Sony PXW-X70 Professional XDCAM Compact Camcorder
UPC's:
Great Video Camera
I use this camera to record live concerts in my area. I had been using consumers cameras and have added this camera to my gear. The first time I shot with this camera, I used the XAVC recording codec. I had to use the Sony Prepare program to render out and then bring it in to Vegas Pro. The footage from this camera in low light was just amazing. I was just blown away on how clear the footage was. I added a condensed stereo mic and plug it directl... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Workhorse broadcast level camera without the expense!
I was in need up a reasonable cost upgrade to FHD 1920x1080P cababilities. I picked up another camera that was a bit more expensive but new on the market and had to return it due to terrible low light image quality. When I returned it, I spoke with a B&H rep in the video department about a reasonable cost option that uses SD cards. He pointed out two cameras and this was the one he leaned towards. The 1 sensor, low cost upgrade license to unlock ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Must have
I purchased from B&H and have this camera on hand the next day. Have used it over the weekend. I still have problem with the audio record in both internal mic or external mic (Sennheiser MKE 600). It does not have audio play back on any of the software I have on my PC including the VLC Media Player nor the Adobe Premiere CC. But it does have audio playback on the camera it self. One other thing I am very surprised to know is that in order to reco... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great Camera, Easy Button Layout, Plethora Of Features
Bought this camera to replace my Panasonic GH4. For my personal and event videography needs it is by far superior. Having all that you need in a compact design is extremely nice. The camera gives a very pleasant image with great depth of feel. To get a good picture you have to use custom picture presets. The Built in presets weren't the greatest nor is using full auto mode. A concern was not having 3 full rings or dial switches for gain etc... Th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent Unit!
I use this product for recording live concert events. The zoom on this camera makes it extremely versatile and the camera performs well in low light and the ability to use professional microphones produces a much better product. If I had anything bad to say about this camera, it is that setting white balance is more of a chore than it needs to be, butyou can store custom white balances and access those quickly. I got the 4K upgrade and it works v... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good Things Come in Small Packages
The PXW-X70 is an amazing camcorder that is also budget friendly. The 1 inch sensor is perfect for broadcast video, and I still cannot figure out how sony fit it all into this casing. The quality of the output video is really nice, and with the manual controls, integrated adjustable ND Filters, and Shotgun Mic holder its also great for run and gun shoots. The only issue with that I have found so far is that the phantom power is not as great as I ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A year on, what I've learned
I reviewed this camera about 9 months ago.I will never again believe Sony about something they say is coming soon. After nearly one year of owning this camera, it is only now capable of direct ingest in Final Cut Pro X. We were promised firmware in 2015 which would allow 4k. However, when it came, they wanted $ for it and it was a less-than-impressive implementation.I had an accident on a shoot last week. Really the first one ever. The result was... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
do not buy this
You can find a similar explanation at @ under reviews for this same camcorder. I have tried eight different video processing programs including the newest sony vegas 13 (keeping in mind this IS a sony camcorder) and none of them can read or capture the XAVC HD video. This includes taking shots with adobe premiere elements, vegas, powerdirector, corel pro x7, windows movie maker, and two software programs that are supposed to capture XAVC: Aiseeso... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Nice little broadcast camera
I bought this X70 back in August 2015 and have been shooting a documentary. The footage is really nice. I was actually amazed by the quality of the image. Sharp without being harsh. Good low-light image. Menu a bit complex, but workable. Audio control was good. It is a pro camera on a budget. I have a few concerns that did not allow me to go all 5 stars. The auto-focus is slow to react. I often waited for 8-10 seconds for the lens to focus, which... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Very Flexible
The only thing that is annoying about this camera is the lack of an external auto white balance button. To white balance you have to go into the menu to do it, after you select what white balance type (A/B/preset) externally. This is a little cumbersome when you're running and gunning. All of the connectors are easy to get to. The HDSDI output is very convenient, so you can interface with professional gear. Using good 3ghz cable I have no problem... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Nice Camera--Colors not Accurate
We purchased three of these for our daily streamed program. We needed low cost and HD-SDI output. This was by far our best cost/quality alternative.Easy to use, many nice features. Two zoom knobs--one we set to constant speed, the other variable, are useful. Iris and many assignable buttons are also excellent.We have LED lights for color wash, standard bulbs for our studio main lights. These cameras do not accurately pick up the colored lights. T... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Very Nice Camera but 4K upgrade falls short at 60Mbp/s
I like the form factor of the X70. It's a wonderful grab and go camera. Audio features are nice, picture profiles are fantastic and the image sensor is clean and sharp. However, Sony has announced a future paid firmware update that will enable 4k. (similar to the cheaper Sony Ax100) But instead of matching the AX100's 100Mbp/s 4K bitrate, Sony has committed only to offering a lowly 60Mbp/s. This is quite shocking as the AX100 is a consumer Handyc... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great camera so far
I got picked to be part of a show that is to air on the outdoor Channel. While the sponsors provide all my hunting gear, I was required to provide my own camera. I got this camera because it was the smallest of its kind and would be easiest for me to take in hunting situations. So far I really like it a lot! The quality is definitely a step up from the consumer grade cameras are used to run. I would recommend this to anyone who is somewhat of an ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Regret
$ 4K upgrade makes me sad. Picture is good and I'll definitely continue to use it, but in my effort to get ahead of the game, preordering this was my worst idea ever. If they give me 4K for free or make me pay for a MUCH better 4K capability then I'll stop giving it the cold shoulder, but until that day this is at best a B-roll camera despite it being my only video camera.Smooth stabilization, pretty DOF with the sensor, easy to color correct, sm... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
2nd Review
I use the product in the field for ENG work and also for industrials. **BIG PROBLEM*** updating the firmware screwup on a Mac. As in, no way does Sony give two lumps about Mac users kind of screwup. No support, no way through. AVCHD imports easily into Premiere Elements, cuts nicely. Shot for network newscasts, blends in nicely with super-high-end cameras. Just wish for that firmware upgrade giving two lumps about Macs. It makes the audio switche... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Best Camera for Video I have ever tried... No Photo Mode.
