Deciding on whether to buy a product like SONY FDR-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder or perhaps PANASONIC HC-W580EB-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.

Discover all reviews at Currys PC World:

View Reviews

SONY FDR-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder vs PANASONIC HC-W580EB-K Traditional Camcorder

SONY FDR-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder specs

SONY FDR-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder
 PANASONIC HC-W580EB-K Traditional Camcorder specs

PANASONIC HC-W580EB-K Traditional Camcorder
Type: Digital camcorder

Type: Digital camcorder

Processor: BIONZ X

VIDEO
VIDEO

Maximum resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080p (50 fps)

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

Other resolutions: HD 1280 x 720p (25 fps)

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

Sensor: CMOS

Sensor: CMOS

Image stabilisation: Optical

Image stabilisation: Optical

Sensitivity: 4 lux

Shutter speed: – Normal: 1/50 – 1/10000th
– Auto control: 1/8 – 1/10000th

Shutter speed: 1/50 – 1/8000th

White balance: Auto, Onepush, Outdoor, Indoor, WB Temp

White balance: Auto, White Set, Sunny, Cloudy, Indoor 1, Indoor 2

LENS

LENS

Focal length: 9.3 – 111.6 mm

Focal length: 2.06 – 103 mm

35 mm equivalent: 29.0 – 348 mm

35 mm equivalent: 28 – 1740 mm

Maximum aperture: f/2.8 – f/4.5

Maximum aperture: f/1.8 – f/4.2

Minimum focusing distance: 1 cm

Minimum focusing distance: 3 cm

Focusing: Autofocus & manual

Focusing: Manual & autofocus

SCREEN & VIEWFINDER

ZOOM

Screen: 3.5″ / 88 mm vari-angle tiltable LCD touchscreen

Optical zoom: 50 x

Screen features: Brightness control

Digital zoom: 150 x

Viewfinder: Yes

SCREEN & VIEWFINDER
SHOOTING

Screen: 75 mm LCD tiltable touchscreen

Photo mode: Yes

Screen features: Resolution: 460,800 dots

Image resolution: 5968 x 3352p

FUNCTIONS
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1ch

Video file formats: – AVCHD format ver. 2.0 compatible
– MPEG4-AVC / H.264
– XAVC S format: MPEG4-AVC / H264
– XAVC S Proxy

Time-lapse function: Yes

Audio file formats: – Linear PCM 2 ch(48 kHz / 16 bit)
– Dolby Digital 5.1 ch Stereo
– Dolby Digital Stereo Creator
– MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2 ch(Proxy Recording)

Slow motion: Yes

ZOOM

Scene modes: Miniature Effect, Silent Movie, 8 mm Movie, Time Lapse Recording

SHOOTING
Optical zoom: 12 x

Digital zoom: 160 x

Photo mode: Yes

MEMORY

Image resolution: 4224 x 2376p

Sound: Dolby Digital 2ch

Memory card: – Memory Stick PRO Duo
– SD
– SDHC
– SDXC

Video file formats: – AVCHD
– iFrame
– MP4

CONNECTIONS

Audio file formats: – Dolby Digital
– AAC

MEMORY
Interface: – USB
– HDMI

WiFi connectivity: Yes

Memory card: – SD
– SDHC
– SDXC

Price: £1190

Price: £249

Number of Reviews:

Number of Reviews:

Review Score: 9.1 / 10

Review Score: 8.3 / 10


When deciding on whether to buy SONY FDR-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder or PANASONIC HC-W580EB-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-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD 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-W580EB-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-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder

