Sony AX100 4K Handycam

[fwandy]

After purchasing a AX100 4K handycam. Whilst I was initally impressed with the image quality I was totally disappointed with the image stabilization.

Its like stepping back 10 years. Its a shame that Sony did not include the balanced optical steadyshot with this model as currently I feel the jerks and every single movement it picks up really lets it down.

For this price I really expected better from Sony. Have sent back and await a new model.

[Jonnie1266]

Thanks for this extra info fwandy,

I was checking through the user manual for this product and discovered that whilst recording in 4K mode that only 2 channel stereo audio is available whereas in the 'normal' HD mode 5.1 audio is availabe. This also puts me off until the next model as I have spent a lot of money on a surround system and my present HDR-SR1E (old hat now but still a great camcorder) also records in 5.1 which is fantastic on the system. Perhaps it is something to do with the amount of information required - as it is you can only expect to record up to two hours on a 60GB memory card in 4K mode !

[fwandy]

Perhaps that is the case with the Audio yes.

I have an old Sony Cx730e the balanced image stabilization on it is awesome, so it seems  newer is not always better in some ways.

I am surprised Sony did not release a few different models of their 4k handycam.

Looks like it will be the shame that its the usual yearly wait for a new model. Competition is now there in the 4K market and I don't really want till wait till next march for a 4k new model.

Hope Photokina brings something new in the handycam range. Its current Ax100 is vastly overpriced. 

[Jonnie1266]

Out of interest what were you watching the 4K footage on ?

I have already been 'stung' this year as I bought the now discontinued X9005A 4K television which has a 'few' things missing so to speak - a lesson everyone keeps telling me is not to be an early adopter, personally I don't see how these products get off the ground if there are no adopters at all !