| |
Model
|
| Canon XH A1 | Sony HDR-AX2000 | Sony HXR-NX5 | |
| Picture ? | | | | Picture ? |
| Manufacturer | Canon 
| Sony
| Sony
| Manufacturer |
| Name | XH A1 | HDR-AX2000 | HXR-NX5 | Name |
| European name ? | XH A1 | HDR-AX2000 | HXR-NX5E | European name ? |
| US name ? | XH A1 | HDR-AX2000 | HXR-NX5U | US name ? |
| lowest US price | 2929 $ | 3499 $ | (5355) $ | lowest US price |
| On the market since | November 2006 | February 2010 | January 2010 | On the market since |
| Manufacturers URL | link to Canon | link to Sony | link to Sony | Manufacturers URL |
|
|
Test preview
|
| [ top ] | Canon XH A1 | Sony HDR-AX2000 | Sony HXR-NX5 | |
| slashCAM rating ? | Very good
 | Very good
| Very good
| slashCAM rating ? |
| test picture 1200 Lux | | | | test picture 1200 Lux |
| Test image 12 lux auto-mode | | | | Test image 12 lux auto-mode |
Video
|
| [ top ] | Canon XH A1 | Sony HDR-AX2000 | Sony HXR-NX5 | |
| Video formats ? | MiniDV
HDV
| AVCHD
SD MPEG2
| AVCHD
SD MPEG2
| Video formats ? |
| Recording Medium | MiniDV/HDV-Cassette
| SDHC card
Memory Stick PRO Duo
| SDHC card
Memory Stick PRO Duo
| Recording Medium |
| video resolutions EU ? | HDV 1440 x 1080/50i
MiniDV 720 x 576/50i
MiniDV 720 x 576/25F
HDV 1440 x 1080/25F
| AVCHD 1440 x 1080/50i
MPEG2 720 x756/50i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/50i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/25p
| AVCHD 1440 x 1080/50i
MPEG2 720 x756/50i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/50i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/25p
AVCHD 1280 x 720/50p
AVCHD 1280 x 720/25p
| video resolutions EU ? |
| video resolutions US ? | HDV 1440 x 1080/60i
HDV 1440 x 1080/24p
HDV 1440 x 1080/30p
MiniDV 720 x 480/60i
720 MiniDV x480/24p
MiniDV 720 x 480/30p
| AVCHD 1920 x 1080/60i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/24p
AVCHD 1440 x 1080/60i
SD MPEG2 720 x 480
| AVCHD 1920 x 1080/60i
AVCHD 1920 x 1080/24p
AVCHD 1280 x 720/60p
AVCHD 1280 x 720/24p
SD MPEG2 720 x 480
| video resolutions US ? |
| Max Bitrate ? | 25 Mbit/s | 24 Mbit/s | 24 Mbit/s | Max Bitrate ? |
| Compression format ? | DV
MPEG2
| MPEG2
MPEG4
| MPEG2
MPEG4
| Compression format ? |
| on-board memory ? | | | | on-board memory ? |
| Optics |
| Optics Manufacturer ? | Canon
| Sony
| Sony
| Optics Manufacturer ? |
| Optical Zoom ? | 20 x | 20 x | 20 x | Optical Zoom ? |
| Wide Angle 16:9 ? | 32,5 mm | 29,5 mm | 29,5 mm | Wide Angle 16:9 ? |
| Filter diameter ? | 72 mm | 72 mm | 72 mm | Filter diameter ? |
| Image Stabilization ? | optical
| optically and electronically
| optically and electronically
| Image Stabilization ? |
| ND Filter ? | 2 | 3 | 3 | ND Filter ? |
| Exchangable optics ? | No
| No
| No
| Exchangable optics ? |
| Image Sensor |
| Number of sensors ? | 3 | 3 | 3 | Number of sensors ? |
| Size of image sensor ? | 1/3 inch | 1/3 inch | 1/3 inch | Size of image sensor ? |
| image sensor effective pixel count 16:9 ? | 1560000 Pixel | 1037000 Pixel | 1037000 Pixel | image sensor effective pixel count 16:9 ? |
| Image Sensor Type ? | CCD
| CMOS
| CMOS
| Image Sensor Type ? |
| Controls |
| White Balance ? | auto
manual
presets
| auto
manual
presets
WB-Shift
| auto
manual
presets
WB-Shift
| White Balance ? |
| Focus ? | auto
manual
| auto
manual
| auto
manual
| Focus ? |
| Minimum shutter time ? | 16.000 | 10.000 | 16.000 | Minimum shutter time ? |
| Maximum shutter time ? | 1/3 | 1/3 | 1/2 | Maximum shutter time ? |
| Apperture control ? | auto
manual
| auto
manual
AE-Shift
| auto
manual
AE-Shift
| Apperture control ? |
| Infrared recording ? | No
| No
| No
| Infrared recording ? |
| Expanded Focus ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Expanded Focus ? |
| Peaking ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Peaking ? |
| Signal Processing |
| Zebra ? | Off
70-100%
| 70-100% | 70-100% | Zebra ? |
| Histogram ? | No
| No
| Yes
| Histogram ? |
