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.
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).”
@Justin – I believe SDCH is for still images only with this camera and that video requires Memory Sticks.
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
Hi Dave. Are you sure about its limited SDHC support?
@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
@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.
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)
Hi Dave, don’t be stubborn, the camera can records video to BOTH memory stick pro AND SDHC card. Tad is right.
@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
So why buy the pro model, the HXR-NX5U?
Where does this camera fit intio Sony’s lineup? They already have the NX5, so this looks like a clone. tom.
“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.
… 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.
http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-nxcamsite/resource.demos.bbsccms-assets-micro-nxcam-demos-NXCAMJapanTeaser.shtml
… 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.
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?
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…….
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.
@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.
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
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.
@Dave – Thanks for the response. It’s good to know that Adobe will probably recognize the files and no rendering would be needed. But currently my computer isn’t powerful enough to edit HD. What is the best/quickest way to convert the files to SD format (720X480) so I can edit it with my current system? I know Premiere Pro can convert it by rendering. I’ve done it before. Someone gave me 1 hour worth of HD video taken with a Canon 5D Mark 2, and I imported it into Premiere, and the render took 24 hours. I need a quicker way. I dont have enough money to buy both a new computer and a new camera and since I have the opportunity to sell my camera now and buy an AX2000, I gotta start someplace.
As long as your video editing software supports H.264 files, you’ll be able to edit the files instantly.
I just sent the ax2000 back because of extreme handling noise and the internal works (zoom and autofocus) get into the audio.
You can’t touch the camera without hearing it.
Audio preamps are extremely noisy even at normal gain.
I would not recommend this camera!
@John. In regards to handling noise, I could say the same thing about the PD170 that I love. My shotgun mic doesn’t pick up the zoom and internal noise so much, but definitely handling noise. But I find that the handling noise can be reduced depending on how I run the shotgun mic cable. What Mic were you using with it? The sony or something nicer?
I assume if no mic is hooked up, it isn’t picking up the internal noise so it has to be a Mic placement issue. Anyone know of a fix for something like this? Ways to reduce handling noise or get the mic farther away from the zoom motor?
The problem with trying to rectify the audio with an external mic is
that the preamps are really noisy even at normal levels. If you need a little boost they sound like you are recording next to the ocean.
So you see the mic doesn’t matter. Internal mic picks up every little (and I do mean EVERY) touch of the hand, the movements of the hand strap and internal functions (the autofocus hunts making a constant clicking).
I am not trying to tell anyone what to do but I think you should know before you pull the trigger on this puppy.
I wonder if the pro version, NX5U has similar defects. Would appreciate anyone who has experience with the 5U letting me know.
It runs about $500 over the AX2000.
The picture is great from the 2000 and I really wanted to like it
but I have to sell a client on poor audio so I sent it back.
I am looking at the Canon XH-A1S Sony AX2000 or NX5 cameras. Since the Sony records full HD to a card, is the video compressed, even though it is a full 1920 x 1080? The Canon records at 1440 x 1080, non-compressed to mini-DV tape. Which is better? Which camera would you suggest between Canon and Sony?
Kevin
I posted the comment about the audio problems with AX2000.
I also own the XHA1. Good camera but the video is not nearly as good as the AX2000.
Still waiting for someone who has experience with the NX5U.
Is the audio good or not??!
I spoke to a professional support person at Sony. After a day he called me back to say the audio is flat in the NX5U and supposedly the AX2000 since it is basically the same camera with the aforementioned differences. He said he had received at least 50 calls complaining about the lack of low in in the audio tracks of the HVR-V1U. The reason was they rolled off the audio to eliminate the problems that John Devinney and others mentioned especially the drum of the tape machine. I guess one man’s problem is another’s delight. Personally I would rather have flat audio and isolate my microphone from the camera noises with a decent mic holder.
thanks
Dean
Hi Dean,
Obviously the drum of a tape machine would not be a problem with this recorder since the media is solid state. In other words there is no tape or tape drive.
The preamp noise is the problem with the external mic input so isolation has nothing to do with it. They have signicant hiss.
I asked about NX5U (the pro version of the AX2000) not the HVR V1U which has nothing in common with the NX5U or AX2000.
