Sony today announces the all-new UMC-S3C, the first video camera that offers the highest sensitivity with 4K video recording simultaneously, allowing users to capture details even in challenging low-light conditions, the camera also features tremendous flexibility and long duration video recording, alongside 12 megapixel colour still image capture. This announcement follows the recent launch of the 4K network camera, model SNC-VB770.

“At Sony, we focus on enhancing high resolution and high sensitivity,” said Roger Lawrence, Video Security Product Manager at Sony Professional Solutions Europe. “With this approach, we have been expanding our current 4K product line-up and are confident that we can tap into new markets with the all-new UMC-S3C. The latest video camera is also a testament of Sony’s relentless efforts to provide our clients with solutions that meet their business requirements.”

Capable of achieving both sensitivity and resolution with colour video recording in 4K, the UMC-S3C provides the highest sensitivity in its class, with illuminance as under 0.004lx, ISO 409600¹. This is made possible by incorporating Sony’s advanced technologies from both its consumer and professional space - the full-frame 35mm Exmor sensor and image processing engine.

Sony’s UMC-S3C uses a 35mm full-frame sensor to deliver high sensitivity with high light condensing efficiency, and an image processing engine which enhances noise reduction. With the inclusion of compatible E-mount lenses that are optimised to maximise the performance of the 35mm full-frame 12MP sensor, resolution is kept high across the entire image area from the centre to the lens periphery.

The camera delivers clear images with less noise thanks to the 35mm full-frame sensor, which captures significantly more light with lower noise than conventional camera sensors, combined with the use of area-specific noise reduction which is able to selectively apply noise reduction to areas based on image content. Image quality is further enhanced through detail reproduction technology, allowing clear and sharp video recording in near pitch-black environments beyond the capabilities of the human eye. This helps to deliver optimised images in various scenes and ensures a more natural sense of dimension. The high sensitivity also allows higher shutter speeds to be used even in low light, allowing users to capture moving objects clearly, retaining detail of text and faces etc.

Weighing approximately 400g, the lightweight UMC-S3C is currently the most compact camera among Sony’s line-up in the full-frame camera market. With mounting points on the camera body to enhance mobility, the stand-alone camera allows users to attach it onto moving objects, such as vehicles, with ease. In addition, users can control the camera via multi terminal², remote controller or compatible software.

The UMC-S3C is suitable for a variety of applications, including disaster responses; wildlife monitoring; mapping or surveying of landscape; surveillance; inspections and investigations; live camera; dashboard/professional point-of-view (‘POV’) cameras, among others. Supporting multi camera systems, the UMC-S3C can fit into any existing infrastructure and also allows various playback functions with the use of a PC as well as Live View via HDMI.

Long duration video recording is also possible as the stand-alone camera is equipped with a memory card slot on the camera body, instead of network cabling feature. For example, with a 64GB memory card, users can record up to 125 minutes of 4K footage with standard quality (30 fps/60 Mbps). Furthermore, with 4K resolution, where image resolution is four times higher than full HD, users can cover larger areas with outstanding image quality. The camera also accommodates the XAVC S format, enabling high quality recording with 100Mbps high bit rate³. This is a huge advantage to users in challenging environments where cabling or space is a huge limitation.

Sony’s UMC-S3C will be available in Europe during the summer 2016.

<sub>1 Standard ISO 100 – 102400, expandable to ISO 50-409600

2 Supports Micro USB compatible device

3 In the case of 4K recording</sub>