DV Info Net - NX100

I'm very very interested in this cam. I have the AX2000 and I can share lot of material with this new NX-100 (batteries, memory cards, lanc remote control, rode mics...).

Not many reviews, but I have found this one on BH website from a customer opinion:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1156385-REG/sony_hxr_nx100.html
High-Performance Hybrid at an Unbeatable Price
By Shinji-P
from Hanford, CA
Verified Reviewer
I need to preface my review with the fact that I am a long-time Sony-camcorder user and am mostly basing my review on other Sony camcorders that I have used, own, or researched.

I consider this a hybrid-camera: one that was born out of Sony's R&D with previous models. It takes the concept of the ENG-style shoulder camcorder, combines it with the form-factor of the EX1, borrows the prosumer features of the NX3/1, keeps the optical/imaging system of the X70/AX100/CX900, and repackages it all in this awesome little lightweight package that totally rocks! Oh yeah, and it's about $1K+ cheaper than comparable prosumer cams...

So what's the catch? Well, so far I honestly can't find one. Based on my knowledge of previous Sony camcorders, the NX100 met 90% of my hopes and expectations. The size/weight are perfect. The kit battery has plenty of juice. The external battery charger was an unexpected but highly-welcomed surprise. The standard Sony L-battery and power supply are tried and true.

Now to the really good parts! This is a prosumer cam with almost all the bells and whistles that set a good ENG prosumer cam apart from a high-end consumer cam at a price point typical of the latter. 3-rings, all very smooth and precise allow for very accurate adjustment. Focus peaking is spot-on. The focus ring is easy to use, the zoom ring is typical of fly-by-wire servo zoom rings, and the iris ring is smooth and step-less...wonderful! LANC is included for remote control zoom and start/stop! Audio is full-featured: 2 channels of internal or external XLR with phantom power, fully adjustable, low-cut, limiter, manual levels, and the option to use the hot-shoe with Sony's wireless mic system. Buttons are placed on the side for all your essential camera functions for full-manual control. The NON-touch screen is a welcome feature as you can actually navigate the menus by a traditional keypad. Buttons are assignable as well. Two-card slots are a welcome upgrade coming from CX900s and I'm very happy to see the inclusion of XAVCS 50Mbps. This cam to me seems to be everything the the X70 wanted to be with what I loved about the NX3/1 at a price cheaper than both. It doesn't get much better than that! Oh yeah, it also has picture profiles reminiscent of the EX1 which is unheard of at this price point! Sony's getting back around to producing some epic gear at competitive prices.

I have a theory about the low price. 4K is the in-thing right now, and HD is seen as going the way of SD. The camera companies and TV manufacturers are pushing 4K, so in order to compete in prosumer land, Sony needed to produce a camcorder for people who want the clean, beautiful picture a 1" chip puts out but who don't need 4K and want it in a prosumer ENG package. This cam delivers and I have no complaints in that regard. I would like to dabble in 4K, but just a heads up to anyone who cares...4K is just an intermediate format that will be replaced in less than 5 years. Sure, we are going from 2MP to 8MP video with 4K imaging, but when 8K comes out we will be pushing about 32MP at high frame rates like 120Hz progressive. Now THAT is impressive! 4K just pales in comparison to 8K, and NHK, a leading global broadcasting company, has already stated they are skipping 4K and developing 8K broadcasting systems. A word to the wise: don't get too invested in 4K because your gear will be "outdated" in less than a decade. Also, higher frame rates are making a comeback. 30p is the standard these days, but 60p is gaining popularity. What is the visual difference between 60p and 60i? Not much other than that the internet doesn't do 60i so it is down-converted to 30p for uploading. Oh yeah, we've had 60i since the 1940s...ironic?
4K shows how quadrupling the resolution from HD does not make as much visual impact as it does doing the same from SD. HD looks much better than SD, but 4K doesn't look 4 times better than HD. It just looks a little better. Why am I saying all this? The NX100 is a killer HD cam that is tack sharp, has low noise, and brilliant color. It is in no way "inferior" because it doesn't put out or record a 4K signal.

Now I must say there is one thing I really don't like about this camera. The NX3/1, X70, AX100, and CX900 all suffer from this same problem: the slowest zoom speed is STILL TOO FAST. Come on Sony, lens servo motors are analog devices by nature and can be infinitely variable in speed. PLEASE release a firmware update that allows us to utilize a slower zoom speed! It is for this ONE reason that I take off a star because after all this time, Sony still refuses to recognize the need for slow zooms. My EX1 can do it, but the picture quality from that camera just doesn't look as nice as the rich, deep, and clean picture from the NX100. Is B4 lens-handling too much to ask in a prosumer cam? I guess so...

But don't let that defer you. That, in my opinion, is the only weakness of this amazing camera. If your work is ENG, events, corporate, run-and-gun, documentary, etc. then there is no reason NOT to get this cam, even if you use it as a B-cam. My own shooting style for theater performances and church services requires slow and subtle zooms, so this is a bigger deal to me than it is to most other people. I realize that so I want to put that in perspective. Guess I got spoiled with the EX1's zoom handling after using it for 6 years.

Bottom line: this cam is revolutionary in terms of what it offers for the price tag. When you look at what you get for the money, it is more than worth it. Just buy it and you'll know why.