Customer Ratings & Reviews

The FDR-AX100 4K UHD Camcorder is an amazing camera for the price. It functions in both automatic and manual settings with stunning results. Coupled with my Lexar 128GB SDXC II card, I get 4 hours 35 minutes recording time in 4K, 5 hours 23 min in HD and 12 hours and 32 minutes in AVCHD. I recommend getting at least 1 to 2 additional battery packs. It doe consume power. The still images are phenomenal. At 20MP, they are stunning especially outdoor shots. The only drawback is that it can't utilize a monitor in the 4K UHD mode but you can use a monitor in the other 2 settings. I also purchased a 50" 4K UHD flat screen set and you can not appreciate the ultimate difference between standard HD and Ultra HD unless you do. For the price, you can't do any better.

I think this Sony is so great for picture and video

Awesome camera does everything you need!!! Have recommended to my family and friends!!!

My paranormal footage is lost, oh and such a nice camera too. my life is over now

I discovered the Sony FDR AX-100 4K Video camera while viewing ultra high-definition video on Yahoo.com. I had just purchased an Apple iMac 5K Retina Display computer and was wanting to view 4K video with the iMac. I stumbled upon a treasure of 4K videos on Yahoo and after viewing a couple of dozen of them learned that most of them were taken with this camera. I did further research and became quite convinced that I needed this camera on a forthcoming vacation to Disney World. I purchased one from Best Buy and used it at Disney. I used a 128 Gigabyte Class 10 SD Card for storage and came away with a bit over 4 hours of recorded video, all in ultra high definition. What sweet video. The battery lasts 2 hours before needing a recharge. The operational characteristics are like no other video camera I have used. It is so easy to operate. The ability to change manual parameters are so easy to do. When, upon returning home, I was delighted with the results. I encourage anyone who is looking for excellent video recordings/UHD to look into this camera. You can use this camera in 1080p mode as well. I would do it in a heart-beat over again. For once, I feel I have a camera which will stay current a longer period of time as I feel I am a bit ahead of the curve for once. If you get one, I feel you would truly enjoy using it. I recommend obtaining a hand grip which attaches to the tripod location at the bottom of the camera. That way you can control start/stop, zoom and photo taking all from your thumb. Sony makes such a device which is made to use with this camera. Yes, this camera can also take still photos in addition to video.

For years I have filmed for my son's football coaches. I have always missed opportunities to take photos of him playing, because I need to get the entire team in the film. Now, not only can I record in 4K, but I can frame capture the exact photo I want from my footage at 8MP! I attached a sample of a frame capture pulled from 4K footage. I realized that this camcorder is going to replace my camera right after playing around filming my twins. I always missed the perfect shot with my camera and my never cooperating twins. I was able to playback in slow motion and grab some great photos of my twins.

I purchased this camcorder because I do a lot of green screen studio recording for YouTube content marketing videos. I was using a Digital SLR before, and the auto focus was not cutting it. The good: - the build of this device is very good. Its extremely easy to hold and is not too bulky. - The lens on this is great! The focusing is very good for both studio work but also for sports videography that I do. - Its extremely easy to use in general. My wife picked up how to use this and clicking record and reviewing videos after very easily. - it has all the cables to plug into a TV to watch your videos. - I have a wireless lapel setup, and the mic input works great for plugging it in and bypassing the camcorder microphone. The bad: - the UI touch screen is a little clunky and things seem a little buried. - the camcorder microphone is great if your subjects are very close. But if they are outside of 10ft it is not as clear as I would like. - indoor videos of my new puppy are coming out a little grainy under house lighting which I was a little disappointed in. My iPhone 7 video does a much better job of this. I am still playing with settings to see if there is something I can do here. - the shoe mount is sunk in the housing, which means that you can't attach standard camcorder accessories. There is a converter you can buy for around $15 online to work around this. As the Sony accessories are more expensive than other brands. - the power adapter has a proprietary port. This is frustrating considering this could've used standard AC/DC ports.

I purchased this camera to retire a faithful Sony HDR-SR12 HD Camera used for over 5 years. Key objectives were backward compatibility to HD format, utilizing previous camera's accessories and Sony software. Have not used this camera much in 4K format, due to need for 4K video editing software upgrades and loss of 5.1 audio from HD (Camera's 4K only does 2-channel stereo) Pluses: - Optics are excellent, especially compared to previous Sony HD camera offerings. This results in crisper videos, even in HD. - Sony PMB software recognizes camera as easily as previous HD versions. - Have been able to use previous Sony HD-SR12 battery collection with only minor modifications (NP-FH70 can be converted to a NP-FV70 with a pair of needle-nosed pliers). Battery life, due to FDR-AX100 using flash memory has increased drastically. Can now get up to 3 hours from a NP-FV70/converted NP-FH70), where previous hard-drive based Sony HD-SR-12 might have managed 1 hour. - While available reviews lament the camera's heavy size, it it well-balanced, and easier to manage than reviews would indicate. - While available reviews lament the camera's slow focus times particularly in low light, it it still manageable, particularly when compared to the Sony HDR-SR-12 and similar HD cameras. Minuses: None observed when compared to previous generations of Sony cameras. Conclusion: A good move up from previous Sony HD-spec cameras that preserves most hardware and software compatibility.

