High Quality Run & Gun

With a heavy heart I did in the spring of this year, my Panasonic Z10000 Camcorder Prosumer against the AX100 exchanged. In 3D I eh not filmed, but the form factor and picture quality of Z10000 had convinced me that time. After three years, however, showed that the Z10000 for Run & Gun was a very thick chunks. And as a long overseas trip decency I looked for an alternative.

After the first reports and tests of AX100 I believed that I would therefore find a worthy replacement for my Z10000. And I was right :)

Look at the Sony initially compared as a small consumer camcorder, so instructed a first lifting but already better. Compared to the Z10000 is naturally handy, but compared to a consumer model she is noticeably larger and especially through the lens more difficult. But it is well balanced and fits comfortably in your hand. The most important controls are within easy reach and the "wearing" is pleasant.

So far so good. Of course, again annoying that Sony no external charger attaches. But to the very end of my recommendation for accessories. It is worth mentioning as Accessories supplied separately or the sun visor. This protects the lens not only to Sun, but also allows for a very different outdoor application: namely, the "head over parking" the camera. The camcorder is so balanced that you can head over to the sun visor, etc. him upright on the floor, a table can provide. Sounds strange, but I have actually made out often. In addition, the lens and he bit labrige plastic lid of the same then also well protected when upright upside down stuffed the camcorder in a bag or backpack. My Sony no longer puts her sun visor from anyway.

But now to the actual core business of Sony, the recording video.

The image quality is impressive, but I have to add that I take less in 4K but decisively FullHD. Some landscape shots I certainly have shot in 4K and am also satisfied with the picture quality. With rolling shutter has been struggling a bit but for prosumer claims the quality is, in my opinion in this price range in order.

I am very impressed by the low light capability. As I have read in some tests in advance things that made me dampen my hopes at the 1 "chip. But I have said on a 40 minute trip each Timelaps a Sonneauf- or loss (Monument Valley) shot. And certain shots from the Strip in Las Vegas at night, among others are the "Eiffel Tower" of the Paris Hotel, that from a great height to Las Vegas at night. So thousands of colorful candles and let whizzing cars at night. All these recordings almost noise-free razor sharp. Genial. In terms Low Light has the Sony clearly exceeded my expectations. In Las Vegas, I also taken with the automatic, ie the camera was able to adjust itself. The image which are obtained is beyond doubt on everyone. In the timelapses I set the camera manually. Again, the final image is awesome.

Thus straight on to the manual settings. The most important is the large rotary knob on the lens for me. Here you can very quickly change the assignment between Zoom and Focus. I like that. The sensor of the Sony succeed so well limited depth of field shots in considerable quality. With a push of a button you can also "draw" the white balance what I have out there often used to automatic to make first adjust the image when shooting with the sun light, then to entice it and a pan across the countryside to the against the sunlight do. good as well :)

The only thing I had a bit missing is a push button Focus. And while we're just: Autofocus the Sony is good, but slow. Just when you start the camera with a higher zoom factor from the Stand By then it may take a few seconds before, until the focus has caught up. JRC. is necessary also a zoom out. That actually annoyed some.

On the subject of Stand By: The camera has a "speedboat" mode. If you fold the display to, then she goes to standby. If you fold it back on, then you can start filming within a split second. Also nice. However, I was never quite sure when the Sony really is completely out and no longer charged the battery. But with the original battery to get almost a whole day run and gun.

In addition to the display, there is the viewfinder, which also provides for acceptable image. For sensible shots in daylight outside is also essential. As can be seen in direct sunlight on the display very little.

My conclusion after 3.5 weeks of continuous use with 3GB on FullHD material and a few 4K shots is: Switching to Sony was truly worth it for me. The picture quality is beyond my doubts, I find the low light capability considerably in this segment. The automatic makes usually already a very good picture, the manual operation is with the small buttons sometimes slightly fiddly, but the main run and gun settings usable. Also worth mentioning because for some perhaps of importance:. The 5.1 sound recording is available only for AVCHD If you record in the format of Sony XAV (so always at 4K and optional in FullHD) then you have only stereo sound.

The 4K I see the way in the home not as promising. I think it's currently still rather a nice gimmick to subsequently realize a lossless zoom from the 4K material for a full HD output.

I would buy the Sony again. Who is filming more static and a fatter sensor needs that will not come in the Preissegement on DSLR. Anyone looking for a handy Run & Gun camcorder with good automatic and good sensor, which Sony should look at more closely for its specific tasks.

As accessory I have purchased from Patona an external charger inclusive 2 batteries for fabled 35 EUR. The batteries are richer than the original and last longer. The gigantic advantage of the external charger I need not mention extra well. Who has the AX100, this accessory should indulge in any case :)