AX53 4K Handycam® with Exmor R® CMOS sensor

AX53 4K Handycam^® with Exmor R^® CMOS sensor

4K image quality

Shoot 4K footage that contains about four times more detail than Full HD (3840 x 2160 pixels vs. 1920 x 1080) footage, and capture more of the incredible qualities that bring images to vibrant life.

New image sensor exclusively for 4K

A newly developed image sensor, with pixels of approximately 1.6 times bigger size¹, offers superior sensitivity for capturing beautiful high-quality images with less noise under dark as well as bright shooting conditions.

New ZEISS^™ Vario-Sonnar^® T* lens for 4K

This new lens helps to depict remarkable details of high-quality 4K images throughout its wide-angle-to-telephoto range. The use of an AA (advanced aspherical) lens not only keeps depiction faithful, it also keeps the lens unit compact. ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens helps to ensure accurate reproduction of color. Multilayer ZEISS T* Coating further enhances image quality by reducing unwanted reflection, such as ghost and flare.

Up to 26.8 mm wide-angle lens

Whether you're shooting movies or still images, the class-leading wide-angle lens can help you capture more of landscapes and indoor scenes, when you don't have enough room to step back. Even without a wide conversion lens, the camcorder shoots as wide as 26.8 mm² (16:9 aspect ratio) in movie mode.

Balanced Optical SteadyShot^™

Advanced image stabilization suppresses camera shake to stabilize a movie as it is being shot within the wide-angle-to-telephoto zoom range. In HD shooting mode, it further reduces effects of camera shake even under unstable conditions with 5-axis Intelligent Active mode compensating for vibration in five different directions, so you can shoot stable high-quality movies even while running.

Rapid AF response to capture decisive moments

Fast Intelligent AF achieves very speedy, accurate contrast-detection autofocus by minimizing lens motion, predicting the AF range, and accelerating lens drive, thereby improving response so you can capture more fleeting moments.

Extensive zoom shooting capabilities

20x optical zoom lens and Clear Image Zoom of 30x/40x (for 4K/HD) allow you to shoot far away subjects and capture memorable moments.

Realistic recording of voices, music and other sound

Its new structural design enables the microphone to gather clearer sound from five directions with approx. 40%¹ less noise and twice as effective¹ 2ch stereo (for XAVC S shooting) and three times as effective¹ 5.1ch surround (for AVCHD shooting) sound performance. This makes it possible to faithfully reproduce audio with clearly defined separation.

High Speed REC in Full HD for high-quality slow motion3

High Speed REC in Full HD for high-quality slow motion³

Shoot in Full HD at 120fps (NTSC/PAL), edit the footage after shooting, and the resulting slow-motion images of the movie will look startlingly smooth and sharp in playback. This is excellent for reviewing, in greater slow-motion detail, sports and everyday action that can occur too quickly in real time for you to see clearly.

4K Time-lapse Capture³

You can capture 4K size still images continuously over an extensive period of time at a selected constant interval from each shot to the next, edit the entire sequence of still images in post-production, and enjoy playback of that series of images as a time-lapse movie.

Super-sampled Full HD playback

Enhance your viewing experience even without a 4K television. Using super-sampling, the camera automatically down-converts 4K footage to exceptionally detailed Full HD.

Trimming Playback

You can select a specific portion of the picture and play it back in Full HD, thanks to 4K high resolution. Also, you can change trimming size⁴ with the zoom lever or on-screen display icon.

Advanced shooting features

Enjoy total customization with ergonomic manual controls. Use the intuitive multi-purpose manual ring to adjust zoom, focus, exposure, IRIS, shutter speed, AE shift, or white balance shift mode after using the manual button to select the mode. The electronic viewfinder offers accurate image preview.

Time Code / User Bit

Time Code and User Bit can be added to movies as data elements. Time Code function records hours/minutes/seconds/frames on image data for precise advanced video editing. User Bit function records information such as date/time/scene number, etc. in eight-digit arbitrary numbers, and is useful for editing movies using two or more cameras.

Exceptional image quality

By employing XAVC S format, which was developed from the XAVC format for professional use, 4K 100 Mbps⁵ and Full HD 50 Mbps high-bitrate recording create incredibly high-quality images. Yet, XAVC S data is compressed so that it is more manageable for general consumers.

Superb night shooting

This feature uses infrared light to take images even in complete darkness. By using NIGHTSHOT, parents can easily capture children's cute sleeping faces.

