Sony R Series broadcast cameras offer improved imaging and connectivity

Sony's new R Series refreshes five broadcast system cameras with better dynamic range and SDI flexibility, though the headline features don't land until a December firmware update.

Sony is launching five new broadcast system cameras — the HDC‑5500R, HDC‑5500RV, HDC‑3500R, HDC‑3500RV, and HDC‑3200R, collectively branded the R Series — alongside the HDCU-3500R camera control unit and the HKCU-LUT35 3D LUT option board.

All five models use a 2/3-inch three-chip 4K CMOS sensor with global shutter, building on the existing HDC-5000 and HDC-3000 series with improvements to imaging performance and transmission flexibility. The only slight wrinkle is that the main USPs of the new range over the existing one, enhanced imaging functionality and improved SDI transmission features, aren't available when the cameras release in summer 2026. These arrive a few months later with a firmware update in December.

New features

The cameras offer sensitivity selection to balance dynamic range against highlight clipping, with an S/N ratio of -64 dB. The HDC-5500R and HDC-5500RV add support for 4K high frame rate shooting, UHB (Ultra High Bitrate) transmission, and 12G-SDI, as well as video trunk over two 1.5G SDI lines. The HDC-3500R and HDC-3500RV gain HB+ transmission support, enabling video trunk over one 3G SDI line or two 1.5G SDI lines, along with prompter transmission via two 1.5G SDI lines. This makes room for simultaneous on-air and multi-monitor feeds without additional cabling.

The HDC-3200R adds network trunk at up to 1 Gbps over the camera-to-CCU fiber link, and now supports the S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine wide color gamut modes previously available only in the HDC-5000 and HDC-3500 series. This brings multi-camera color matching across different model generations.

The HDC-3500R, HDC-3500RV, and HDC-3200R can also connect to CCUs fitted with the HKCU-LUT35 option board for 3D LUT-based color adjustment. It's worth pointing out that the HDCU-3100 is not compatible; compatible units are the HDCU-3500R and the existing HDCU-3500. HB+ transmission on the HDC-3500R and HDC-3500RV requires connection to the HDCU-3500R.

The HDC-5500R, HDC-5500RV, HDC-3500R, and HDC-3500RV come with a slide mechanism for the 7.4-inch HDVF-EL760 OLED viewfinder, allowing it to be repositioned relative to the tripod axis for stability and comfort. The intercom operation panel from the HDC-5500V and HDC-3500V is carried over to all four models, providing consistent operation in mixed-model environments.

Pricing and availability 

As mentioned already, availability is planned for summer 2026 with the additional features arriving via firmware update in December. Early indications are that prices will not move substantially, if at all, from the current range.