Sony XDCAM PDW-850 Specifications

PDW-850

Professional XDCAM®
Disc Camcorder

The PDW-850 is a powerful Professional Disc™ camcorder equipped with three newly developed 2/3-inch-type HD Power
HAD FX™ CCDs. It provides outstanding picture quality with high resolution, high sensitivity, low noise, and wide dynamic
range. Some of the new features include a large high-resolution color LCD viewfinder and GPS. The PDW-850 inherits
excellent, versatile features from the PDW-F800 and PDW-700 XDCAM camcorders, but weighs less and consumes less
power. Using an optional wireless adapter, the CBK-WA100, proxy files can be immediately transmitted to the broadcasting
station. Also, an optional camera adapter with a CCU solution makes it studio-ready. The PDW-850 is an ideal choice for
many different camera professionals, from those engaged in news gathering, when speed is the key concern, to those who
produce TV programs and documentaries, when quality is crucial.

Functions

High Picture Quality

The PDW-850 incorporates three newly designed 2/3-inch-type HD
Power HAD™ FX CCDs to achieve high resolution, wide dynamic
range, high sensitivity of F11 (60i) and F12 (50i), and an excellent
signal-to-noise ratio of 62 dB. It provides greater freedom of
expression for creative shooting, even when shooting under severe
lighting conditions. In addition to improving picture quality, Sony
has been able to reduce the weight of the camera body to 9.2 lbs
(4.2 kg) and its power consumption to 37 W.

Selectable Format and Bit Rates

This camcorder has a highly flexible multi-format recording
capability. Operators can select Full-HD format (1920 x 1080) at up
to 50 Mbps using MPEG HD422, as well as MPEG HD at 35 Mbps /
25 Mbps, or SD format MPEG IMX at 50 Mbps, and DVCAM at 25
Mbps in MXF file format (standard supported formats). Also,
having an up/down conversion function, this camcorder can be
integrated into an existing SD production system or can be chosen
for future HD operation.

Compatibility with Sony’s Wireless Adapter

The PDW-850 is designed to support wireless operation using an
optional wireless adapter, the CBK-WA100. Simply connect the
wireless adapter to an SDI output. The wireless adaptor enables
the crew to view live XAVC™ proxy video from the adapter using a
tablet or smartphone. The low-resolution proxy files*
the CBK-WA100 can be immediately transmitted back to the
station or uploaded to the cloud environment for review and
editing. The use of adapters can significantly reduce the time and
cost of production and allow faster and cost-efficient network
operations.

*1 File name of proxy data can be copied from hi-res data.

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created on

3.5-inch Color LCD Viewfinder

With a large, easy-to-read 3.5-inch* QHD color LCD viewfinder as a
standard accessory, the PDW-850 offers outstanding resolution of
960 × RGB x 540 pixels, strongly supporting critical focus control
during HD shooting. The viewfinder cover can
be flipped up to enhance visibility when
the camcorder is set on
a tripod.

*Viewable area measured diagonally.

Expanded Solutions

With its GPS system, the PDW-850 can store geographical
coordinates in MXF files along with the video/audio data and GPS
log file. This is beneficial in post-production when tracing the
shooting location. The PDW-850 also has a 50-pin interface to
support a system camera solution with a CA/CCU via triax or fiber
cable. The digital extender function enables an image to be
digitally expanded two to four times in size without any loss of
image sensitivity. Pool-feed is another standard feature enabling
the recording of audio and video feed signals supplied by an
external VTR/camcorder via HD/SD-SDI or composite.

Specifications

General

Weight Approx. 9 lb 4 oz (body),

Dimensions
(W x H x D)*
Power Requirements DC 12 V +5.0 V/-1.0 V
Power Consumption Approx. 37 W (while recording, color LCD on)

Operating Temperature 23°F to 104°F (-5°C to +40°C)
Storage Temperature -4°F to +140°F (-20°C to +60°C)
Humidity 10% to 90% (relative humidity)
Continuous Operating
Time
Recording Format
(Video)

Recording Format
(Audio)

Recording Format
(Proxy Video)
Recording Format
(Proxy Audio)
Recording/Playback
Time (MPEG HD422)
Recording/Playback
Time (MPEG HD)

Recording/Playback
Time (MPEG IMX)

Recording/Playback
Time (DVCAM
Recording Frame Rate MPEG HD422 50Mbps:

Lens

Lens Mount 2/3-inch type 48 bayonet mount

Input/Output

Genlock Input BNC (x1), 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω
Timecode Input BNC (x1), 0.5 Vp-p to 18 Vp-p, 10 kΩ
SDI Input BNC (x1)

