New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

It's now official:

Unveiled: Sony New Consumer 4K, Action, and Music Camcorder Models | BH inDepth

4K, 60P.
1/2.3" chip, 8 million effective pixels, f1.6 aperture on a 20X zoom!
XAVC-S codec in an MP4 wrapper.


Sony Announces the FDR-AX1 Digital 4K Video Camera Recorder, HDR-AS30V HD POV Action Camcorder, and HDR-MV1 Music Camcorder—Now Available at B&H Photo Video

Sony announces three new video cameras. The ground-breaking model is the FDR-AX1 Digital 4K Video Camera, which supports 3840 x 2160 4K resolution; the other two new models are the HDR-AS30V HD POV Action Camcorder and the HDR-MV1 Music Camcorder.

NYC, NY (PRWEB) September 04, 2013 -- Sony has just announced three new video cameras. The ground-breaking model is the FDR-AX1 Digital 4K Video Camera, which supports 3840 x 2160 4K resolution. The other two new models are the HDR-AS30V HD POV Action Camcorder and the HDR-MV1 Music Camcorder. The HDR-AS30V is an update on last year’s HDR-AS10 and HDR-AS15 action camera models, while the HDR-MV1 is a one-of-a-kind compact camcorder designed specifically for capturing high-quality audio to match the Full HD video.

The Sony FDR-AX1 Digital 4K Video Camera is Sony’s 4K camcorder that affords about four times the resolution of a Full HD 1080p camcorder and is outfitted with a variety of professional controls including independent zoom, focus, and iris rings. The Sony FDR-AX1 features a high-performance image processor and a back illuminated 8.3MP Exmor R CMOS image sensor that work in concert to facilitate 3840 x 2160p 4K video recording at 60 fps. This means that one will be able to record at the camera’s maximum frame rate—even when shooting 4K video.

The Sony FDR-AX1 supports the XAVC-S 4K/HD recording format, which is usually reserved for professional applications. However, since the XAVC-S codec will save as an MP4 wrapper, one can still create web-friendly videos that can be easily shared on social media sites like YouTube. Another highlight of the XAVC-S recording format is its ability to record images at 150Mbps in 4K and at 50Mbps in Full HD. The FDR-AX1 has also adopted a more professional type of recording media, thanks to the inclusion of dual next-generation XQD media card slots. Both XQD card slots support fast 4K/HD writing and reading rates.

Another feature that makes the FDR-AX1 a professional-class video camera is its audio-recording capability. It records 2-channel Linear PCM (LPCM) audio with a built-in high-performance stereo microphone. However, the camera also features dual integrated professional-class XLR audio inputs for connecting external microphones. Photographers will even be able to mix audio tracks from the internal microphone with the audio recorded from any connected external mics. The camera’s other connectivity options include a headphone jack, a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI output, an analog A/V output, an accessory shoe, and more. The HDMI output facilitates playback of 4K/60p video on a compatible 4K Bravia LED TV.

The Sony HDR-AS30V rugged action camera, designed for shooting in the mountains, water, or anywhere else action sports take place. It’s ideal for skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, motocross, skydiving, mountain biking, and any other outdoor adventure sports. The lightweight and rugged, wearable action camcorder supports up to Full HD 1920 x 1080p video recording at 60 fps. It also features a 2x Slow Motion Mode that supports 1280 x 720p HD video capture at 60 fps and a 4x Slow Motion Mode that supports 1280 x 720p HD video capture at 120 fps. Play back the 120-frames-per-second footage at 30 fps for super-slow-motion shots to highlight the action shots, or to review tricks, form, and technique.

Sony includes a rugged waterproof housing with the HDR-AS30V. The waterproof housing has a universal tripod mount and is waterproof down to a depth of 197 feet (60 m). It is also dirt and dust resistant, which makes the camera nearly impervious to mud, snow, rain, sand, and grime. The camera is equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, which supports a wide 170-degree viewing angle and SteadyShot image stabilization with Active Mode. It has a back illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor as well, which supports superb low-light performance.

