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Canon HF R86 Camcorder
Canon HF R86
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Panasonic HC-VX980 Camcorder
Panasonic HC-VX980
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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
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
25
4.5 out of 5
25 user ratings
5 stars
52 %
4 stars
48 %
3 stars
0 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
70
3.7 out of 5
70 user ratings
5 stars
30 %
4 stars
28 %
3 stars
30 %
2 stars
7 %
1 stars
4 %
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 typeCMOSMOS BSICMOS
Optical sensor size1.0 in1.0 in1.0 in
Effective megapixels2.07 Mpx8.29 Mpx8.29 Mpx
Total megapixels3.28 Mpx18.91 Mpx8.29 Mpx

Image

Maximum image resolution1920 x 1080 px6784 x 3816 px5440 x 3056 px
White balance modes
  • Tungsten
  • Daylight
N/A
  • Outdoor
  • Indoor
  • Auto
Image stabilizeryesyesyes
Image stabilizer typeOptical
N/A
Optical
Supported image file formats
N/A
JPEG XR
N/A
Indoor white balance
N/A
N/A
yes
Outdoor white balance
N/A
N/A
yes
Onepush white balance
N/A
N/A
yes
Supported aspect ratios
N/A
N/A
  • 4:3
  • 16:9

Optics and focus

Optical zoom32.0 x20.0 x20.0 x
Digital zoom1140.0 x1500.0 x250.0 x
Minimum aperture1.8
N/A
2
Maximum aperture4.5
N/A
3.8
Focal length equiv38.5 - 123237.6 - 752.8
N/A
Focal length range (f-f) (Lens system)2.8 - 89.64.08 - 81.626.8 - 536
Focus adjustmentAuto/ManualAuto/ManualAuto/Manual
Filter size1.69 in1.93 in2.17 in
Auto focus (AF) lock
N/A
N/A
yes

Screen and viewfinder

Built-in displayyesyesyes
DisplayLCDLCDLCD
Articulated LCDyes
N/A
yes
Display diagonal3.0 in3.0 in3.0 in
Touchscreenyesyesyes
Flip-out screenyes
N/A
N/A
Display aspect ratio
N/A
N/A
16:9
Viewfinder type
N/A
N/A
Electronic
Viewfinder screen size
N/A
N/A
0.24 in

Videography features

Resolution
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1440 x 1080
  • 1920 x 1080
  • 640 x 480
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1920 x 1080
  • 3840 x 2160
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1440 x 1080
  • 1920 x 1080
  • 3840 x 2160
Maximum resolution1920 x 1080 px3840 x 2160 px3840 x 2160 px
HD typeFull HD4K Ultra HD4K Ultra HD
Video formats supported
  • AVCHD
  • H.264
  • AVCHD
  • MP4
  • H.264
  • MP4
  • MPEG4
Analog signal format systemPAL
N/A
  • NTSC
  • PAL
Maximum frame rate50.0 fps
N/A
120.0 fps
Camera playback
N/A
N/A
  • Highlights
  • Slide show

Audio features

Built-in microphoneyesyesyes
Microphone typeStereo
N/A
N/A
Audio systemDolby Digital 2.0Dolby Digital 5.1Dolby Digital 2.0/5.1
Supported audio file formatsAC3
N/A
  • LC-AAC
  • MP4
  • PCM
Built-in speaker(s)
N/A
N/A
yes
Wind filter
N/A
N/A
yes

Design

Colour of productBlackBlackBlack
Operating temperature0 - 40
N/A
N/A

Dimensions

Height2.28 in2.87 in3.17 in
Width2.09 in2.68 in2.87 in
Depth4.57 in5.47 in6.56 in
Weight8.47 oz12.38 oz22.4 oz

Storage

Internal storage16.0 GB
N/A
N/A
Compatible memory cards
  • SD
  • SDXC
  • SDHC
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
  • MS PRO Duo
  • MS Pro-HG Duo
  • MS XC-HG Duo
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Maximum memory card size64.0 GB
N/A
N/A
Storage typesMemory cardMemory cardMemory card
Camera file system
  • DCF
  • Exif 2.3
N/A
  • DCF 2.0
  • Exif 2.3
  • MPF
Memory slots
N/A
1
N/A

Connectivity

HDMIyesyesyes
USB portyesyes
N/A
Microphone portno
N/A
N/A
Wi-Fiyesyesyes
Wi-Fi standards
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
N/A
Bluetoothno
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

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