Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder
- Price: $3,999.00
-
Mail In Rebate
-$300.00
(see details)
offer ends JUN 30 '13
- Free Shipping (USA)
- In Stock
- B&H # SOHXRNX5U
- Mfr# HXR-NX5U
Product Highlights
- 3 1/3" CMOS Sensors
- 1080i/1080p/720p AVCHD (@24Mbps)
- Native 1080/24p, 720/60p
- Wide Angle 20x G-Lens
- HD-SDI & HDMI Output
- SMPTE Time Code In/Out
- Dual XLR Inputs
- Simultaneous HD/MPEG-2 SD Capture
- Uses Memory Stick PRO Duo / SDHC Cards
- Built-in GPS
Remember the Essentials
Recording media is required but not included with this item. Please be sure to purchase recording media for this item.
The first in Sony's line of NXCAM solid-state camcorders, the HXR-NX5U is also the company's first professional-level AVCHD camcorder. And while it may look similar to its HDV predecessor, the HVR-Z5U, in fact this is a very different animal. Its ability to capture HD and SD video in AVCHD and MPEG-2 formats--and save it to solid state media--is only one of its distinctive traits. Full-raster 1920 x 1080 video is another, including the option of recording 720/60p video as well as 60i, 30p and 24p. And because the NX5U can capture to media cards plus an optional flash memory unit, you can simultaneously record a different signal to each, whether HD + a backup or HD + SD. The footage is then easily downloaded to a computer or backup drive using USB 2.0.
Three 1/3" CMOS Exmor sensors, a 20x 'G' lens and dual XLR inputs are carried over from the Z5U, but the beautiful video and audio these elements produce are now in service to a higher level of professional control. An HD-SDI output makes this one of the most affordable camcorders to provide uncompressed 4:2:2 output, while HDMI and RCA outputs allow for connection to professional and consumer-grade monitors alike. Timecode sync between two or more cameras is also possible, and the addition of GPS technology makes for another first on an AVCHD pro camcorder.
Meanwhile, a newly designed user interface--including convenient MODE buttons and a touch-screen menu--make setup and operation easier than ever. And if touch-screen controls aren't your thing, there are the usual navigation keys and thumbwheel to help get you around. Whether you're recording at one of the camera's four bit rates (24/17/9/5Mbps), taking advantage of simultaneous or relay HYBRID capture, or recording AC-3 or linear PCM audio, the HXR-NX5U gives you near-professional flexibility and control on a prosumer budget.
- Exmor 3 CMOS Sensors
- Three Exmor CMOS sensors with a ClearVid array comprise a state-of-the-art sensor system from Sony which realizes high resolution, high sensitivity, a wide dynamic range, and excellent color reproduction, regardless of the codec.
- Memory Recording and HYBRID
- Memory recording on affordable consumer memory cards offers workflow efficiency at both the shooting and editing stages. Combined with hybrid recording, using an optional HXR-FMU128, the user achieves a totally IT-based workflow, with the added bonus of instant data backup.
- AVCHD Format
- The revolutionary AVCHD recording format, which utilizes the MPEG-4, AVC/H.264 video codec, allows users to record HD video footage onto random access media, such as Memory Stick PRO Duo and SDHC memory cards. Its intelligent and sophisticated algorithm makes AVCHD a highly efficient compression format ideal for memory recording and IT-based editing.
- G Lens
- "G Lens", the lens featured in other successful Sony camcorders, already enjoys an excellent industry reputation. In the HXR-NX5U, this sophisticated lens is optimized to complement the camcorder's advanced image sensor and image-processing technology.
- Natural-touch Lens Operation
- The focus, zoom and iris ring are positioned on the lens barrel, and this design offers the same operability as general interchangeable lenses. Focus, zoom and iris control can all be managed easily.
- Six-blade Iris
- The six-blade iris diaphragm is nearly circular, enabling the creation of an extremely beautiful background blur.
- Built-in ND filters
- The HXR-NX5U is equipped with three built-in ND (Neutral Density) filters--1/4, 1/16, 1/64--which help to vary the depth of field with iris control.
- Active SteadyShot Feature
- Active SteadyShot® feature is a new, enhanced image stabilization system that provides a powerful shake-reduction capability, vital for handheld usage. Additional stabilization is provided by the increased optical lens coverage area and by improved detection with state-of-the-art compensation
- GPS
- A built-in global positioning system (GPS) locator allows satellite navigation data to be recorded directly onto footage for reference or posting on popular internet mapping systems. GPS data can be invaluable when searching for footage or to provide evidence of where and when footage was recorded.