My primary use for this camera is to record sporting events. This camera does a great job picking up all of the action and not blurring where motion is significant. Audio pickup is very good and the picture quality is outstanding. Very easy to use as I stated in the subject, a person is able to go from unpacking the camera to taking great video within minutes without having to mess with very many settings. You can make changes to settings within the menu driven system and there are several options to choose from within the picture quality(4K, HD, etc) along with that you will have options to change the frame rate as well as the data rate for recording. Reason I did not score this 5 is because the software you get from Sony for this isn't that useful when it comes to editing the video. I went the route of using Adobe which does a great job.

I really like this camera but a couple of design and usability features make it a less than perfect choice. As with all high-end camcorders and prosumer camcorders Sony has integrated context-sensitive controls into the design. This means that if you want to control the aperture/iris you will have to first activate that control by pressing a button, then you can rotate a dial to change the iris. If you want to change the shutter speed you will need to activate that control and then rotate the same dial that you used for aperture. Same with gain/iso control. Tap a button and then use the same dial that you use for focus, aperture, white balance, and shutter speed. It would have been really nice to have direct one-touch access to each of these three essential creative controls. Sony does the same context-sensitive design with it's Alpha and NEX series as well, so it's not unexpected, just annoying. The focus magnifier button is in the wrong place. The "touch" screen is also a joke. It's like something from a decade ago. In fact I think I owned a Sony camera from at least 5 years ago that had the same touch screen. It's not like a smart phone with pinch to zoom type functionality. It's crude. It's also larger than your average camcorder. Don't get me wrong. I REALLY like this camera. It has very good image quality that can be used at 4K or downscaled (or capture in camera) to 1080p with great results. And that's what really counts, right? Great image quality. Just wait until you load the footage up into Final Cut and see all the detail. It captures details further into the shadows and highlights than I was expecting it would, and it does OK in low light. Don't expect Nikon D4 performance in low light of course, but you won't have too much to complain about. The 1 inch sensor also seems to strike just the right balance between shallow depth of field and the ability to accurately and reliably focus the camera when the lens is wide open. Requires 64GB cards or larger for compatibility for the new 4K codec. It will not use 32GB Sandisk Extreme Pro cards for 4K recording.

This is a great lightweight camera that takes stunning video. It has great feature like being able make some manual adjustments. It is nice to be able to shoot in 4K but also record an mp4 at the same time. used the video in Imovie and have had not had any problems importing video. This is a great camera for a novice who wants a point and shoot camcorder that takes great video with enough features for more advanced shooters. The only negatives i have seen is a little more image shake when shooting in 4K and the auto focus is a little slow when shooting faster action. Overall a great camera.

I'm not a video expert but I'm really impressed with how sharp the images are coming from t his camera. It also does great in low light. I filmed my kids ice show (sort of like being at a concert) and this camera was way better then a 1080p camera I tried last year. I love the video that comes out of this camera (1080 & 4k) but was not ready for the 50-60gb files that come out of it after a little more then a hr of filming. Adobe premier elements 12 brought the video in with no problems but then required an hr or more to render for editing on my 2014 27in iMac. I have yet to process the entire file but it takes about 15min to process a 2 min clip for Facebook with the 4k file. Love the video quality but not sure I'm ready to fork out for the extra costs that come with 4k (better computer, bigger cards, larger nas drives, etc).

First off, this is only the second camcorder I’ve ever purchased. The first being a small canon about 6 or 7 years ago. So I’m no expert, however... I wish I had done more research before purchasing this camcorder. It was originally released over 6 years ago (January 2014!!) and it shows. The menu and navigating the menu and settings feels so dated and super clunky. I’m strongly considering biting the bullet and just paying the nearly $200 restocking fee and getting a much more versatile dslr or mirrorless camera instead. Let’s face it, almost everyone has a decent smart phone and the high end ones give great functionality and quality built in camera and video recording capabilities. This camcorder feels like a big step back, technology wise, for a LOT of money. Also, there have been multiple times that it took a really long time for the autofocus to work. I returned an ‘open box’ purchase of a Sony - Handycam AX53 4K Flash Memory Premium that had obviously been dropped and exchanged it for this because they didn’t have any more of those in stock. First thing I noticed was that the ax53 has a built in gimbal and an iris that closes over the lens as opposed to the (annoying) lens cover and no built in gimbal on the ax100 I’m sure that this ax100 has a better lens and better low light recording capabilities but the menu and controls and the WEIGHT (this thing is heavy!) make this just feel super dated. I think the ax53 has a digital zoom as well and this does not and the difference feels lacking. I didn’t realize how disappointed I am in this purchase until I was writing this. Image quality seems pretty good. Not super impressed with the still pictures this takes though. Audio recording was pretty impressive and the noise canceling of the person recording option is nice. Does a decent job of recording in low to one light HEAVY hand strap barely fits my mildly large hands (size L to XL gloves) Battery life seems great I know I’m spoiled by my iPhone but this is just not convenient to whip out and record little moments. WiFi function seems really clunky and not very intuitive Maybe I’m just too much of a novice but this just isn’t doing it for me. Didn’t get to try it out in the store because of COVID but I doubt I would have purchased it if I had the opportunity to get a hands on look at it. Please learn from me, do your research BEFORE purchasing because a nearly $200 restocking fee is a hard pill to swallow if you’re as dissatisfied as I am with this. It’s basically adding $200 to the price of whatever I exchange it for and that is a very difficult decision to make.

