If you are thinking of making the move to High Definition, and want something that won't break the bank, but will deliver the goods - as in true 16:9 with the full 1920x1080 50i recording, then you simply have to look at this new camera from Sony.

Using a tapeless workflow, the new Sony HDRAX-2000 uses the now almost commonplace AVCHD format. But what makes this camera a standout is the fact it is one of the few that uses AVCHD in a camera designed for the semi professional.

What you WILL have to do is ensure that your PC (or Mac) and editing package is capable of handling AVCHD files, , and that you have the necessary equipment to manage HD - as well as play it.

The optics are certainly in keeping with the aim of the camera; to provide high quality at a really good price. Using the G series lens built in to the body, as is the custom with Sony's semi pro cameras, the lens offers a seriously good focal range and a decent wide angle  to an almost over the top extreme telephoto.

At the wide end of 29.5mm, the lens offers close to a 90 degree field of view, with almost imperceptible barrel or pincushion distortion, and an extremely even exposure edge to edge.  It's nice to see someone is actually listening to the camera buyer, wanting to have a slightly wider than "usual" lens, which means you won't have to think about buying a wide angle converter for general use... nor suffering the usual despair when you realize it's in the gadget bag - at home.

Having a 20x optical zoom means you can use the camera at maximum zoom without any graininess or artifacts from  use of the dreaded digital zoom effect... in fact, Sony do NOT give you the option of digital zoom.  For that fact alone, Sony should be applauded.

Not only that, but the camera has an incredible low light capability, and is much on a par with some of its broadcast cousins. The camera does not have a hyper gain function, but in most cases this simply adds too much noise to the image, and degrades a natural looking picture. In low light, the image from this camera is clear and crisp.

Over the past few years, Sony has put a lot of work into low light function, and improving things so images are usable, without being overly grainy. This camera is no exception with three  Exmor 1/3 inch chip  sensors  that use CMOS technology. Its so good that it will give you a decent image  with 1.5 lux at 1/30 fixed shutter and auto iris.

The colour rendition is excellent. In fact its better than that. Looking at the on board LCD screen, the balance was spot on, and later in post production, the colours were more natural. And closer to what I remembered.

With a camera, half the equation is vision. The other half is sound.  Any video camera worth its salt will have the ability to plug in external mikes, and true to form, this creation has two 3-pin Canon XLR sockets. Having this ability to record 48khz audio is vital. No ifs or buts there.

For an "out of the box" test, I simply did that. Bought an SD card, clicked in the tiny battery and off I went. Everything was done automatically - except at the start the blasted nagware asking me to please tell it the date. Once that nagging was satisfied, the camera operated like a dream.

While Sony makes no bones about this camera being for the semi professional, and having a zillion and one special effects including a cinematic feel, you really need to abide by the general principal of shoot the scene as pristinely as you can, and do any effects in post production.

As for it being semi professional... well, I feel that moniker is a little understated.  Most professionals could easily use this camera for any HD project they had in mind. My only criticism really about using it was the (seemingly) eternal delay between switching on and recording... I lost a shot I knew would have been in the can with my DSR-570. But that's the news camera operator in me talking.

Looking at the nitty gritty, would it be fair to compare this (sub) $7000 camera with say a Standard Definition broadcast big brother with 2/3 inch chip retailing new for around $25K?

Yes it would, and that's just what I did.  On screen - lounge plasma and on the PC, the image was stunning... and that was from BOTH cameras. Well, you would expect that from the Sony DSR-570 anyway.  What I was not expecting was the clarity of detail offered by true HD.

So, I decided to import a frame grab into Photoshop, and magnify a small area of screen, just to be really picky about quality.

And you know what?  Its brilliant.  The lens is spot on. No discernable distortion, and the text clearly readable.  But then that is true  HD... oh, and a Sony as well.

My dislikes:

By Ben Longden

Comments(1):

1. amazing stuff, I want it for my first movie.

   Friday, March 26, 2010 John