Face Detection and Smile Shutter^{6, 7, 8}

Use Face Detection to optimize focus, exposure and color for people who are the most important subject of a shot. You can prioritize a subject's face by touching it on the LCD. And with Smile Shutter, the camera can also automatically capture still shots of great (but fleeting) smiles, even while recording movies.

Lock-on AF⁶

Enhances the tracking of moving subjects by using the optimal AF point at all times, and adjusting the target frame size to match your subject's characteristics. Just touch the subject on LCD to lock on fast-moving targets precisely for shooting.

Golf Shot⁹

Analyze your swing with no need for fancy equipment. Golf Shot mode lets you capture video and stills of each step of your swing.

5.1ch surround¹⁰ sound microphone

Record clear sound that accurately captures the atmosphere of the scene, and enjoy surround sound playback on your home theater system. Level meters on the LCD panel provide visual monitoring of each channel's levels.

My Voice Canceling

Reduce the intensity of the voice of a user shooting from close behind the camera, whether the user is talking to subjects or cheering them on.

Motion Shot Video¹¹

This convenient feature allows playback of a dramatic sequence of superimposed images to trace every split second of action, a powerful tool for analyzing sports motion on screen. During playback, you can adjust the interval between images, or pause to capture still images to share with friends.

Highlight Movie Maker⁹

A versatile function to streamline movie editing, Highlight Movie Maker offers several time-saving features. Add highlight points to key moments while recording, and let the camcorder automatically sync movie transitions to your chosen soundtrack.

Dual Video Recording¹²

Record two movies at the same time - one in the maximum-quality XAVC S or AVCHD format and another in MP4 format. That way you've got a small file ready for instant sharing, plus a professional-grade file for further editing.

Live-Streaming¹³ via Ustream (currently IBM Cloud Video)

From performances to sports events, some things are best seen in real time. Share scenes as they happen with high-quality picture and sound.

Multi Camera Control

More shots mean more editing opportunities. Easily record footage from a variety of angles, whether using cameras mounted directly to the Handycam^® or triggered wirelessly. Multi Camera Control makes it easy to sync shooting settings on compatible Wi-Fi^® connected devices.

One-touch remote and one-touch sharing

One-touch remote lets you use your smartphone or tablet as a viewfinder and remote control for a digital camera, and One-touch sharing lets you transfer your photos and videos from your camera. Either way, by installing Imaging Edge Mobile¹⁴ app to your NFC enable Android smartphone or tablet, you can avoid complex setup sequences and establish wireless connection simply by touching your device to the camera. You are now ready to control your camera from your smartphone to take a photo from a previously out-of-reach spot, or simply be in your own group shot, as well as transfer them instantly to your smartphone for sharing on SNS. No NFC? No problem. You can also pair the devices manually.

Xtra Fine LCD with WhiteMagic^™

The high-precision Xtra Fine LCD features a WhiteMagic display that uses white pixels in addition to RGB pixels to boost screen brightness, allowing users to see subtle details and tones on the screen in all types of shooting environments, including outdoors in bright sunlight.

Works with iMovie and Final Cut Pro X

This product is compatible with Final Cut Pro X and iMovie¹⁵.

Overall:

(1577 reviews)

August 28, 2022

Great

Liwsr57, El Cajon, California: Compact , easy-to-use all in one unit built in options