A lot of the menu isn't straightforward - but there is youtube for that, to help you get going. I would recommend two videos: Sony AX100 4K Camcorder Review and Sony AX100 Exposure Tools and Exposure Tips for no nonsense how to's on this camera (not my videos and I don't know him). Why 4 stars? Well, the uploading to computer isn't the latest generation and should have been - kind of slow - you'll have to wait for it. Whatever shortfalls are more than made up for the image. Simply superb, as is sound quality. You get one or the other with other products - but not both in this price range.

The FDR AX100 lives up to a well deserved positive review. After using it twice now on real jobs it is true to color, focus and sound. I have had it set at ISO 1600 wide open and the lens is remarkably sharp. Only drawback is the digital zoom, like in most cameras, it works OK up until half way up and then falls apart. Wish the lens had a longer reach because of that fact. A step or two above handycams, like Panasonic's 970 and it's other iterations. Performs pretty well under low light and white balance is very easy to grab on the go. For pro or semi-pro work like weddings and events, concerts and such. I don't think it would be ideal for sports. It does take a while to get to know it but menus are pretty straight-forward and the handy buttons to go from auto to manual for each function is really simple - once you understand it (Iris, Shutter, Gain, Focus). Price has gone down since the AX700 has arrived, so watch out for bargains as this model will most likely get phased out soon.

I went back and forth to several BestBuy stores. Looking at camcorders before I made up my mind on this ax100 4K camera . Little complicated at first but after charging the battery firing the bad boy up the video and still pictures it took knocked me out of my chair! The quality of this item is worth every penny spent on it I see years to come on getting enjoyment and stored memories recorded.

I was concerned when ordered this camera, though I'd researched for weeks before buying it. My biggest concern was that I don't like to show up at a client's location with what looks like something a tourist would carry around. Well, the image that this thing creates more than makes up for the tiny size. I love the fact that I can shoot with full manual control. I am able to control DoF as well as getting a great exposure. The 4k image is brilliant. I am pleasantly surprised and will be purchasing a second one soon.

This camera is a fantastic option for videographers looking for a high-end piece of equipment lower than the typical introductory cost of $4,000 or more. It functions just like other professional cameras, at a smaller size, offering perfect control over focus, exposure, iso, shutter speed and white balance. It shoots 4K as well as 1080P at 24 or 30 frames per second, as well as 720P at 120fps for high speed shots that can be slowed down very smoothly.

Needed to upgrade my camcorder and really researched what was out there. Having just bought a 4K TV and wanting to future-proof my videos, I narrowed the choices to just 4K camcorders and since I've owned Sony/Canon/Panasonic camera equipment in the past I focused on those brands. Sony is clearly leading the field in the Prosumer/Consumer 4K camcorders segment currently so I began shooting video and stills with the FDR-AX100 and the FDRAX33/B in a variety of situations. Most of my video is sports and family events both indoors and out. After all is said and done, while the AX100 is an outstanding camcorder for someone who wants a Prosumer 4K video camera for under $2k with great video capabilities in a variety of situations, I was really impressed with Sony's Balanced Optical Stabilization System and went with the FDRAX33/B. Wish I could have both but the incredibly stable FDXAX33 shots outweighed the better picture (slightly) and more features of the FDR-AX100.

I purchased the Sony FDR-AX100 to shoot theatre productions for DVD and Blu-ray. I already use a variety of cameras including the Sony HDR-AX2000. The video quality of the AX100 when shooting in 4K is far and away better than any other camera I use when comparing the 4k video to HD video from the other cameras. Even on a normal HD TV or computer monitor, the difference is obvious. When editing using Sony Vegas Pro, I can zoom in to 1/4 of the screen image and still have excellent results. So why only 4 stars? When hand holding or doing fast horizontal panning there is a marked Stutter "wobble" or distortion of vertical lines. This is a result of the way the image is read from the sensor. Because the sensor is large and the image is read from top to bottom, vertical lines can be distorted in the final image as the camera moves horizontally. If you have a shaky hand, this can produce some very noticeable wavy pictures, even with the Active Stabilization enabled. You can see the same effect when using some other large sensor cameras. However, for tripod shots with not too much horizontal fast panning the camera is perfect. One thing to remember - you must use the super fast (94Mb/s) SD cards to record in 4K. The camera tests the cards as you insert them and if the card cannot support the high throughput, the camera will not record in 4k, but drops back to AVCHD HD format. I use 64Gb Sony SDXC-UHS-1 cards and get 2 hours recording time in 4K. Overall an excellent camera but be aware of the shutter wobble issue.