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Panasonic HC-VX870 Camcorder
Panasonic HC-VX870
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Sony FDR-AX1 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX1
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Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX53
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Editiorial reviews
1
1 editorial reviews
Panasonic HC-VX870 Review: This camcorder brings 4K video further into the consumer camcorder mainstream.Read more
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5
5 editorial reviews
Originally shot in glorious 4k, this downscaled 1080p footage tests the capabilities of the Sony FDR-AX1. Tests include dynamic range, low light, gain,Read more
The Sony FDR-AX1 is a 4K camcorder that comes in at a low $4498 price tag and is really the first of its kind in bringing affordable 4K to the masses with its lightweight XAVC-S codec.Read more
The company's Quad HD resolution camcorder comes with a a pro body and price, but Sony wants to sell it to consumers.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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User rating
48
4.0 out of 5
48 user ratings
5 stars
33 %
4 stars
41 %
3 stars
18 %
2 stars
6 %
1 stars
0 %
50
3.9 out of 5
50 user ratings
5 stars
38 %
4 stars
30 %
3 stars
20 %
2 stars
10 %
1 stars
2 %
98
3.7 out of 5
98 user ratings
5 stars
30 %
4 stars
25 %
3 stars
27 %
2 stars
15 %
1 stars
1 %

Sensor

Sensor typeMOS BSICMOSCMOS
Optical sensor size1.0 in1.0 in1.0 in
Effective megapixels8.29 Mpx8.3 Mpx8.29 Mpx
Total megapixels18.91 Mpx18.9 Mpx8.29 Mpx

Image

White balance modes
  • Indoor
  • Sunny
  • Auto
  • Daylight
  • Cloudy
  • Indoor
  • Auto
  • Outdoor
  • Indoor
  • Auto
Image stabilizeryesyesyes
Image stabilizer typeHybridOpticalOptical
Indoor white balance
N/A
yesyes
Outdoor white balance
N/A
yesyes
Onepush white balance
N/A
yesyes
Maximum image resolution
N/A
N/A
5440 x 3056 px
Supported aspect ratios
N/A
N/A
  • 4:3
  • 16:9

Optics and focus

Optical zoom20.0 x20.0 x20.0 x
Digital zoom60.0 x
N/A
250.0 x
Focal length equiv30.8 - 626
N/A
N/A
Focal length range (f-f) (Lens system)4.08 - 81.64.1 - 8226.8 - 536
Focus adjustmentAuto/ManualManualAuto/Manual
Filter size1.93 in
N/A
2.17 in
Minimum aperture
N/A
3.42
Maximum aperture
N/A
1.63.8
Auto focus (AF) lock
N/A
N/A
yes

Screen and viewfinder

Built-in displayyesyesyes
DisplayLCDLCDLCD
Display diagonal3.0 in3.5 in3.0 in
Touchscreenyesnoyes
Viewfinder type
N/A
ElectronicElectronic
Articulated LCD
N/A
N/A
yes
Display aspect ratio
N/A
N/A
16:9
Viewfinder screen size
N/A
N/A
0.24 in

Videography features

Maximum resolution1920 x 1080 px3840 x 2160 px3840 x 2160 px
HD typeFull HDFull HD4K Ultra HD
Video formats supported
  • H.264
  • MPEG4
  • AVC
  • AVCHD
  • MP4
  • AVCHD
  • H.264
  • MPEG4
  • H.264
  • MP4
  • MPEG4
Resolution
N/A
N/A
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1440 x 1080
  • 1920 x 1080
  • 3840 x 2160
Analog signal format system
N/A
N/A
  • NTSC
  • PAL
Camera playback
N/A
N/A
  • Highlights
  • Slide show
Maximum frame rate
N/A
N/A
120.0 fps

Audio features

Audio systemDolby Digital 2.0/5.1
N/A
Dolby Digital 2.0/5.1
Supported audio file formatsAACLPCM
  • LC-AAC
  • MP4
  • PCM
Built-in microphone
N/A
yesyes
Built-in speaker(s)
N/A
yesyes
Wind filter
N/A
N/A
yes

Design

Colour of productBlackBlackBlack

Dimensions

Height2.87 in7.6 in3.17 in
Width2.56 in7.44 in2.87 in
Depth5.47 in14.25 in6.56 in
Weight12.45 oz86.07 oz22.4 oz

Storage

Compatible memory cards
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
XQD
  • MS PRO Duo
  • MS Pro-HG Duo
  • MS XC-HG Duo
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Memory slots12
N/A
Storage typesMemory cardMemory cardMemory card
Camera file system
N/A
N/A
  • DCF 2.0
  • Exif 2.3
  • MPF

Power

Battery technology
Lithium-Ion
N/A
Lithium
Battery capacity1940.0 mAh
N/A
N/A
Battery voltage3.6 V
N/A
6.8 V
AC adapter includedyesyesyes
Number of batteries supported
N/A
N/A
1

Connectivity

HDMIyesyesyes
Microphone portyes
N/A
N/A
Wi-Fiyes
N/A
yes
Wi-Fi standards
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11n
N/A
N/A
Headphone port
N/A
N/A
3.5 mm
DC-in jack
N/A
N/A
yes
Smartphone remote support
N/A
N/A
yes

Often compared with Sony FDR-AX1

Sony FDR-AX1 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX53
SonyFDR-AX1
SonyFDR-AX53

Often compared with Sony FDR-AX53

Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Panasonic HC-VXF990
SonyFDR-AX53
PanasonicHC-VXF990
Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Panasonic HC-WXF990
SonyFDR-AX53
PanasonicHC-WXF990
Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Panasonic HC-VXF1
SonyFDR-AX53
PanasonicHC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX700
SonyFDR-AX53
SonyFDR-AX700
Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX1
SonyFDR-AX53
SonyFDR-AX1
Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX100
SonyFDR-AX53
SonyFDR-AX100
Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX33
SonyFDR-AX53
SonyFDR-AX33
Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Panasonic HC-VX1
SonyFDR-AX53
PanasonicHC-VX1