Sony continues to expand and improve its XDCAM EX lineup with the PMW-350K Full HD Camcorder. Boasting three 2/3"-type full-HD CMOS sensors, solid state SxS workflow and an impressive set of advanced features, this professional shoulder-mount camera sets a new standard for affordable, high-end videography. With a chassis based on the XDCAM HD422, the PMW-350K also manages to be one of the lightest--and most well-balanced--camcorders in its class (even factoring in the interchangeable 16x Fujinon lens built specifically for this camera).

But comfort and portability are only the beginning. Pressing the Record button reveals what the PMW-350K is really about: topnotch image quality. And this camcorder comes by it honestly, whether in its High Quality 35Mbs HD setting or using the optional 25Mbs DVCAM recording mode. Either way, your images are captured quietly and efficiently to SxS PRO or the new, lower-cost SxS-1 memory cards--storing up to 280 minutes of MPEG-2 HD video on two 32GB cards. If needed, you can even record uncompressed 4:2:2 video by capturing to an external recorder via the camera's HD-SDI output.

Exceptionally low power consumption (only 15W) means the PMW-350K can run on a single 90Wh battery for up to 5 hours--not only good for the environment, but fewer batteries mean less weight (and lower costs) on long-distance shoots. Other features--some passed down from Sony's higher-end F900R and PDW-700--are also worth mentioning, including scene file settings, adjustable gamma, and Matrix settings that can be stored on memory cards. Four channels of audio and a viewfinder that incorporates the EX1/EX3's entire high-resolution LCD screen (and adds image flip, to boot) make the shooter's job even easier. With the introduction of the PMW-350K, Sony reaffirms its XDCAM EX cameras as serious high-definition contenders.