is lit or flashing in red, your camcorder is reading or writing data. Do not shake or
apply strong force to your camcorder, do not turn the power off, and do not remove the memory card,
battery pack or the AC Adaptor. The image data may be destroyed.

• See page 126 about the recording time of movies.

• If a movie file size exceeds 2 GB while recording in AVCHD format, the camcorder automatically divides
the file and creates a new one.

• When recording in XAVC/MPEG HD, recording stops automatically wh en the recorded file reaches 6
hours duration.

• The menu settings, the picture profile settings, and the setting s made by the FULL AUTO button are
stored in your camcorder when you set the ON/STANDBY switch to STANDBY (1 ). The POWER/
CHG lamp flashes while the settings are being stored.

[STBY] t [REC]

Recording (Continued)