Sony FDR-AX 700 - Unboxing - Test Footage: Maine Coast

[@JustinHatt1]

Nice camera Josh. Really crisp output

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Justin! Since a lot of other "test footage" videos of this camera had motion issues, I rendered this with a continual bit rate (CBR) of 35 (YT's reccomended 4K SDR setting) and it made a huge clarity improvement too.

[@eagertoeatasmr]

Maine is so beautiful! I especially enjoyed the sound of waves on the coast! A great quality camera.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Mette! This was the first time I used this camera, so I'm much better at filming with it now. It's also my most consistently performing video. I should do some more Maine scenery soon!

[@bartbosmans83]

Man what a georgous place to live...

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Bart! Glad you enjoyed.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Some people do snowmobile here, but it's never really interested me.

[@bartbosmans83]

@@Josh.Vanjani Yeah, I can just see you on that thing. Frosted moustache waving in the wind.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

@@bartbosmans83 Ha ha! Now it's actually sounding somewhat fun! Kind of like a GOT scene in "The Land of Always Winter" 😆

[@ExCenterProductions]

most sober unboxing video ever... well done! when i saw this mustache i knew there will be no dither

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Will! Ha ha, I appreciate it. Glad to see this video is still getting attention two years on. I have a few other videos linked in the end screen that are better representations of my current filming abilities.

[@wolfunplugged]

thanks for that informative video, this camcorder seems at the top range of consumer cameras. detailed and vivid film footage. I hope you are having fun working with it!

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Wolf! Yes, exactly right, this is the top range before professional cameras. Not sure what the German word would be, but in English it's "Prosumer," so like a high-level consumer product. I'm way better filming now than the first time I tried it (ha ha) and still learning too.

[@bobvanjani9784]

Very nice camera! Very clear! I remember in 1980's Sony made BETAMAX which was much better than VHS.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Dad! I appreciate your support! I remember those Beta machines in the office, and that one copy of National Lampoon's Vacation that was always hanging around!

[@EllySpace]

Good unboxing, well explained and shown. - Elly

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Elly! I appreciate your kind words.

[@mudraartscenter1304]

Beautiful 👍

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Preeti! I appreciate your support.

[@unicorn2083]

Unboxing videos are so cool :o

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Unicorn! I appreciate your support! Glad you enjoyed seeing Maine.

[@GiuseppeZangari]

Nice camera Josh!

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Giuseppe! I'll be using this as my main camera for future videos.

[@cyber.shahriar1]

Dear Josh, thanks for the video. You're going to be my very first person to turn on the 'all stuff bell' for.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Shahrirar! Wow, I appreciate that! Glad the review was helpful!

[@jonasnitz7678]

I have the AX700 and it's really good. Some people destroy everything in post, and that's before uploading it to youtube. In Premiere you should use the "KZbin" output format (h264). Do not compress further than that. The image quality you show here is very good. Active stabilization can make it a bit jerky when panning zoomed in. A lot of zoom is always hard to keep stable on free hand.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks! Yes, that's actually the preset that I used when I exported it, but I adjusted the bitrate to 60 and changed VBR to CBR to keep the motion smooth. I've started using the 100mbp setting instead and have been exporting the HDR videos as a ProRes HLG, which is uncompressed. That's the only setting that doesn't darken the HDR. This was the first time I used the camera, and the footage is admittedly a bit rough in places (was still getting used to a tripod), but I'm better now! 😎

[@chicoy12]

ive been using a fujifilm system for the past decade, but theres something about the charm of camcorders, i want to get the ax700 cause of that 1 inch sensor and the all in one package of a camcorder

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks for watching! I agree about the "charm". Also, it tends to look more "professional" to be out recording with a larger camcorder. On several occasions when I've been out filming, people have asked me if I'm with a news organization or something similar. One time on location a lady asked me, "Is this going to be on the nightly news?" I responded, "No, I'm filming this for my KZbin channel," to which she responded, "Oh, is that all?" and walked away, ha ha.

[@monfleir]

Hello, very nice camera and video! How long does the battery last in your experience?

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Great question! I charged my camera fully, and it says 141 minutes. That's about 2 hours and 21 minutes. It was the same number with the eyepiece as the viewfinder. The actual amount would vary based on usage like zoom, scrolling through settings, etc. When I go to film, I usually shut off the camera if I'm not going to use it for over two minutes or so.

[@monfleir]

Thanks! 141 minutes is a lot!

[@SpringLoverYT]

Cool!

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Spring lover! I appreciate your kind words.

[@СергейНиколаев-ш8ц]

All good health. Dear author or knowledgeable commentators, can you please tell me if it is possible to perform forced focusing on this camera by half-pressing the "start" button (or by pressing some other button) as it happens on hybrid cameras (cameras with the ability to shoot video). Thanks.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

So, I just went to try it, and it doesn't seem to do that. This camera still has great manual focus and auto focus options. I doesn't tend to have the "blurry background" so popular on DSLRs, but it does focus very well.

[@jatinmalik9370]

Josh can you please suggest if I should buy this camera or sony as7iii. My main motive is clear youtube videos of my kid.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Sure thing, Jatin! That would depend; DSLRs like the AS7iii require seperate lenses, which can add to the cost. They're very clear. I'd say if you just want to take home movies, go with the AX-700 because you can set it to easy mode and it'll come out clear. I sometimes film in HDR or S-LOG3, but for your purposes you can get quick and clear 4K footage from this, versus having to purchase lenses for the as7iii. Hope this helps!

