Sony HXR-NX100 Review, Unboxing, User Manual
HIGHLIGHTS:
SONY HXR-NX100 CAMCORDER - OVERVIEW
The Sony HXR-NX100, released in 2015 is much more dedicated to professional event videographers, wedding photographers and other commercial purposes. Most professionals would fall in love with its ease-of-use features, top-class performance, and flexibility. This NX series professional video camera packs a big 1.0 type image sensor, efficient Sony G zoom lens, and built-in ND filters in a compact body for providing stunning results.
The sturdy handheld structure comes with smart automatic functionalities, a set of manual control buttons, and lens rings to ease your job. The 48X zooming capacity, low light shooting capability, numerous control buttons, and the focus/zoom/IRIS control manual rings help a lot during live event shootings.
SONY HXR-NX100 REVIEW
DESIGN AND FEATURES
The Sony HXR-NX100 has an ergonomically designed compact body, which is perfect for outdoor shooting.
The video camera weighs only 1.8 kg; but, it comes with a sturdy construction of premium-quality material. A person can easily handle this palm-sized pro HD video camera with one hand, while the easy control features show extra efficiency.
Users can use the HXR-NX100 in fully automatic mode. Also, they can manually set the creative aspects like focus, zoom, and white balance manually. One can do that by incorporating the three individual lens rings natural adjustment settings in the camcorder.
Some easy-access buttons are also there on the camera body that let you adjust aperture, shutter speed, GAIN video, and control recordings.
The 20 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor provides pleasing bokeh and keeps the picture quality clear and steady, even under complicated lighting conditions.
Note: You can blindly trust this camcorder for taking wedding pictures/videos. It gives you complete focus on the subject, thus enabling you to focus on the married couple and get complete background isolation. When taking family pictures at a wedding, be it even 15-20 people in the frame, every face will look tack sharp, and that's the level of sharpness this camcorder provides.
The 1.0 type sensor is much larger than other image sensor types, so ultimately, it can capture more light with less noise and blurriness. Moreover, the backside-illuminated nature increases its low-light sensitivity.
The ND filter function lets you choose between four mechanical filtering positions – clear, 2 stops 1/4ND, 4 stops 1/16ND, and 16 stops 1/64ND. These conventional positions provide better control over the depth of field and exposure.
The users can record in DV and AVCHD formats; which are very efficient for conventional post-production workflow. Sony also includes XAVC S format recording at 50 Mb/s speed in the HXR-NX100 model for stunning image quality, better workflow efficiency, and storage efficiency. The higher bit rate of the XAVC S format includes less noise, and most non-linear editors (NLEs) support this video format. But, you need to use a Class 10-rated SDXC media card for recording in XAVC S format.
It has a 3.5” articulating LCD type display screen and a 0.24” electronic LCD viewfinder. Both have 1,560,000 Dot pixel resolutions that offer low latency and precise monitoring efficiency.
Image and video quality
The HXR-NX100 comes with a fixed 29mm wide-angle zoom lens that provides 12X optical zooming for video capturing and 24X zooming capacity for capturing clear images. But, you can increase the zooming performance up to 48X magnification with the help of a digital extender function.
The Sony HXR-NX100 offers 1920 x 1080P full HD video recording in all mentioned formats with 24p, 30p, 60i, and 60p frame rates. Moreover, the users can shoot respectively down to 2X slow-motion video or up to 60X respective quick-motion video at 720P resolution up to 60 fps in AVCHD format.
Plus, it offers the highest clarity even while the camera is at its highest zoom magnification range. The camcorder allows users to adjust approx 99 parameters like gamma, color model/phase/level, black level, and much more, which can be saved as picture profiles for future reference. The users can store a maximum of 6 profiles or copy the picture profiles from one NX100 model to another NX100 model.
Storage
The HXR-NX100 equips two memory card slots for continuous video recording capability. One memory slot is compatible only with SDHC/SDXC cards, and the other slot also accepts Memory Stick PRO Mark 2 Duo and PRO-HG Duo cards along with SD cards.
The "RELAY" mode enables simultaneous recording with two memory cards. When the memory storage of the primary card becomes full, it shifts the recorded files to the secondary memory card. On the other hand, the "SIMUL" mode lets you choose memory cards where you want to store the recording.
The rechargeable Sony L series Li-ion battery lets users record or playback video respectively up to 445 minutes.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The MI shoe provides stable signal and power connections. It is compatible with most Sony accessories like wireless microphones of the UWP-D series or HVL-LBPC Video Light.
This camcorder model of Sony offers several built-in wired connectivity options. It incorporates the most demanding XLR terminals for professional audio inputs, Micro/Multi USB, and HDMI ports, including composite BNC and wireless remote connectivity.