| adjustable sharpness ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| adjustable sharpness ? |
| Adjustable color ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Adjustable color ? |
| Cinegamma ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Cinegamma ? |
| Black Strech ? | Yes
| No
| Yes
| Black Strech ? |
| Knee ? | Yes
| No
| Yes
| Knee ? |
| Colorbars ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Colorbars ? |
| Misc. |
| Shot Transition ? | Yes
| No
| No
| Shot Transition ? |
| Custom Presets ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Custom Presets ? |
| Set Time Code ? | Yes
| No
| No
| Set Time Code ? |
Configuration
|
| Connections |
| [ top ] | Canon XH A1 | Sony HDR-AX2000 | Sony HXR-NX5 | |
FBAS ?
synonymous: RCA, composite | In
Out
| Out
| Out
| FBAS ?
synonymous: RCA, composite |
YC ?
synonymous: S-Video | | About Special Equipment
| About Special Equipment
| YC ?
synonymous: S-Video |
YUV ?
synonymous: Component Signal | Out
| Out
| Out
| YUV ?
synonymous: Component Signal |
| HDMI ? | No
| Out
| Out
| HDMI ? |
DV / HDV (FireWire) ?
synonymous: ILink / IEEE-1394 | In
Out
| - | - | DV / HDV (FireWire) ?
synonymous: ILink / IEEE-1394 |
| USB ? | No
| USB 2.0
| USB 2.0
| USB ? |
| Microphone / Audio input ? | XLR
Mini-jack
| XLR
| XLR
| Microphone / Audio input ? |
| Headphones ? | Mini-jack
| Mini-jack
| Mini-jack
| Headphones ? |
| Lanc ? | Yes
| No
| No
| Lanc ? |
| Time-code interface ? | No
| No
| No
| Time-code interface ? |
| Genlock ? | No
| No
| No
| Genlock ? |
| Accessory shoe ? | Standard
| Standard
| Standard
| Accessory shoe ? |
| HD-SDI ? | No
| No
| No
| HD-SDI ? |
| Misc. |
| Weight (without battery) | 2100 g | 2100 g | 2100 g | Weight (without battery) |
| Weight (with battery) | 2200 g | 2300 g | 2300 g | Weight (with battery) |
| Battery type | Canon BP-950G
| Sony F570
| | Battery type |
| Battery capacity | 5200 mAh | | | Battery capacity |
| Charger ? | external
| internal
| external
| Charger ? |
| Remote control | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Remote control |
| Size |
| Height | 163 mm | 173 mm | 173 mm | Height |
| Width | 189 mm | 187 mm | 187 mm | Width |
| Depth | 350 mm | 342 mm | 342 mm | Depth |
| Relative Size ? | 107 | 110 | 110 | Relative Size ? |
| Viewfinder |
| Viewfinder available ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Viewfinder available ? |
| Color Viewfinder ? | B/W and color
| Color
| Color
| Color Viewfinder ? |
| Viewfinder format ? | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | Viewfinder format ? |
| Viewfinder pixels ? | 269000 Pixel | 1226880 Pixel | 1226880 Pixel | Viewfinder pixels ? |
| Display |
| Display available ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Display available ? |
| Color display ? | B/W and color
| Color
| Color
| Color display ? |
| Display size | 2,8 Inch | 3,2 Inch | 3,2 Inch | Display size |
| Display format ? | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | Display format ? |
| Display pixels ? | 207000 Pixel | 921600 Pixel | 921600 Pixel | Display pixels ? |
| Touch Screen ? | No
| Yes
| No
| Touch Screen ? |
| External controls |
| Manual Zoom ? | Rocker
Ring
| Rocker
Ring
| Rocker
Ring
| Manual Zoom ? |
| Manual Focus ? | Ring
| Ring
| Ring
| Manual Focus ? |
| Manual Aperture ? | Ring
| Ring
button
| Ring
button
| Manual Aperture ? |
| Focus switcher ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Focus switcher ? |
| ND Filter ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| ND Filter ? |
| Exp Lock ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Exp Lock ? |
| Gain ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Gain ? |
| White balance ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| White balance ? |
| Push AF ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Push AF ? |
| Audio Levels ? | Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Audio Levels ? |
Custom Keys ?
