High-Definition Handycam Camcorder

Wonderful Camera

Pros: Spectacular shooting in low-light conditions, SD Card Access

Cons: None

This is a wonderful camera. Also a note for those who have trouble with the audio drops due to the 2GB file size PLEASE READ: YOU WILL NOT LOSE FRAMES/AUDIO WHEN YOU IMPORT YOUR FOOTAGE WITH THE INCLUDED SOFTWARE! I REPEAT, YOU WILL NOT LOSE FRAMES/AUDIO WHEN YOU IMPORT YOUR FOOTAGE WITH THE INCLUDED SOFTWARE! USE IT! Brilliant work with this camera, Sony, I will likely be buying a second for my videography company.

HDR AX2000 inspires me to take better video

Pros: quality of image, no tape, affordable

After one day of use my first thought was that this camera is amazing. We are passionate about making videos, we earn our living doing this and the Sony HDR AX2000 snipers me to take better video then ever before. I can tell you about the wow impact of the camera but seeing the video it takes is a 'see for yourself testament' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNidHwQLSeM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuJLIGyAoj4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xh9BlbUaAU These are nature type videos all taken with the Sony HDr AX2000 and show remarkable color reproduction, and even the slow smooth record ability. Love the camera and look forward to using it in the Caribbean this fall and winter.

Excellent Primary Camcorder

Pros: Excellent footage, Great features

Cons: Non

Purchased this camcorder as my primary rig, Performed above my expectations, great lowlight footage, lots of custom settings, good layout and design,provides stunning jaw dropping footage....As to the previous reviewers problem with dropped frames, I have yet to see this problem arise, filmed a live band performance with 3 seperate sets, each exceeding well over 45 Minutes each, had no dropped frames that I could see, the included software combined the clips perfectly.. and editing in Vegas Pro showed no issues whatsoever in audio and video syncs.....I use 2- 32 Gig Trancend SDHC cards so I will never need to worry about running out of room for any of my projects...I simply love this camcorder and highly recommend it for anyone looking to move up to serious filming....

Sony HDR AX 2000

Pros: Great picture and lots of manual controls make this a great professional camcorder

Cons: Too early to tell but none yet

For anyone out there that is experiencing poor audio quality from their Sony HDR AX 2000 like I did when I first heard mine try this: Go into your menu funtion on your AX2000 and check for the following 1. Check to see if the sensitivity for the mic is set to normal or low. If so set to high. 2. Check to see if the "Wind" feature is set to the on position and if so set it to the off position. This is what will make the biggest differnce in sound with the built in mic. The wind setting is great if you are shooting against the wind but its primary purpose is to cut a lot of the low frequencies and reduce the low end rumble that is most annoying in windy situations but for general shooting if really thins out the sound and turning off this feature when not needed really breathed life into the sound. That was the way my new HDR AX2000 was set from the factory and once I made these changes WOW! What a difference in the sound quality from this camcorder! Sure it is great to run a professional mic with this camcorder and I have sent for a great external shotgun mic myself. But if you are experiencing that lousy sound quality that I had read about did experienced myself when I first received my AX2000 check out the above steps to see if that is the issue. As for reliability I have only had this Camcorder for a couple of days so it is too early to tell. Seems very well made though only I wish that it had a metal body like my older Sony VX2100.

excellent camcorder

Pros: Does everything you could need

Cons: nothing

It records very good with excellent colors. I have had no problems with it at all. Uses up to 32GB SD cards. I am very happy with this camcorder and i might buy another one. Thank You Sony

Best Bang for your Buck!

Pros: Light weight, Dual SD Card slots, 20 X Optical zoom, Dual XLR, Multiple frame rates and resolutions.

Cons: Small LCD display but manageable.

As of today, May 11, 2011 this camera offers the most for your $3,500. I've given it my BIU4 Award (Best Investment Under $4k). There isn't much this camera can't do. Add 2-32GB SD cards and 2 large batteries and you're self contained for 6 hours out on location, in the desert, at the beach, sporting event or wedding. I've already shot 12 projects with it and I don't have a single complaint. Other than the small LCD display I love this camera. Yes...the camera video files (AVCHD) work perfectly with my Final Cut Pro system. The image quality is exceptional under all conditions. Ok so it's not as good as my SONY EX1R ($6,300 camera) but still very good quality. With multiple frame rates and resolutions this will quickly turn into your bread and butter tool. Dual XLR connections with true on board audio level control. Smooth zoom and a killer 20X zoom lens. BTW. No other camera in it's class has a 20X optical zoom. Although the LCD screen is small it's very handy for low or high shots. Small but crystal clear viewfinder. Dual 32GB SD card/slots give me over 6 hours of Full HD recording. Love the HDMI port. Logical button placements and Headphone jack. LANC control for full rear control. There are so many additional features the camera offers I simply impressed with what you get for the price. I'm actually surprised SONY isn't charging more for this camera....wait a minute... They are... did someone say NX5U for $4,599? In all fairness the NX5U does offer a few more options but other than that they are identical. If you're an event videographer then this is an absolute solid investment. You should at least give it a serious consideration prior to purchasing anything else. Happy shooting!

