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Sony AX700 - finally AX100 replacement
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    Announcement in October.

    Canon had some edge, but not for long.

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  • The XDCAM PXW-Z90, the NXCAM HXR-NX80 and the Handycam FDR-AX700 all feature a Fast Hybrid AF system that is adapted for shooting with a 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. They also support an instant HDR workflow, enabling users to record HDR (High Dynamic Range) footage that requires minimal post-production.

    The Fast Hybrid AF system uses 273 phase-detection AF points that cover approximately 84% of the shooting area plus a newly developed AF algorithm. The phase-detection AF frames indicate the focused area, allowing users to easily see when a subject is in focus. The new camcorders feature a high-resolution 0.39-inch OLED viewfinder with 2,359,000 dots and a 3.5-inch LCD screen with 1,555,000 dots. Advanced touch screen operation allows users to quickly switch focus from one subject to another. The AF Drive Speed, Tracking Depth Range and Subject Switching Sensitivity can all be configured as required for different subjects and content styles.

    The new camcorders support 4K HDR recording without pixel binning using an enhanced BIONZ X image processing engine. The can also record with HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) offering an Instant HDR workflow, reducing the post-production work and producing high-quality HDR content without the need for a separate grading process. S-Log3/S-Gamut3 capabilities enable users to create and work with images more flexibly. The new camcorders also support Super Slow Motion recording at up to 960 fps, which is industry-leading among palm categories and Slow & Quick Motion Full HD recording at up to 120 fps.

    The 29mm wide-angle ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* lens covers a 12x optical zoom range, supported by an 18x Clear Image Zoom. Workflow efficiency benefits such as Proxy recording, relay recording and simultaneous backup recording are also delivered thanks to the new camcorders’ dual memory card slots and multi-camera operation capabilities supported by TC (time code)/UB (user bit). The new camcorders also have REMOTE terminals, Multi-Interface Shoe and HDMI Type A connector to ensure enhanced operability. All three camcorders support XAVC S10, an extended format of XAVC for consumer use.

    The XDCAM PXW-Z90 and NXCAM HXR-NX80 also feature a dual XLR audio input, a detachable handle, and access to Content Browser Mobile - a supporting smartphone application to enable Wi-Fi monitoring, camcorder remote control and wireless timecode sync between multiple cameras. The PXW-Z90 also includes several features to suit broadcast-specific requirements: XAVC format recording that provides high-quality images at 4:2:2 10 bit (HD) and 4:2:0 8 bit (QFHD) in addition to conventional broadcasting MPEG2HD9 format recording; 3G SDI connectivity for compatibility with existing broadcasting equipment; and networking functions to support news reporting, such as compatibility with XDCAM air, the Sony cloud-based ENG subscription service.

    The XDCAM PXW-Z90, NXCAM HXR-NX80 will be available in December 2017 and the Handycam FDR-AX700 will be available in October 2017. Pricing is confirmed for the FDR-AX700 at SRP $2999 AUS.

  • US PR

    Sony has today announced three new 4K HDR camcorders: the XDCAM® PXW-Z90, the NXCAM ®HXR-NX80 and the Handycam® FDR-AX700. Featuring Sony’s ground-breaking Fast Hybrid AF system, all three palm camcorders combine a fast and reliable autofocus (AF) function adapted for shooting with a 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor, delivering stunning image clarity alongside a range of versatile shooting features. The new camcorders all support an instant HDR (High Dynamic Range) workflow, enabling users to produce breath-taking HDR content with minimum post-production to suit a range of content creation scenarios and applications.

    The Fast Hybrid AF system ensures highly accurate focusing and tracking during shooting, delivered by 273 phase-detection AF points that cover approximately 84% of the shooting area, high-density placement of autofocus points and a newly developed AF algorithm. This reduces the burden of focusing, especially when accurate focusing is required for shooting 4K[i] films. In movie recording mode, the appearance of phase-detection AF frames indicates the focused area and easily allows users to monitor a subject that is in focus. The new camcorders feature a high-resolution OLED viewfinder (0.39-type OLED, 2,359k dots) and advanced touch screen operation, on the 3.5-type large LCD screen (1,555k dots), to allow users to quickly switch focus from one subject to another, while the AF Drive Speed, Tracking Depth Range and Subject Switching Sensitivity can all be configured as required for different subjects and content styles.