NOTE: "Also check my list of the top camcorders with HDMI output, to see how this video cam is better than others in terms of audio support."
You can also try using a Sony HXR-NX80 camcorder, or a Sony HXR-NX200 camcorder
BEST FEATURES OF THE SONY HXR-NX100
Sony video cameras are always in demand in the camera market, and we know that. And there are numerous reasons for users to buy this HXR-NX100 model. The list starts with a handy body with easy-access functions, a larger 1” type image sensor, decent stabilization, a bigger display screen, and more. However, the affordable price point and longer battery life increase its demand among all amateurs to professionals, every videographer.
SPECIFICATIONS OF SONY HXR-NX100
LENS SPECIFICTION
Focal Length | 9.3 to 111.6mm |
Optical Zoom | 12X. |
Digital Zoom | 48X |
Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
Minimum Aperture | f/4.5 |
Filter Size | M62 mm |
Control Rings | Focus Zoom Iris |
Focus Control | Autofocus Manual Focus |
IMAGE SENSOR
Sensor Size | 1" Type |
Sensor Type | CMOS Sensor |
Resolution | 14.2 Megapixel |
CAMERA SPECIFICATION
Image Stabilization | Integrated Optical Stabilizer |
Built-In ND Filter | 2 Stop (1/4), 4 Stop (1/16), and 6 Stop (1/64) ND Filter |
Shutter Speed | 1/6 to 1/10,000 sec |
Gain | -3 to 33 dB |
Minimum Illumination | 1.5 Lux at 1/30 Shutter Speed |
White Balance | 2300 to 15,000K |
VIDEO RECORDING
Recording Formats | AVCHD/ XAVC S |
Video Resolution | AVCHD 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/29.97/59.94 fps (17 to 28 Mb/s) XAVC S 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/29.97/59.94 fps (50 Mb/s) |
DISPLAY SCREEN
Screen Size | 3.5" |
Resolution | 1,560,000 Dot |
Display Type | Articulating LCD Screen |
EVF
EVF Display Type | LCD |
Screen Size | .24" |
EVF Resolution | 1,560,000 Dots |
CONNECTIVITY
Wired Connection | XLR Inputs, USB, HDMI |
Wireless Interfaces | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) |
MOUNTING FEATURE
Accessory Mount | 1 Multi-Interface Shoe |
Tripod Mount | 1/4"-20 Female Thread |
POWER
Battery Type | Sony L-Series, Info-Lithium |
Battery Capacity | 4400mAh |
Output Voltage | DC 7.2 V |
SONY HXR-NX100 TEST FOOTAGE
SONY HXR-NX100 UNBOXING
SONY NXCAM HXR-NX100 USER MANUAL
You will be receiving a detailed user manual while purchasing a Sony HXR-NX100. But, if you can also view the user manual from the Company's official website. The user manual will have a complete guide on the different camera settings, firmware, and safety precautions you will need to follow while using this camcorder.
If you wish to check the user manual of this Sony HXR-NX100 camcorder, click here.
SONY HXR-NX100 accessories
Battery
Sony updated their HXR-NX100 camcorder model by incorporating an advanced L Series - Li-ion battery pack. It comes with the Sony NP-F770 Lithium-Ion battery (4400mAh) batteries; that last up to 8 hours.
The in-built microprocessor calculates the remaining battery life within minutes. The advantages of Lithium-ion allow users to charge or discharge it at any time without involving memory effects.
Still, we recommend users carry an extra pair of battery packs; while going for outdoor shooting to cover live events. You can use NX100 compatible NP-F970 L Series batteries (6300mAh) that provide 30% extra stamina and more than 12 hours long continuous running time after a single full charge.
Tripods, Monopods
Though Sony HXR NX100 uses an optical steady shot mechanism for image stabilization; still, we would like to suggest professionals use NX100 compatible tripods or monopods, especially while capturing some precious moments. The tripods or monopods will help you a lot to avoid camera shake, as well as they will take the camera weight, so you never shoulder pain even after prolonged shooting hours.
Microphone
The Sony HXR NX100 bundle does not come with a microphone; but, the camcorder features microphone inputs for connecting external mics. The users can use a Sony NX100 compatible external microphone that has an XLR jack. We recommend choosing an omnidirectional audio recorder that has a noise cancellation mechanism and comes with a windscreen guard. Such microphones capture professional quality audio without involving background or wind noise.
AC adaptors
To these battery use a AC Adapter with dual battery charger for fast charging. Plus, the LCD display shows the charging time, battery life, and even the month and year when you’d used it for the last time.
Conclusion
The HXR-NX100 will be the ideal choice for those who want a versatile camcorder at a low-cost investment. Sony not only introduced this model especially for professional live event videographers who often shoot under complicated environments but also priced it sensibly for beginners.
