Sony HDR AX53

arty tribe

This seems to be the one to get then, people struggle to find anything bad to say about it, and the price isn’t outrageous for what you get, but that gimble has to be a weakness in the long run surely. How many knocks will it take, or the rough and tumble of location shoots before it gets detached?

Any thoughts.

12harry

Hi, this thread reads like you've been reading comments elsewhere... what "Gimble problem" are you aware of?
I don't think any camcorder can eliminate poor handling.... my own  CX410 has BOSS, where the lens assy can moves - even when friends hold it, the results are excellent ( but they were filming a static family group )...
With care...It is feasible to zoom to nearly the full 55x and hand-hold with the support from a handy tree, etc. Where it fails IMHO, is that the zoom should have a limiter-option.
For my money the Panasonic VXF1 looks good, with excellent Stills capability and slightly longer Zoom than the Sony AX53.
VXF1 also has several features that should enhance filming, which are not available from other Makes.
My gripe for both Brands is that ND filters are only available on the even-more expensive models.

However, that's a Marketing decision, I guess....

BTW what made you ignore the AX33?

Cheers.

arty tribe

Hi 12Harry

I have been watching reviews on YouTube, where it gets rave reviews, but coming from an engineering background I feel that the gimble, could quite easily be susceptible to damage. That’s the problem with being involved with engineering, always looking for the weak spot. Only time will tell I guess.

Looked at the AX33 but the AX53 has more features for not much more money. Headphone and mic jack springs to mind, though it is a while since I did the comparisons.

12harry

Headphone Mic in are well worth having, although in truth you can get good audio without,  IF you have a digital Recorder  ( mine=Palmtrack), like Zoom,  from about £75, =Music-quality, recording to SD card.
That gimble - could you refer to the BOSS system I mentioned?... My CX410...after several years BOSS still Works OK - and as the lens Assy is quite small I guess the motor/power is tiny ( but I don't know if it is a motor!).
I guess if you want 4K then almost any modern camcorder will perform, but it is nice to have the extras.

What has surprised me is that Mfrs haven't upgraded most models for quite a while - I'm still hoping the Pana VXF1 will get a ND filter for shallow DoF....I mention again in case Pana is reading!

Cheers.... let us know how your purchase works out.

arty tribe

Thanks 12harry - the problem is having so much choice, so much to compare. I think most cameras are quite good these days, but I still feel uncomfortable with that gimble. Probably keep my powder dry for a little longer.

Terfyn

Add to your experience by checking out both Canon and Panasonic. I am wary of Sony because, in the good old days of HI-8, Sony tied its buyers to only buying Sony add-ons, lights. mics etc.

I've stuck with Panasonic since 2010 and am on my third camera. I have also stuck with HD because I find the editing easier. Just a personal view.

arty tribe

Thanks Terfyn, your wisdom is always welcome.

Are you sure that your views on Sony, based as you say on historical issues, isn’t preventing you from giving them a fair chance? I have used some Sony equipment for a while now with good results.

Panasonic have served you well but I think these latest Sony cameras have an edge over them, even if it involves a gimble that I am wary of. (So far with no good reason.)

Once again, thank you for your input.

Terfyn

Oh absolutely! But you will understand that, in those days, Sony deliberately designed their equipment to exclude any third party kit. Even the video editing which was simple "cut and paste" relied on a Sony Hi-8 player connected via a Sony box of tricks to a Sony recorder. The cameras could only take Sony mics and lights Etc.
I had a Canon HV20 before the Panasonics. This even came with a "free" copy of Pinnacle Studio which was so buggy I was lucky to complete an edit without a crash. It can leave a bitter taste.
But now life is Hunkey Dory.

12harry

Part of the reason Sony tied you in was the fact their kit was somewhat in advance of others, so if you wanted to make full use you needed their bits.  However, once the kit came over here (UK) the others had caught-up.
My NEX410 ( with that lens-gimble Sony calls "BOSS" ), has normal 3.5mm sockets for Mic-in and Headphone-out . . . and accepts quite normal SDHC Memory cards - and I recall that must be at least 5 years old. It attaches to normal tripods too.... although if you want the "Wired Remote" you have to buy Sony's expensive tripod, which for the money (£120) should have been one lift higher and a tad more robust IMHO . . . . . . . . but I only use the Remote during Studio-work, which is quite rare.

FWIW in my view the Pana VXF1 now beats the Sony AX53, at least on paper.​
Cheers