IAC DISCUSSION FORUMS

Hello I'm off to the ProVideo 2010 at the Ricoh on Wednesday, with every intention of spending a nearly scary amount of money on the Sony HDR-AX2000E.
Since I'm taking the day of work to go, can anyone offer any experience on

a) whether this is a good bet for the money, (does it really have no manual White balance adjust?)

b) whether it's likely I'll be able to get it i) at all, ii) for a better price ?

I've decided it's finally time to but a new camera, and I'll make a proper job of it rather than spending a medium amout only to be disappointed in a year or so's time.
If not that camera does anyone recommend I consider a different one?

Cheers muchly

Angie

Take the plunge Angie - it's an excellent camera. Out of interest, what other cameras have you on your short list? The Panasonic 151 maybe? What camera do you have at the moment? Will your computer and NLE handle the massively compressed AVCHD files the AX2k produces? And lastly, are you sure you shouldn't bite the bullet and plonk for the NX5, the AX2k's just slightly more expensive but much more capable twin?

Your camera offers manual control of everything, including w/bal, never fear. Look here for the tidy spec:

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/cam-high- ... dr-ax2000e

My next write-up in FVM allows me to take a very critical look at the NX5 - much more critical than anyone can be in print when Sony are taking expensive advertising space. Of course the November FVM won't be published till after you've been and gone to the IOV show.

You should be able to buy it at the show but I'd certainly go with the knowledge of what it would cost you at:

http://search.purelygadgets.co.uk/searc ... &x=24&y=27

The AX2k is hugely capable, that's for sure. The 20x zoom, the good low light ability, the very powerful steady shot and so on, but you really should read the real-world thoughts of people in your position.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-nxcam- ... -nx5u.html

More questions? Fire away - your hours are running out.

tom.

Another thought. If you've no need for high def and only want to upscale your DVDs into your 50" plasma, then the PD175 might be worth a look:

http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/product/dvcam ... p/overview

I had (well still do have) a 1 ccd Sony the TRV350e (I think), but have coveted my friends Canon XL4 ?
and been grumpy about the sony since,
Part of me's reluctant to give up Mini DV but I guess it's going the way of all flesh and you save so much power that way.
I wasn't planning in editing in HD just yet, but it would be nice to have the option in the future.

Thanks for your help.

Angie

Angie

The Sony is AVCHD therefore HD and solid state, also do have a look at the Panasonic models, they do a very nice model in the AG HMC 40 at about £2k and the 151 model can cost £2.0-£3.4k.

Unless you record in lesser settings editing is going to be HD and a problem if you do not have a PC or MAC powerful enough.

You may have to transcode the recorded footage to be able to use it successfully.

See the last 2 issues of FVM for my articles on AVCHD

Col Lamb

Let us know what you decide to buy, ok?

tom.

So I went to the fair, and I had a play with the Sony NX5, there didn't seem to be a HDR-AX2000E to look at, by coincidence I bumped in to a member of our club, he'd also been looking at the NX5.
There were two stall selling the camera; the first priced it at 3799 (inc Vat) + 3% credit card fee, and wouldn't haggle,
the other stall H Preston got our business,
they sold us ex-display models (100hrs usage) didn't charge us for cc and offered a discount because we bought two.
Hurrah!
So now very happy, but quite poorer!

Thanks for all your help

Angie

That's the camera to have - much better value than the AX2k in my view. Not without its faults though, as next months FVM will show.

Oh you tease you.