The Sony HDR-MV1 Music Camcorder is designed specifically for capturing high-quality video and audio. It can record Full HD 1920 x 1080p video at 30 fps and LPCM or AAC stereo audio. For video, it's equipped with a 16MP Exmor R CMOS image sensor and a wide-angle Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with a 120-degree angle of view. It can also capture HD 1280 x 720p video at 30 fps and it records to the web-friendly MP4 format. The camcorder features a 2.7" LCD monitor as well.

For recording audio, the HDR-MV1 features a 120-degree stereo X/Y microphone array and an external microphone input. It also has a headphone jack for more accurate audio monitoring. You can record audio using the 44.1kHz/16-bit LPCM format or the 48kHz/128kbps AAC format. Plus, the camcorder supports Audio Lip Sync functionality and manual or auto audio-level control. The 2.7" LCD screen features an on-screen meter as well, which you can use to monitor the audio input levels.

About B&H Photo Photo Video

As the world's largest source of photography, video and audio equipment, B&H Photo-Video is known worldwide for their attentive, knowledgeable sales staff, and excellent customer service, including fast and reliable shipping. Visitors to the website can access a variety of enlightening articles and educational videos. B&H has been satisfying customers worldwide for nearly to 40 years. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

2/3 inch sensor?
Linear PCM audio?
60p?
4K=150Mbp/s?
HD=50Mbp/s?

All this on a "Handycam"?

What will they leave for the "NXCAM" model and what more for the "XDCAM" models? We know know that it's a single ship. Maybe the XDCAM series will be a 3 chip?

Pixel count = Approx. 18,900,000 pixels. That's oversampled enough for de-Bayering. I wonder how good/bad it's low light performance is.

How with this camera will affect Sony's current HD model lineup? This is ALLOT for a "Handycam"

CT

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I knew it wouldn't be a 1/2 or 2/3 or 1" sensor but didn't expect a single 1/2.3 sensor. I was wrong thinking 3 chip and 1/3" sensor cause of the 20x zoom.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

It's slightly smaller than a 1/2" sensor. It is a long ways from being a 2/3" sensor camera.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

lol,..you got me on that sensor size. My eyes are blurry..still waking up in Florida here. (that mixed with wishful thinking) hehe

The bitrate specs are pretty high too, even for "consumer" HD.

That sensor will probably take allot of NR to clean that picture in high gains. This is a very high density chip alright. Can anyone calculate the photosite micron size? (roughly?)

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

BH page not available now likely because the officially announcement is not due for a few hours. I hear NA announcement will be later this week. I will wait until all is out as the specs have been wrong in the past both at B&H and Sony !!! As far as sensor goes the current Sony HX50V has a 1/2.3", 21M pixel sensor effective pixels 20.4 !!! I have the older HX30V which I think has 18M pixels. Takes good video at 60P as good as the CX700 and NX30U but low light is not as good. Considering it has a tiny lens it is good. With a lens more than 4 times bigger it should have a lot more light to work with. The noise level on all of these cameras is less than my NX5U.

Ron Evans

edit: There could of course be a difference between the FDR-AX1 and the PVW-Z100. Most of the small Sony handycams are now small sensors 1/4" but the top of the line consumer camcorders are still 1/2.88.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I've edited Glen's post to include the original text of the B&H article. Enjoy.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

Not bad.

This looks like it is the re vamped AX2000.

Wondering if we'll see an NXCAM upgrade too.... If 64 GB holds 2 hours, the 128 GB FMU would hold 4 hours at 4K.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

The MV1 is really neat, but I can't say more until tomorrow.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I am finding conflicting information. Does this cam shoot in a 4:2:2 color space or 4:2:0 ?