No Tape Changing!

Pros: Not having to change tape in the middle of a deposition

Cons: Time Date stamp are not in the regular lower left and no display out during recording

I just returned from overseas shooting for a tour event where I had no assistant to help. Not having to change tape and keep up with that was awesome and that helped me do this job by myself. I used 2, 32gig sticks and shot all day. Now when I'm working in my legal video business, not having to interrupt attorneys to change tape is so sweet! The only thing that would make this a perfect camera for the legal market would be the time/date stamp to be in it's usual lower left style and the option to turn it on the display out, by itself like the DSR-50. Then I can burn a DVD on site and not have to go back and re run it off. Please Sony, may this happen in a firmware update? : ) Not to take away from this camera though. It is absolutely wonderful. I have been using Sony cameras for 25 years and the HDR-AX2000 is the best by far. Thanks Sony!

my first video camera

Pros: easy to use, follow directions on screen

taped 8 Jr. High football games for the team. Camera is great. I have no idea what all the features are, just set it on "auto" and go. Good, clear, well lit video. Again, not much experience at all, so my suggestions are aimed toward people who want more out of themselves by purchasing better equipment.

Sony ax2000

Pros: Low light, Dual XLR input for audio. Easy of use

Cons: Wish it would not go to 3.5 at full zoom, needs to be faster

Ten years of loyal service, my 3 Sony pd150's. Now it's time to go hd. I went with the Sony ax2000. I shoot events. Wanted to stay with Sony. Sony ax 2000, excellent in low light. Easy of use. Controls. Full manual, full auto. Use of peaking to check focus. Two 16 gig cards gives 180 minutes of 1080i hd video. Awesome. Thanks Sony. Well done Sony. An excellent camera for the event Videographer. My tip for best results. Use a monopod with. Lanc control Limit ac gain to 12 db.wonderful camera

Great Camera

Pros: This camera is great!!!!

Cons: I wish the low light was just a tad better

I have owned my video business for 25 years and always depended on Sony equipment and still do today. I purchased the AX1000 back in April and I love this camera! I have no idea why others are complaining about a 2 gig limit. I can shoot 3 hours of HD 1080i in fx mode and it is one single with no cuts in audio, or video. I HIGHLY recommend this camera!

Big Bang for the Buck

Pros: Low Light Image Quality, Automatic Features, Manual Features

Cons: None Yet

Ok, this is coming from someone used to working with profesional cameras, at twice the price of this unit. This is a must have camera for a prosumer. The number of required features for profesional results are here, along with many useful shortcuts to allow you to get the shot you need. Low light quality was shocking, I litterally couldn't believe the performance in a non-lit environment. Color representation was acurate and the clarity of the picture was refreshing. I have yet to put the camera through all its paces, and have not taken it out on the street yet, but the first impressions were very positive. For example, coloorbars, audio controls, white balance control, zebra striping, expanded focus, camera shake compensation, auto and manual focus, use of Duo Pro Media, HDMI, USB, Component outputs, XLR Audio inputs. All for under 4K. This is a no brainer. I'm beyond pleased.

Finally the HOLY GRAIL of camcorders!

Pros: Audio, long run times on SD cards, zoom range, maual controls

Cons: No cons! This thing is perfect!

I've been a Sony guy for a long time and they just keep getting better! I can't say enough good things about the audio controls. Duel XLR, manuel control. Put one channel on internal mic, one on shot gun or wireless. Mic/line switch is handy. Some have said the on board mic is no good but you have to switch the wind noise filter to off and its good. The focal lenght is awesome, it is super wide and zooms in plenty. No need to buy expensive wide angle lens! I love all the manuel controls on the left side of the camera! The touch screen is cool too! Coming from a FX1000 the coolest thing is NEVER running out of tape again. A 32 gig card goes 242 minutes on FH (second best setting)! Plus NO MORE GLITCHES! I am SO done with tape! Another plus coming from the VX2000, PD150 AND FX1000 cameras is all lanc remotes and batteries work with this cam too! I got this for $3200 plus tax and at this price, what an amazing deal! I am ordering another as soon as this one is paid for. Go for the interest free financing and low cost Sony extended warranty too! I love this camera!

