The PDW-680 joins the XDCAM family as a new, powerful camcorder that supports both HD (MPEG HD422/HD420) and SD (MPEG IMX50/40/30, DVCAM) recording, offers excellent, versatile camera features, and is equipped with three 2/3-inch type CMOS Exmor sensors. The PDW-680 provides outstanding picture quality, boasting high sensitivity of F12 (60i) and F13 (50i), and an excellent signal-to-noise ratio of 59 dB. Using reliable Professional Disc™ recording media, the PDW-680 offers the advantages of file-based recording so camera professionals can significantly improve operational efficiency with capabilities such as thumbnail scene search and immediate viewing on the built-in LCD panel. With various functions inherited from Sony’s world-acclaimed XDCAM camcorders, the PDW-680 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.

High Picture Quality with Three 2/3-inch Type Exmor CMOS Sensors

Equipped with three Exmor CMOS sensors, the PDW-680 delivers superior picture performance with full-HD resolution. These 2/3-inch type image
sensors provide excellent sensitivity levels of F12 at 60i and F13 at 50i, a remarkable signal-to-noise ratio of 59 dB, and a high horizontal resolution of
1,000 TV lines*. These high-performance sensors result in high-quality digital signals with extremely low noise. This significantly enhances shooting in lowlight environments.
* In HD-SDI, HQ 1080 mode.

Choice of SD or HD Operation

The PDW-680 has a highly flexible multi-format recording capability. Users can select an HD recording format (MPEG HD422, MPEG HD) or SD recording
format (MPEG IMX50/40/30, DVCAM), in a variety of frame frequencies. 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.
* Interlace mode only; Progressive mode is not supported.

Efficient Workflow with Proxy Data

At the same time as recording high-resolution video and audio data, the PDW-680 can record a low-resolution version of the video and audio data
(called Proxy Data) not only to Professional Disc but also to USB memory, which enables operators to quickly transfer the small files to a laptop for
immediate viewing, logging, selecting takes, and cuts-only editing. The proxy data can be transferred at a faster-than-real-time rate from the field to the
studio. This enables proxy editing to begin before the high-resolution assets arrive.

Powerful Nonlinear Recording

The PDW-680 uses Professional Discs as its recording media, which enables long-duration recording because of this media’s extremely high capacity.
Professional Disc media almost equals the capacity of CDs and DVDs. Despite its size, a single 50-GB duallayer disc can record MPEG HD422 data for approximately 95 minutes. If MPEG HD data is recorded in 25-Mbps mode, over 3 hours of recording can be achieved, which is perfect for documentaries, nature shows, and similar projects.

Shock- and Dust-resistant Disc Drive

To minimize errors caused by shock or dust entering the disc drive, the PDW-680 provides operational resistance in several special ways that have already proved reliable in the PDW-700/F800. The disc drive entrance is concealed by two lids, helping to prevent any dust from entering the drive. In
addition, four rubber dampers are used to hold the disc drive block in place and to absorb shocks that would otherwise go into the disc drive.

File-based Recording Capability Enhances Production Workflow

Unlike a conventional tape camcorder, the PDW-680 records video and audio as a data file, called a clip. This allows recorded scenes to be immediately
recalled and played back, thanks to file-based thumbnail search operation. Furthermore, the camera operator can return to shooting immediately without
having to cue back to the end of the last shot. This helps especially in ENG when the user needs to operate quickly without accidentally overwriting recorded clips. In addition, the PDW-680 provides two types of file recording mode. In normal mode, one clip file is created each time recording
starts and stops. In the other mode, called Clip Continuous REC mode, a single clip file can be created at the user’s discretion as tape media operation
which greatly improves the efficiency of the nonlinear editing work that follows.

Maximum x4 Digital Extender

The Digital Extender function of the PDW-680 enables images to be digitally zoomed to four times in size. Unlike lens extenders, the Digital Extender
performs this function without any loss of image sensitivity. Combined with the Focus Magnification function, the user can expand an image up to eight
times in size, allowing for more precise focusing.

Planning Metadata Import via a Wi-Fi Adapter

To realize Sony’s innovative XMPilot™ metadata workflow, the PDW-680 is designed to support planning metadata. Before shooting starts, users can
import the metadata to be used. This type of metadata is called planning metadata. It diminishes the time and effort of inputting metadata at a location,
thus achieving a smooth interface with post-production and archiving. With the optional CBK-WA01 Wi-Fi Adapter and the CBKZ-UPG01 software activation
key, users can achieve a wireless workflow using mobile devices.

Picture Cache and Disc Exchange Cache

The PDW-680 offers a Picture Cache Recording function that is especially useful in ENG applications. Up to 30 seconds of audio and video signals are buffered into the camcorder’s internal memory before the REC start button is pressed. Using a Disc Exchange Cache function, video, audio, and timecode can be recorded seamlessly onto the new disc, by replacing a new disc within 30 seconds. This helps to prevent the loss of any unexpected yet important events.

Optical ND Filters and Electric CC Filters

The PDW-680 comes equipped with wheel-type optical ND (Neutral Density) filters and electrical CC filters. With the electrical CC filter, users can easily
select a color temperature – 3200K/4300K/5600K/6300K – using a camcorder-assignable switch. Users can also obtain the specific value with just a single click, which is useful when there’s a sudden change in the shooting environment and a quick reset is required.

Pool-feed Operation

For pool-feed operation, an optional CBK-SC02 board provides SD composite input or an optional CBK-HD01 board provides SD/HDSDI input, enabling recording of audio and video feed signals supplied by an external VTR/camcorder.

Wide Choice of Microphone Systems

The PDW-680 has its own microphone but is also compatible with a variety of other microphones. Three shotgun-type microphones – the ECM-680S,
ECM-678, and ECM-674 – are available as options. This camcorder also has a slot to accommodate the DWR-S02D* digital wireless microphone receiver, which provides stable and secure two-channel audio with high tolerance to interference waves. The WRR-855 Series microphone receiver can also be used in this slot.

* Availability varies by country.

Please check with your local Sony office.

AES XLR Digital Input

The PDW-680 offers AES XLR digital input selection, which means it can accept digital audio signals such as those supplied from an AES digital mixer during field shooting.

Scene File System

Camera operators use the scene file system of the PDW-680 to easilly call up customized picture-tonal settings to suit particular shooting conditions, rather
than have to readjust the camera each time. This system is also very helpful when sharing the same camera settings across multiple camcorders. Scene
files can be stored on Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, and Memory Stick Pro Duo media (up to 4-GB). All files, including user files, reference files, and lens files, can be also stored on Memory Sticks.

Selectable Gamma Curves

The PDW-680 offers a wide variety of gamma curves to flexibly handle contrast and give a specific ‘look’ to an image. In addition to six types of
standard gamma curve, there are four types of HyperGamma which are identical to those on CineAlta™ cameras. Operators can select the bestsuited preset gamma curves, depending on scene requirements.

Interval Recording

This camcorder’s Interval Recording function intermittently records signals at pre-determined intervals. This is convenient for shooting over long periods of
time and also when creating pictures with special effects that include extremely quick motion.

Slow Shutter

The shutter speed of the PDW-680 is selectable down to a 16-frame period, in 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, and 16-frame periods*, increasing its sensitivity. This helps camera operators to shoot in extremely dark environments. The Slow Shutter function also allows operators to use shutter speeds longer than the frame rate, and to intentionally blur images when shooting a moving object, for increased shooting creativity.

* Only even numbers of frame settings are available.