Prosumer Fdr Ax100 4k Hd Flash Memory Camcorder Review

The Sony AX100 is a prosumer video camera that has a significantly larger sensor than other videocameras and through a contempo firmware upgrade boosts the data-charge per unit upwardly to 100 Mbps. We reviewed the pop camera and compared it to the Canon XC10.

The i inch sensor camera marketplace is live and kick with a few interesting cameras in its segment namely the upcoming Catechism XC10, sony rx10, Sony PXW-X70 and the Sony FDR-AX100 (the X70 Prosumer brother). Some of those cameras are full-Hd "simply", others are 4K (UHD) or 4K capable via paid firmware updates.

In my stance a one inch sensor (16mm equivalent) camera is an ideal tool for documentary mode shooting and when being used in a creative fashion, i can mimic the wait of a larger sensor camera rather easily. I besides retrieve that video-journalists will love the "ease of use" and the user-friendly born lens for their run-and-gun assignments.

After testing the upward coming Canon XC10 (review can be found here), I got many requests to test a Sony equivalent camera.
I did exam the Sony RX10 in the by just it's a full HD camera "only", so I decided to expect for a 4K (UHD) equivalent. Adjacent on the listing was the  Sony PXW-X70. This photographic camera is aimed for the professional market with congenital-in XLR audio and 4:2:2 video sampling in Hard disk drive mode. Also, equally of February 2015, a 4K software license (a $550 paid firmware update) can be downloaded to unlock the 4K recording adequacy of the photographic camera.

My decision was to do a Sony AX100 review. It was also a good opportunity to test the new FREE XAVC-S 4K update. (firmware three.0 boosting the data rate from sixty Mbps to 100 Mbps). In my opinion this camera together with Sony'due south XLR-K2M tin prove to be a very powerful combination.

Comparison the Sony AX100 to the Canon XC10

Earlier diving into specifications, ergonomics or picture quality I call back the master difference between those cameras is the "philosophy" behind them. Instance: While the XC10 is "simply" another stand-alone product, Sony chose to introduce an "eco-system" solution.

The XLR-K2M audio module tin be used on its hotshoe and conveniently gives you lot XLR . Both cameras are targeting video-journalists, but those who choose the Sony have the opportunity to add a professional person audio attachment to their (not professional) camera.

When taking a closer expect, the only reward I could find when using the XC10 was the ability to motion picture in Canon'south C LOG apartment picture profile. Other then that, Canon's higher bit rate recording might be an advantage for some but it also requires a much more than expensive storage selection.

I won't go deep into the comparison betwixt those cameras simply to summarise.
The AX100 has these advantages over the XC10:
• A motorised zoom lens
• iii stages of ND filters
• Ameliorate flexibility on the audio side
• A practiced OLED EVF

This makes the AX100 an easier camera to work with. Saying all of that does not make the Sony AX100 perfect… really far from information technology. I'k very curious to know who is in charge of designing those cameras and who decides well-nigh ergonomics and push placement. It feels like actual users weren't involved in the blueprint procedure and I recall it would help. Engineers are great people but mostly not users.

Points to Consider:

• Using the focus magnifier push on the forepart right hand side of the photographic camera while shooting or accessing the menu and some of its functions when the LCD screen is closed is a guaranteed frustration.

• Some other thing Sony could take done amend is bombardment computability beyond the line. Using any of your existing Sony A7…/A5000/A6000 batteries is not possible.

• 1 of the key issues I have with those one" sensor cameras though, is the non-consist aperture settings they all have and the AX100 is no exception (The sony rx10 is the merely i to have a fast constant f2.viii lens). When yous move out of the wide f2.8 comfort zone and slightly zoom in, the lens changes its aperture settings and in the case of the AX100 all the style to f4.0. Non as limiting equally f5.6 in the Canon XC10 simply nonetheless a betoken to considered.

• A narrow dynamic range is another limitation this camera is suffering from. A slightly overexposed picture tin can plow ugly fast.

• Rolling Shutter is severe (see chart below) and compares to more or less to the Samsung NX1

On the positive side:

• Low light adequacy is good (the above video was shot entirely in +6db style)

• Flick quality is dainty.

• The supplied bombardment holds for many hours.

• Also, the very quick powering choice by pulling out the EVF or opening the LCD screen is good to have.

• When needed, the camera tin be set to "Auto style" (great for chasing your kids), or enjoy its fine car focus.

All in all the Sony FDR-AX100 is a expert camera for the occasional shooter. It never had the appetite to become the mighty king of 4K cameras and as such, I was pleasantly surprised past its capabilities.

Camera settings/editing/colour correction for this shoot:

• Picture upshot-off (no way to access different parameters as sharpening in this mode).
• +6db
• 4K, XAVC S, 25p, 100 Mbps, shutter 50
• Adobe Premiere CC 2014, Colour corrected with Rocket Rooster looks
• Music: themusicbed (Emily Kopp, Friend like you lot)

A big thank to Ronit and Snir Rozensal from Vision Tattoos. Please visit their home page by clicking hither

Johnnie Behiri is a freelance documentary cameraman/editor/producer working generally for the BBC and other respected broadcasters. He is also co-owner of cinema5d.com

thomasabour1965.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.cined.com/sony-ax100-review-4k-100-mbps-firmware/

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