Best purchase for this quality

Pros: 1.5 lux, XLR, wide angle lens

Cons: 2GB limit causing a gap in sound

Purchased 2 of these camera's a few weeks ago. Used it for multicam shooting. The 2 GB limit due the FAT32 file system can be a disturbance in the production. But using 2 cameras this gap isn't a problem since the other camera will overleap the gap of first cam. The sound can be improved very much by using a good quality uni-directional fantom mic. Needs the newest editing programs. I use the Adobe Premiere C5 on a MacBook Pro i7. Works very fine. Version AP C3 and C4 need a plug-in from Mainsconcept to get able importing the .MTS files. Final Cut Express nor the Pro version isn't the appropriate editing program cause the .MTS video files cannot be imported. It has to be converted first. I hope Sony will come soon with a firmware update to get rid of the fat32 file system, abling to use the SCXD memory cards. This will make the AX2000 the perfect cam. **** rating due the 2GB gap

2 Gig limit, video and audio dropped frames

To eliminate the frame and audio dropouts with the 2Gig file limit, use Sony's PMB software. It sews 2Gig clips together into one long file with no drops at 2Gig seams.

Excellent Camera for Green Screen!

Pros: Solid feel, awesome lens, extensive set of manual controls

Cons: The Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo is very small, feels fragile, hard to remove from my card reader

I create training videos and help my aspiring-artist friends create their demo videos to send to potential employers. I use green screen extensively, and the HDR-AX2000 produces superb video for keying. I use Ultra Key in Adobe Premiere CS5 and the results are absolutely amazing (quick too). You do need a reasonably powerful computer to get these kinds of results (I’m using a 64-bit Windows 7 box with an Intel Core i7 and 16 GB of RAM), but if you want to produce pro quality video, this camera will do it.

Don't Buy

Pros: Good lens and picture quality

Cons: poor sound, breaks recording at 2 GB file size and drops frames

If you are shooting camcorder type videos under 12 minutes this is a good quality product. This camera has a 2 GB file size limit. EVERYTIME it breaks the recording to start a new file it first drops about 4 frames of video and then freezes the video (uses the same shot) for 3 frames before starting back up. AND, it drops the audio for 20 to 25 frames. I have an FX1000, a V1U, an SR11 and a Canon 7D. Even the old SR11 is superior to the AX2000 in maintaining the video and audio when starting a new file. The Canon 7D is far superior. I called Sony tech support and was told this was expected behaviour and not their problem. It's a good 2nd or 3rd camera but can't be used as a primary camera. The FX1000 has much better audio quality and records great contiguous video and audio.

Problems with Final Cut Express(!!)

Cons: Doesn't work with Final Cut Express 4.0.

Bought the camera with high expectations. Right now it's a $3,500 boat anchor! Can't get it to work with Final Cut Express 4.0 in HD or SD modes. Was told it was compatible but it's not. Sony and Apple don't get along apparently. May have to send the camera back and buy a camera from another manufacturer if we can't get a reasonable solution in the next few days! Google "AX-2000 compatible with Final Cut?" and see how many people are asking the same question. Beware buyers!!!

Pros: Lightweight, but an L-shaped view finder would be easier on the wrist

Cons: files are long, and do not always work with FCP Suite 3

Have four of these cameras, and find them adequate for most HD recording, but multiple files can be difficult to sync. Had several Scan Disk chips - same size, and it would not format some. In two cases it formatted the discs, started a recording then gave an error message. When the error message was satisfied with the proper response, it went on to record - alas, nothing was on the chip at the end - an entire parade missed. Am looking for new cameras

Awesome Camera

Pros: Great Picture. Great Features. Easy to use. No Tape.

Cons: None

I'm a retired Commercial Photographer/Graphic Designer and have worked with JVC and Canon MiniDV cameras in the past. This camera puts them to shame. It has most of the usable features and capability of the Sony full Pro cameras for a lot less money. I was also looking at Canon, JVC and Panasonic, but easily made the choice on this camera because of what it has to offer for the money. The solid state aspect of this camera is wonderful. It allows for easy review of your work when shooting and makes transfer and editing of your work very smooth. It also works very well with Final Cut Express or Final Cut Pro. Although I've only owned this camera for a few weeks, I've used it enough to be convinced that I made the right decision. You can't go wrong here!

Dropped Frames

Pros: okay image

Cons: drops frames at 2 gig mark

I, too, have had problems at the 2 gig file size mark with dropped frames. WarriorKing: When you transfer your files, do you not have numerous 2 gig files for the one long piece of footage. When put back to back, I notice quite a drop in frames both audio and video. Absolutely sucks for what I need this camera for.