Sony’s released details on three new camcorders that offer phase-detection autofocus, S-log and high frame rates. The FDR-AX700, HXR-NX80 and PXW-Z90 are designed each with different users in mind. They are essentially the same camera with every camera up the line offering more features. 

Sony says that the FDR-AX700 has been made more for enthusiasts, while the HXR-NX80 is made for people needing to record events and the PXW-Z90 is geared more to film production and journalism. There aren’t huge differences between the three cameras. Basically what it seems that Sony has done is simply add more features as you go up from the FDR-AX700 to the PXW-Z90.

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The big buzzword that comes with these cameras is ‘fast hybrid AF’. Sony seems to be confident that by giving these three camcorders what they are calling Super Fast Hybrid AF, any users, regardless of their skill level, will be able to get good-looking footage. This AF offers multiple tracking options, like face tracking or lock-on. Users set the focus area to the size of the focus area. Choose from wide, center, zone, or flexible spot. Plus, all three camera’s continued AF is similar to Sony’s cameras they’ve released previously.

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The FDR-AX700, the HXR-NX80 and the PXW-Z90 have 29mm wide-angle 12X Optical, 18x Clear Image zoom lens, and 1.0-type Exmor RS Image Sensor. Offering High frame rates or HFR up to 960fps and when using S&Q Motion can shoot up to 120fps without a time limit. They also have the ability to shoot S-Log3, which is a pretty big deal, and HLG.

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What Sony seems to be trying to communicate with their three new releases is that they have a camera for everyone. They’re releasing three cameras that are pretty similar; they just offer a few more features as you work your way up the lineup list.

The FDR-AX700 is coming out this October for $1,899, while the HXR-NX80 and the PXW-Z90 are both set for release in December for $2,299 and $2,799.

Go to sony.com for more information on these camcorders.

 
Sean Berry is Videomaker's Managing Editor.