The Sony FDR-AX53 4K Ultra HD Handycam Camcorderis a palm-sized Handycam camcorder that combines a Zeiss 20x optical zoom lens and a high-sensitivity image sensor to produce crisp and high-quality UHD 4K video. The Exmor R CMOS image sensor supports UHD 4K video capture at 24 or 30 fps using Sony's XAVC S codec and features pixels that are approximately 1.6x larger than the previous model for enhanced performance in all conditions, particularly low-light scenarios. The camcorder also features Sony's Balance Optical SteadyShot image stabilization technology to help produce smooth and stable footage throughout the zoom range. Further enhancements include improved autofocus speed and accuracy, a lower-noise built-in microphone, and a high-speed 1080p 120 fps recording mode to create high-resolution slow-motion content.

You can monitor your shots using the camcorder's 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD touchscreen display with 921K dot resolution, or the high-resolution 0.24" 1,555K dot OLED EVF. For large-screen playback, an HDMI output port is also provided for connecting to your HDTV. You can even 'trim' a selected portion of a 4K video or image frame to fill the screen with Full HD quality. For enhanced connectivity and remote control, the FDR-AX53 is Wi-Fi and NFC enabled. This lets you use your smartphone or tablet to control the camcorder, as well as wirelessly transfer files to your mobile device and even stream live to Ustream.

Designed for a wide range of users, the camcorder features a range of automatic image and audio options for easy point-and-shoot operation, as well as enhanced manual controls that give you more creative freedom. An assignable ring on the front of the camcorder can be assigned to control zoom, focus, exposure, iris, shutter speed, exposure, or white balance. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack is included for powering the camcorder, along with an AC adapter, micro-HDMI cable, and micro-USB cable.

4K Ultra HD 24/30p & 16.6MP Stills    Exmor R CMOS Sensor    26.8mm Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* Zoom Lens    20x Optical Zoom & 40x Clear Image Zoom    Balanced Optical SteadyShot    Fast Intelligent AF    High Speed 120 fps Recording    3.0" LCD Touchscreen / 0.24" Color EVF    5.1 Channel Surround Sound Microphone    Wi-Fi / NFC Connectivity

A newly developed image sensor, with pixels approximately 1.6 times larger than previous models, offers enhanced sensitivity for capturing high-quality images with less noise under dark as well as bright shooting conditions.

The FDR-AX53 comes equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens. It features a wide 35mm-equivalent focal length of 26.8mm (in movie mode) to fit more into your shots and a 20x optical zoom range. Multi-layer Zeiss T* coating further enhances image quality by reducing unwanted reflection, such as ghosting and flare. To get you closer to the action, the zoom range can be extended using Clear Image Zoom of 30x/40x (4K/HD).

Advanced image stabilization suppresses camera shake to stabilize footage as it is being shot and works throughout the zoom range. In HD shooting mode, it further reduces the effect of camera shake even under unstable conditions with 5-axis Intelligent Active mode compensating for vibration in five different directions, so you can shoot stable high-quality movies even while running.

Fast Intelligent AF achieves very speedy, accurate contrast-detection autofocus by minimizing lens motion, predicting the AF range, and accelerating lens drive, thereby improving response so you can capture more fleeting moments.

During AVCHD recording, a 5.1 channel built-in microphone captures active sounds coming from five directions so you can experience your home movies the way you experienced them while recording. Level meters on the LCD panel provide visual monitoring of each channel's levels.

Note: 5.1 channel audio is only available when recording in AVCHD, so it is not available for 4K UHD recording, which uses the XAVC S codec.

A new structural design enables the microphone to gather clearer sound from five directions than the previous generation camcorder, with approx. 40% less noise and twice as effective 2ch stereo (for XAVC S shooting) and three times as effective Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround (for AVCHD shooting) sound performance. This makes it possible to faithfully reproduce audio with clearly defined separation.

Shoot in 1080p at 120 fps and bring it into your editing software to produce high-resolution slow-motion footage. This is useful for reviewing, in greater slow-motion detail, sports and everyday action that can occur too quickly in real time for you to see clearly.

The FDR-AX53 records 4K and HD movies in the XAVC S format, which uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 for video compression and linear PCM for audio compression while saving files in an MP4 wrapper which allows for extensive record times and easy editing. Additionally, you can choose to record HD in AVCHD (ideal for HDTV and Blu-ray disc burning) or MP4 (ideal for sharing over the internet).

