Sony unveiled the FDR-AX53 Handycam at CES 2016 to add it to the company’s growing 4K lineup. The AX53 features a new 20x optical zoom lens (26.8-536mm equivalent) with advanced aspherical (AA) and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lens elements that allow it to produce a crisp, high resolution image within a compact size. The lens also has a Zeiss T* coating that reduces unwanted reflections and flare.
The sensor is a 1/2.5″ BSI CMOS sensor with native 8.29MP resolution and is 1.6x larger than the sensor on the previous model. The camcorder also features Sony’s Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization technology and a 5-axis Intelligent Active mode compensates for vibration in five different axes.
The improved AF system offers 40% faster AF speed and is more accurate according to Sony. Additionally, the AX53 can capture 1080p video at up to 120fps for up to 5x native slow motion when conformed to a 24p timeline. The AX53 makes us of Sony’s XAVC S codec for 100Mbps bit rate 4K capture.
The Sony FDR-AX53 retails for about $1,000 and will ship in March. You can pre-order the AX53 here at B&H Photo.
I can’t believe no one brought 4k at 60p to the table this year, massively disappointed. I only really use a camcorder to record my club football but I want the quality of 4k but the ability to do a few slow-mos every now and then. If they were worried about bitrates or file sizes they could have just switched to H.265/HEVC.
Does anyone know of any camcorders on the foreseeable horizon that are small, light and sub $1000 that will do this?
We’re still waiting on 4K/30p from some manufacturers. H.265 is still at the bleeding edge of codec tech and not quite primed for consumer use just yet. You may see some more affordable 4K/60p cameras around NAB in April but I don’t know if we’re going to get that sub-$1000 price point in a consumer-oriented camera this year…
I think sadly you are right.
When did the normal consumer and the prosumer camcorder market just become Sony and Panasonic? What ever happened to JVC, Sanyo, Samsung, Hitachi, Xiaomi, Toshiba, Canon (taking it seriously)…?