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Dave Kaminski is a professional copywriter, videographer and 10-year veteran of direct response marketing whose work in multimedia advertising has resulted in millions of dollars worth of sales. A former U.S. Marine, Dave specializes in teaching entrepreneurs how to effectively use web video in their marketing efforts.

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New Sony HDR-AX2000 Delivers Pro Camera Features Without Pro Camera Prices

January 13th, 2010 • Related • Filed Under
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The line between professional and consumer level video cameras continues to blur with Sony’s latest offering, the HDR-AX2000.

This new video camera, aimed at the prosumer market, produces broadcast quality footage while recording in the AVCHD format.  The camera records full 1920×1080/60i high-definition video at up to 24Mbps and features progressive scan at 1080/24p and 30p.  That means you can get full HD video with a gorgeous film-like effect.

As I always say, with video cameras you get what you pay for.  And you’ll pay more for the HDR-AX2000 than you will for my favorite consumer-level cameras from the Canon Vixia line.

In exchange you’ll get XLR mic inputs, three 1/3 CMOS sensors, a wide angle lens, gamma and color correctors, high-quality, low-light recording and a ton of manual control…among a host of other things.  In other words, many of the things that make cameras shoot video “like you see on TV”.

The one slight drawback is the camera records to Memory Stick PRO Duo media cards (like all Sony cameras) instead of the industry standard SDHC memory cards.  So you’ll need to invest an extra $100 or so in Memory Stick cards if you don’t have them.

The HDR-AX2000 is set to be available on February 8, 2010 and carries a MSRP of $3,499.  Yes, that’s twice the cost of high-end, consumer-level video cameras, but much cheaper than what you’ll fork over for professional-level cameras.

You can see the Amazon listing for the Sony HDR-AX2000 by clicking here.

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There Are 21 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Justin C. on 14 January 2010:

    Hey Dave, this camera DOES use normal SD and SDHC cards as well as Sony Memory Sticks.

    http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/HDR-AX2000

    “Capture still images directly onto one of two selectable Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media or SD/SDHC media slots for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick® devices (sold separately).”

  2. Comment by Dave on 14 January 2010:

    @Justin – I believe SDCH is for still images only with this camera and that video requires Memory Sticks.

  3. Comment by Dave Van on 25 January 2010:

    Semper Fi Dave!

    Why does the Sony Business Site say this Bird is 3,199.00?
    Would you buy this or a Canon 7D ? I have 30 years experience in Video…love this Camera…but the 7 D puts out Nice Video Too!

    would love to hear your Professional Opinion.
    Cheers,

    Dave Van

  4. Comment by Tad on 28 January 2010:

    Hi Dave. Are you sure about its limited SDHC support?

  5. Comment by Dave on 29 January 2010:

    @Dave Van – The 7D would be used more as a specialty tool for video. You can see one professional videographer’s experience here:

    http://blogs.aljazeera.net/asia/2010/01/28/shooting-news-dslr

  6. Comment by Dave on 29 January 2010:

    @Tad – Since the camera is not released yet, you can only go by the technical spec’s they list…and they only specify SDHC under still photo options.

  7. Comment by James MacWhyte on 31 January 2010:

    On Sony’s Japanese page for this camera, in the fine print it says “When recording HD video, be sure to use a “Memory Stick Pro Duo (Mark 2)” card, “Memory Stick Pro-HG” card, a Sony brand SD card, or an SDHC memory card. If you use a non-Sony “Memory Stick Pro Duo” card, make sure it is labeled as “Mark 2″ or “Memory Stick Pro-HG”. If you are using an SD/SDHC card, make sure it is at least Class 4.”

    (Rough translation)

  8. Comment by Bayu on 5 February 2010:

    Hi Dave, don’t be stubborn, the camera can records video to BOTH memory stick pro AND SDHC card. Tad is right.

  9. Comment by Dave on 5 February 2010:

    @Bayu – Yes you are correct. According to Sony’s press release on the camera it will record HD video to SDHC cards:

    http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/digital_imaging/camcorders/release/56305.html

  10. Comment by johnny on 17 February 2010:

    So why buy the pro model, the HXR-NX5U?

  11. Comment by tomrhardwick on 19 February 2010:

    Where does this camera fit intio Sony’s lineup? They already have the NX5, so this looks like a clone. tom.

  12. Comment by Paul Coburn on 20 February 2010:

    “So why buy the pro model, the HXR-NX5U?”

    Because it has some professional feathrue that would not be of interest to non-professionals…

    … like Linear Time Code (in and out), HD-SDI non-compressed output, etc.