Audio Input CH-1/CH-2: XLR-type 3-pin (female) (x2), Line/Mic/Mic +48V/AES/EBU selectable
Mic Input XLR-type 5-pin (female, stereo) (x1)
Test Output BNC (x1), switchable;

SDI Output BNC (x2)

Audio Output CH-1/CH-2: XLR-type 5-pin (male, stereo) (x1)
Timecode Output BNC (x1), 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω
Earphone Output Mini-jack (x2); front: monaural, rear: stereo/monaural
Speaker Output Monaural
DC Input XLR-type 4-pin (male) (x1), 11 V to 17 V
DC Output 4-pin (x1) (for wireless microphone receiver); 11 V to 17 V DC (MAX 1A)
Lens 12-pin
Remote 8-pin
Light 2-pin, DC 12 V, max. 50 W
Camera Adaptor 50-pin (x1)
Ethernet RJ-45 (x1), 100BASE-TX: IEEE 802.3u, 10BASE-T: IEEE 802.3
USB (x1) for Proxy Recording on USB Memory, and Firmware Version-up

Audio Performance

Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.5 dB/-1.0 dB
Dynamic Range More than 93 dB
Distortion Less than 0.08% (at 1 kHz, reference level)
Crosstalk Less than -70 dB (at 1 kHz, reference level)
Wow and Flutter Below measurable limit
Headroom 12/16/18/20 dB (selectable)

PDW-850

Approx. 4.2 kg (body),
Approx. 13 lb 7 oz (6.2 kg) (with VF, Mic, Disc, BP-L80S battery)
Approx. 13 lb 0 oz (5.9 kg) ((with VF, Mic, Disc, BP-GL95 battery)
5 x 10 5/8 x 13 1/8 inches (124 x 269 x 332 mm)

1

(excluding protrusions, body only)

Approx. 41 W
(while recording, with viewfinder, color LCD on, manual lens, microphone)

Approx. 115 min with BP-L80S battery
Approx. 135 min with BP-GL95 battery
MPEG HD422 (CBR: 50 Mbps)
MPEG HD:

- HQ mode (VBR, 35 Mbps max.)

- SP mode (CBR, 25 Mbps),

- LP mode (VBR, 18 Mbps max.) (playback only)
MPEG IMX (CBR, 50 Mbps)
DVCAM (CBR, 25 Mbps)
MPEG HD422: 4 ch/24 bits/48 kHz
MPEG HD: 4 ch/16 bits/48 kHz
MPEG IMX: 4 ch/24 bits/48 kHz or 4 ch/16 bits/48 kHz
DVCAM: 4 ch/16 bits/48 kHz
MPEG-4

A-law (4 ch/8 bits/8 kHz)

50 Mbps: Approx. 95 min (PFD50DLA), Approx. 43 min (PFD23A)

35 Mbps, 4-ch audio: More than 145 min (PFD50DLA), More than 65 min (PFD23A)
35 Mbps, 2-ch audio (playback only): More than 150 min (PFD50DLA),
More than 68 min (PFD23A)
25 Mbps, 4-ch audio: Approx. 190 min (PFD50DLA), Approx. 85 min (PFD23A)
25 Mbps, 2-ch audio (playback only): Approx. 200 min (PFD50DLA),
Approx. 90 min (PFD23A)
18 Mbps, 4-ch audio (playback only): More than 248 min (PFD50DLA),
More than 112 min (PFD23A)
18 Mbps, 2-ch audio (playback only): More than 265 min (PFD50DLA),
More than 122 min (PFD23A)
50 Mbps: Approx. 100 min (PFD50DLA), Approx. 45 min (PFD23A)
40 Mbps (playback only): Approx. 120 min (PFD50DLA), Approx. 55 min (PFD23A)
30 Mbps (playback only): Approx. 150 min (PFD50DLA), Approx. 68 min (PFD23A)
25 Mbps: Approx. 185 min (PFD50DLA), Approx. 85 min (PFD23A)

®

)

1920x1080 @59.94i, 29.97p, 50i, 25p, 23.98p
1280x720 @59.94p, 50p
MPEG HD420 (HQ 35Mbps, SP 25Mbps):
1440x1080 @59.94i, 29.97p, 50i, 25p, 23.98p
1280x720 @59.94p, 50p
MPEG HD420 (LP 18Mbps):
(Playback only for 1440x1080 @59.94i, 29.97p, 50i, 25p, 23.98p)
MPEG IMX 50Mbps/DVCAM Mode:

