Sony FDR-AX700 - 4K video camera

Sony FDR-AX700 - 4K video camera

The Sony FDR-AX700 is a compact camcorder that combines a Zeiss 12x optical zoom lens with a super-sensitive sensor to deliver high-quality UHD 4K video. The camera uses HLG format, HDR (high dynamic range) recording and processing for display on HDR screens. Compared to SDR (standard dynamic range) footage, HDR increases the colour and contrast scale significantly. Dual SD card slots, LCD and viewfinder, manual controls, 12 X zoom range and a comfortable design make the AX700 a great all-round camera for home video to professional-style video productions.

4K resolution has made focusing more demanding. An inaccurate image is actually much easier to see when the video is more detailed. Sony's phase detection phase focus uses 273 points to lock focus and track objects as they move across the screen. Focus speed and tracking is adjustable to suit your needs. So when you're tracking a fast-moving subject, or actors moving across the screen, the AX700 can hold focus in place.

For advanced users, Sony has included S-Log2 and S-Log3 image profiles, as well as S-Gamut colour space. These give you more control over your images in post-processing.

4K HDR video recording is done with HLG (hybrid-log gamma) extended brightness scale. The exposure is more controllable than with normal SDR scale. Without any special processing, HDR recordings can be admired simply by connecting the camera to an HLG-compatible TV using a USB cable.

XAVC S recording at up to 100 Mb/s in 4K and 50 Mb/s in Full HD. This gives detailed video with minimal compression noise. 100 Mb/s is also used for 120fps FullHD recording, so even slow-motion video doesn't suffer in post-processing.

Proxy recording will speed up editing if your editing machine is a moped. Low resolution proxy files are recorded at the same time as full 4K resolution video. Editing is lightweight and sharing is easy. Once the edit is complete, you simply replace the proxy with a better quality source and export the output in all its 4K glory.

Exposure estimation can be difficult via LCD or EVF, so the device has zebras to help. They indicate overexposure by displaying clear stripes in the image preview. The adjustable level is precise for ideal exposure.

Perhaps the most professional way to synchronize things is the SMTP time code and this device has that too.

Phase-Detection Autofocus focusing is the modern way to focus and this camera's 273 focus points cover 80% of the image area. Staying on target is actually super easy, not even mentioning the unlikelihood. Focus can also be achieved just as accurately as you are by using the manual focus ring.

OLED electronic search makes the limits certain. Its wide contrast and colour rendition show exactly what is being recorded.

3.5″ touch screen is a handy way to monitor restrictions and activity. In addition to menu navigation, the touch screen is an essential tool for selecting focus points.

Built-in ND filters Choose from 1/4, 1/16 or 1/64 built-in grayscale filters to make it easy to get the right exposure even in bright conditions. You won't have to compromise on aperture.

A dual memory card slot adds confidence to your shooting. The LANC port lets you start recording remotely. A full-length HDMI-A port provides a clean feed from the camera.

Main features

• 4K HDR video recording
• 1″-Type Stacked CMOS sensor
• Bionz X processor
• 273 phase focus points
• Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* lens
• 0.39″ OLED EVF with 2,359K dot resolution with deep blacks and rich colours.
• 3.5″ Xtra Fine LCD touchscreen with 921K dot resolution
• High-Speed 120 fps recording
• S-Log & S-Gamut Picture Profiles
• Easy to connect to mobile devices via NFC and wifi.
• Live streaming directly to Ustream
• Manual steering ratchet
• Double recording
• NightShot infrared recording
• Face recognition and smile reminder
• BRAVIA Sync (CEC)
• Lock-on AF
• Lightweight 4K UHD video camera
• Optical Steady Shot image stabilizer stabilize the image very much
• 12x optical zoom
• Control the camera with your smartphone via Wi-Fi
• Fast focus
• 5.1 audio track recording
• 4K Timelapse

Technical specifications

• Sensor 1″ CMOS
• Firing range: 9.3 to 111.6mm
• 35mm equivalent focal length 29 - 348mm @ 16:9 (Video/Photo)
• 35mm equivalent focal length: 32.8 - 393.6mm @ 3:2 (Photo)
• Video format AVCHD and MP4
• Resolution 3840 x 2160 - 30, 25, 24fps / 1920 x 1080 120, 60, 25, 24fps
• Aspect ratio 16:9
• 3,5″ LCD touchscreen
• Focal length: f/2.8 - f/4.5
• Clear Image Zoom: 18x 4K
• Clear Image Zoom: 24x (HD)
• Digital zoom: 192x
• Closest focusing distance 1cm
• Filter thread 62mm
• Built-in ND filter: clear, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64
• Image stabilizer
• Stereo microphones
• Wi-Fi
• Memory card SD / SDHC / SDXC / Memorystick
• Outputs 3.5mm, HDMI micro, Micro USB
• Battery NP-FC70 Lithium-ion 6.8 VDC, 1960 mAh
• Size: 116.0 x 89.5 x 196.5 mm
• Weight 935 g
• Video format
  • 3840 x 2160 at 24/25/30 fps (100, 60 Mb/s XAVC S)
  • 1920 x 1080p at 100/120 fps (100, 60 Mb/s XAVC S)
  • 1920 x 1080p at 24/25/30/50/60 fps (50, 16 Mb/s XAVC S)
  • 1280 x 720 at 24/25/30/50/60 fps (9 Mb/s XAVC S)
  • 640 x 360 at 24/25/30/50/60 fps (3 Mb/s XAVC S)
  • 1920 x 1080i at 50/60 fps (24, 17 Mb/s AVCHD)
  • 1440 x 1080i at 50/60 fps (5 Mb/s AVCHD)
• Audio channels: 2.0- Stereo
• Audio format: AAC-LC
• Dolby Digital 2ch