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Panasonic HC-VXF1 vs Sony FDR-AX53

2.72 in
3.03 in
Panasonic HC-VXF1 Camcorder
Panasonic HC-VXF1
2.87 in
3.17 in
Sony FDR-AX53 Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX53
Available colors
Editiorial reviews
3
3 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
Some people feel that the camcorder is the ‘dad joke’ of gadgets. As fathers’ ourselves, our best advice for you is to suggest you look at the whole picture (heh, heh, heh). We know what you’re thinking; if you have to listen to another terrible dad joke, you’re going to ‘snap’ (heh, heh, heh). Well, stop being so darn ‘negative’ (heh, heh, heh). But seriously, when people think camcorder, they think white tennis shoes, calf-high tube socks, khaki shorts and yacht rock. Now, as much as we love a little Michael McDonald and Hall and Oates from time to time,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
Read editorial reviews
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
83
3.6 out of 5
83 user ratings
5 stars
22 %
4 stars
32 %
3 stars
31 %
2 stars
12 %
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 %

Full Comparison

Sensor

Panasonic HC-VXF1Panasonic HC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53Sony FDR-AX53
Sensor typeMOS BSICMOS
Optical sensor size1.0 in1.0 in
Effective megapixels8.29 Mpx8.29 Mpx
Total megapixels8.57 Mpx8.29 Mpx

Image

Panasonic HC-VXF1Panasonic HC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53Sony FDR-AX53
Maximum image resolution6784 x 3816 px5440 x 3056 px
White balance modes
  • Indoor
  • Sunny
  • Auto
  • Cloudy
  • Outdoor
  • Indoor
  • Auto
Image stabilizeryesyes
Image stabilizer typeHybridOptical

Optics and focus

Panasonic HC-VXF1Panasonic HC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53Sony FDR-AX53
Optical zoom24.0 x20.0 x
Digital zoom250.0 x250.0 x
Focal length range (f-f) (Lens system)4.12 - 98.926.8 - 536
Focus adjustmentAuto/ManualAuto/Manual
Filter size2.44 in2.17 in

Screen and viewfinder

Panasonic HC-VXF1Panasonic HC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53Sony FDR-AX53
Built-in displayyesyes
DisplayLCDLCD
Display diagonal3.0 in3.0 in
Touchscreenyesyes
Viewfinder screen size0.24 in0.24 in

Videography features

Panasonic HC-VXF1Panasonic HC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53Sony FDR-AX53
Resolution
  • 1280 x 720
  • 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 px
HD type4K Ultra HD4K Ultra HD
Video formats supported
  • AVCHD
  • MP4
  • MPEG4
  • H.264
  • MP4
  • MPEG4

Audio features

Panasonic HC-VXF1Panasonic HC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53Sony FDR-AX53
Built-in speaker(s)yesyes
Audio systemDolby Digital 2.0/5.1Dolby Digital 2.0/5.1

Design

Panasonic HC-VXF1Panasonic HC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53Sony FDR-AX53
Colour of productBlackBlack

Dimensions

Panasonic HC-VXF1Panasonic HC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53Sony FDR-AX53
Height3.03 in3.17 in
Width2.72 in2.87 in
Depth6.57 in6.56 in
Weight15.87 oz22.4 oz

Storage

Panasonic HC-VXF1Panasonic HC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53Sony FDR-AX53
Compatible memory cards
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
  • MS PRO Duo
  • MS Pro-HG Duo
  • MS XC-HG Duo
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Storage typesMemory cardMemory card

Connectivity

Panasonic HC-VXF1Panasonic HC-VXF1
Sony FDR-AX53Sony FDR-AX53
HDMIyesyes
Wi-Fiyesyes

Pros & Cons

Pros
      Cons

          Often compared with Panasonic HC-VXF1

          Often compared with Sony FDR-AX53