Sony FDR-AX53 16.6MP 4K Ultra HD Handycam Camcorder, 20x Optical Zoom, Black

2024-05-10T20:00:00

I have had a Sony HDR-CX130E for many years now and it has been great. However I feel that I would like an upgrade with a few more features and this FDR-AX53 really fits the bill. I love the design and the extra weight which must contribute to steadiness. I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet but with a holiday in Cornwall coming up and a wedding in September I'm sure it will be given a thorough testing.

Tinnoth

Originally posted at

2024-02-24T19:00:00

Excellent camera to use indoors and outside when there is cloud cover or when the sun is not too bright, otherwise there is the same problem as with all cameras i.e seeing the subject in the monitor; also not easy in the viewfinder.

davex

Originally posted at

2024-01-30T19:00:00

I bought this camera for 3 reasons. (1) to replace an HVR-Z5 as transferring images into Premiere is no longer easy. (2) good steady-shot and 4K recording functions (3) it's light and easy to handle. The limited ability to operate multiple functions in manual mode is frustrating. The "door" covering the multi-function shoe is flimsy and when open it rattles. A few more functions from the AX700 would be welcome.

Videoexe

Originally posted at

2024-01-12T19:00:00

I particularly wanted a handy-cam and was pleased with my choice. The quality is excellent and it is easy to use. Only annoyances is the button on the side that switches it to manual focus, which can easily be knocked and not noticed during night filming and the viewfinder not displaying as clear & focused view as that of the pull out display.

John W.

Originally posted at

2023-12-05T19:00:00

Delighted with my purchase .Condition and price were good.

BoyzToyz

Originally posted at

2023-11-03T20:00:00

This was an excellent choice on my part it has all I could have wished for in a Camcorder. Only had it a about a week so still learning all of the features. It is well built and in comparison to the cheaper Camcorders out there is well worth the extra money.

phototom

Originally posted at

2023-09-28T20:00:00

I am not an expert with camera's. I use this mostly to film my kids hockey and rugby games. After a month of use I can give this a great review. It has a great picture and keeps up with the action. It is easy to use right out of the box for someone like me that really doesn't know what everything does. To be fair that would be with any camera. I would certainly recommend it to sports parents that are looking to capture their kids events.

Hockey D.

Originally posted at

2023-06-09T22:59:01

I love this Camcorder so much. While it's not small as the CX-405, it greatly makes up for that in features and I/O. The stills aren't that great, but that's minor since I normally use my phone for stills anyways. Low light performance isn't the best either(unless you enable Low Lux), but as always from Sony, it has very accurate color both on the screen and through its HDMI output. When I want to hand hold the camera, it has really good built in optical image stabilization, as well as an 60X zoom which helps a lot for wildlife recording. I primarily use this for live streaming to YouTube using an Elgato Cam Link 4K and OBS Studio (1440p 60 FPS for the gameplay, 4K 30 FPS for the camera). I needed only to make minor adjustments to my Chroma Key settings in OBS Studio. It still offers clean HDMI output, and the picture overall is excellent. It also has a 3.5mm headphones jack, a 3.5 mm TRS Mic input jack, and even Micro USB charging. I do kind of wish it was USB Type C, however it's still a lot more convenient and replaceable than the short USB charging cable on CX-4O5. While it still has the "AV Out" port, that connector is now also a micro USB port, which you can use for charging and file transfer. You likely will need the Sony PlayMemories Home software to file transfer, but it's pretty quick, so I'm not too bothered by it. The mobile app for it sucks, but that seems to go for most cameras. Still though, it's a great camcorder. If you have the budget for it, buy it.

Jared A.

2023-06-04T20:00:00

I am a keen videographer of railways and after 16years my SR7 required replacement. After much research and assistance from The Sony Centre in Falkirk I decided to purchase the AX53. I have now completed a number of projects with great results. The camera is so easy to operate in auto mode and the zoom to wide transition is so smooth.

Derek P.

Originally posted at

2023-02-09T19:00:00

The Cover hiding the connectiondevice for microphones and so on should be of a more solid Design . It Van Break easier?? Otherwise: a nice Mashine,

Maestroh

Originally posted at

2023-01-29T19:00:00

I have used this Handycam for a week now and having had several other makes in the recent past, this one is, as far as I can tell, pretty much the best value on the market. Using in full Auto delivers pro like results first time. add a rubber cup to the EVF and it works in strong sunlight too. Stabilisation is outstanding in 4K and HD. Picture quality is excellent and the still shots are pretty good too. 9/10 over all from me

nonikname

Originally posted at

2023-01-29T19:00:00

I have used this Handycam for a week now and having had several other makes in the recent past, this one is, as far as I can tell, pretty much the best value on the market. Using in full Auto delivers pro like results first time. add a rubber cup to the EVF and it works in strong sunlight too. Stabilisation is outstanding in 4K and HD. Picture quality is excellent and the still shots are pretty good too. 9/10 over all from me

None12345

Originally posted at

2023-01-28T19:00:00

FANTASTIC PICTURE QUALITY - ONBOARD STABILIZATION IS THE BEST I HAVE USED. ALL ROUND WINNER.

STEVE 7.