Specifications

Sensor
Sensor Type	1/2.5 type (0.28 in) back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS Sensor
Effective Pixels (Video)	approx. 8.29 Megapixels (16:9)²
Effective Pixels (Still Image)	approx. 8.29 Megapixels (16:9)/approx. 6.22 Megapixels (4:3)
Processor
Image Processor	BIONZ X^™ image processor
Lens
Lens Type	ZEISS^® Vario-Sonnar^® T*
Filter Diameter	55 mm
Lens Cover	Auto
Aperture	F 2.0-3.8
Focal Distance	f=4.4-88 mm
Focal Length (35 mm equivalent) (Video)	f=26.8-536.0 mm (16:9)²
Focal Length (35mm equivalent) (Still Image)	f=26.8-536.0 mm (16:9) f=32.8-656.0 mm (4:3)
Minimum Focus Distance	approx. 13/32" (Wide), approx. 31 1/2" (Tele), approx. 1 cm (Wide), approx. 80 cm (Tele)
Iris Diaphragm	6 blades
Zoom
Optical Zoom	20x
Clear Image Zoom	4K: 30x HD: 40x¹⁶
Digital Zoom	250x¹⁷
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type	0.24 type (0.6 cm)/Color 1,555,200 dots equivalent
Field of View	100%
Diopter adjustment	Yes (-4.0 to +3.0 m^-1)
LCD
Screen Type	3.0 type (3.0") Xtra Fine LCD^™ display (921 x 600 dots) Wide (16:9)
Touch Panel	Yes
Brightness Control	Yes (Menu)¹⁸
Marker/Grid Display	Grid Line¹⁹
Angle Adjustment	Opening Angle: max. 90 deg., Turning Angle: max. 270 deg.
Image Stabilization
Image Stabilization Type	Balanced Optical SteadyShot w/ Intelligent Active mode (5-axis)²⁰
Focus
Focus Type	Contrast AF
Focus Mode	Auto/Manual (Touch Panel/Ring)
Focus Area	Full range Focus/Spot Focus
Fast Intelligent AF	Yes
Lock-On AF	Yes⁶
Manual Focus Assist	Magnified display for precise manual focus, Peaking Display
Exposure
Mode	Auto, Flexible Spot (Touch Panel), Manual (Menu/Ring)
Metering Modes	Multi-segment/Spot
Exposure Compensation	AE Shift (Touch Panel/Ring)
LOW LUX Mode	Yes
Auto Iris Control	F2.0-F11
Manual Iris Control	F2.0-F11
Manual Exposure Assist	Zebra Pattern Display
Backlight Compensation	Yes (Auto)
Gain Control	Auto
AGC Limit	Yes
Minimum Illumination	4K: Standard: 9 lux (1/60 Shutter Speed) HD: Standard: 6 lux (1/60 Shutter Speed), 4K: Low Lux 1.8 lux (1/30 Shutter Speed) HD: Low Lux 1.2 lux (1/30 Shutter Speed), NightShot: 0 lux (1/60 Shutter Speed)
Shutter Speed
Auto Control Range	1/8–1/10000
Standard	1/60–1/10000
Manual Iris Control　(Photo Mode)	1/30–1/10000
Manual Shutter	1/8–1/10000
Smooth Slow	1/250–1/10000
White Balance
White Balance Modes	Auto/Onepush/Outdoor/Indoor
White Balance Shift	Yes
Flash
Flash Metering System	Pre-flash TTL²¹
Flash Compensation	Yes (3 steps)²¹
Flash Mode	Auto/On/OFF²¹
Storage Media
Media Type	XAVC S 4K (100 Mbps): SDHC Memory Card (4 GB or over, UHS-I U3 or Higher)/SDXC Memory Card (UHS-I U3 or Higher), XAVC S 4K (60 Mbps): SDHC Memory Card (4 GB or over, Class 10 or Higher)/SDXC Memory Card (Class 10 or Higher), XAVC S HD: SDHC Memory Card (4 GB or over, Class 10 or Higher)/SDXC Memory Card (Class 10 or Higher), AVCHD, Still: Memory Stick PRO Duo^™ (Mark 2), Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo^™, Memory Stick XC-HG Duo^™, SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or Higher)
Recording
Recording Format (Video)	XAVC S format:MPEG4-AVC/H.264, AVCHD format ver. 2.0 compatible:MPEG4-AVC/H.264, MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Video Resolution	XAVC S 4K: 3840 x 2160/30p, 24p, XAVC S HD: 1920 x 1080/60p, 30p, 24p, AVCHD: 1920 x 1080/60p (PS), 24p (FX, FH), 60i (FX, FH), 1440 x 1080/60i (HQ, LP), MP4: 1280 x 720 30p
Video Recording Rate (ABR / VBR)	XAVC S 4K: approx. 100 Mbps²², XAVC S 4K: approx. 60 Mbps²², XAVC S HD: approx. 50 Mbps²², AVCHD PS: approx. 28 Mbps/FX: approx. 24 Mbps/FH: approx. 17 Mbps/HQ: approx. 9 Mbps/LP: approx. 5 Mbps^{22, 23}, MP4: approx. 3 Mbps²²
Recording Format (Still Image)	JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.3, MPF Baseline-compliant)