I recently purchased this Sony because it had balanced XLR. I already owned the AX100 non-XLR 4K model. The photo/video quality on both camera's is stellar. I own new releases from other well known manufacturers in this price range ( $2K) and the Sony 4K takes the prize. I rarely even use the 4K mode but it is nice to have. The only things you need to be aware of are 1. The 4k Firmware install is not intuitive, I watched a You Tube and it got me ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I really like this camera...
Finally Sony has created the type of small camera I've always wanted. I've used a variety of cameras and always like having a small form factor on hand for certain types of jobs. The frustration has always been either lack of full manual controls (MC-50) or lack of pro features (AX-100). This camera has it all. The audio handle while having the convenience of being removable is incredibly sturdy when attached and top notch quality. The assignable... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Undependable - Works great until it doesn't
Because I had been shooting only short video segments, I didn't realize that there was a problem until I started using this as a static camera for shooting live stage shows. Then, it started randomly shutting down after 10 mins, 15 mins, etc. When I sent it back (under a SquareTrade warranty), I was told that they couldn't replicate the problem, so they were returning the unit to me. I am now stuck with a useless camcorder because I can't depend ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The steal of the century
First of all, that dope crying about the autofocus? What professional uses autofocus?? Grow up. Ok with that out of the way, this camera is really great. I work in a news production facility primarily using the Sony PXW-X200 and I actually prefer the footage from the X70, a camera that costs 1/3 of the more professional camera. I recently added the 4K upgrade and the footage looks really good, even with only 60Mbps. Pixel peepers will cry foul I'... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good, but frustrating auto-focus
Great camera for a lot of what other folks have said, but... ...I apparently got one of the cameras that has an auto-focus that seems to not trust itself; it'll be crisp focus on the subject for a while and then suddenly go hunting to find something else to focus on. A second or two of it randomly searching, it'll go right back to your subject again for a while, and then second-guess itself and go hunting again. SUPER annoying, if not outright ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
good performer with poor support
We're still giving this the test - but so far some observatins. Very good in low light - excellent picture quality all around. Some drawbacks: no direct lanc connection - you need an adapter cable which seems unnecessary. Worse of all - Sony hasn't released a functioning Final Cut plugin for transferring the higher res XAVC files. We will order 12 of these cameras if and when that happens - but we were terribly burnt by Sony's complete lack of su... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
This a great camera. DON'T BUY IT.
This is an amazing camera. It's everything it says it is...and B&H is a wonderful company with generally flawless service. But don't buy it. Why? Because Sony has what literally amounts to NO CUSTOMER SERVICE. When you call them, there are no direct lines to the tech people (unless you want to wait between 2 days and never). And even the simplest question can't be answered. So if you run into something that's really tough, you're stuck. If I... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I like it so much, I might buy a 2nd!
I've had mine since July 2015 and I've been using it for documentaries, training videos, recording live stage shows... and the only thing that seems to be wrong is that I don't have more of these. I'm seriously considering buying a second to give me 2-camera capabilities when shooting live shows. I'm using GoPros now, but they just don't have what the X70 offers in quality and control. Note: The twin SD cards has saved me twice when one card had ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
So far, so good!
This is truly an amazing little camera. I bought it to replace my old NX5U. It does everything that much larger camera does but it's better in the following ways: The image is sharper and clearer due to the the huge chip and XAVC codec. It achieves far better depth of field. In daylight and interior shooting, the images only become really noisy above 12-15 db with the aperture open wide. THAT is astounding. The only really annoying things a... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