  13. Comment by Paul Coburn on 20 February 2010:

    … also, I forgot to mention the best part. The NX5U will take a 128 gb memory package that attaches in a cutout on the right rear side (covered when not used) that will record 11 hours, 40 minutes of HD 1920×1080.

    That is a major plus advantage.

    The HDR-AX2000 cannot use this memory.

  14. Comment by Paul Coburn on 20 February 2010:

    http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-nxcamsite/resource.demos.bbsccms-assets-micro-nxcam-demos-NXCAMJapanTeaser.shtml

  15. Comment by Paul Coburn on 20 February 2010:

    … and I came across this while searching.

    —

    Sony has also announced a consumer version of the NX5U, the HDR-AX2000. The HDR-AX2000 also accepts both MS PRO Duo cards and SDHC cards. It retains 1920×1080 @ 60i, 30p, and 24p capability, but it gives up quite a lot, according to Sony:

    * No 720p recording.
    * No linear uncompressed audio (LPMC) (Dolby AC-3 only).
    * No FMU capability; thus no simultaneous recording, of course.
    * No GPS, No timecode setting, or date recording.
    * No ability to be upgraded to 60i/50i switchability.
    * No SDI / HD-SDI.
    * No TC LINK.
    * No B&W EVF mode; No macro focus; No high-speed zoom; No smooth-transitioning gain and white-balance; No hyper gain; No viewfinder markers and safety zones; No numerical zoom display and focus distance display in feet; No black level, black gamma, knee, and color depth adjustments; No manual white balance setting; No colorbars with tone; No individually switchable front & rear tally lamps; No shutter angle display; No hour meter; No TC reset via remote control.
    * Fewer tweaks for color modes, gammas, and detail settings.

  16. Comment by cross2k on 4 March 2010:

    i’m looking to buy a prosumer camera. i definitely want to go tapeless. was leaning heavily towards the jvc gy hm100, but now i’m thinking the sony hdr ax2000.

    what’s your opinion?

  17. Comment by johnny on 5 March 2010:

    If you don’t edit .mov’s, then get the Sony. The HM100 is overpriced and has only 1/4″ CCD’s and other issues. Now if it had 1/3″ CCD’s…….

  18. Comment by Chad on 11 March 2010:

    Question. I’m a wedding videographer and I’m a long time Sony PD170 user getting ready to make the switch to HD. My computer processor isn’t strong enough to edit HD yet….still using a Pentium P4 processor….still works like a charm after 8 years.

    Anyhow, if I buy a AX2000, what is the best quality/quickest way to get the video files off the memory card and converted to .AVI so that I can edit them with Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0? I’m guessing I just can’t plug the camera in and capture with firewire, like I’ve been doing all these years. I assume I’d have to do some sort of conversion to be able to edit and I’m assuming Adobe PP 2.0 can’t do the conversion automatically?

    I will be building a new Core i7 system later this year, but have a chance to sell my PD170 right now so I figure I’d take advantage of that while I can.

  19. Comment by Dave on 11 March 2010:

    @Chad – It’s an AVCHD camera so you plug the SDHC/Memory Stick memory card from the camera into your computer and copy the files over just like you would with any USB device, using Windows Explorer. Depending what wrapper Sony uses for the files, they’ll either have .avi, .mp4 or .mov file extensions (but they are all encoded with the H.264 codec).

    As long as your video editing software supports H.264 files, you’ll be able to edit the files instantly.

  20. Comment by Dean Evenson on 12 March 2010:

    In reference to the Sony HDR-AX2000, there is information on the web that the cameras audio is sub par. A previous Sony camera the HVR-V1U according to web date has an audio roll off starting around 1200 Hz and goes down to no audio being recorded below 100 Hz. Is this true and is it true of the AX2000?

    Thanks for your help.
    Dean

  21. Comment by Video20Q on 13 March 2010:

    I have been looking at various options for a video camera solution and while the JVC HM100 looks good the Sony NX5 and the AX2000 have a much better lens, better controls all around and works better in low light too.
    Then I was also looking at the DSLR cameras specifically the D7 and D5 from Canon but the sound is poor from them and apparently you get a smoother zoom along with many other advantages by having a proper video camera. That said you do get a lot of video quality for your money and I would be half tempted.
    After looking at all the options I am leaning towards the NX5 if I can get the money together for it and if not then go for the AX2000.

    I am planning to have a chat with someone else in this same situation soon and record it to make a podcast out of it for http://video20q.com
    I will let you know when I have it done.

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