Sony’s new DP7 and DP5 enhanced controllers a boon for solo operators

Sony has announced two external controllers, the DP7 and DP5, which integrate camera control and monitoring into a single unit for use with its Cinema Line cameras. At launch, both will be compatible with Sony’s FX5, FX3, FX2 and FX30 cameras.

The DP7 and DP5 controllers are designed for solo operators and small production teams, allowing settings to be checked and adjusted remotely rather than at the camera body. Sony cited physical buttons, a control knob and multi-function dials, wired connectivity, accurate colour reproduction and a robust build as the basis for supporting what it describes as the increasingly diverse needs of video production environments.

Wireless operation is also possible with select compatible transmitters. 

At the centre of the interface is a home screen Sony calls BIG6, which displays the main shooting parameters on the monitor side of the rig. Focus can be adjusted with compatible autofocus lenses, and zoom with compatible power zoom lenses, along with exposure and other key settings.

Touch operation is complemented by the control knob, multi-function dials and assignable buttons, providing direct access to frequently used functions on set. In compact setups with few crew, faster adjustments leave the operator freer to concentrate on composition and direction, says Sony.

For image quality, Sony has carried across the colour calibration technology used in its professional video monitors. Each unit is calibrated individually at the factory and compensates continuously for chromaticity and colour temperature drift during operation, which the company said delivers reliable colour accuracy in the field. The full HD panel reaches a brightness of up to 2,000cd/m2, and support for six presets and up to 16 LUTs is intended to let operators judge an image as close as possible to its intended final look, from shooting through to post-production. 

Connectivity includes HDMI input and output for stable wired monitoring, with wireless handled via select compatible third-party transmitters, which Sony said allows operators to work around camera placement and rig configuration.

The RM-DP7 goes further, adding 12G-SDI and bi-directional conversion between SDI and HDMI. 

Both models use a highly rigid aluminium body, with dust and moisture resistance taken into consideration for outdoor protection. Power can be drawn from BP-U series batteries, USB power delivery or DC input, which Sony said accommodates long shoots and varied equipment configurations.