[@jatinmalik9370]

@@Josh.Vanjani thanks a lot, yes i make kids stories video with my daughter, something like 'vlad & nikita' channel. For that purpose specifically, will you recommend this?

[@jatinmalik9370]

@@Josh.Vanjani also, i hv to make sm live interview videos, will this camera solve that purpose too?

[@Josh.Vanjani]

@@jatinmalik9370 Sure, I'd recommend it for that purpose. It has a good built-in mic too, but you can upgrade to a better one on the shoe attachment. It should suit your purposes just fine.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

@@jatinmalik9370 Yes, this camera is great for interviews. It has a manual focus and also manually adjustable white balance, iris and ISO. Depending on the type of interview, you can film in LOG, which is a film look. Check out my final project video, linked at the end of this one, "Tradition on Hold," to see how it performs with HDR and close ups.

[@mcdonnellkieran68]

Hey buddy how are you? Any music vids on the horizon!

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Kieran! Yes, actually I'm finishing editing one right now and will have it up by tomorrow! I have an uncle that lives with me, and last week he had a heart attack and had to have several surgeries. I just didn't feel in the mood to make anything until he got out safely.

[@mcdonnellkieran68]

@@Josh.Vanjani omg very sorry to hear this Josh, i hope he his well on the road to recovery now, i look forward to seeing your new vid

[@vikrantl1824]

Any comments on the high reflective LCD monitor screen for AX-43 and AX-700? And do both cameras have gimbal built in?

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Vikrant! The LCD screen is quite good, as is the one on the eye hole. I haven't had any issues even in low light or bright daylight. There's no gimbal built in, so far as I know.

[@billakers7650]

Just received delivery of my Sony AX700. I’m getting comfortable with the buttons and general use of the camera. I want to start out in “auto mode” for my initial videos before I go manual. There are SO many options as to setting image quality, frame rate, yada yada, so I’m a bit lost. Is there any place on KZbin or the web where it walks a newbie like me through the recommended settings for shooting auto? I want to test the AX700 in auto choosing the best image quality (in HDR) that it offers. The owner’s manual listed pages of settings options but I remain clueless LOL.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Sure thing, Bill. To get the best quality with auto: 1) Hit the Menu button 2) Select Rec/Out Set (the two arrows) 3) Rec Set 4) File Format --> XVAC S 4K 5) Rec Format 2160/30p 100mbp (or 24p for cinema mode). 5) Click the Picture Profile button 6) Select PP10 for HDR. Sony's website has a more extensive manual than the one that comes with the camera too. After you get comfortable with auto mode, I'd recommend trying manual because it'll achieve a better picture overall. Good luck!

[@billakers7650]

@@Josh.Vanjani you're a prince -- that's for the info. I took the NX700 out for its first spin in automatic mode today. Even without the advanced settings, I got stunning video image quality and VERY good still photo JPEG image quality -- this without a polarizing filter or advanced settings. 90% of the time I'm using a tripod, so the lack of BOSS stabilization isn't an issue. Great dynamic range too.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

@@billakers7650 Hi, Bill! Was replying to another comment on this page and thought I'd check and see how your luck went with trying out HDR, etc. I've learned a considerable amount more about HDR since 3 months ago so can offer better advice than previously 👍

[@billakers7650]

@@Josh.Vanjani I tried HDR (profile 10) and didn’t notice any noticeable improvement in image quality. I’m now shooting in manual mode and extremely pleased with the results.

[@Josh.Vanjani]

@@billakers7650 That's great to hear! I found that HDR does expand the color range, but you have to color correct it for it to come out looking normal on KZbin. I filmed my final project "Tradition on Hold" in HDR. I've been using "Cine1" which is Profile 5, the most often because it works well in lower light. 😎

[@pavelavietor1]

Hello I have a similar camera 📷 and my lens cop does not screw to the camera,is a spring loaded mechanism. Nice video thanks saludos

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.

[@billakers7650]

I ordered one (arriving in two days). I'm wondering how you can upload 4K video from this to KZbin without losing image quality?

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Thanks, Bill! For 4K I use Adobe Premiere Pro's "4K UHD" preset under the HEVC (H.265) export option and then add "Render at Maximum Depth". I've also found that using CBR instead of VBR makes for smoother video, and I set the bitrate to what the recording was (in this case, 60). Check out my "Behind the Scenes" video if you want to learn more. 😎

[@billakers7650]

@@Josh.Vanjani Thanks for the info! (I'm a newbie so it will take a while to understand this high-tech lingo). My AX700 was JUST delivered -- have it in my hands as we speak. I'm used to high-def photos from my Nikon D810, so it will be nice to get "high-def" videos from the new Sony camcorder. I test drove a Sony AX53, but it just didn't meet my artistic image quality standards (but is a great family camcorder).

[@Josh.Vanjani]

@@billakers7650 Sure, I can understand that. If it's HDR you're after I should mention that it's kind of hidden. You have to click the "Picture Profile" button and then select "Profile 10". Hopefully that'll save you the hour it took me to read how to find out, ha ha 👍. This was in 30fps but it does 24fps very nicely too (my montage was in 24) which is considered "cinematic".

[@tomasericsson8720]

I'd buy that for $1! 😝

[@Josh.Vanjani]

Ha ha! After all this pandemc stuff is over I'd like to get some footage of Europe too.