Still Image Size (Photo Mode)	L: 16.6 Megapixels 16:9 (5440 x 3056), 12.5 Megapixels 4:3 (4080 x 3056), M: 8.3 Megapixels 16:9 (3840 x 2160), 6.2 Megapixels 4:3 (2880 x 2160), S: 2.1 Megapixels 16:9 (1920 x 1080), 0.3 Megapixels 4:3 (640 x 480)
Still Image Size (Movie Mode)	M: 8.3 Megapixels 16:9 (3840 x 2160), S: 2.1 Megapixels 16:9 (1920 x 1080)
Still Image Size (Photo Capture)	XAVC S 4K: 8.3 Megapixels 16:9 (3840 x 2160), XAVC S HD: 2.1 Megapixels 16:9 (1920 x 1080), AVCHD: 2.1 Megapixels 16:9 (1920 x 1080)
Still Image Size (Time-Lapse Capture)	4K: L (8.3 M, 3840 x 2160)/HD: S (2.1 M, 1920 x 1080)
Still Image Size (Dual Record)	M: 8.3 Megapixels 16:9 (3840 x 2160)²⁴, S: 2.1 Megapixels 16:9 (1920 x 1080)^{6, 8, 24}
Audio
Microphone	Built-in Zoom Microphone
Audio Recording Format	MPEG-4 Linear PCM 2ch (48 kHz/16 bit)²⁵, Dolby Digital 5.1ch, Dolby Digital 5.1Creator²⁶, Dolby Digital 2ch Stereo, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator²⁶, MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch²⁷
Mic Level Control	Yes (31 steps)
Auto Wind Noise Reduction	Yes (On/Off)
My Voice Canceling	Yes
Speaker	Monaural Speaker
Advanced Feature
High Speed Rec	Yes (120p/1920 x 1080, 100/60 Mbps)
Time-lapse Capture	Yes, Shooting Interval (1/2/5/10/30/60sec), Shot Number (1-999), Capture Image Size (4K:L(8.3M, 3840 x 2160)/HD: S (2.1 M, 1920 x 1080)), AE Mode (AE Lock/AE Tracking)
Scene Selection	Auto/Night Scene/Sunrise & Sunset/Fireworks/Landscape/Portrait/Spotlight/Beach/Snow
NightShot infrared System	Yes
Time Code/User Bit	Yes
Other Features	Face Detection⁶, Cinematone, Golf Shot²⁶, Smooth Slow Rec²⁶, Fader Effect(s) (White/Black)²⁸, Intelligent Auto (Portrait/Baby/Walk/Tripod/Backlight/Landscape/Spotlight/Twilight/Macro/Low light/Auto wind noise reduction), Smile Shutter (Off/Dual Capture/Always On)^{6, 8, 24}, Red Eye Reduction (Yes²¹), Direct Copy
Playback
Fast Playback	About 5 times/10 times/30 times/60 times
Slow Playback	Forward: 1/5 speed, Reverse: 1/2 speed
Trimming Playback	Yes
Highlight Movie Maker	Yes²⁶, Highlight background music (Preinstalled 6 music files, Music transfer compatible²⁹
Motion Shot Video	Yes³⁰
Slide Show (Still Image)	Slideshow
Wireless Function
Wi-Fi®	Yes (Wi-Fi Compatible, IEEE 802.11b/g/n (2.4 GHz band))³¹
NFC™	Yes (NFC forum Type 3 Tag compatible)
Live Streaming	yes³²
Multi Camera Control	yes
Terminal / Shoe
Accessory shoe	Yes (Multi Interface Shoe)
HDMI Terminal	Yes (HDMI micro)³³
Multi/Micro USB Terminal	Yes³⁴
Remote Terminal	integrated into Multi/Micro USB Terminal³⁴
STD Output	Composite Video Out (AV CABLE (sold separately))
Microphone Input	Stereo minijack
Headphone Jack	Stereo minijack
Memory Card Slot	Memory Stick PRO Duo^™ and SD/SDHC/SDXC compatible
DC IN	Yes
Power
Battery Type	InfoLITHIUM with AccuPower Meter System (V Series)³⁵
Power Consumption (LCD)	4 K: 4.9 W³⁶
Power Consumption (Viewfinder)	4 K: 4.9 W³⁶
Power Requirements	6.8 V/7.3 V (battery pack), 8.4 V (AC Adapter)
Charge on Camcorder (charging time with supplied battery)	Yes (approx. 3h 25min)³⁷
USB Charging	DC 5 V 1500 mA
Size & Weight
Dimensions (W x H x D) (including supplied battery)	Approx. 2 7/8" x 3 1/4" x 6 3/8" (Approx. 2 7/8" x 3 1/4" x 6 5/8" (NP-FV70)/Approx. 2 7/8" x 3 1/4" x 6 7/8" (NP-FV70A) (including supplied battery))^{38, 39}, Approx. 73 mm x 80.5 mm x 161 mm (Approx. 73 mm x 80.5 mm x 166.5 mm (NP-FV70)/Approx. 73 mm x 80.5 mm x 173 mm (NP-FV70A) (including supplied battery))^{38, 39}
Weight (main unit only)	Approx. 1 lb 2.9 oz, Approx. 535 g
Weight (including supplied battery)	Approx. 1 lb 4.6 oz (NP-FV50A)⁴⁰, Approx. 1 lb 6.4 oz (NP-FV70)/Approx. 1 lb 6 oz (NP-FV70A) (supplied battery)⁴⁰, Approx.1 lb 8.0 oz (NP-FV100A)⁴⁰, Approx. 585 g (NP-FV50A)⁴⁰, Approx. 635 g (NP-FV70)/Approx. 625 g (NP-FV70A) (supplied battery)⁴⁰, Approx. 680 g (NP-FV100A)⁴⁰