- Relay Record with Dual Memory Slots
- Another new feature is continuous recording between two memory card slots. The new HXR-NX5U camcorder automatically cycles between the dual memory slots. When using two, 32-GB memory cards, six hours of continuous HD footage can be recorded.
- Optional 128GB Flash Memory Unit, HXR-FMU128
- Sony proudly introduces the HXR-FMU128, an optional 128-GB flash memory unit exclusively designed for the HXR-NX5U camcorder. This enables hybrid recording of video footage - another world first for an AVCHD professional camcorder. Other capabilities include simultaneous recording of HD and HD video footage, and even the combination of HD and SD, realizing an instant backup in the desired format. The 128-GB storage capacity provides continuous recording for almost half a day at the highest bit-rate - incredible in a unit of such compact size. This is an ideal option for recording music festivals, seminars, and weddings, and for making documentaries, all of which require extended recording times.
- Loss-less Audio Recording Capability
- The audio recording format on HXR-NX5U can be selected from either Dolby Digital stereo or Linear PCM stereo. LPCM audio recording provides uncompressed audio quality. Customers who need high quality audio, such as in music videos will be able to acquire CD quality audio data.
- MPEG-2 for SD Recording Format
- SD format recording is available in addition to HD format recording. The SD recording format uses MPEG-2 which is the same compression codec as standard DVD-VIDEO Discs. Customers who make delivery in DVD-VIDEOs will be able to obtain video data in sufficient SD quality using this format.
- Easy Operation with Newly Designed Menu
- The completely new menu interface allows users to adjust camcorder functions via a touch panel or buttons and switches. This interface is newly designed specifically for this model. Easier and more straightforward operations are achieved by the combination of a high-resolution XtraFine LCD panel, XtraFine electronic viewfinder (EVF), and well-defined layout.
- Hybrid Operation with Touch Panel & Buttons
- The HXR-NX5U is equipped with a touch panel LCD with a complete new interface specifically designed for this new camcorder. Most of settings can be adjusted by touch screen operation, which is easy, straightforward, and instinctive for operators. However, standard operation using buttons and switches is also available, to provide users with choices to suit any shooting situation.
| Signal System |
NTSC 1080/60i, 30p, 24p, 720/60p 480/60i, 30p, 24p |
| Image Device |
1/3" ClearVid 3CMOS with ExmorTM Technology 1.04 MegaPixels Each |
| Lens |
20x G-Lens 29.5-590mm (35mm Equivalent), f/1.6-3.4 72mm Filter Thread |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Horizontal Resolution | 1080 Lines |
| Sensitivity | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Minimum Illumination | 1.5 lux |
| Vertical Smear | Not Applicable |
| Built-in Filters | Clear, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64 |
| LCD Monitor | 3.2", 921,600 Pixels |
| Viewfinder | 0.45" Color, 1.2 MegaPixels |
| Scan Matching | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Memory Card Slot |
MemoryStick PRO Duo SD/SDHC Flash Memory Unit |
| Shutter Speed Range |
60i/30p/60p: 1/4-1/10000 24p: 1/3-1/10000 Auto: 60i/60p: 1/60-1/2000, 30p: 1/30-1/2000, 24p: 1/48-1/2400 |
| Gain Selection | -6, -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21dB |
| Recording | |
|---|---|
| Video Formats |
HD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD) SD: MPEG-2 PS |
| Recording Rate |
AVCHD FX (24Mbps) 1920 x 1080/60i AVCHD FH (17Mbps) 1920 x 1080/60i AVCHD HQ (9Mbps) 1440 x 1080/60i AVCHD LP (5Mbps) 1440 x 1080/60i AVCHD FX (24Mbps) 1920 x 1080/24p AVCHD FH (17Mbps) 1920 x 1080/24p AVCHD FX (24Mbps) 1920 x 1080/30p AVCHD FH (17Mbps) 1920 x 1080/30p AVCHD FX (24Mbps) 1280 x 720/60p AVCHD FH (17Mbps) 1280 x 720/60p MPEG2 SD HQ (9Mbps) 720 x 480/60i MPEG2 SD HQ (9Mbps) 720 x 480/60i (24p Scan) MPEG2 SD HQ (9Mbps) 720 x 480/60i (30p Scan) |
| Maximum Recording Time | 170 min (2h 50m) with 32GB Memory Stick PRO-HX Duo FX (24Mbps) Linear PCM 2ch recording |
| Audio | |
|---|---|
| Audio Dynamic Range | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Audio Signal Format |
HD: Linear PCM 2ch, 16bit, 48kHz / Dolby Digital 2ch, 16bit, 48kHz SD: Dolby Digital 2ch, 16bit, 48kHz |
| Audio Frequency Response | Not specified by manufacturer |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Input and Output Connectors |
Component: RCAx3 (x1 Output) Composite: RCAx1 (x1 Output) HD/SD-SDI: BNC (x1 Output) HDMI (x1 Output) USB (x1 Input/Output) Audio L/R Input: XLR 3-Pin Female (x2 Input) Audio L/R Output: RCAx2 (x1 Output) Headphone: Stereo Mini Jack Remote: LANC (x1 Input) |
| Power Requirements |
Battery Pack: 7.2VDC AC Adapter: 8.4VDC |
| Power Consumption |
7.9W (Power consumption increases about 1.1W when Flash Memory Unit is used.) |