Yes. I would like to know the signal to noise ratio and frequency response for the NX5U also. Has anyone done any audio testing of the NX5U or the AX2000? Thanks
I find Sony’s attitude disturbing, basically telling us that rather than fix the problem, we covered it up.(rolled off the response of the HVR V1U )
As to the AX2000, $3500 dollars is not cheap to an independent business and yet they choose to ship a product with severely impaired audio quality. I ask if Sony is going the way of Toyota? Very disappointing!!A good price on poor quality is no bargain.
Please respond to question about the NX5U if you have personal experience with this camera’s audio particularly hiss using the external mic inputs.
Esta gran camara graba en formato PAL y NTSC? como la camara Z1 o Z7?
Wow, I almost pulled the trigger on the Sony AX2000, then I saw the audio issue posted by John. Thank you for the heads up. I’ll be watching this thread and wait, I guess.
Check out the HMC40. Blows bigger cams out of the water for under $2k.
the hmc40 IS nice, but doesn’t have any xlr inputs.
No XLR inputs isn’t a dealbreaker. You can get an XLR adaptor, for about $150 that fits nicely under the camera attached by the 1/4-20 thread for tripods. The unit itself has the female 1/4-20 thread underneath so you can still put it on a tripod. There are a number of companies that make these. Juiced Link, Beachtek, etc. I like this model because the volume adjusters are smooth turning while other models turn by clicks.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/264990-REG/Sign_Video_XLRPRO_XLRPRO_Universal_Audio_Adapter.html
HMC40 is extremely sharp but low-light performance is not as good as 1/3″ chips. However, cranked-up gain is pretty clean. Doesn’t have the wide angle lens of the 150, but it’s $1,500. less. XLR adapter is available from Pannie for about $350. AVCHD/CMOS. Go to DVXuser.com to read up.
Is Sony selling any of these things? If so, you’d think someone would chime in about the audio. B&H only has 3 reviews…no one is talking about audio, and Amazon.com has no reviews at all.
I have had my Sony PD170 for a long time, and here is what I know about my audio. When I am using my Shotgun mic (needs the phantom power), there are 2 modes, normal and a -20 cut. When I am in normal mode, the mic picks up everything, any touch of the camera or move of the tripod..big loud thumps. (I can’t hear camera hum or zoom however.) When I am in -20db mode, that noise is barely audible-which is kind of what you’d expect from lowering the audio gain, so that is the mode I use 75% of the time, when I am not using it, I am just real careful.
But in one of the internal menus, there is a WIND function, which I assume is some kind of low-end roll off-don’t know the specs. When turned on and recording in normal mode, that really does help reduce camera handling noise or tripod movement noise, and seriously I’ve listened closely and it doesn’t effect the quality of the audio at all for what I am doing, which is mostly weddings, so I just leave it on all the time.
@John, did you do extensive testing with your AX2000 in various modes with various conditions, even various mics, and notice any improvements? Did it have a Wind function or some kind of audio roll-off feature? When you say the Audio PreAmps were noisy, are you referring to phantom power, and was the noise the same in normal and -20db mode? I know you mention in normal mode, it adds a lot of hiss, just wondering if that hiss was there when using the built-in mic and the shotgun mic, both in normal mode and -20db modes.
chad
I am a power reviewer for B&H and they DID NOT print my review. That should tell you something!
Mic used will not effect hiss in the preamps. The fantom power also
has nothing to do with noise. That is DC voltage to bias the mics.
Preamps are noisy with mic or without mic.
Wind setting does slightly improve mechanical noise. If your willing to go all this way to try get usable audio, then you can buy
the camera. I just wanted to let people know what I found but you make your own decision. You can always send it back if disappointed.
Hey John,
Did you have a chance to replicate the preamp noise issue on another HDR-AX2000? I am so hoping that the issue is an isolated case. I do like the camera, so much that I want to believe it’s not a problem 🙂
I can only relate my experience with the camera I received.
I wanted to like this camera too because the video is truly impressive. There are many things to like about the camera.
