Fox recently used Sony Professional's new HDC-F5500 camera system for MLB's American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros. Sony Electronics’ new HDC-F5500 Super 35mm system camera, was recently employed for high-profile Fox Sports NFL and MLB broadcasts.
The cutting-edge imaging technology provided by Sony Pro‘s latest camera is said to provide shallow depth of field to heighten the cinematic picture quality of the broadcasts to deliver realistic baseball and football game action.
“The HDC-F5500 camera was designed specifically for live event production, with feedback from the industry, so it’s fitting that its first public uses allowed it to capture some of the most anticipated sporting and broadcast events of the year,” states John Studdert, vice president, media solutions, Sony Electronics.
“With the implementation of the HDC-F5500, FOX, CBS and ESPN continue their commitment to amplifying audience engagement through artistic and innovative uses of technology. The emotion and competition of these games were elevated by the camera’s cinematic storytelling abilities. In addition, it seamlessly integrated with all of the other Sony cameras in use at these events, to enable new forms of expression for the production and viewers alike.”
In its broadcast debut, the HDC-F5500 camera was used during FOX’s coverage of baseball’s American League Championship Series between Boston and Houston. It was equipped with a long box lens and positioned behind the first base dugout during games 3, 4 and 5 of the series. Several replays showcased the camera’s creative capabilities.
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Additionally, ESPN also incorporated the system camera into a Monday Night Football matchup between Kansas City and New York on November 1, where the camera was integrated into the key sideline cart position. Content captured with the camera helped to deliver immersive look to several plays during the game. The HDC-F5500 was complemented by additional Sony HDC-series cameras during the broadcast.
Highlights of the new HDC-F5500 camera system include a sensitive Super 35mm, 4K CMOS global shutter image sensor that enables lush images with several available color gamuts, as well as the use of PL mount 35mm lenses. The camera also features a high frame rate capability of up to 120fps, making it a valuable tool for sports production. A motorized 8-step ND filter allows for the precise selection of focus depth and works with a flexible shutter system for capture of fast-moving subjects. Combined with the highly sensitive imager, the HDC-F5500 makes stunning pictures, in bright lighting or during night games.
“The F5500 captured cinema grade images which matched the tone and quality of the main broadcast seamlessly with an interface that our operators use daily,” adds Brad Cheney, FOX Sports VP Field Operations & Engineering.
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