| Operating Temperature | 32-104°F (0-40°C) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 6.9 x 7.4 x 13.5" (17.3 x 18.7 x 34.2cm) |
| Weight | 5 lbs (2.2kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 245 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
94%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Zoom range/performance (274)
- Great picture quality (209)
- Easy to use (184)
- Image stabilization (159)
- Good in low light (155)
Cons
- Poor in low light (22)
- Complicated to operate (8)
- Poor sound (6)
- Limited zoom (5)
- Poor image quality (5)
Best Uses
- HD shooting (185)
- Weddings (155)
- Documentaries (154)
- Movies/short films (130)
- Low light (103)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro videographer (144), Semi-pro (82), Enthusiast (10)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (173), Yes (9)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great Z1 Replacement!
Disclaimer: LOVE the camera, but 4 stars because there is always room for improvement.
Used the cam for a 10hr wedding just three days after receiving it. Feels good in yo...Read complete review
Disclaimer: LOVE the camera, but 4 stars because there is always room for improvement.
Used the cam for a 10hr wedding just three days after receiving it. Feels good in your hands, and is solidly built. If you're used to shooting on Sony cameras, you'll slip right into this!
Shooting to 2 16GB Transcend (Class 6) cards with no problems. I get 86 min. of full-res 1080 24P on each, which is plenty for ceremony and reception coverage. I pre-made dump folders on my netbook the night before, and then when I filled a card, I just slipped it into the SD slot on the netbook and copied the whole folder to the HDD. Approximately 16 minutes to dump all 16GB. Plenty of time to dump and return the card to the camera to restart the cycle.
I was impressed at the low-light performance of the camera. A lot of grain if you've got the gain turned up, but that is to be expected. Progressive grain feels more organic.. seems to irritate me less.
LCD's color reproduction is great, but I did occasionally find it difficult to focus. I'm sure this is partially my fault for not acclimating myself properly to the camera before jumping right into a gig. Mostly, I think the focus is just more sensitive than the Z1's I'm used to shooting on.
I LOVE having manual zoom, iris, and focus all available on the lens WITHOUT having to flip any servo/manual switches! Makes operation much more intuitive.
I may be old school, but I have no use for the touch screen. Seems like Sony just wanted to be on that bandwagon.
Active Stabilization is AMAZING. Footage ends up slightly softer than with Steadyshot turned off (to be expected), but you can really achieve some nice close-up shots handheld that you'd never be able to pull off before.
Though it does have it's drawbacks (coming up) I love having the option to do PCM audio. Such a notable difference!
2 issues to be aware of:
1) Extremely slow transcoding to ProRes when you bring it into FCP (7). A known issue, FCP doesn't seem to play well with PCM audio on long clips. I'm running an 3.0GHz 8-core with 9GB RAM, and it still took just over 4 hours to bring in a clip that was exactly 30 minutes long. Spent two days on and off transcoding 64GB worth of footage.
2) According to multiple forums, currently, the only way for FCP users to preserve the timecode of your clips is to use Adobe Media Encoder CS5 to transcode to prores, and then import those clips into FCP.
I have heard recently that ClipWrap is working on a beta that can transcode to 422 fast - WITH timecode.
All in all, a great camera. Will be MUCH better once Sony and Apple have a little fix-it party.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
DONT BUY THIS CAMERA!!!
I hardly give this camera a one star, simple as that. Stay away from this camera. Over time and specially if you work with it in heat conditions like summer time, you will ...Read complete review
I hardly give this camera a one star, simple as that. Stay away from this camera. Over time and specially if you work with it in heat conditions like summer time, you will start to hear a loud motor noise inside the zoom handle and right after that the camera will present a focusing mechanism failure expressed by an error message "C3260". I worked with this camera at a television station and four other cameraman have experienced the same problem with their cameras, so this is not an isolated situation that happened to me only. This camera heats up very quickly at the zoom handle area and I dont know what Sony has done to fix this. But If you dont want to waste your money, you will be better off buying other cameras and NOT THIS ONE.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 245 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Non-flexible Video Format
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I am using this camera for recording/IMAG live events as well as for hobby purposes. The camera is easy to use and intuative, great output options and easy to understand menues.
