Sony AX43: The Last Great Consumer Camcorder (and test footage)
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- A closer look at my favorite camcorder. Plus some wildlife footage I've taken with this camera. Product links below.
Sony FDR-AX43: amzn.to/45RXiCJ
Camcorder battery: amzn.to/3s4AEZ2
(Amazon Affiliate links)
This channel participates in the Amazon Associates program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
There are few more advantages on AX53: the ring around the lens can rotate, you can assign a function to that, like manual focus, or exp compensation etc. Also, there is a filter thread on the lens, so you can attach a filter.
Good points. I forgot the AX53 has the ring at the front that you can use for manual settings. The AX43 also has a thread on the front for filters.
Love the review! I just got a refurbished AX43. I'm thrilled to use it.
Nice. Enjoy it. It's my favorite camera for wildlife.
Nice overview. Your coverage of the fdr-ax43 gave me confidence that I'd purchased the right camera for my use. Much appreciated.
Glad it was helpful!
I have the AX53 and it allows you to select on the LCD screen the focus point. Comes in handy when the auto focus needs a little help in selecting the target. Thanks for the video.
You can also do that with the AX43 but for some reason the focus doesn't work very well. Sometimes it just gets confused. Perhaps it's better with the AX53.
Hi, would you recommend the AX53 for shooting steam loco's moving towards you. Autofocus question?
@@spud3607 I think this would be a very good camera for capturing steam locomotives. Remember you can also select a target for the auto focus to track. Best of luck and thank you for watching.
I love this camera as my b-roll camera and sometimes my main camera when I am runing around. You just have to kow its limitations.
Exactly!
I bought the ax53 last year. Although I do like it, I sort of wish I would’ve gone the dlsr route. I do love & prefer the form factor, and am so thankful for the large optical zoom (50x optical, 100x digital!). You’re right about the autofocus though, especially at night.
Mine has that night vision mode, but isn’t really usable for anything I would need it for since the ir light is pretty weak. I’ve thought about getting some sort of ir spotlight to experiment with, but haven’t yet.
I highly recommend getting a ‘accsoon seemo’ adapter accessory, that lets you use a phone or tablet as an external hdmi monitor. That flip out screen just doesn’t hold up to today’s screen standards, as far as brightness and picture quality (I’ve even repurposed my old iPhone X for it, and it’s still a huge leap in quality).
Besides that, I have several gripes about UI decisions that Sony made when they designed this. Like.. you can’t turn off the on screen menu buttons, so it takes away from your viewing area!? Maybe it’s not as bad on the ax43 (your screen looked a little bigger than mine), but on mine it’s obnoxious. It’s also annoying that you can only choose to manually control one aspect at a time, and when you do, you feel like you’re playing Simon says with it, because you have to make sure you hit the button before you bump the focus ring 😂
Anyway, thanks for the review; glad to see there are still other people that prefer the camcorder form factor too. ☺️
Completely agree. I have the same issue with the screen viewing area with the AX43. The settings to take a lot of screen real estate. And yes, using the manual settings is incredibly difficult. Thanks for stopping by!
20x optical zoom on the AX53*
Oh.. Oops
I have an AX53, my favourite camera for CZcams projects.
I'm sure it's a great camera! I'm saving to buy one as an upgrade to my AX43.
I just got the AX700 and was testing it out today.. I personally love it.
I won't be picking up the AX43 but will be picking up the AX53 which right now is at a great price.
My reason for choosing the AX53 over the 43 is just one dumb reason.. Nightshot. I use it and require my Sony camera to be equipped with it.
That's a great point. I forgot that the AX53 has nightshot and the AX43 doesn't. Nightshot is a feature I will rarely use but I see it's benefit. I like to use nightshot with my older Hi8 tape camcorders for a vintage analog look.
Hi friend, congratulations on the video. Can you tell me if it records in MP4, and if with good lighting I can make videos at night? And as for the battery, it lasts a long time and most importantly: Does it have a microphone input?
It does record directly on MP4 but only on the lower resolution settings. The battery I got lasts approximately 2 hours of use. It's a third party battery though and you can buy other ones with better capacity. Yes, it does have a microphone input and headphone jack for monitoring. Unfortunately the low light quality is not that great.
Does it crop the image in 4K mode?
I haven't used it in 4K yet but I'm almost sure it does crop it.
I am from Poland, we still have traditional Sony 4k Ax43a, Ax53, Panasonic VX1 camcorders available for purchase in three versions. I'm wondering which one to buy.
It depends on what you want to use it for but my choice would be the Sony AX53.
@@erasertech16I'd chose the AX53 too. I have one. You can use the AX53 eyepiece when it's too bright to see the flip out side screen.
There is a lot of AX33s and Panasonic 4K camcorders also in the market
I'm not familiar with the Panasonic but the AX33 is another great option.
Hi. Does this camera record at 60 fps? conflicting information on the internet
It does at 1080p, but I don't think it does with 4K.
Hey great video. I’m looking into one of these but I’m not familiar at all with camcorders. From what I read the min focal length is about 26mm on these lens. Is there a way to get it closer to a 16mm ? Are you able to change the lens on camcorders? Thank you I’m a noob with these 😢
Thanks. No, you cannot change the lenses on these camcorders. Yes, the minimum focal length is 26mm but that's pretty wide for most applications, including vlogging.
Here In Japan the camcorder market is alive and well! Companies just don’t market internationally as much anymore. The rest of the world just moves on with the newest tech that comes along while Japan/Asia doesn’t do that. We still use floppy disk here 😂
That's awesome. I'm glad camcorders are still a thing there. Would love to go to an electronics store in Japan.
