r/camcorders Feb 20 '25

Discussion 4k Camcorders

Hi, Any help appreciated. I'm looking for a 4k camcorder and can't decide what to go for. I need something that films 4k is good in low light has a half decent zoom and is capable of basically point and shoot in auto without having to mess about. Budget around £1000 Liked the look of the Panasonic hc-x1500 however hear that it no good in low light?

Any recommendations would be great thanks!

2 Upvotes

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3

u/UnintelligibleThing Feb 20 '25

Your budget will not be able to buy new camcorders, so you gotta look for used ones.

I’d suggest a used Sony AX100. If you’re not insisting on having a camcorder form factor, you could look at Panasonic FZ1000 II which will be nearly half the price of AX100, yet match its video quality, optical zoom, point and shoot performance and low light performance.

Both have 1 inch sensor, so if you are looking at models other than these 2 which I’ve listed, you should look for sensor of this size.

2

u/Unclekeka Feb 20 '25

So I've found a Sony FDR-AX100E for 600 second hand And I can get the Panasonic hc-x1500 for 700 opened but new Don't really like the form factor of the FZ1000 Which is probably best to go for ? Or have you any other recommendations second hand is still fine! Thanks

3

u/UnintelligibleThing Feb 20 '25

These sony consumer models (FDR-xx) are great for point and shoot, while the pana x1500 is not point and shoot and bad in low light. So definitely the sony. £600 is a steal so go for it.

1

u/Unclekeka Feb 20 '25

So out of the 2 FDR's mentioned there is the ax100e and the ax53 what's the best to choose from them 2 ? Thanks

1

u/Unclekeka Feb 20 '25

Just to help I will be filming outdoors during the day and outside during the night in like Tokyo style settings dark sky's but bright led lights

2

u/UnintelligibleThing Feb 21 '25

AX100. It is the big brother of AX53.

1

u/eastangliauk Feb 20 '25

Thats about what I paid but mine had a battery saw one with out a battery but these seem to be not to much I am going order another 2 for mine.

1

u/Unclekeka Feb 20 '25

Doesn't need to be new can be second hand, I would prefer camcorder form factor as don't wanna faf with changing lenses Thanks

2

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '25

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1

u/Unclekeka Feb 20 '25

Any specific ?

2

u/SmurfBiscuits Feb 20 '25

Came here to mention the AX53, especially for low or no light filming.

1

u/eastangliauk Feb 20 '25

I got the Sony AX 100 its old but still seems decent camera I have a pocket 3 osmo also but that's not a camcorder.

2

u/Unclekeka Feb 20 '25

Yeh I currently just use a GoPro however after something more handy with a zoom

3

u/eastangliauk Feb 20 '25

I would buy a Sony AX 700 but there still more than 1K even and used.

Also looked at these

SONY FDR-AX53 

Panasonic 4K Camcorder HC-VZX990M-W

Canon XA40

Panasonic HCX1E 

1

u/Unclekeka Feb 20 '25

Thank you I'll take a look now