Deciding on whether to buy a product like SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder or perhaps PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder? You’re in the right place as we’ll take you through all of the specs, features and look at the quality, pricing and reviews of both to help you make the decision on which one to go for.

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SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder vs PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder

SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder specs

SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder
PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder specs

PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder
Type: Digital camcorder

Type: Digital camcorder

VIDEO

VIDEO

Maximum resolution: 4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160p (25 fps)

Maximum resolution: 3840 × 2160p (25 fps)

Other resolutions: – Full HD 1920 x 1080p (50 fps)
– HD 1280 x 720p (25 fps)

Other resolutions: Full HD 1920 x 1080p (50 fps)

Sensor: CMOS

Sensor: CMOS

Image stabilisation: Optical Balanced Optical SteadyShot with Intelligent Active mode (5-axis)

Image stabilisation: Optical

Sensitivity: – 0 Nightshot
– 1.2 low lux
– 6 lux standard

Sensitivity: 2 lux

Shutter speed: – Normal: 1/50th
– Night: 1/25th

Shutter speed: 1/25 – 1/8000

White balance: Auto, Onepush, Outdoor, Indoor

White balance: Auto, White set, Sunny, Cloudy, Indoor1, Indoor2 (TTL system)

LENS

LENS

Maximum aperture: f/2.0 – 3.8

Focal length: 4.08 – 81.6 mm

Focal length: 4.4 – 88 mm

35 mm equivalent: 30.8 – 626 mm

35 mm equivalent: 26.8 – 536.0 mm

Maximum aperture: f/1.8 – f/3.6

Minimum focusing distance: 1 cm

Minimum focusing distance: 3 cm

Focusing: Manual & autofocus

Focusing: Manual & autofocus

SCREEN & VIEWFINDER

ZOOM

Viewfinder: Yes

Optical zoom: 20 x

Viewfinder features: – 15552 dots
– 100% coverage

Digital zoom: 60 x

Screen: 3″ / 76.2 mm LCD tiltable touchscreen

SCREEN & VIEWFINDER

Screen features: – Wide-angle viewing
– Adjustable brightness

FUNCTIONS

Screen: 76.2 mm LCD vari-angle touchscreen

Screen features: Resolution: 460,800 dots

Time-lapse function: Yes

Viewfinder: No

Slow motion: Yes

FUNCTIONS

Scene modes: Auto, Night, Sunrise & Sunset, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach, Snow

SHOOTING

Time-lapse function: Yes

Slow motion: Yes

Photo mode: Yes

Scene modes: Miniature effect, Silent movie, 8 mm movie, Time lapse recording

Image resolution: 5440 x 3056p

SHOOTING

Video file formats: MPEG-4

Audio file formats: Linear PCM

Photo mode: Yes

ZOOM

Image resolution: 6784 x 3816

Video file formats: – AVCHD
– iFrame
– MP4

Optical zoom: 20 x

Audio file formats: – AVCHD Dolby Digital (5.1 ch / 2 ch)
– iFrame
– MP4
– AAC (2 ch)

Digital zoom: 250 x

MEMORY

MEMORY

Memory card: – SD
– SDHC
– SDXC

Price: £649

Price: £399

Number of Reviews:

Number of Reviews:

Review Score: 9.9 / 10

Review Score: 9.7 / 10


When deciding on whether to buy SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder or PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder, a very important consideration is the price. So we’re going to spend a bit of time looking at the price of both.

To start with, we looked at the price of the 850 products in the same category as SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder, which is the Digital Camcorders category. Of these 850 products the average price was £196.11, the most expensive was £3049 and the cheapest was just £0.05. We then looked at the price of the 850 in the same as the PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder, which of course the average was £196.11, top price was £3049 and cheapest £0.05.

We then looked specifically at the average price of products from Sony and Panasonic, the average was £414.71 for Sony, £378.99 for Panasonic. The max for each was £13999/£4299 and minimum was £7.49/£19.99

