Sony FDR-AX700 Review

Sony is a very popular brand in the world of technology. Although they are relatively new in the camera industry, many people genuinely trust their products. They have gained the trust of their consumers by designing top of the line and reliable products.

However, the competition in the field is quite tight. And there are a lot of good names that can provide quality camcorders as well at a much lower price. So, in this day and age, is it still worth a shot to buy a high-end type of camcorders like Sony FDR-AX700 4K HDR?

It can be stressful finding the best product to suite your needs and wants, and it is very important to do your research before puling the trigger. Being patient and doing research can help you find the best camcorder for you. You do not want to regret your purchase, so we suggest you take your time. If you are setting your sights on this camcorder, then this review is intended to help you make an unbiased decision on what will work best for you. As it happens, this review includes all the necessary details and information you will need to make an informed decision. 

Is The Sony FDR-AX700 4K HDR Camcorder For You? 

The FDR-AX700 4K is a high-end camcorder. And this is definitely perfect for you if:

  • You have the needed budget
  • You need all the innovative features and functions of a camcorder
  • You are looking for an excellent picture quality
  • You want a reliable after-sales support
  • You want a quality built camcorder built by a reputable company

On the other hand, this high-end camcorder is not for you if: 

  • Price plays a huge role in your buying decisions
  • You are looking for a simple and easy-to-use camcorder
  • You want a straight-forward video camcorder

Quick Summary

Sony FDR-AX700 4K HDR Camcorder
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  • Video Resolution: 4K HDR (3840*2160)
  • Image Resolution: 4K HDR Images Output
  • Battery Life: 5 to 6 hours
  • Warranty Terms: 1-year warranty and 1 month for parts and replacement
  • Price: Below $2000

“Do I recommend the AX700? Yes, I absolutely do... For me, the AX700 is a must have, and I am very pleased. Dual Card Slots and Super Slow Motion sold me.”

“This camera is a jewel. Extremely well designed and built it feels great in my hands. The Zeiss lens is amazing, giving the camera the ability to 12x optical zoom in smoothly for an ultra-sharp closeup”

The AX700 does not look like anything out of the ordinary or specials, but it packs a lot of quality and features into its shell. Most users are very surprised to find out that it is considered to be a professional level camcorder. This is mainly because of its easy to use advanced features. The length of this camcorder is 7 inches and the width is about 4, making it very easy to hold steady and get the perfect shot.

There are a lot of notable features on board, what stands out to most people is its ability to record videos in 4k. The High Dynamic Range (HDR) feature allows colors to look much more natural and sharp.

Video files supported include AVCHD, MPEG4, and XAVC. Still images can also be captured using this camcorder, and they are saved as JPEG files. Other notable features include WiFi, NFC and a high quality built in microphone. If you continue reading we will review more about what this video camera has to offer.

Key Features and Specifications

Apparently, Sony markets the FDR-AX700 4K HDR as a professional video camcorder. Also, many camcorder enthusiasts and video hobbyists are found to utilize this for entertainment purposes as well. 

When looking for a video camera to buy, most people look for features that stand out from the others. Make sure you understand what features will satisfy your needs. Here is a review of key features of the Sony FDR-AX700 4K HDR Camcorder and see if this will fit your needs accordingly:

  • 4K HDR Picture Quality: This camcorder features the high dynamic range HDR technology which allows users to enjoy a bright, vivid, and clear picture quality. And it has been found that the quality is very much reliable in comparison to most 4K camcorder of today.
  • XVAC S Format High Bitrate Recording: This feature allows the users to record and capture the motion in details without using too much noise compression. Thanks to its high bitrate recording, shooting at 100 Mbps is very much possible for 4K resolution at 120 frames per second and 50 Mbps for full-HD.
  • Dual card slots: We review lots of camcorders on this site and one of the biggest complaints about some of the cameras is running out of memory while recording. You don't have to worry about that with this 4k video camera because of its dual card slots.
  • Advanced Features:  Users can also enjoy numerous advanced features. These largely include S-Gamut, S-Log Shooting, slow motion, super slow motion, face detection, and intellect auto. 
  • ​The Sony FDR-AX700 4K HDR Camcorder also comes with a fine lcd, 12x optical zoom, nightshot infrared system and 8 different scene selections, and easy to use manual controls. Plus, the AF feature is wide, fast hybrid log-gamma hlg, and highly adjustable to perfect the picture quality. 