Originally posted at

2022-12-20T19:00:00

Piecing my life together I needed support toward my sansung monitor/computer and telly 4K style. Interestingly I will use the HDR AX53 ARTISTICALLY to develope my art and poetry... The structure of acquiring

Davin234

Originally posted at

2022-11-13T19:00:00

This Sony ax53 has a stunning image stabilization system. I have had several top of the range Sony cameras since 1986. This one tops it all. The image is so still that even if you film from a car in motion it looks like you were filming standing on the ground with a sturdy tripod. Really stunning!

ClaudeUS

Originally posted at

2022-10-07T20:00:00

Received camera on 8/4/22. Worked well until 9/24/22 when my Shure microphone no longer functioned. Replaced mike iwh new microphone and it also didn't function. Conclusion AX53 mic jack faulty. Purchased another microphone (Sony) that runs from hot shoe. Both it & internal mic function. Day after new mic used I experienced difficulty with SD card. Not sure where that problem is located, Thinking not a Sony problem because camera will play both still and movies but no files can be found when card is read in computer. Otherwise I am happy with the AX53 and what I produced before I lost sound recording. I will complete this review and iwhhold further rating after the wired microphone issue its resolved, Also might mention that I cannot use the Sony smartphone app on the AX53 but did get I to work on a Sony A99.

MrBillFortPierce

Originally posted at

2022-09-22T20:00:00

I bought this camera for about 2 weeks ago. I read the many good reviews, and i`m very glad I bought this camera

George H.

Originally posted at

2022-09-09T20:00:00

I have produced a few you tube videos with The FDR-AX53 and am pleased with the results. All videos filed in September were made with the FDR-AX53 and can be viewed at my channel- FreeLiveMusicFortPierceFL

MrBillFort P.

Originally posted at

2022-08-27T20:00:00

Compact , easy-to-use all in one unit built in options

Liwsr57

Originally posted at

2022-03-15T20:00:00

The FDR-AX53 is exceptionel better than my former Sony Camcorder. The focal length for wide angle shots is very good and the easier use of assigning different functions to the manual ring is also more comfortable. All in all a very good camera for daily use.

Elephant98

Originally posted at

2022-03-03T19:00:00

Bought this a month or so ago and have used it 4 times, once for a 1.5 hour sporting event. Very happy with it. Areas for improvement would be the phone app. I have not been able to connect to the camera. That process is very arcane and needs a lot of improvement. I think that app itself needs to be completely rewritten and fixed. Other than that, I am happy with it.

videobot1

Originally posted at

2022-01-07T19:00:00

Got this for Christmas, spent a couple of days familiarising myself with camera and terminology, now I just need to practice with my editing suite.

Toymaster

Originally posted at

2021-12-28T19:00:00

Love the camera so far. The recordings look great and they look great on tv

Vic512

Originally posted at

2021-12-10T19:00:00

Purchased recently as an upgrade to 4k from the sony CX410VE which still gives super HD video and if the AX53 performs as long I shall be more than satisfied. As well as the higher resolution video, the impressive lens, with super zoom capabilities the additional eye piece, whilst small, still allows more accurate framing when reflection on the screen simply makes the flip-out useless, an annoyance with the CX410VE. The use of the "manual" settings is taking a bit to learn but there are some options to fully automatic. Yet the auto settings seem to answer for many situations. The AX53 does have a few issues, as already mentioned the eye piece is too small and does not have a soft rubber surround, the flip out screen is no bigger than the CX410VE at 3 inch and finding a suitable lens hood is still ongoing after one abortive purchase. But the camcorder is a lovely handful, substantial and adaptable to my hobby needs.

Bingban

Originally posted at

2021-10-14T20:00:00

I am amazed how stable video I can get with full zoom and no tripod! 4K is sharp! Videos look great on big screen.

VideoFreak

Originally posted at

2021-10-13T20:00:00

This cam was a replacement for my old long-serving Canon cassette camcorder. It has much more tech as one would expect and as soon as Covid allows I will be using it to the fullest extent. On the advice of the Brummie on uTube I have umpteen accessories like Rhode mike and lens filters which are probably not necessary but boys will be boys with toys! Two tandem recording formats are so cool so buy it!

Basso P.

Originally posted at

2021-10-13T20:00:00

I bought the FDR-AX53 about 2 years ago - I am not sorry that I did so - it is amazing - for me, I am not a professional, but expect good results from my cameras - this Video Camera is wonderful - it surpasses my expectations in every possible way . . . be it sharpness and also it's got a magnificent stabilisation that i've never encountered something like it before . . . what can I say I'd rate this video camera 5 stars - if there were more I would rate it at the highest possible rating.

eugtal

Originally posted at

2021-10-13T20:00:00

I am always impressed by the video quality both HD and 4k. Also the still photos are excellent.

Barkby

Originally posted at

2021-10-13T20:00:00

This camera does everything I need it to do. Excellent Picture, Excellent Sound, Excellent Gimbal Feature and Great Colours. Down side, limited manual fictionality! You setup shutter speed everything els goes into auto mode, this means you have to decide whats more important at the time of shooting your movie that can change in post-production, otherwise a great camera.

SmileyD

Originally posted at

2021-10-13T20:00:00

We have only had 2 months and it is already not working. Getting error message that it can?t write to any media. This is the second Sony that has not performed. This should be covered under warranty since we just bought, but that means we will be without a camera for a while. My iPhone seems to be the only reliable video I can count on. So frustrating!

ATMom

Originally posted at