Price analysis of SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder

Price analysis of PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder

  • SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder
  • 4K Ultra HD video (25 fps)
  • Optical zoom: 20 x
  • 3″ tiltable LCD touchscreen
  • Built-in WiFi / NFC
  • Image stabilisation
  • Top features: – Record your own stunning 4K and Full HD videos – Carl Zeiss lens with powerful 20x optical zoom for beautiful long-range shots – Sharper images with Optical SteadyShot stabilisation and fast autofocus – Advanced microphone allows for 5.1 sound recording and cleaner audio – Shoot, edit and share movies with Highlight Movie Maker10, live streaming and more Record your own stunning 4K and Full HD videosYour videos will look stunningly lifelike in 4k Ultra HD – the Sony FDR-AX53 4K Ultra HD Camcorder records four time more detail than Full HD. Shoot gorgeous footage in bright or dark conditions with a high-quality Exmor image sensor that reduces image noise. The NIGHTSHOT function uses infrared light for recording in total darkness – ideal for social events, live shows or fun family videos.Carl Zeiss lens with powerful 20x optical zoomCapture wide-angle shots with a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens that’s ideal for 4K video, packing more natural detail and colours into each frame. Suitable for videos and stills, it lets you record comfortably indoors or outside, with a multilayer Zeiss lens coating to prevent reflections.20x optical zoom lets you get in close to your subjects for great close-ups – extend the zoom range with an impressive 250x digital zoom function.Sharper images with Optical SteadyShotRecord clear, sharp videos while walking, running or in a moving vehicle – 5-axis stabilisation enables steadier footage. Balanced Optical SteadyShot and an Intelligent Active Mode reduce camera shake, even during zoomed-in shots. Pro features give you creative control – adjust settings and frame shots using the manual dial and electronic viewfinder. Create captivating slow-motion videos with 120 fps Full HD recording. Ensure those special moments are crisply defined with fast Intelligent AF.Advanced microphoneGreat videos need great sound. Record voices, music and ambient sounds realistically via an optimised microphone that records in stereo and 5.1 surround sound formats to help recreate the atmosphere of each scene. Keep a professional feel with My Voice Cancelling, which cuts down the voice level of whoever’s operating the camera.Shoot, edit and share moviesOnce you’ve recorded, it’s time to edit and share. Highlight Movie Maker10 lets you bring out the best in your clips. Highlight key moments while recording – the camcorder will automatically sync visual transitions to your soundtrack. Let the world see what you’re seeing as it happens – Live Streaming20 via USTREAM lets you send in-the-moment footage to the internet in high quality, complete with sound.Direct videos, capture awkward angles or be in a group shot. A one-touch remote turns your smartphone or tablet into a wireless viewfinder. Transfer and upload videos and photos with NFC one-touch sharing and the PlayMemories Mobile app.Get the most out of your camcorderWe recommend using a UHS Speed Class 3 memory card as it offers the speed you need for capturing 4K Ultra HD footage. Keep your new gear protected with a travel-friendly case or bag which will also hold your daily essentials.
  • Product codes: 4548736021327
  • PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder
  • 4K Ultra HD video (25 fps)
  • Optical zoom: 20 x
  • 3″ LCD touchscreen
  • Built-in WiFi
  • Image stabilisation
  • Top features:- Crystal clear video thanks to LEICA lens and BSI sensor- Wireless multi camera with remote control through your smartphone- Easy to use, taking the hassle out of filmingEnjoy crystal clear 4K definition and convenient wireless capabilities with the Panasonic HC-VX980EB-K 4K Ultra HD Camcorder.Crystal clear videoThanks to its impressive LEICA Dicomar lens and advanced BSI CMOS sensor, the HC-VX980EB-K is capable of producing crisp and detailed images with minimal distortion.The HDR (High Dynamic Range) movie function creates clearer videos by supressing highlights and shadows. Shoot even in difficult lighting conditions and capture natural videos without the need to adjust settings. What’s more, the VX980E lets you record videos in stunning 4K definition. High speed, high precision autofocus technology makes 4K filming easy for everyone.Wireless multi camera With WiFi built-in, you can wirelessly shoot videos and take pictures remotely using your smartphone.Connect to up to three smartphones and shoot from a variety of angles and viewpoints to create a unique and professional-looking home video.Easy to useThe HCVX980EBK takes the hassle out of every day filming. The smooth zoom lets you focus on off-centre subjects without having to adjust the camera angle, while minimising blur.You can even pan in and out with extra precision, simply by selecting the exact start and end points.With optical image stabilisation built-in, enjoy clear and stable recording every time.
  • Product codes: 5025232837212

What’s better SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder or PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder?

There are obviously a number of differences between SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder and PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder, but there are several things that you can use when comparing the two. The first of these, which we’ve already covered, is price. Make sure you spend a bit of time deciding how much you are willing and able to spend on your product to really get a good idea if the £649 cost of SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder is closer to the expectation you had than the £399 pricep point of PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder.

Once you’ve nailed down everything there is to know on the price of both, the next step is to really study the reviews. Taking the time to read reviews of both will really help you to decide which is a better product between SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder and PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder. We looked at the reviews over at Currys PC World for both products and found that SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder scores out of 10 from reviews. Whereas PANASONIC HC-VX980EB-K Traditional Camcorder scores out of 10 from reviews.

It’s also really worthwhile spending the time to look at the key differences between the two products. For that you can use our comparison table about which looks at the main features of both products to give you a clear idea of where one product perhaps benefits over another. When comparing the two it’s a really good idea to have an idea in your mind of the key features that you need from your Digital Camcorders as this will help you to narrow down the products that do or don’t meet your criteria.



SONY FDR-AX53 Traditional Camcorder



Rating:
8.90 out of
10