XDCAM EX camcorder, model number PMW-EX1. The primary reason for covering the PMW-EX1 XDCAM EX camcorder is that with a U.S. $7790 MSRP, it does qualify as "low-cost HD acquisition". Moreover, with its 1/2-inch imaging system, uncompressed audio, and 35 Mbps video datarate, it has the potential to produce better looking and better sounding footage than any HDV-format camcorder. Now if it only supported the new 50 Mbps 4:2:2 XDCAM HD recording mode, but alas, it doesn't. Sony PMW-EX1. This new product has the following specifications. HQ (full-raster, square pixel) recording modes are 1080i59.94, 1080i50, 1080p29.97, 1080p25, 1080p23.976, 720p59.94, 720p50, 720p29.97, 720p25, and 720p23.976, although 1080p59.94 and 1080p50 are not supported. SP (anamorphically squeezed 1440 by 1080 non-square pixel) recording modes of 1080i59.94, 1080i50, and 1080p23.976 are also available. The camcorder utilizes three 1/2-inch (0.5-inch) Exmor CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors with 1920 by 1080 (2.07 million) effective picture elements per sensor, and is fitted with a fixed (non-removable, non-interchangeable), 14× (optical) manual/servo Fujinon model XT14X5.8 zoom lens. Despite the manual lens, the PMW-EX1 offers OIS (optical image stabilization) and auto-focus. 35 mm equivalent focal length is 31.4 mm to 439 mm and two selectable built-in ND (neutral density) filter settings of 1/8 and 1/64 are provided. Eight different user-selectable gamma curves, including four Cine Gamma curves, plus interval recording, frame recording, slow shutter (frame accumulation mode), and 1 to 60 (720p) and 1 to 30 (1080p) fps variable frame rates are available. The PMW-EX1 has a 0.54-inch (1.4 cm), switchable monochrome/color, 16:9 aspect ratio, LCD (liquid crystal display) electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 252,000 pixels (1120 by 225) and a 3.5-inch (8.8 cm), high resolution, hybrid (transmissive/reflective) LCD panel. Both the viewfinder and the LCD panel are capable of displaying a depth-of-field indicator, a brightness-level display, and a histogram. The camcorder has a built-in omni-directional, electret condenser, stereo microphone, and Sony also offers the optional model ECM-673 uni-directional, super cardioid, short shotgun microphone ($330 U.S. List Price). Sony claims a frequency response of 50 Hz to 15 kHz for the built-in mic, but -3 dB points are not specified. The PMW-EX1 does not have an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output jack, nor does it support the new, expanded IEC 61966-2-4 xvYCC (Sony x.v.Color/Colour) color space.