    The new camcorders support 4K HDR recording with HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), offering an instant HDR workflow. This enables users to reduce the post-production work and produce high-quality HDR content without grading, which usually requires a highly skilled technique and specialist knowledge. They also have the following key technology features to support versatile shooting, including;

    • 4K full-pixel readout without pixel binning, using an enhanced BIONZ X™ image processing engine
    • Super Slow Motion[ii]recording up to 960fps], which is industry leading among palm categories and Slow & Quick Motion Full HD recording up to 120fps
    • S-Log3/S-Gamut3 capabilities for users to create and work with images as they desire.
    • 29mm (35EQ) wide-angle ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 12x optical zoom lens and 18x Clear Image Zoom
    • Less image distortion (rolling shutter phenomenon), in comparison to conventional models when shooting subjects in motion
    • Workflow efficiency benefits such as Proxy recording, relay recording and simultaneous backup recording are also delivered thanks to the new camcorders’ dual memory card slots and multi-camera operation capabilities supported by TC (time code)/UB (user bit). The three new camcorders also have REMOTE terminals, Multi-Interface Shoe, and HDMI Type A to ensure enhanced operability.

    “We strongly believe in empowering customers to tell amazing stories, whether it’s a journalist out in the field covering a breaking news event, or a freelancer working under the tight deadline pressures of a one-day corporate shoot” explained James Leach, European Product Manager, Sony Professional Solutions Europe. “Our new palm camcorders do exactly that. By minimizing the efforts required to focus on a subject in-frame and streamlining the post-production workflow, we’re helping users concentrate on what they do best: storytelling.”

    In addition to the above key features as series, the XDCAM® PXW-Z90 and NXCAM® HXR-NX80 also feature dual XLR audio input, a detachable handle, and access to Content Browser Mobile – a supporting smartphone application to enable Wi-Fi® monitoring, Camcorder remote control and wireless timecode sync[viii] between multiple cameras.

    The PXW-Z90 also includes several features to suit broadcast-specific requirements including XAVC format recording, which provides high-quality images at 4:2:2 10 bit (HD) and 4:2:0 8 bit (QFHD) in addition to conventional broadcasting MPEG2HD9 format recording, 3G SDI connectivity for compatibility with existing broadcasting equipment, and networking functions to support news reporting, such as compatibility with XDCAM® air, the Sony cloud-based ENG subscription service.

    NXCAM® HXR-NX80 and Handycam® FDR-AX700 adopt XAVC S®[ix],an extended format of XAVC for consumer use which can record high-defined 4K2 films.

    The XDCAM® PXW-Z90, NXCAM® HXR-NX80 will be available in December and Handycam® FDR-AX700 will be available in October. For more information on Sony visit www.pro.sony.eu, or visit stand 13.A10 at IBC 2017.

  • No 4K 60P? Canon still has the edge.

  • Interesting to see if the price finally plummets on the ax100. Guessing that is the same 29-348mm lens.

  • @DrDave

    Used AX100 prices is below $1000. One of best offers on market for ENG style shooting beginner cam.

  • The ax100 has a big, annoying flaw--face tracking is disabled when using White Balance. The reason this is annoying is that the WB can change while zooming, and of course custom WB is almost always better. Hopefully they fixed this in the ax700; I also hope it will take the old batteries.

  • I see the price on BHPhoto for the ax700 is similar to the ax100, so it's not a bad "preorder" price, not that I would ever preorder something that is going to drop a few hundred dollars two months later.

  • I'm wondering what the resolution is in the high frame rate modes. Is it the same as the RX100. HD for 120fps and line skipped aliased for 240, and even lower res for 480 and 960? I can't tell from youtube as my connection is slow.

  • @froboy88

    It is same as last photo cameras, sensor and LSI is same.

  • May be this also end up available for AX700

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    Useful thing.

  • ax100 looks pretty good, ax700 does manage the blown out highlights in HDR mode. ax100 looks sharper and more contrasty in some scenes, but actually many ppl want a bit less sharpening from the ax100 for grading....

  • Anyone know what the differences are in the International model? Tx.