Features
Gimbal mechanism inside
Sony's Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ is a unique image stabiliser, with a gimbal mechanism about 13 times more effective than other optical systems. Capture smooth, professional-looking images, even at full zoom or while running, with no need for bulky external gimbals. In HD shooting mode, it further reduces the effect of camera shake with 5-axis Intelligent Active mode compensating for vibration across pan, tilt, roll, pitch, and yaw.
Accessories for every shooting style
Open up new storytelling possibilities, with a range of accessories from microphones to grips—all designed for professional results and seamless compatibility.
4K image quality
Capture your movies with the stunning realism and detail of 4K (3840 x 2160). With four times more detail than Full HD, all your images are enhanced by the subtle qualities that bring images to vibrant life.
The latest-generation image sensor exclusively for 4K
The new generation sensor is designed for optimal 4K recording. With pixel sizes around 1.6x larger than previous models, the AX43A captures beautiful images with less noise, even in the extremes of low and bright lighting conditions.
ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* lens for 4K
The AX43A features a custom lens, developed for the highest quality 4K imaging throughout its entire wide-to-telephoto range. The use of AA (advanced aspherical) lens elements ensures, even with the compact design, each scene is faithfully captured, while ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass delivers accurate colour without aberration. The ZEISS® T* Coating further enhances image quality by reducing unwanted reflections, including ghosting and flare.
Up to 26.8mm wide angle lens
Whether you’re shooting movies or still images, the class-leading wide-angle lens can help you capture more of landscapes and indoor scenes, when you don’t have enough room to step back. Even without a wide conversion lens, the camcorder shoots as wide as 26.8mm (16:9 aspect ratio) in movie mode.
Super-sampled Full HD playback
Enhance your viewing experience even without a 4K television. Using super-sampling, the camera automatically down-converts 4K footage to exceptionally detailed Full HD.
Rapid AF response to capture decisive moments
Fast Intelligent AF achieves speedy, accurate contrast-detection autofocus by minimising lens motion, predicting the AF range, and accelerating lens drive, thereby improving response so you can capture more fleeting moments.
Lock-on AF
Enhance your tracking of moving subjects with a simple touch. Simply select your subject on the LCD touchscreen, and the AX43A will automatically adjust the tracking frame and lock onto even fast-moving targets, for precise autofocusing.
Face Detection and Smile Shutter
Use Face Detection to optimise focus, exposure, and colour for key people in a shot, even selfies, so you only need compose and narrate the scene. Prioritise a face simply by touching it on the LCD. And with Smile Shutter, you can set the camera to automatically capture still shots of those magical, fleeting, smiles even while recording movies.
Golf Shot
Capture and analyse high-speed motion with no need for fancy equipment. Golf Shot mode lets you capture video and a series of stills revealing each step of the action.
Extensive zoom shooting capabilities
With the high quality, stabilised, 20x optical zoom there’s plenty of range to capture your subject. And, when shooting far away, our Clear Image Zoom uses a proprietary algorithm to deliver optical-zoom quality even at up to 40x (30x in 4K mode).
Realistic recording of voices, music and other sound
Thanks to the three-capsule mic, the AX43A microphone gathers sound from five directions and, with advanced audio processing, results in dramatically better built-in audio recording. Around 40% less background noise is captured, and you’ll enjoy better stereo, or 5.1ch surround (AVCHD) separation, for more faithful capture, clearer dialogue, and more compelling soundtracks.
High Speed recording for high-quality slow motion
With support for high frame rate capture up to 100fps/120fps in Full HD, you can create slow-motion recordings, elevating every movement in startling detail. Simply import your video in the free PlayMemories Home, or other popular editing software, to reveal smooth, sharp action in even the most everyday activities.
4K Time-lapse Capture
With Time-lapse Capture, shoot stills of a scene over a period of time with a chosen interval between shots. The resulting images can be combined at high resolution into a time-lapse movie on a PC, and viewed with a simple variable-speed preview function on the camera, even in high-quality 4K.
Trimming Playback
You can select a specific portion of the picture and play it back in Full HD, thanks to 4K high resolution. Also, you can change trimming size with the zoom lever or on-screen display icon.
Time Code / User Bit
The AX43A can add embedded data elements to your video, for professional workflows and tracking. The Time Code function records a frame-accurate synchronisation sequence, ideal for precise edit matching in multi-camera shoots. User Bit lets you embed an eight-character reference, such as a scene number, along with your footage, for easier tracking in post-production.
Exceptional image quality
The AX43A can capture video using the XAVC S format for high-quality images. Based on formats used for professional productions, XAVC S offers bitrates up to 100Mbps, and highly efficient compression, for detailed images and easily manageable file sizes.
5.1ch surround sound microphone
Record clear sound that accurately captures the atmosphere of the scene, and enjoy surround sound playback on your home theatre system. Level meters on the LCD panel provide visual monitoring for each channel level.
My Voice Canceling
Reduce the intensity of the voice of a user shooting from close behind the camera, thanks to the innovative microphone and My Voice Cancelling feature.
Motion Shot Video
Use Motion Shot Video to create dramatic motion playback sequences, superimposing images of your moving subject to trace each split second of action. You can adjust the interval between images to create amazing images for sharing with friends, or use it as a powerful tool for analysing sports motion on screen.
Dual Video Recording
Record two movie formats at the same time—one in the maximum-quality XAVC S or AVCHD format and another in MP4 format. That way, you’ve got a small file ready for instant upload, plus a professional-grade file for further editing.
Highlight Movie Maker
Streamline your movie editing with Highlight Movie Maker. Using Dual Video Rec, the FDR-AX43A can simultaneously capture at 4K (3840x2160) or Full HD (1920×1080) for full quality storage, and at HD (1280x720) using an efficient MP4 video format for easy sharing. From the HD version, Highlight Movie Maker can quickly and automatically create HD highlight movies for immediate sharing - complete with video transitions and your choice of background music.
Multi Camera Control
More shots mean more editing opportunities. Easily record footage from a variety of angles, whether using cameras mounted directly to the Handycam® or triggered wirelessly. Multi Camera Control makes it easy to sync shooting settings on compatible Wi-Fi connected devices.
One-touch remote and one-touch sharing
One-touch remote lets you use your smartphone or tablet as a viewfinder and remote control for a digital camera, and One-touch sharing lets you transfer your photos and videos from your camera. You can control your camera from your smartphone to take a photo from a previously out-of-reach spot, or simply be in your own group shot, as well as transfer them instantly to your smartphone for sharing on SNS. Additionally by installing Imaging Edge Mobile app on an NFC enabled smartphone or tablet, you can even skip the pairing sequences simply by touching your device to the camera.