Record two movies at the same time - one in the maximum-quality XAVC S or AVCHD format and another in MP4 format. This gives you a small file ready for instant sharing, plus a professional-grade file for further editing.

Capture 4K still images continuously over an extensive period of time at a selected constant interval from each shot to the next, edit the entire sequence of still images in post-production, and enjoy playback of that series of images as a time-lapse movie.

Enhance your viewing experience even without a 4K television. Using super-sampling, the camera automatically down-converts 4K footage to exceptionally detailed Full HD.

Time Code and User Bit can be added to movies as data elements. The Time Code function records hours/minutes/seconds/frames on image data for precise advanced video editing. User Bit function records information such as date, time, and scene number in eight-digit arbitrary numbers, and is useful for editing movies using two or more cameras.

The high contrast 0.24" OLED Tru-Finder EVF features a 1,555K-dot resolution and reproduces rich color and deep blacks. The optical design uses four dual-surface spherical lenses that provide a wide 33-degree viewing angle for clear images from the center to the edge of the viewfinder.

The 3.0" Clear Photo LCD features 921K dot resolution for sharp, bright, vivid images, enabling you to change settings to best represent the scene. Easily scroll through menus and view footage thanks to WhiteMagic technology that dramatically increases visibility in bright daylight.

Built-in Wi-Fi/NFC support enables easy connectivity with smartphones for one-touch sharing and one-touch remote control. NFC (near field communication) provides "touch connection" convenience when transferring images to Android smartphones and tablets. You simply touch your NFC-compatible device to the camcorder to establish a connection.

Share the adventure as it happens via Ustream live streaming. Now your circle of friends and family can share the excitement in real time by simply logging in to UStream from anywhere. You can also link your favorite social accounts to notify your friends when you start streaming video.

Add a different point of view by including other camera angles in your movies. Connect to up to five compatible Sony cameras via Wi-Fi and use the camcorder's LCD to preview what the other cameras are seeing and simultaneously start recording on all synced cameras. After recording, you can use the PlayMemories Home software (available as a free download on Sony's website) to easily edit and create multi-view movies.

Highlight Movie Maker produces a short highlight movie clip to share and enjoy instantly. Using an advanced algorithm based on the motion gyro, Highlight Movie Maker automatically selects the best scenes from your videos and creates an MP4 highlight reel of your recorded action.

Note: Highlight Move Maker is only available in AVCHD.

Intelligent AUTO mode goes a step beyond traditional auto modes by analyzing your shot and then automatically selecting the appropriate settings from ten distinct scene modes and wind noise reduction. There are 60 different combinations possible: Portrait, Baby, Tripod, Backlight, Landscape, Spotlight, Twilight, Macro, and Low light.

Expand photographic and movie shooting possibilities by attaching optional accessories via the Multi Interface Shoe. Attach an electronic viewfinder, external flash, stereo microphone, or even a compatible remote control via the Multi Terminal.

Connect to your 1080p HDTV via the camcorder's HDMI output and select a specific portion of the 4K picture for playback; you can move the section using the camcorder's menu toggle, and scale it using the zoom lever.

The manual control ring around the lens opening can be assigned to control zoom, focus, exposure, iris, shutter speed, exposure, or white balance.

• Dual Record (video and still image recording)

• Photo capture from movie

• NightShot infrared recording

• Face Detection and Smile Shutter

• Motion/Golf Shot

• BRAVIA Sync (CEC)

• Lock-on AF

• My Voice Cancelling

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can you use a lanc remote with this camera ?

A: No LANC but this is a compatible remote: Sony RM-VPR1 Remote Commander with Multi-Terminal Cable B&H # SORMVPR1

Q: 2. A comparison question about the AX53 compared to the older model AX33 and is it worth the $200 price difference for the average person who wants a high quality 4K camcorder. What are the new features and specs that make it hit the spot. The AX33 was top rated and is it reasonable to assume that Consumers will also rate this as highly?

A: It was definitely worth the price difference to me after I did some research. Here are some the key new/upgraded features to consider:- newer version of Emor R CMOS sensor- larger pixel size - wider angle and overall upgraded Zeiss lens - 20X optical zoom (compared to 10X on the AX-33- faster autofocus - upgraded five-directional microphone - actually lighter than the previous modelI bought the AX-33 but returned it for the 53 and I've been very happy with that decision. I used the camera extensively on a recent trip to Greece and it performed exceptionally well.My only minor gripe is that the LCD touchscreen can be difficult to see in bright sunlight.Best camcorder I've owned.