What's in the Box

Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-FV70/NP-FV70A) (1)⁴¹, AC Adapter (1)⁴¹, Power Cord (1)⁴¹, Operating Guide (1)⁴¹, HDMI (micro) Cable (1)⁴¹, micro USB Cable (1)⁴¹

Footnotes

^footnote1 Compared to FDR-AX/P3x series.

^footnote2 When "SteadyShot" is set to "Standard" or "Off".

^footnote3 Requires editing with PlayMemories Home™ (free software for PCs). See Details: www.sony.net/pm/ See Details for compatible OS: www.sony.net/pcenv/

^footnote4 Minimum trimming size is 1920 x 1080.

^footnote5 Requires SDXC/SDHC memory card UHS-I U3 or higher for XAVC S 4K 100 Mbps recording, and SDXC/SDHC memory card Class 10 or higher for XAVCS 4K 60 Mpbs and XAVCS HD 50 Mbps recording.

^footnote6 Not available in the 4K Recording mode with Dual Video Recording

^footnote7 Not available in the recording mode PS (60p/50p), FX (24p/25p/60i/50i) and FH (24p/25p).

^footnote8 Not available in 100 Mbps Movie Recording Rate.

^footnote9 Available only in AVCHD.

^footnote10 Recording in 5.1ch is available in AVCHD only.

^footnote11 Available only in AVCHD or XAVC S HD or MP4.

^footnote12 Not available in AVCHD PS mode and XAVC S HD 60p/50p (NTSC/PAL) mode.

^footnote13 Requires a Wi-Fi® router or smartphone capable of tethering.

^footnote14 A successor application of PlayMemories Mobile™. Existing PlayMemories Mobile users can use this by updating PlayMemories Mobile.

^footnote15 Final Cut Pro, iMovie, and Mac® are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Mac logo is a trademark of Apple Inc.

^footnote16 When "SteadyShot" is set to "Active" or "Intelligent Active".

^footnote17 The factory setting is "Off". Digital zoom ratio includes optical zoom ratio.

^footnote18 Backlight brightness will automatically be set "Bright" when connected to AC adapter.

^footnote19 the same as Guide Frame

^footnote20 Not supported at XAVC S 4K

^footnote21 w/ Optional Flash Accessory

^footnote22 Bitrate is described by system rate (including movie, sounds, and others).

^footnote23 PS mode (28 Mbps) and FX mode (24 Mbps) are peak bitrate.

^footnote24 Not available in the recording mode PS (60p/50p), FX (24p/25p/60i/50i) and FH (24p/25p)

^footnote25 Video Mode is XAVC S HD or 4K.

^footnote26 Video Mode is AVCHD.

^footnote27 Video Mode is MP4.

^footnote28 Only record movie

^footnote29 PlayMemories Home Ver. 4.1 or later is required.

^footnote30 available only in AVCHD or XAVC S HD or MP4

^footnote31 (Configuration method/Access method) WPS or manually/infrastructure mode. When connecting to smartphones, the camera can always work as a base without a wireless access point. (Security: WEP/WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK)

^footnote32 Requires a Wi-Fi® router or smartphone capable of tethering. This feature may not be available due to your region's broadband and Internet service restrictions.

^footnote33 output only

^footnote34 Supports Micro USB compatible device.

^footnote35 Except for NP-FV30

^footnote36 Recording mode and media are default settings.

^footnote37 When using supplied AC adapter. When the AC adapter is not supplied, using USB charging.

^footnote38 including the projecting parts

^footnote39 including lens hood if it is supplied

^footnote40 including a battery pack and a media (if a lens hood is supplied, including it too.).

^footnote41 The numbers in ( ) are the supplied quantity

© 2015 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony is not responsible for typographical and photographic errors. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice

Trademarks: Sony, Handycam, Exmor R, Optical Steady Shot, PlayMemories Home, XAVC S and the Sony logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation. AVCHD™ is a trademark of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. HDMI is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC. Zeiss is a registered trademark of Carl Zeiss, Inc. Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Wi-Fi Alliance. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.