If you want to know if it is an isolated incident then order the
camera and check it out for yourself. If you have a better experience let us know. You have 15 days to evaluate it and send it
back if you want to. (B&H Policy anyway)
Do I understand correctly that the HDR-AX2000 does not come with an external microphone nor there’s a media card? The NX5U has an external mic and there’s no need for a media card since it comes with a memory pack. Therefore if you purchase the HDR-AX2000, then an external mic, then a media card, the price is pretty close to the NX5U. Am I correct on this?
@Luke Ho – I believe the Hard drive is extra with the NX5U and it cost around $900.
@John – I noticed B&H just added a 4th review to the AX2000 yesterday and it was dated March 8 so apparently there is a 2-week gap between when the review is listed and when it is posted. Maybe your review will eventually show up?? If B&H filters out the reviews and only posts the positive ones, then they lose a LOT of credibility in my eyes.
Yes they did post another review but it isn’t mine. So far it looks as though they do filter reviews if they are very critical of the product.
Luke you are correct that the AX2000 does not come with external mic or mem cards. Neither does the NX5U come with cards but does have an external mic. and a combination charger power supply.AX2000 has only external p/s.
The 128 gig memory pack is an extra on the NX5U. Price is $750 but if you buy before March 31 you get $5oo back.(actual cost $250) This gives you 11 1/2 hours of record time at max resolution. The AX2000 cannot use the flash drive. By the way this is FLASH media drive not a hard drive.
Memory cards(32gig) are $180 each but flash drive and cards are reusable of course.
Just opened my new NX5U. Quiet!!!!!!!!! no hiss. This is a beauty.
A real winner. Focusing better, slight handling noise with internal mic but certainly tolerable. I RECOMMEND THIS ONE!!
Go the extra $500, this feels and sounds like a completely different
camera. Audio wise it really is a completely different camera.
Has linear PCM not available on 2000.(lossless)I see why Sony calls
this a Pro camera.
@John – Awesome, I plan on getting on as well with the Flash Drive (FYI, rebate is good till Apr 30-not March 30.)
I heard that with the NX5U, once the camera warns you of a low battery, you have very little time before it goes dead-like 1 minute or less. (see link below) And because he was in the middle of recording he lost the video file, despite the camera having some kind of recovery process. Read about it here: http://adamwelznxcam.wordpress.com/
Can you test this out and let me know what is up? If I’m in the middle of a wedding, and taping the best man speech and it starts to blink low battery, I want to know I have ample time to finish up the shot before I lose power, and I sure as heck can’t afford to lose any video. I’d be ruined.
The rebate is only good till March 31. It has to be postmarked by Apr 30. From the Sony Site:????????????????????????????????????????January 06, 2010 through March 31, 2010 Sony is pleased to offer the following NXCAM HXR-FMU128 $500
Mail-in End User Rebate. Rebates are offered on purchases of this model by a U.S. based end user (in the
continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii, excluding territories) from a Sony Authorized Reseller, a Reseller of
a Sony Authorized Distributor (third party reseller) or directly from Sony.
Well this is copied from the B&H Website.
Effective January 06, 2010 through April 30, 2010 Sony is pleased to offer the following NXCAM HXR-FMU128 $500
Mail-in End User Rebate. Rebates are offered on purchases of this model by a U.S. based end user (in the
continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii, excluding territories) from a Sony Authorized Reseller, a Reseller of
a Sony Authorized Distributor (third party reseller) or directly from Sony.
Eligible Product: HXR-FMU128 Rebate Amount $500
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Rebates_Promos/043010_SONY_Offer_090534A.pdf
Cool. Sony has old information on their site.
Well either B&H is wrong or Sony is wrong. How do you find out which one?
I am not sure that the Sony website is old info. I think Dean is right. You must purchase the product before March 31 and submit the
rebate paperwork no later than April 30.
If I were to give credence to anyone it would be Sony since they are administering the rebate. They make the rules.
Could be B&H misread it too. You won’t be able to buy from B&H in time(closed for holidays) but you can get it from another authorized dealer. I wouldn’t take the chance on loosing the rebate. But as always it is up to you.
As to the battery issue, you have the standard bar graph so just change it when you have only one bar left and you should be golden.