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

Mark it looks like the PXW-Z100 shoots 4:2:2 and 'true' 4K while the AX1 shoots 4:2:0 in UHD/QHD. With the AX1 maxing out at 150Mbps and the Z100 maxing out at 500Mbps.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

Looks like the FDR-AX1 is 4:2:0 and the PZW-Z100 is 4:2:2 also codec for AX1 is XAVCS and for Z100 is XAVC. AX1 is 4K MP4 and AVCHD HD and Z100 is only 4K or HD with MXF file formating. I am also trying to find all the differences between the models as well as price differences.

Ron Evans

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I'd just point out that the HX50, with a relatively smaller lens, but the same sensor as the HX300 is worlds apart in "low light" performance. The HX300 holds up surprisingly well in low light, able to shoot video (albeit noisy) in low light conditions almost as well as the high end handycams... the HX50, not so much...

There are a lot of potential varaiables, even using the "same" sensor, seems to me that sometimes it depends on which team of Sony engineers is working with the supplied "hardware".

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

Yes Dave there is clearly a difference in maybe the sensor selection from the production line, the lens size used and the lens glass used. Just looking at dimensions is far from the whole story.

Ron Evans

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

Sample Video for 4K Handycam FDR-AX1 :

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I remember the big debate in 2005 going from DV to HDV and the question, was it better to shoot HDV and down convert or shoot in DV when Standard def was to be the final output.
Same question now if HD is the final output will it be better to shoot 4k then downconvert?

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

One plus now is that 4k is progressive, period. The plus that is still the same is that it gives an option to reframe later without loss of definition.

A lot may depend on the 4k-HD downconversion used - whether that filters before conversion, if not you get alising from the unfiltered high detail.

What was a problem with cameras like the Z1 was in camera downconversion - recording the output of the HD chips in SD DV mode. That problem shouldn't apply here to directly record normal HD as it should be possible to read the chip in the same way as the Canon C300, in 2x2 blocks. That avoids any software downconversion as such.

At last, the NX5 Succesor is here: FDR-AX1 Digital 4K Video
 

Well, in fact, is the AX2000 succesor. ;) (no SDI conector... and mono CMOS of 2/3"; not bad at all).

I saw it comming, but it is better than I expected (on paper). Kudos for Sony.

Lot of photos:

Sony’s FDR-AX1 Digital 4K Video Camera Recorder Hits Market at $4,499 | Fstoppers

http://www.thephoblographer.com/2013...h-a-auto-mode/

Sony's $4,500 FDR-AX1 Handycam puts 4K recording in the grasp of prosumers (eyes-on)

Unveiled: Sony New Consumer 4K, Action, and Music Camcorder Models | BH inDepth

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

From the FX1 I had I almost always shot HDV and since moving to AVCHD HD then downconvert after editing at HD project settings. Normally use TMPGenc as this has a very good downconvertion. The main attraction of the 4K for me is to extract a HD image and this allows me to use either just one camera for a shoot or at least make that one camera do the work of several !!! I have found all the in camera down conversion to not be very good. Since the FDR-AX1 will shoot AVCHD as well it is more attractive at the moment than the PXW-Z100. The AX1 would also allow me to go completely 60P for a shoot with my CX700 and NX30U. My NX5U may be for sale !!!

Ron Evans

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I attend a number of standards meetings. Without naming specifics, not one soul has requested interlaced UHD at any meeting I've attended. If anything, when the word "interlaced" is spoken (as in, "I assume that the new standard will not include interlaced video"), the word is said with deep disgust. I think one guy spits on the ground after he says it!

So yes, in the world of UHD, interlaced video appears to be 100% dead. :)

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

:-) It must however be remembered that in the 1930's interlace was a brilliant, brilliant idea! And I suspect Logie Baird can only wish he had had an interlace system in 1936....! One can only imagine the sinking feelings of the Baird technicians when they saw the first trials of the EMI system.

