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Panasonic HC-VX1 Camcorder
Panasonic HC-VX1
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Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX53
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Sony FDR-AX700 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX700
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Editiorial reviews
2
2 editorial reviews
The Panasonic HC-VX1 is an affordable camera with a good looking image, better than average low light performance and UHD 4K recording — all for $800.Read more
Panasonic has chosen the CES show to announce four new camcorders with large sensors, improved stabilisation and a 24x optical zoom lens.Read more
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4
4 editorial reviews
The newly released replacement for the classic FDR-AX33 – the FDR-AX53 4K HD Camcorder will serve as an extension to Sony’s popular high-end 4K handycam lineup. This camcorder combines the latest of shooting technology while retaining only the best parts from its predecessor: a relatively compact design, strong internal hardware and the highest shooting resolution. The AX53 is a strong contender for this year’s top camcorder, due to a combination of high resolution output, plenty of portability options and an all-around extensive video shooting capacity. Individuals ranging from student film makers to full-time professionals could definitely make use of it.Read more
The Sony AX53 is a 4K handycam designed for a wide range of users. Check out our detailed review and everything you need to know about the Sony AX53.Read more
(Click for Reviews) The FDR-AX53 is Sony's newest compact 4K consumer camcorder. SmartReview previewed this model at CES in Las Vegas (see video below). This model shoots at 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160) which is at 8 megapixels resolution verus only 2 megapixels for Full HD. In addition to shooting at 4 times the resolution of HD, this model has Sony's best Balanced Optical Steadyshot (BOSS) image stabilization. This camcorder, although a consumer model has many high end features, such as a premium Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar® T lens f2.0-3.8 (20x optical and 30x extended zoom). Shooting at this resolution will future proof your videos, as the industry moves toward 4K resolution in TVs. Footage in 4K can also be used for Full HD video production, as you can crop or zoom in on your footage and still maintain Full HD quality. Manual Control (Iris, Shutter, Exposure, and White Balance. External Microphone and Headphone Jacks, Infrared Night Vision and an EVF Viewfinder. Future proof your videos by going with 4K Ultra HD resolution. The FDR-AX53 has won our BEST of 2022 award for camcorders under $1000. ...More...Read more
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2
2 editorial reviews
(Click for Reviews) The FDR-AX700 is Sony's upgrade to the popular FDR-AX100 4K consumer camcorder. SmartReview previewed this model at CES in Las Vegas. The biggest upgrades are the new 273 point phase detection AF for fast and accurate video focusing, Dual Card Slots, Higher resolution LCD touchscreen, new 120p mode for HD, S-Log2 and S-Log3, and new HDR recording mode. This model shoots at 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160) which is at 8 megapixels resolution versus only 2 megapixels for Full HD, a four fold increase in resolution. The FDR-AX700 has a huge 1-inch back-illuminated Exmor R® CMOS Sensor (14.2M pixels). This is far larger than most camcorder imagers, and will give better low light performance and increased dynamic range. Shooting at this resolution will future proof your videos, as the industry moves toward 4K resolution in TVs. Footage in 4K can also be used for Full HD video production, as you can crop or zoom in on your footage and still maintain Full HD quality. For best image quality, Sony has equipped the FDR-AX700 with a Carl Zeiss 12x Optical Zoom Lens. It has an excellent 2.35 million dot OLED EVF Viewfinder as well. EVF Viewfinder. External Microphone and Headphone jacks. Infrared Night Vision. Built-in WiFi and NFC. This is a premium quality camcorder in all regards and won our BEST of 2022 Award... ...More...Read more
There has never been a better time to be a photo or video enthusiast. While the consumer market for camcorders and digital SLR cameras has largely disappeared due to improved smartphone video quality, tremendous innovations still occur regularly. The latest step forward in camcorders brings 4K quality trickling down to consumer products. While 4K video cameras have existed for a long time in professional grade gear, in recent years we’ve seen a steady increase in the number, and decrease in the price, of consumer focused 4K devices. In fact, most top tier cell phones have shot in 4K since 2015.Read more
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User rating
81
3.7 out of 5
81 user ratings
5 stars
30 %
4 stars
30 %
3 stars
20 %
2 stars
16 %
1 stars
1 %
98
3.7 out of 5
98 user ratings
5 stars
30 %
4 stars
25 %
3 stars
27 %
2 stars
15 %
1 stars
1 %
75
3.6 out of 5
75 user ratings
5 stars
21 %
4 stars
33 %
3 stars
32 %
2 stars
12 %
1 stars
1 %