I got the Sony Zoom shot gun mic that plugs into the hot shoe and can track with the Zoom lens. It works so well that I have decided not to get a lav for my productions.
Nice! I haven't got any of the Sony proprietary accessories but that mic sounds cool.
@@erasertech16 It retails for like $99, but I got it as part of a bundle so it was about third of that.
Hi! I really want a camera for filmmaking, would this be good for a student to use ?
Yes, I think this one would be a good option. But for students you can probably go with some cheaper options.
It reminds me of White tubby NV Camera
I think I like the new Canon camcorders. The G70 will do 150Mbps 4K. I am pleased that they still make new models.
Yes, the G70 is a great option too.
Canon sells it but doesnt support it. Check their website.
can you switch it from NTSC to PAL framerates? That's a disadvantage for many camcorders, many are hardcoded, so a camcorder bought in europe can't record in 30p, 24p or 60p.
I don't think so. Mine is NTSC only.
@@erasertech16 Damn, that means that the european AX43 is PAL only... 🥲
@@felixvideoworkshop There is a way to swap between Pal and NTSC. I found it on CZcams so I now have mine running on 30p in 4k and 60p in 1080 for smoother footage
You can change it from PAL to NTSC 25 to 30p. Just search on Google and will show a few CZcams tutorials. There's a software hack that allows for it and is super easy and quick. It worked for me very recently and can record in 30p. But I can switch back to PAL using the same software@@felixvideoworkshop
the ax53 in 2023
right now on Amazon , is 16megapixel and this is 8.29 megapixel. I choose this cause is less expensive but I don't really don't know if is it good . The sensor is so tiny and the quality of the shooting that I find on internet is just OK not amazing ..let's see when arrives i hope today .
Good choice. Hope you enjoy it. It's my favorite camcorder.
You should put a link to that battery.. looks like a heavy duty battery long running time..
Oh yeah good call. I will add a link to that battery in the description. It's an NP-FV70. You can get it on Amazon.
external mic option availability in Sony Camcorder is big problem due to which always noise in audio recorded that is not best for video viewers.
I've had great audio with the external mic jack with Sony camcorders. Maybe it's an issue with your microphone.
Have you considered Canon G70? I can trying to decide between Sony ax43 and Canon G70.
I think I looked into the G70 a long time ago but decided to go with the AX43 because it's a bit newer and the image stabilization is better.
@@erasertech16 Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I thought G70 released in 2022 and AX43 released in 2020?
Oh you're right. I think I'm confusing that one with a different older camcorder from Sony. I'm just looking at the specs of the G70 and looks pretty impressive. It does look like a step up from the older AX43. And the price is not too far off either. The G70 might be a very good option but it's hard to tell without trying it out. In the past I haven't had the best experience with Canon camcorders but this one looks pretty good.
Canon sells but does not support the G70. Check their website.
Do these have a green night visions??
I don't think so. But I believe the AX53 does.
hows this stand up to sony Fx3? I just want in all simple camera for run and gun.
I'm not familiar with the FX3 but I see it is a $3.8K (body only) full frame camera. The two are at completely different levels.
@@erasertech16 Trying to find a small camcorder on the same level. I like the feel of the camcorder much better. Not sure why it can not be done. Bigger Sensor, Low Light, built in lens. Only thing I found that comes close is the Osmo Action4. But like a touch longer zoom lens on it.
I have the original Osmo Action. It's a great action cam. Still use it all the time. However it's still apples and oranges compared to the Sony camcorder. The action camera does not have an optical zoom like the Sony camcorder. There are some smaller Sony and Panasonic camcorders with a similar zoom as the AX43 but the image stabilization is not as great. Those might be good options.
why this video in HD
How does it compare to the Panasonic VX-1?
I'm not sure. I haven't tried that one.
Actually the last one is Sony FDR-AX43A with bigger more bright screen.
I didn't know there was a different version of the AX43.
I have the AX43 A. I think the display is the same size but they upgraded the display resolution to match the AX53.
I prefer the less defined and softer look of the minidv’s my self. HD seems to take away the “charm” that camcorders are capable of.
Yeah that's a good point. I also like minidv's and hi8 tape camcorders.
Panasonic VXF1 is pretty good also.
I haven't tried the Panasonic but yeah they are one of the few brands that still make good camcorders.
Does it have usb c to charge with?
No, it only has the proprietary power connection to charge. The good thing is that you can find portable battery chargers from generic brands for real cheap online.
Is this better then The DjI pocket 3?
I think this is a completely different beast than the DJI pocket 3. The stabilization is probably the same or better with the DJI. However, the DJI cannot zoom as the AX43 can but the DJI is much more portable. They just have different applications.
@@erasertech16 ah yes good point. Thanks 🙏
I don't know... the colors are quite off.
I love Sony cameras but honestly, I had 2 of these and was so unimpressed I returned them both in exchange for Sony ax100 models
It's a tough comparison. The AX100 is more of a pro camcorder and $500 more expensive than this. I haven't used it but I'm sure it's much better.
@@erasertech16 yes! The AX100 are simply put the best video cameras I have ever owned... and I've oned and used a LOT 😆
@@whiplite3613 I've heard that elsewhere too. Alot of the cheaper camcorders have numerous weaknesses.
Don’t know why they took the infrared night vision off of it. And still charges a lot for it. Wo night vision it doesn’t help me at all.
Probably to reduce the cost. But yeah I agree they still charge a lot for this camera.
умеет в лог снимать?
Canon g70 is newer than that. Sony
Yes, I just learned of the G70. It's a great option too.
Canon sells but does not support the G70. Check their website. I returned my new G70.
@@phil4986why did you return it?