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Panasonic HC-VX980 Camcorder
Panasonic HC-VX980
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Sony FDR-AX33 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX33
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Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX53
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Editiorial reviews
2
2 editorial reviews
The HC-VX980EB-K is another great 4K camcorder from Panasonic, with fewer features than the top model but the keener price is more than compensation.Read more
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
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4
4 editorial reviews
With full manual controls and its BOSS image stabilization, Sony rolls out another traditional 4K camcorder at a lower price.Read more
(Click for Reviews) The FDR-AX33 was Sony's first compact 4K consumer camcorder. SmartReview previewed this model a while back at CES in Las Vegas and it received many Best of CES awards. 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, the first 4K model to have this technology. This camcorder, although a consumer model has many high end features, such as a premium Carl Zeiss lens f1.8-3.4 (10x optical and 20x 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. EVF Viewfinder. Shoots at 100Mbps for best picture quality. ...More...Read more
The Sony FDR-AX33 4K Handycam Camcorder is my first camcorder. I am quite happy with it and using it more often than my smartphone and DSLR. To figure out why, keep reading my review.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
69
3.8 out of 5
69 user ratings
5 stars
30 %
4 stars
28 %
3 stars
30 %
2 stars
5 %
1 stars
4 %
45
3.9 out of 5
45 user ratings
5 stars
28 %
4 stars
33 %
3 stars
33 %
2 stars
4 %
1 stars
0 %
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 BSIExmor R CMOSCMOS
Optical sensor size1.0 in1.0 in1.0 in
Effective megapixels8.29 Mpx8.29 Mpx8.29 Mpx
Total megapixels18.91 Mpx
N/A
8.29 Mpx

Image

Maximum image resolution6784 x 3816 px6048 x 3400 px5440 x 3056 px
Supported image file formatsJPEG XR
N/A
N/A
Image stabilizeryesyesyes
White balance modes
N/A
  • Outdoor
  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
  • Indoor
  • Auto
Indoor white balance
N/A
N/A
yes
Outdoor white balance
N/A
N/A
yes
Onepush white balance
N/A
N/A
yes
Image stabilizer type
N/A
N/A
Optical
Supported aspect ratios
N/A
N/A
  • 4:3
  • 16:9

Optics and focus

Optical zoom20.0 x10.0 x20.0 x
Digital zoom1500.0 x120.0 x250.0 x
Focal length equiv37.6 - 752.826.8 - 328
N/A
Focal length range (f-f) (Lens system)4.08 - 81.63.8 - 3826.8 - 536
Focus adjustmentAuto/ManualAuto/ManualAuto/Manual
Filter size1.93 in2.05 in2.17 in
Minimum aperture
N/A
N/A
2
Maximum aperture
N/A
N/A
3.8
Auto focus (AF) lock
N/A
N/A
yes

Screen and viewfinder

Built-in displayyesyesyes
DisplayLCDLCDLCD
Display diagonal3.0 in3.0 in3.0 in
Touchscreenyesyesyes
Display aspect ratio
N/A
16:916:9
Viewfinder type
N/A
ElectronicElectronic
Viewfinder screen size
N/A
0.24 in0.24 in
Articulated LCD
N/A
N/A
yes

Videography features

Resolution
  • 640 x 480
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1920 x 1080
  • 3840 x 2160
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1440 x 1080
  • 1920 x 1080
  • 3840 x 2160
  • 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 HDFull HD4K Ultra HD
Video formats supported
  • AVCHD
  • MP4
  • AVCHD
  • H.264
  • XAVC S
  • H.264
  • MP4
  • MPEG4
Maximum frame rate
N/A
50.0 fps120.0 fps
Analog signal format system
N/A
N/A
  • NTSC
  • PAL
Camera playback
N/A
N/A
  • Highlights
  • Slide show

Audio features

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

Design

Colour of productBlackBlackBlack

Dimensions

Height2.87 in3.09 in3.17 in
Width2.68 in2.8 in2.87 in
Depth5.47 in6.1 in6.56 in
Weight12.38 oz24.69 oz22.4 oz

Storage

Compatible memory cards
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
  • SD
  • SDXC
  • Memory Stick PRO Duo Mark2
  • SDHC
  • Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo
  • Memory Stick XC-HG Duo
  • MS PRO Duo
  • MS Pro-HG Duo
  • MS XC-HG Duo
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Memory slots1
N/A
N/A
Storage typesMemory cardMemory cardMemory card
Camera file system
N/A
N/A
  • DCF 2.0
  • Exif 2.3
  • MPF

Connectivity

HDMIyesyesyes
USB portyesyes
N/A
Wi-Fiyesyesyes
Wi-Fi standards
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
N/A
N/A
DC-in jack
N/A
yesyes
PictBridge
N/A
no
N/A
Headphone port
N/A
N/A
3.5 mm
Smartphone remote support
N/A
N/A
yes

Often compared with Sony FDR-AX33

Often compared with Sony FDR-AX53