5 best Sony camcorders
The Japanese company Sony is one of the world's largest manufacturers of multimedia equipment. She is especially known for her cameras. Sensors for the authorship of this manufacturer are installed in smartphones and cameras, and almost all other devices that are only able to take photos and videos. It is therefore not surprising that Sony cameras themselves are of the highest quality and functionality.
For lovers of high-quality camera work - even if a walk in the woods or a celebration in the circle of the closest people is filmed - we have compiled a rating of the top 5 Sony camcorders that are practical and functional.
Sony top camcorder rating
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | price |
| Sony top camcorder rating | 1 | Sony FDR-AX700 | 88 870 ₽ |
| 2 | Sony FDR-AX100E | 75 900 ₽ | |
| 3 | Sony FDR AX-33 | ||
| 4 | Sony HDR-CX625 | 23 400 ₽ | |
| 5 | Sony HDR-CX405 | 14 390 ₽ |
Sony FDR-AX700
Rating: 4.9
Why she: Support for video in 4K, powerful zoom.
The company itself calls this model not just a camera, but a camcorder, taking it to the next level - the level of professional shooting. And this is not surprising. The compact and lightweight device, which weighs only less than a kilogram, can record at 4K resolution 30 fps (or Full HD 120 fps), supports 12x optical and 198x digital zoom, and also supports manual setting of shooting parameters.
The heart of the camcorder is a 14.2-megapixel CMOS sensor with a physical size of 1 ". It is complemented by a fixed lens with a focal length from 9.3 to 111.6 mm (due to just the optical zoom) and aperture of f / 2.8 – f / 4.5. Installation of filters with a diameter of 62 mm is supported. All this is supplemented with a mechanical image stabilizer to eliminate the effect of shaking when shooting from the hands.
The camcorder also comes with a 3.5-inch, 1.5-megapixel LCD touch screen and an advanced viewfinder.
Virtues
- Small mass of the device, only 935 grams;
- Rich set of delivery, including a lot of useful accessories;
- Video support in 4K UHD resolution.
disadvantages
- Low frame rate when shooting at maximum resolution;
- There is no carrier in the kit (neither memory cards, nor the internal storage of the device itself);
- H.265 codec is not supported, which reduces the "weight" of the video in high resolution.
Sony FDR-AX100E
Rating: 4.8
Why she: Support for video recording in ultra-high resolution, low mass.
The FDR-AX100E is very similar to the FDR-AX700 model. However, it is equipped with a less productive image processor. And the rest of the technical characteristics of this model are similar to the parameters of the leader of the rating.
In particular, the FRD-AX100E model is equipped with a 12.4-megapixel CMOS sensor with a physical size of 1 ”. It is complemented by a lens that supports 12x optical zoom and 160x digital. The aperture is f / 2.8 – f / 4.5. You can manually set the exposure and focus, but you should use the automatic focusing modes - there are five of them here, and they work well even during zooming. A mechanical image stabilizer is also available.
Touchscreen LCD for easy use also in stock. There is a viewfinder.
The camcorder can shoot in 4K, and ensuring maximum image sharpness.Although the frame rate in this mode is only 25Pro fps.
Virtues
- "Honest 4K" with increased clarity of objects in the frame;
- Possibility of detailed manual settings for all shooting parameters;
- There is a night mode and infrared lights.
disadvantages
- Slow autofocus;
- Proprietary format "shoe" for connecting external devices, adapters are required;
- Proprietary format of connectors for connecting remote control devices, standard LANC will not work.
Sony FDR AX-33
Rating: 4.7
Why she: Ultra-compact video camera with support for shooting in ultra-high resolution.
Despite the fact that the FDR AX-33 camcorder by the manufacturer itself is one of the “amateur” devices, professional operators will also appreciate it. A high-performance image processor installed in the device allows you to receive an “honest” 4K video stream. And at the same time the device weighs only 600 grams!
The device is based on a 8.29-megapixel CMOS-sensor with a physical size of 1 / 2.3 ". It is complemented by a fixed lens with a focal length of 3.8-38 mm (10x optical zoom is supported) and aperture f / 1.8 – f / 3.4. There is also a digital zoom, 120x. Manual focus and exposure settings are supported, but there are also automatic modes.
Also, the camcorder is equipped with a mechanical image stabilizer, which is complemented by an electronic, and a 3-inch LCD touch screen for convenience (an electronic viewfinder is also available).
Virtues
- Low weight, only 600 grams, hands do not get tired with long use;
- High quality dual system (optical plus electronic) stabilization;
- High detail resolution at Full HD 50 fps.
disadvantages
- The emergence of strong noises when zooming, this function is better not to use;
- Not the highest quality "picture" in the dark;
- 4K added for checkbox - speed is too low to use this feature regularly.
Sony HDR-CX625
Rating: 4.6
Why she: Low weight and large zoom.
The main advantage of this camcorder is a large optical zoom. It is higher than the previous models in the rating, and is 30x. In addition, digital zooming up to 350x is supported!
In general, the HDR-CX625 is quite a good mid-level camera. It is equipped with a 2.29-megapixel CMOS-sensor with physical dimensions of 1 / 5.8 ”, which is complemented by a fixed lens with a focal length of 1.9-57 mm and aperture of f / 1.8-f / 4. Manual adjustment of focus and exposure is supported, but for those who do not want to “bother”, the camera offers several different automatic modes of operation. The maximum resolution of the video stream is Full HD 60 fps.
The device is also equipped with an optical image stabilizer, a 3-inch LCD touchscreen and a digital viewfinder. There are intelligent modes of operation, including focusing on the face and time-lapse.
Virtues
- Huge zoom - 30x optical and 350x digital;
- Good stabilization work, even when zooming;
- Tiny dimensions and weight of only 300 grams.
disadvantages
- Overheating when used in hot weather;
- Poor quality of the “picture” in low light, no backlight (neither normal nor infrared);
- Low quality matrix lcd screen.
Sony HDR-CX405
Rating: 4.5
Why she: Budget camcorder with excellent zoom.
Despite the fact that this camcorder is cheaper than other models in the rating, it boasts excellent zooming capabilities. The installed lens and image processor provide a 30-fold optical and 350-fold digital approximation, respectively. It is worth noting that the stabilization system works with zooming.
Like the previous model in the list, the Sony HDR-CX405 is based on a 2.29-megapixel 1 / 5.8-inch CMOS sensor. It is complemented by a fixed lens with a focal length of 1.9-57 mm and an aperture of f / 1.8-f / 4. Manual focus and exposure settings are supported. The camcorder can shoot at resolutions up to Full HD 50 fps.There are many intelligent modes of operation and parameter presets.
The camera is very light - only 215 grams. Equipped with a non-touch 2.7-inch LCD screen and digital viewfinder. There is a focus mode on the face.
Virtues
- Long battery life - up to 2 hours of continuous use;
- Excellent stabilizer performance (both mechanical and digital);
- Good work automation (autofocus, white balance and other parameters).
disadvantages
- Poorly suited for shooting in low light conditions;
- The inconvenient .MTS format when shooting in Full HD 50 fps;
- Extremely inconvenient settings menu.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.