But time and technology move on and interlace belongs in the days of cathode ray tubes and before digital stores.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

You need 60P to replace the temporal motion of interlace though. 30P just doesn't do it for me. The AX1 will work nicely with my CX700 and NX30U all 60P.

Ron Evans

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

So true, David! Interlace was the original video compression technique! And for color, composite video (with 1.3 MHz bandwidth for I and 0.6 MHz bandwidth for Q) was a brilliant method of compression - you got color without needing any additional signal. :)

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

All video samples downconverted to 1080 mean nothing. Youtube supports 4K at 24p, so It'd be interesting to see full-rez screenshots and video from the camera.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

If anybody has this AX1 or the Z100 demo,..could you PLEASE (pretty please?) upload a 1080 crop to Vimeo from the center of your 4k test shots?

Although I cant watch in 4k yet, a good clean 1080 center crop video would give us all a good reference point of the image quality in 4k.

CT

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I did a screenshot on my 30" 2560x1600 monitor of the Sony 4K youtube video :
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/9...5d1ee9e0_o.jpg

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

Oh so it is 4K... I've been trying to figure out how to get the raw video off of YouTube but they're using a new streaming protocol (MPEG-DASH) that is making my head hurt trying to research it...

Anyone own a 4 monitor Eyefinity setup? If so, screen cap your entire screen so that we can have a full rez image.

Edit: Just figured out the GPAC stuff that makes MPEG-DASH run... Here's a full rez screenshot. The first thing I notice is Chromatic Abrasion everywhere...

I also loaded a proper working MP4 in Vegas and I can tell there's interpolation going on in the picture. You can also clearly see the noise in the full rez screenshot I provided.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

CA looks very well controlled to me. There's a bit in the corners but otherwise it looks very good. Remember as you increase the lenses MTF then normally CA increases too, so to see this little CA in a low cost 4K camera is impressive.

I do see plenty of Bayer artefacts and chroma fuzz from the 4:2:0 encoding, but very little CA.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I assume they're correcting for the CA electronically like they did with the EX1. Also not sure how much we can judge from a youtube stream, I think they run their 4k at somewhere around 6-8mbits so I would imagine the original image is much better.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I'd like to see how this cam is going to compare, not in ease of use, but in image quality with the BlackMagic Cinema Camera 4K.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

Who wouldn't :)

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I do not think they are comparable. One is a small sensor camera that will have good large depth of field for general use and the other is a large sensor camera that one would use to get the cinematic look of shallow depth of field. In low light the BlackMagic Cinema Camera 4K, with the appropriate lens ( which you will have to buy as well as the camera ) will almost certainly outperform these 4K Sony's. If you want to walk around and shoot crowd scenes hand held with people staying in focus and without a juddering picture then the Sony will be superior with its smaller sensor, image stabilizer and 60P frame rate.

What do you want to do ?

Ron Evans

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I agree the lack of 60p was a huge oversight by Blackmagic. But "open" codec solutions that were easy to integrate did not support 60p. If only the BMPC had XAVC...

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

You're correct, that was a stupid question.
The BMCC is a cinema cam for controlled environment and not for working hand held.
L.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I disagree, the BMCC is used by many people as a walk around camera with limited batter life. Sure, it lacks big DOF, but it can be hand held. Try using it and it will surprise you. There are many many faults with the camera but it is not stupid to ask if it could be used for the same things as the AX1/Z100.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

B&H just uploaded this video on it.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

I have had my FDR-AX1 for just 2 weeks now . B&H report is reasonable for an advert from a supplier.

On the initially release things that do not work but hardware is there:-

Data code button
both SD card slots
Host USB slot

Things I would like different:-

Battery indication in time not icons
Expanded focus at higher than the 2x since focus is even more critical than on the NX5U and autofocus is just as bad as NX5U. I will not use.
Ability to change focus distance to feet as well as meters
Time code as well as clip time
Smooth gain switch changing.
Smooth ramp for the power zoom control start and stop
More picture profiles as there is just one paint control not selectable as on or off.
For a consumer camera there is no spotlight or backlight control
There is no remote control. First Sony camcorder I have had without one.