synonymous: User buttons | 2 | 7 | 7 | Custom Keys ?
synonymous: User buttons |
Audio
|
| [ top ] | Canon XH A1 | Sony HDR-AX2000 | Sony HXR-NX5 | |
| Audio Formats ? | MiniDV: 2x48kHz 16bit PCM
MiniDV: 4x32kHz 12bit PCM
HDV: 2x48kHz 16bit MPEG 1
| Dolby AC-3 Digital 2 channel 48 KHz
| 2 channel PCM
| Audio Formats ? |
| Microphone ? | Stereo internal
Mini-jack external
external XLR
| Stereo internal
external XLR
| Stereo internal
external XLR
| Microphone ? |
| Audio Control ? | auto
manual
| auto
manual
| auto
manual
| Audio Control ? |
| Audio levels ? | Viewfinder
Screen
display
| Viewfinder
Screen
| Viewfinder
Screen
| Audio levels ? |
Still
|
| [ top ] | Canon XH A1 | Sony HDR-AX2000 | Sony HXR-NX5 | |
| Recording Medium ? | SD Card
| Memory Stick Duo
| Memory Stick Duo
| Recording Medium ? |
| Medium included ? | No
| No
| No
| Medium included ? |
| Effective pixels ? | 1560000 Pixel | | 1037000 Pixel | Effective pixels ? |
| Resolutions ? | 1920x1080
1440x1080
848x480
640x480 | | | Resolutions ? |
| Standard ? | JPEG Exif 2.2
| JPEG Exif 2.2
| JPEG Exif 2.2
| Standard ? |
| Flash ? | No
| No
| No
| Flash ? |
Misc.
|
| [ top ] | Canon XH A1 | Sony HDR-AX2000 | Sony HXR-NX5 | |
| Specials | | "Smooth Slow Record" slow motion. | "Smooth Slow Record" slow motion.128GB flash recorder is available (optional) | Specials |
Product Shots
|
| [ top ] | Canon XH A1 | Sony HDR-AX2000 | Sony HXR-NX5 | |
| View 1 | | | | View 1 |
| View 2 | | | | View 2 |
Test results
|
| Test pictures |
| [ top ] | Canon XH A1 | Sony HDR-AX2000 | Sony HXR-NX5 | |
| luminance resolution | | | | luminance resolution |
| chrominance resolution | | | | chrominance resolution |
| lens distortion | | | | lens distortion |
| test small ISO image | | | | test small ISO image |
| noise / internal microphone | | | | noise / internal microphone |
| test picture 1200 Lux | | | | test picture 1200 Lux |
| Test image 12 lux auto-mode ? | | | | Test image 12 lux auto-mode ? |
| Test image 12 lux optimized ? | | | | Test image 12 lux optimized ? |
| slashCAM rating |
| Lowlight ? | Good | Very good | Very good | Lowlight ? |
| Resolution ? | Excellent | Very good | Very good | Resolution ? |
| Color performance ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Color performance ? |
| subj.Picture impression ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | subj.Picture impression ? |
| Optical Zoom ? | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Optical Zoom ? |
| Wide Angle ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Wide Angle ? |
| Configuration / image ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Configuration / image ? |
| Configuration / sound ? | Excellent | Very good | Very good | Configuration / sound ? |
| Handling ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Handling ? |
| Portability ? | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Portability ? |
| Photo function ? | Sufficient | Poor | Poor | Photo function ? |
| Optics ? | Good | Good | Good | Optics ? |
| Dynamics ? | Very good | Very good | Very good | Dynamics ? |
| Conclusion slashCAM |
| slashCAM rating ? | Very good
| Very good
| Very good
| slashCAM rating ? |
Total score ?
