I'm looking at these two camcorders. What would be your choice and why?
Canon XA20 vs Sony AX100
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Byron K
wrote on 9/14/2014, 10:26 PM
Had a chance to play around w/ the AX100 at my local Best Buy. Very nice camcorder. I mainly wanted to see if the f2.8 was through the whole zoom range and found out that it goes from f2.8 - f4.0 full zoom.
Jerry K
wrote on 11/29/2014, 4:43 PM
If anyone is interested Sony FDR-AX100 4K camcorder is now being packaged as a HDR-CX900 same camcorder with out 4K at $500 less.
Also the FDR-AX100 has a upgraded model called PXW-X70 which comes with XLR inputs and handle. Sony will have a 4K upgrade soon for this camcorder but It might not be free.
Jerry K
Also the FDR-AX100 has a upgraded model called PXW-X70 which comes with XLR inputs and handle. Sony will have a 4K upgrade soon for this camcorder but It might not be free.
Jerry K
OldSmoke
wrote on 11/29/2014, 5:00 PM
PXW-X70 upgrade to 4K sure won't be free but I will keep an eye on that! There are certain features the X70 has that I miss on the AX100.
Jerry K
wrote on 11/29/2014, 6:55 PM
OldSmoke can you point out some of the features the new X70 has besides XLRs?
I was in best buy today playing around with the AX100 and CX900. I thought the auto focus was really slow and the zoom lever lacked the normal speeds we are normally used to on Sony pro camcorders any feed back on that? I absolutely loved the new iris, shutter and gain setup. For me it will make shooting much easier.
Jerry K
I was in best buy today playing around with the AX100 and CX900. I thought the auto focus was really slow and the zoom lever lacked the normal speeds we are normally used to on Sony pro camcorders any feed back on that? I absolutely loved the new iris, shutter and gain setup. For me it will make shooting much easier.
Jerry K
OldSmoke
wrote on 11/29/2014, 9:16 PM
Jerry,
The AX100 doesn't have any timecode features at all. Coming from the HF-G30 that was a big disappointment. The zoom can not be as fast as a lens with a dedicated zoom ring, however, it is pretty close with the latest firmware update.
Another issue is access to the menu once the screen is closed. The X70 has a small joystick that will allow navigating the menus while operating with the viewfinder. The X70 also has two card slots, 422 color sampling, SDI and I am sure there are a few more features I haven't discovered yet. The drawback is, the X70 is not as "handy" as the AX100, it is much wider and sure heavier even without the XLR handle.
The AX100 doesn't have any timecode features at all. Coming from the HF-G30 that was a big disappointment. The zoom can not be as fast as a lens with a dedicated zoom ring, however, it is pretty close with the latest firmware update.
Another issue is access to the menu once the screen is closed. The X70 has a small joystick that will allow navigating the menus while operating with the viewfinder. The X70 also has two card slots, 422 color sampling, SDI and I am sure there are a few more features I haven't discovered yet. The drawback is, the X70 is not as "handy" as the AX100, it is much wider and sure heavier even without the XLR handle.
Jerry K
wrote on 11/29/2014, 10:37 PM
OldSmoke thanks for the fast reply. Just a few more questions. What about auto focus being very slow? If we do not need time code, 422, SDI or XLRs the AX100 might be a better choice being its smaller, lighter and less money or better yet if I don't need 4K the Sony CX900 might be the one to get.
I shoot avchd 1920x1080, with the AX100 will the optical and electronic stabilization function work? Somewhere I read you can't use both optical and electronic stabilization with some of the record formats is that correct?
Jerry K
I shoot avchd 1920x1080, with the AX100 will the optical and electronic stabilization function work? Somewhere I read you can't use both optical and electronic stabilization with some of the record formats is that correct?
Jerry K
OldSmoke
wrote on 11/30/2014, 9:03 PM
I have no issue with the auto focus. I mostly shoot figure skating events with fast moving skaters and it tracks very well, as good as my Z5U did and much better then the HF-G30.
Am not sure about stabilizing features for the CX900 but I leave my AX100 on Standard rather then Active. I found that when on active it actually makes things worse when you want to pan or tilt. You have to check the manual which is which and what applies to the CX900.
If you don't need all the features mentioned and are just after great HD, then the CX900 is the way to go.
Am not sure about stabilizing features for the CX900 but I leave my AX100 on Standard rather then Active. I found that when on active it actually makes things worse when you want to pan or tilt. You have to check the manual which is which and what applies to the CX900.
If you don't need all the features mentioned and are just after great HD, then the CX900 is the way to go.