When thumbnails are selected camera is still active so there is feedback in the TV speakers before video plays. Most Sony camcorders mute camcorder when playback is selected.


Camera is between 1 and 2 stops slower than NX5U or my NX30U and seems to depend on conditions !!!

Video noise is similar to the small Sony's I have at the same gain settings, CX700, XR500 and NX30U since they all have similar vintage sensors. Seems consistently slower by about 6db to 9db than the CX700. Image is noticeably sharper !!

Recorded a test of 1 hour 45mins and there was still some power left in the battery ( showed 1/4 icon ) changed from one 64G card to the other 64G card at about 56 mins for the content I was shooting. Time on the LCD while recording keep correct clip time but since there is no data code or timecode this was lost when clips were transferred to PC. PlayMemories did not join clips spanning cards and clips just show clip time !!! Also unlike for AVCHD PlayMemories does not rename the clips by date and time and are left as the clip C0001 etc but in folders of the date recorded.

Clips in the time line played correctly though with no loss of sync in Edius Pro7 or Vegas Pro 12.

OF interest in the user manual there is a fig of the status screen that shows audio with 4 channels for a FDR-AX1 !!! Looks like the PXW-Z100 will have 4 channel audio and so maybe the updated firmware for the FDR-Ax1 will also have 4 channels. That would be nice.


My intended use was to use or crop a 1920x1080 output from the 3840x2160 and this works fine in both Vegas 12 and Edius Pro7. Exposure performance will be in the usable range for me and only downside is lots of processing power !!! Will look forward to Intel 8 core parts next year !!!

Ron Evans

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

What you need to process the 4K video in most cases now is not a big fast multicore CPU but a high end graphics processor. I regularly work with 4K raw in real time with a quad core CPU, but the machine has 3 graphics cards. 2x NVIDIA GTX570's plus a GT680 and the the GPU's that are doing all the hard work. The CPU is only used to decompress and re-compress.

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

That depends on what NLE is being used. Edius for example does not use the GPU for normal editing at all only for GPU accelerated plugins/effects. Not sure Vegas uses the GPU either. Turning acceleration on reduces the performance of Vegas for me in rendering or editing AVCHD so my i7 3770 is faster than the GTX560 I have as my GPU. So I have GPU acceleration turned off. Both NLE's work fine on my i7 3770 ,16G RAM, WIN7 and processing XAVC. XAVC-S is different as both stutter or in the case of Vegas need to reduce preview resolution considerably. For Edius I use the GV HDSPark card over HDMI to external monitor. In a 3840x2160 project both can just about manage but placing native 3840x2160 XAVC-S on a 1920x1080 timeline and thus scaling is involved the extra load slows them down to less than realtime. Others with dual Xeons ( slower clock but more than twice the cores running) do not report this issue. Hence my waiting for 8 core parts. Solution is to use Canopus HQX intermediate which I can edit in both Edius or Vegas in realtime so the issue is really the decode load on the CPU of XAVC-S for native file editing. Going to an intermediate means more hard drive space and about 2 times realtime for conversion. OK for now. Takes me back to early days of both HDV and AVCHD until NLE's and CPU processing power were improved.

Ron Evans

Re: New! Sony FDR-AX1 4K Handycam!
 

Vegas11 and later uses the GPU,but apparently, the speed-up is heavily dependent on the GFX card performance. It was tough to measure the difference with an Intel Core i7 980X running solo and i7 + eVGA (nVidia) 560ti GPU. The eVGA GPU usage meter showed GPU usage, but I didn't measure much of a difference with basic image adjustments (Color Balance, Levels, Sharpening) and h264 encoding. On the other hand, directly proportional improvements were measured by overclocking my water-cooled Core i7.