Q: 3. I've already placed my order for the AX53. Would the Hoodman 300 or Hoodman 350 LCD screen hood work best and allow viewing of the entire screen area?

A: The FDR-AX53 has a 3 LCD screen so the Vello 3.0 LCD Hood should do the trick.

Q: 4. Is there a special mode to record in Bl.&Wh.?

A: Yes, the Sony FDR-AX53 4K Ultra HD Handycam Camcorder does have a "High Contrast Mono" picture effect that can be applied for high contrast black and white recording.

Q: 5. It doesn't seem to have a headphone jack and I am not finding a VMC adapter. Is there a way to monitor the audio during recording?

A: The Sony FDR-AX53 does indeed have a headphone jack for monitoring audio. That specification was inadvertently left off the B&H site. I have alerted the B&H webteam and apologize for the confusion.

Q: 6. Hi, does the AX53 provide hdmi output signal and AV output while shooting 4K? I use AX100 and it doesn't :-(

A: People are saying it cannot output live HDMI video when recording 4K. But the older AV may possibly work, so at least you have something. I don't know.

Q: 7. Does the HDMI port output signal when shooting in standard HD (not 4K)? I'd plan to use this camera for newsgathering with a VidiU and likely do most of my recording in 1280X720 MP4 for easier editing and FTPing of clips. That said, I still want the option to shoot in 4K --just in case I stumble on something really deserving of it.

A: Yes, in SD definitely outputs clean HDMI - when you say 'clean' I suppose you mean no words on screen an the full screen - not with black area around it. This is true, from my personal experience, and even when you tap on the screen to bring up info, it will not display on the output. And you also have options of what level of resolution it should output on. It can make a difference for some adapters, if you're using one, but typically you'd probably want to output in the highest resolution, especially if you're going to a projector. JUST MAKE SURE TO SUPPORT THE MINI HDMI CABLE!!! It's a very small plug, and can crack the cameras plug if it gets pulled - such as by panning a tripod around too much. Make sure to support the cable by clipping it onto the camera somehow, so that even if it gets pulled, it will not break the camera's micro-HDMI port. If that port breaks, an authorized service center said that they must replace the entire circuit board, which costs hundreds... (I don't understand why they can't just solder on a new port, abut that is what they said.)

Q: 8. Does this have a date & Time Stamp?

A: You probably mean if it "prints" the date and time on pictures. It does not do that, but of course, every video and picture file has the date and time saved with it.

Q: 9. I've been waiting for something like this but I'd like to do some 4K shooting with some slow creeping zooms. Can anyone tell me if it's possible, and how many speeds does the zoom have in total?

A: For slow zoom, use Sony Compact Remote Control Tripod BH #SOVCTVPR1 MFR #VCTVPR1 it can be set to variable speed- the further you push the rocker, the quicker the zoom - such as the regular zoom button on the camera, or you can set it to slow-zoom, which is always slow. (You might get a bit slower by turning off slow-zoom, and pressing it very slightly, but as another responder pointed out, if you hit it a bit more, it won't be consistent speed. You can also use the T/W buttons that come up on the left side of the touch screen, these are not as slow as slow zoom on the remote handle, but also quite slow -- and consistent speed. You may be able to set the main (physical) rocker button on the camera to slow zoom (not variable) as well. Also, if you use the remote control that comes with the camera, the zoom button is quite slow as well. Slow zoom is always the most professional, as the people watching it can get a last glance at what they were looking at, and then see where youre going now; its much more comfortable on the eye. Except for sometimes when you nee to get to something quick; then people will be forgiving, when they realized what it was about. And sometimes professional movies seem to do a fast zoom on purpose, but only once in a long while.

Q: 10. So if I read correctly, if I hook up an HDMI cord from the camera HDMI Output to the TV, it won't play/show the live picture as seen from the view finder? If not what is the HDMI output for?

A: The HDMI will output live feed, but only in regular HD etc, not 4K. About showing the stetting icons, I found they don't show - I don't even think you have to change any setting for that. (Although there may be a setting to turn it on if you want it -- such as on a monitor screen.)