sony fdr-ax700 features
  • ZEISS Vario Sonnar T Lens: The lens is actually a customized ZEISS optics that is equipped with advanced aspherical and extra-low dispersion features. And having this lens means users can enjoy the 29mm wide-angle visions and 12x optical clear image zoom functions.
  • iMovie and Final Cut Pro X Compatible: The Sony FDR-AX700 4K HDR Camcorder is compatible with iMovie and Final Cut Pro X which are known video editing application on MAC. Accordingly, this product largely supports Apple products and gadgets.
  • Relay Mode:  Having this feature allows the users to either have a simultaneous recording or relay recording. This is very essential when you are recording long motions and videos. 
sony fdr-ax700 dual media slots

Advantages of the Sony FDR-AX700 Camcorder 

  • Excellent Picture Quality - The resolution rating and image quality of the camera is very much efficient and reliable. According to actual users, this camcorder genuinely provides excellent output.
  • Ideal for Hobbyists and Starting Videographers - Due to its high-end features and technology, the Sony FDR-AX700 4K HDR is videographer-friendly. It can be actually used in several events and occasions with different lighting thanks to its built in ND filters.
  • Durable and Sturdy - The structure and build of this camcorder are pretty on point. You can actually rely on its durability. Plus, the after-sales support is also reliable which makes it for many users to enjoy the camcorder to the fullest, even for entry-level users!
  • Compact and Easy to Hold - This camcorder features an easy-to-hold build. In fact, it is made to ensure that any type or size of hands can fit the overall structure of the camcorder. This also allows the users to keep the camcorder secured and safe as they record and shoot videos.

Disadvantages of the Sony FDR-AX700 Camcorder 

  • Not Ideal for Pros - Although the FDR-AX700 camcorder is entirely marketed for professional use, it has been found that the features and functions are not that great for this kind of level. As it happens, it still lacks few features that every professional use in the field.
  • Expensive - The price of this camcorder is rated below $2000 which is pretty expensive considering its semi-pro features. Although at some point, some of the features could justify the price point, there are professional camcorders that are worth less than this price.
  • Too Complicated To Use - Most of the users state that the Sony FDR-AX700 4K HDR is very complicated to use. In fact, it takes time to fully grasp all the manual controls, features and functions of the camcorder. Some users have expressed their disappointment with regard to this aspect since they would still carry around the instruction manual even after a few months of usage.

AX700 vs. AX100 Features

Sony has added a few key features to the new FDR-AX700 that separate it from the AX100. To start, it has a 273-Point Phase Detection Auto focus system that is much better and faster than previous versions. The new toggle control lets you surf through the menus in the EVF when the LCD screen is closed. The Sony FDR-AX700 also has a brand new time lapse feature that is incredible. The LCD touchscreen is now 5.5 inches and has been increased to 1.55M dots. There is also an added SD slot which is almost a must when it comes to recording long clips. We often get asked about how to take video properly while shooting in mid day lighting. The AX700 has built in ND filters (Neutral Density Filters) which will drastically improve the video and picture quality in different light settings.

The Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Sony FDR-AX700 is truly an impressive camcorder. Its innovative features and functions are very useful and beneficial to users, especially to people who want to improve their skills on shooting videos. Although it may not look like anything out of the ordinary or special, it's what it is capable of doing that counts the most.

The quality of phone cameras has also increased dramatically in the past few years, and you might be wondering if buying a camcorder in general is worth it anymore. In all fairness this is true, if you think that the camera on your phone suites your needs, then there is no reason to go out and spend thousands of dollars. But if you want the most professional and highest quality video available then a video camera is the way to go.

And if you are the type of person who wants to learn the basic skills of professional shooting, the FDR-AX700 is highly recommendable. However, if you are a professional and you have a career in this field, you may need to consider buying other equipment to go along with it or this might not be the best 4K video cameras to invest in. Extra equipment is not necessary but may improve your experience a little bit.

Nevertheless after our comprehensive review, the Sony FDR-AX700 is still a great addition to the 4k camcorder industry today. And we believe that you will not be disappointed if you do so choose it as your own. We do extensive research to bring you the best and most informative review. We review lots of other products, you can go check them out at our homepage! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us.

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