(maximal 570) | 441 | 433 | 433 | Total score ?
(maximal 570) |
| Pros | + Excellent resolution in brightness and color
+ Exceptionally well equipped
| + large wide angle
+ XLR audio
+ good low light performance
+ high resolution display / viewfinder
| + large wide angle
+ XLR audio
+ good low light performance
+ high resolution display / viewfinder
| Pros |
| Cons | - Occasional image errors due to the lens
| - sharpness only average
- no touch focus
- no shot transition
| - sharpness only average
- no touch focus
- no shot transition
| Cons |
| Conclusion | The XHA1 Canon has CCDs with excellent resolution of both brightness as well as color.The dynamic behavior can be changed to outstanding values with knee, noise suppression and -3dB gain, which combined with the sober colors ensures a very clean image impression.Only the lens with its 20x zoom shows occasional distortion and chromatic aberrations.Partly due to much noise, the XH A1 is only "good" in low-light situations. | Consumer camcorders like Panasonics 300-series or the JVC GZ-HM400 are able to deliver sharper FullHD images.But on the other hand the AX2000 shines with its low light capabilities, handling, display, viewfinder, wide angle and also in the audio section.As a universal workhorse this semiprofessionell AVCHD-camcorder thus makes a thoroughly good impression.Also the pricing which lies well below the EX1 makes it interesting.A touch focus and shot transiton had been nice though.The former could (as an option) be of advantage also on a rather professional model like this, while the latter would seperate it more from consumer devices. | Above all the Sony persuades with its low light capabilities, audio section, handling, display, viewfinder and wide angle.As a universal workhorse this semiprofessionell AVCHD-camcorder thus makes a thoroughly good impression. | Conclusion |
More information
|
| Reviews and Forums |
| [ top ] | Canon XH A1 | Sony HDR-AX2000 | Sony HXR-NX5 | |
| slashCAM Review | XH A1 Review | HDR-AX2000 Review | HXR-NX5 Review | slashCAM Review |
| external reviews/tests |  www.dv.com
www.camcorderinfo.com
| | | external reviews/tests |
| Comparison | Canon XH A1 compared to Canon XH A1s
Canon XH A1 compared to Sony HDR-FX1000
Canon XH A1 compared to Sony HVR-Z5
Canon XH A1 compared to Sony HVR-V1
Canon XH A1 compared to Panasonic AG-HMC151
Canon XH A1 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX171
Canon XH A1 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX170
Canon XH A1 compared to Panasonic AG-HVX200
Canon XH A1 compared to JVC GY-HM100
Canon XH A1 compared to Sony HVR-A1
Canon XH A1 compared to JVC HD Everio GZ-HD7
Canon XH A1 compared to Panasonic AG-HSC1U
| Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Canon XH A1s
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Canon XH A1
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Sony HXR-NX5
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Sony HDR-FX1000
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Sony HVR-Z5
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Canon XL H1A
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Sony HVR-V1
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Panasonic AG-HMC151
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX171
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX170
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Panasonic AG-HVX200
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to JVC GY-HM700
Sony HDR-AX2000 compared to Sony HVR-Z7
| Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Canon XH G1s
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Canon XH G1
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Sony HDR-AX2000
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Sony HVR-Z5
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Canon XL H1A
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Canon XL H1S
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Canon XL H1
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Panasonic AG-HMC151
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX171
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Panasonic AG-HPX170
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Sony HVR-Z1
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to JVC GY-HM700
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to Sony HVR-Z7
Sony HXR-NX5 compared to JVC GY-HD100
| Comparison |
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Test: SonyHDR-AX2000
Sonystellt 3-chip AVCHD camcorder HDR-AX2000 ago
| Test: SonyNXCAM HXR-NX5E
FOR SALE SONY NX5
SONY HXR-NX5E best price?
| Forum posts |
| |
