Sony FDR-AX100

[Emmanuel Plakiotis]

Digging the pics of the Sony site I found the following:
lens 9,3-111,6 f2,8-4,5 equivalent to 25-300 in FF, according to my calculations for 3/2 aspect ratio. For 16/9 probably around 29-348. Good wide angle, but only for stills.
18X clear image zoom. Probably zooms in to native 4K resolution. Possibly more zoom in for HD.

[Andy Wilkinson]

Official Sony video. Looks great!

On a side note I just dug out my little HC1 to take a look at it - still works! I had so much fun with that camera.

Sample Video for 4K Handycam FDR-AX100 - YouTube

[Emmanuel Plakiotis]

Also in another site I found the following highlights:

•Capture 4K/30p video that far exceeds HD resolution
•1″ Exmor R® CMOS sensor with direct pixel readout
•14MP video and 20MP still image capture
•XAVC-S, AVCHD and MP4 codecs
•Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 12x optical zoom
•BIONZ® X Processor for 120 fps recording
•Optical SteadyShot™ Image Stabilization with Active Mode
•High contrast 0.39″ OLED EVF
•3.5″ XtraFine™ LCD (921K) display
•Smartphone connectivity via Wi-Fi®/NFC

[Ron Evans]

XAVC-S is 8 bit 4:2:0 at least in my FDR-AX1 . 60Mbps is the low 8 bit 4:2:0 rate for 30P on my FDR-AX1 so I expect this is the same. 1920x1080 on my FDR-AX1 is 50Mbps so I also think this will be the same. I do not think the sensor is cropped as it looks like the lens and sensor from the RX10 in a camcorder body and is just a few hundred dollars more than the RX10 for the HD version and $500 more for 4K at 30P. When the RX10 was introduced there was a lot of speculation that a product like this would appear.

Yes a Pro version with XQD and full 4K would be nice but I think would present a pricing problem in the lineup with FDR-AX1/ PXW-Z100 and even the FS700R. The encoding for XAVC-S at 4K takes a lot of processing and I feel that is why the FDR-AX1/PXW-Z100 have a fan. Keeping the frame rate to 30P and data rate to 60Mbps solves this problem. It has the multi-interface shoe so will work with the NX30U XLR unit I am sure just like any of the other Sony's.

Ron Evans

[Jack Zhang]

Okay, I'm impressed. There is way less fixed pattern noise than the AX1 and Z100 in this model. Using the RX100 sensor proved to be the winner here. A bigger sensor finally normalized the sensitivity ratio.

Now if only there was a A1U equivalent with XQD and 60p, then this will move many units. I may even consider it as a vacation camera.

But then, it could be that 60p will be coming in the forthcoming EA50 reboot with 4K.

Edit: Hold on... if a $300 action cam can shoot 4k60p, why can't this!?! http://www.xdcam-user.com/2014/01/so...4k-action-cam/

[Emmanuel Plakiotis]

Since the FDR-AX100 is the pro version of the Sony HDR-CX900, I doubt there will be a more pro version in the wind. I hope the only difference between the two to be the 4K badge, because the CX900 is a far better deal than the AX100.

[Jack Zhang]

Why couldn't there be a Sony G lens that fitted a 1'' sensor and a 1'' sensor in the Z100? That would have been perfect. But instead the Z100 got the Xperia Z1's sensor and suffered tons of fixed pattern noise even at 0db.

It'd be foolish not to replace the A1U or NX70 with a pro version of this, since it is totally possible.

So close, yet so far. We're still waiting for the EX1 of the 4K generation, and I think it may just be the EA50 reboot.

[Monday Isa]

From what I understand the FDR-AX100 is the Flagship Consumer camcorder then the CX900 follows. We'll have to wait and see come NAB in this area. I'm shocked not a peep from Canon except their mid-range gaining 60P. At least Panasonic showed their 4K DSLR and mid-range camcorder with two lens.

[Glen Vandermolen]

Originally Posted by Emmanuel Plakiotis

Since the FDR-AX100 is the pro version of the Sony HDR-CX900, I doubt there will be a more pro version in the wind. I hope the only difference between the two to be the 4K badge, because the CX900 is a far better deal than the AX100.

No, the AX100 is the 4K version of the CX900. Some are speculating there might be a pro version of the AX100 coming at NAB. I guess it would have an XLR-equipped handle.

As far as being a better deal, if you don't want the 4K ability, then the CX900 is a good choice. But if you do want 4K, then the AX100 is clearly the better choice. The only choice at that price point, for now.

[Glen Vandermolen]

Originally Posted by Monday Isa

From what I understand the FDR-AX100 is the Flagship Consumer camcorder then the CX900 follows. We'll have to wait and see come NAB in this area. I'm shocked not a peep from Canon except their mid-range gaining 60P. At least Panasonic showed their 4K DSLR and mid-range camcorder with two lens.

What 4K DSLR? What mid-range camcorder? I missed this.

[Jack Zhang]

Originally Posted by Glen Vandermolen

No, the AX100 is the 4K version of the CX900. Some are speculating there might be a pro version of the AX100 coming at NAB. I guess it would have an XLR-equipped handle.

As far as being a better deal, if you don't want the 4K ability, then the CX900 is a good choice. But if you do want 4K, then the AX100 is clearly the better choice. The only choice at that price point, for now.

It's so tempting though, the head-end is so good, that I just wish for a HDMI 2.0 uncompressed out (in 60p) to a multi 3G-SDI converter that can take it into the Odyssey 7Q. I'm willing to bet we need a new SDI standard for 4K. 12G-SDI maybe.

[Monday Isa]

Originally Posted by Glen Vandermolen

What 4K DSLR? What mid-range camcorder? I missed this.

Panasonic 4K Mirrorless camera under glass at CES: http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...ps093a085b.png

Canon's consumer mid range cam:
Canon U.S.A. : About Canon

[Alister Chapman]

You can send 4K over 2x 3G HDSDI's.

Definitely want to get my hands on one of these. I had an HC1 and while it wasn't as good as the Z1, it's small size made it a very useful and versatile camera until I wore the heads out.

[Glen Vandermolen]

Originally Posted by Monday Isa

Panasonic 4K Mirrorless camera under glass at CES: http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/...ps093a085b.png

Canon's consumer mid range cam:
Canon U.S.A. : About Canon

Thanks, Monday. So, the Panasonic 4K isn't just a rumor anymore. Is this the same camera you mentioned that was mid-range with 2 lenses?
The Canon models look like typical consumer camcorders.

[Jack Zhang]

Originally Posted by Alister Chapman

You can send 4K over 2x 3G HDSDI's.

Definitely want to get my hands on one of these. I had an HC1 and while it wasn't as good as the Z1, it's small size made it a very useful and versatile camera until I wore the heads out.

I mean 60p, not 30p.

Also, you will find that it will be quite the inverse this time around versus the HC1 going against the Z1 with this camera being better than the Z100 due to it's 1'' sensor.