Price analysis of PANASONIC HC-W580EB-K Traditional Camcorder

  • SONY FDR-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder
  • 4K Ultra HD video (25 fps)
  • Optical zoom: 12 x
  • 3.5″ LCD touchscreen
  • Built-in WiFi / NFC
  • Image stabilisation
  • Top features: – Shoot in 4K for amazing visuals- CMOS sensor gets the best out of your recordings- ZEISS lens zooms in on all the details – Get better images with a BIONZ X processor – Filters and effects to fine tune your photos Shoot in 4K Recording amazing videos with the Sony FDR-AX100 4K Ultra HD Camcorder. This excellent camcorder records in four times the quality of Full HD, giving you incredibly detailed and lifelike recordings. Bring out your inner filmmaker and shoot whatever you want. Cheer on the local team and film sporting events, a high framerate means even fast moving objects can be recorded smoothly. You can record in a range of formats too.ZEISS lensYou can count on the FDRAX100 when you’re trying to capture that jaw-dropping landscape shot. Its ZEISS lens has a 12x optical zoom and a 24x Clear Image Zoom, so you can focus in on smaller details and wide ranging pictures. Images come out sharp and defined, just like they look in real life.There’s a manual dial on the side of the body that lets you make adjustments quickly.CMOS sensorThe FDR-AX100’s advanced CMOS sensor with background defocusing reduces noise and improves clarity, so even if you’re shooting in a dark location you’ll get a clear video of your main subject. And whether you’re shooting a clip or snapping a pic, TRILUMINOS Colour shows you everything in rich, bold shades. From a deep red sunset to a shimmering blue lake, the world around you will look bright and beautiful in your imagery.Get better images The advanced BIONZ X image processing engine gives you more faithful image reproduction, naturally vivid and lifelike images, and higher resolution capabilities. The FDR-AX100 also has some exciting new including By Pixel Super Resolution, Motion Shot Video, Optical SteadyShot and Dual Video Recording. Filters and effects The FDR-AX100 helps to bring out your creative side thanks to 7 different Picture Effects including Toy Camera, Soft high key, Pop Color, Posterization, Retro Photo, Partial Color, and High contrast monochrome. These all give you more scope to add your own artistic touch to your photos.You can also play all your recordings on your home TV thanks to the FDR-AX100’s HDMI connector. So gather your friends round and show off your directorial debut.
  • Product codes: 5013493246171
  • PANASONIC HC-W580EB-K Traditional Camcorder
  • Full HD video (50 fps)
  • Optical zoom: 50 x
  • 3″ tiltable LCD touchscreen
  • Built-in WiFi
  • Image stabilisation
  • Top features:- Capture everything with exceptional zoom and wide angle function- Multiple cameras so you can shoot from two angles at once- Clear images thanks to Level Shot functionExperience high quality recording and film with two cameras simultaneously using the Panasonic HC-W580EB-K Traditional Camcorder.Capture everythingWith a 90 x Intelligent Zoom option, you can easily capture objects that are too far away to shoot with conventional zoom functions. The HC-W580EB-K also boasts a 50 x Optical Zoom to add more emotion and dynamics to your memorable footage thanks to the stunning quality of the image.You can fit more people and more of the background into the frame thanks to the 28 mm Wide-Angle function. This is ideal when you need to take a group shot in a small room as it fits objects in even when you shoot from up close, allowing you to pick up even small sounds with the camcorder’s built-in microphone.Multiple camerasThe W580E features a rotatable sub camera that lets you take shots from two angles at once. This opens up a vast amount of new possibilities for your filming, allowing you to record picture in picture while you experiment with the options presented by this useful feature.Using Wi-Fi you can link to as many as three smartphones and simultaneously record up to two of them as sub-windows. This lets you shoot from a variety of angles and viewpoints to capture a higher level of emotional impact and focus in on every little detail.Clear imagesTo allow you to film carefree, the HCW580EBK features a Level Shot function which automatically detects and corrects the tilting of images. It can be adjusted to suit the shooting conditions, allowing you total freedom when it comes to capturing the action.Whether you are shooting from a wide angle or at high zoom, HYBRID O.I.S.+ uses five-axis correction to thoroughly suppress blurring caused by unwanted shaking while recording. This lets you capture crisp, clear images in virtually any conditions to ensure that your recording remains smooth and enjoyable.Plus with the HDR Movie Function you can easily capture natural videos with excellent gradation even in difficult filming situations such as backlighting.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 Full HD footage. Keep your new gear protected with a travel-friendly case or bag which will also hold your daily essentials.
  • Product codes: 5025232836901

What’s better SONY FDR-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder or PANASONIC HC-W580EB-K Traditional Camcorder?

There are obviously a number of differences between SONY FDR-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder and PANASONIC HC-W580EB-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 £1190 cost of SONY FDR-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder is closer to the expectation you had than the £249 pricep point of PANASONIC HC-W580EB-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-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder and PANASONIC HC-W580EB-K Traditional Camcorder. We looked at the reviews over at Currys PC World for both products and found that SONY FDR-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder scores out of 10 from reviews. Whereas PANASONIC HC-W580EB-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-AX100EB 4K Ultra HD Camcorder



Rating:
9.50 out of
10