- 720 x 486 @59.94i/29.97p

- 720 x 576 @50i/25p)
MPEG IMX 40Mbps/30Mbps:
(Playback only for

- 720 x 486 @59.94i/29.97p

- 720 x 576 @50i/25p)

HD/SD switchable;
HD-SDI: SMPTE 292M (w/embedded audio)
SD-SDI: SMPTE 259M (w/embedded audio)

HD: Y
SD: composite (character on/off)

1 (HD/SD switchable);
HD-SDI: SMPTE 292M (with embedded audio)
SD-SDI: SMPTE 259M (with embedded audio)
2 (HD/SD switchable, character on/off);
HD-SDI: SMPTE 292M (with embedded audio)
SD-SDI: SMPTE 259M (with embedded audio)

Camera Section

Imager 3-chip 2/3-type HD PowerHAD FX CCDs
Effective Picture
Elements
Optical System F1.4 prism system
Built-in Optical Filters CC; A: Cross, B: 3200K, C: 4300K, D: 6300K

Shutter Speed (Time) 1080/59.94i: 1/100, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000. 1/2000, ECS*

Shutter Speed
(Slow Shutter (SLS))
Slow & Quick Motion
Function

Sensitivity (2000 lx,

89.9% reflectance)
Minimum Illumination Approx. 0.3 lx (F1.4 lens, +42 dB, with slow shutter: Off)
White Balance Preset (3200K), Memory A, Memory B/ATW
Gain Selection -6, -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 dB
S/N Ratio 62 dB (58 dB w/o Noise Suppressor)
Horizontal Resolution 1,000 TV lines or more (1920 x 1080i mode)
Registration 0.02% or less for entire screen area (excluding distortion due to lens)
Modulation Depth 45% or more at 27.5 MHz (typical)
Digital Extender x2, x3, x4

Viewfinder

Viewfinder (Option )

Other Equipment

Built-in LCD Monitor 3.5-inch type color LCD monitor 960 x 540*
Built-in Speaker (x1)

Supplied Accessories

*1: The values for dimensions are approximate.
*2: ECS: Extended Clear Scan
*3: SLS: Slow Shutter
*4: Viewable area measured diagonally.

PDW-850

1920 (H) x 1080 (V)

ND; 1: Clear, 2: 1/4ND, 3: 1/16ND, 4: 1/64ND

1080/50i: 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, ECS*
1080/29.97p: 1/40, 1/60, 1/120, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, ECS*
SLS*3
1080/25p: 1/33, 1/50, 1/100, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, ECS*
1080/23.98p: 1/32, 1/48, 1/50, 1/60, 1/96, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000,

2

ECS*

, SLS*3
720/23.98p (Pull-down): 23.98p: 1/32, 1/48, 1/50, 1/60, 1/96, 1/125, 1/250,
1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, ECS*
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16 frame accumulation

(MPEG HD422 50M@1080 mode only)

23.98p: Selectable from 1 to 48 frame/sec as recording frame rate
25p: Selectable from 1 to 50 frame/sec as recording frame rate

29.97p: Selectable from 1 to 59.94 frame/sec as recording frame rate
1080/59.94i: F11 (typical)
1080/50i: F12 (typical)

Shoulder strap (1)
Microphone cable (1)
Microphone spacer (1)
Operation manual CD-ROM (Japanese, English, French, Germany, Italian, Spanish,
Portuguese, Russian, Chinese) (1)
Operation guide (Japanese, English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Kazakhstan) (1)

2

, SLS*3

4

2

, SLS*3

2

Optional Accessories

PFD23A /PFD50DLA

Professional Disc

CA-FB70/TX70

System Camera
Configuration Units

SONY, Professional Disc, XDCAM, Power HAD, MPEG HD422, MPEG HD, MPEG IMX, and

HDVF-C30WR/
20A/200

Viewfinder

ECM-680S/678/673

Shotgun-type
Electret Condenser
Microphone

BP-GL95A/65A,
BP-L80S/60S

Lithium-ion
Battery Pack

CBK-WA100

Wireless Adapter

AC-DN10/DN2B

AC Adapter

DWR-S02D

Two-channel Slot-in
Portable Digital
Wireless Microphone
Receiver

BC-L500/L160/L70

Battery Charger

RM-B170

Remote Control Unit

Sony Electronics Inc.

Park Ridge, NJ 07656

sony.com/xdcam

©2014 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Features, design, and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Weights and measurements are approximate.

DVCAM are trademarks of Sony.

All other trademarks are the trademark of their respective owners.

, SLS*3

1 Sony Drive

2

, SLS*3

2

,

V-2604 (MK11121V1)

Printed in USA (4/14)