Sensor

Sensor typeMOS BSICMOSExmor RS CMOS
Optical sensor size1.0 in1.0 in1.0 in
Effective megapixels8.29 Mpx8.29 Mpx14.2 Mpx
Total megapixels8.57 Mpx8.29 Mpx14.2 Mpx

Image

Maximum image resolution6784 x 3816 px5440 x 3056 px5024 x 2824 px
White balance modes
  • Indoor
  • Sunny
  • Auto
  • Cloudy
  • Outdoor
  • Indoor
  • Auto
  • Outdoor
  • Indoor
Supported image file formatsJPEG
N/A
JPG
Image stabilizer typeHybridOpticalOptical
Indoor white balance
N/A
yes
N/A
Outdoor white balance
N/A
yes
N/A
Onepush white balance
N/A
yes
N/A
Image stabilizer
N/A
yesyes
Supported aspect ratios
N/A
  • 4:3
  • 16:9
16:9

Optics and focus

Optical zoom24.0 x20.0 x12.0 x
Focal length equiv25 - 600
N/A
29 - 348
Focal length range (f-f) (Lens system)4.12 - 98.926.8 - 536
N/A
Focus adjustmentAuto/ManualAuto/ManualAuto/Manual
Filter size2.44 in2.17 in2.44 in
Digital zoom
N/A
250.0 x192.0 x
Minimum aperture
N/A
22.8
Maximum aperture
N/A
3.8
N/A
Auto focus (AF) lock
N/A
yesyes

Screen and viewfinder

Built-in displayyesyesyes
DisplayLCDLCDOLED
Display diagonal3.0 in3.0 in3.5 in
Touchscreenyesyesyes
Flip-out screenyes
N/A
yes
Articulated LCD
N/A
yes
N/A
Display aspect ratio
N/A
16:916:9
Viewfinder type
N/A
ElectronicElectronic
Viewfinder screen size
N/A
0.24 in0.39 in

Videography features

Resolution
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1920 x 1080
  • 3840 x 2160
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1440 x 1080
  • 1920 x 1080
  • 3840 x 2160
  • 640 x 360
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1440 x 1080
  • 1920 x 1080
  • 3840 x 2160
Maximum resolution3840 x 2160 px3840 x 2160 px3840 x 2160 px
HD type4K Ultra HD4K Ultra HD4K Ultra HD
Video formats supported
  • AVCHD
  • MP4
  • MPEG4
  • H.264
  • MP4
  • MPEG4
  • AVCHD
  • H.264
  • XAVC S
Analog signal format system
N/A
  • NTSC
  • PAL
N/A
Camera playback
N/A
  • Highlights
  • Slide show
N/A
Maximum frame rate
N/A
120.0 fps120.0 fps

Design

Colour of productBlackBlackBlack

Dimensions

Height3.03 in3.17 in3.52 in
Width2.68 in2.87 in4.57 in
Depth5.55 in6.56 in7.74 in
Weight15.1 oz22.4 oz36.33 oz

Storage

Compatible memory cards
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
  • MS PRO Duo
  • MS Pro-HG Duo
  • MS XC-HG Duo
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
  • SD
  • SDXC
  • Memory Stick PRO Duo Mark2
  • SDHC
  • Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo
  • Memory Stick XC-HG Duo
Storage typesMemory cardMemory cardMemory card
Camera file system
N/A
  • DCF 2.0
  • Exif 2.3
  • MPF
  • DCF 2.0
  • Exif 2.3

Connectivity

HDMIyesyesyes
Microphone portyes
N/A
yes
Wi-Fiyesyesyes
Wi-Fi standards
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
N/A
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
Bluetoothno
N/A
N/A
Headphone port
N/A
3.5 mm3.5 mm
DC-in jack
N/A
yesyes
Smartphone remote support
N/A
yes
N/A
PictBridge
N/A
N/A
no
Remote control
N/A
N/A
yes

Often compared with Panasonic HC-VX1

Often compared with Sony FDR-AX53

Often compared with Sony FDR-AX700