The conversion of the video formats, however, are one part of frustration I have. I'm currently on a mac platform and it would be nice to have a Sony application to make the videos more user friendly. With that being said, it's still a fantastic camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
everything is grate and good
Super very good product
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
This camera is an all-around exellent product. It is relatively small yet provides good quality, and has an amazing variety of input/output options, making it highly versatile for a variety of situations and uses.
It is also relatively rugged and reliable, and seems sturdy and well-built (we take it on the road a lot).
The AVCHD format is good, but make sure you understand how to copy AVCHD project media correctly from the camera to your editing storage, as it is sometimes not as simple as drag n drop.
The camera also functions beautifully in low light situations; better than many I have worked with.
One minor drawback - if you lose power, any custom configurations made to the camera settings after the last power off will be lost. A solution to this would be to configure your settings, and then turn off the camera to write them to the internal memory before shooting your project.
Overall, this is a great mid-range camera that could work for everyone from professionals to hobbyists, and I highly recommend it. We purchased it based on the feature set and specs, and were pleased with the camera outside of our technical requirements.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- HXR-FMU128 Flash Memory Unit
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
So happy to be done with HDV take! Smooth controls and intuitive menus make this a sweet rig for whatever your needs.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
The camera is used for live event shooting. The ease of use of the menus to set specific settings depending on the environment we shoot in is incredible. The smooth variable zoom is excellent. I wish the iris ring was a bit wider so as to make it easier to feel when in manual mode. Other than that the camera is tough to beat.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- No Simultaneous Outputs
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I got a couple of these for our worship space. We use them to record our services and to feed a mixer that we can use on our screens or in an overflow room. I had kinda assumed that since it was a Sony camera that I'd have to use memory sticks to record onto. And I had come to terms with that. However, I was surprised to find that you can also use sdhc cards!!!We've had them for two weeks now and the only thing that I'm not super stoked about is that you can't use the SDI output and the composite output simultaneously. That was kinda a bummer. But we made it work. Overall, it's a killer camera for its price range.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I have 3 of these camera's now to switch in HD from my Sony DSR 250'S that I love. For the features and the price this was my best bet to switch over on a pro-consumer budget. We shot our first concert with it last Sat. and I was happy with the results. I only wish I could turn off video indexing, as it is the camera puts the files in 15 minute blocks in long format recording. So far happy with my choice plus I wanted to stay Sony again.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
Wonderful Professional Camcorder for weddings, musicals, interviews and documentary videos. This product has a powerful zoom lens for close up and wide view video shooting. It has a powerful low light functionality for low light videography. I strongly recommend it for professional filmmakers!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Travel
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
Super easy camera to use that produces professional results!
It doesn't have the depth of field that a lot of trendy cameras have right now, but it turns out, not every project depends on ultra-shallow depth of field.
This camera is nearly perfect for what we use it for.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Poor In Low Light
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
We bought this camera to use in the field as well as to tie into our control room as a back up in case one of our old ENGs goes down and it is wonderful. It is light weight and easy to take into the field. Also having 2 XLR inputs is a big plus especially when we have to shoot interviews with coaches and players.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
Good picture quality in hd, but picture quality in sd is not that good. I will try the other setting.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
Use this baby fot live multicamera shoots an the quality is awsome paired it with a ex1 ant diference was almost none.
Nice lens just a bit dark all zoomed in but good overall low light performance
The compresion is awful I do not recomend this camera for production work like comercial coorporative o music videos UNLESS you use a external recorder to feed it from the SDI output.
Robust, good weight, pro feel!!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- sony´s shoulder mount
Pros
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
We bought 4 of these cameras for field reporting. Images are clean and clear and the stablization options work great. The main zoom lever has multiple speeds which I cannot figure out how to disable. You can't make a clean zoom without accidently switching speeds...unless you're really really careful. For controlled zooms you need to use the handle lever where you can set the speed in software.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Lots Of Buttons
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I am a legal videographer. I primarily use this camera to record legal depositions, but I do occasional "artistic" production work for attorneys, too.
I bought this to replace my PD170. My main motivation was to go "tapeless", so that I could eliminate tape "breaks" during depositions. While HD isn't a requirement (yet) for legal depositions, it seemed pointless to buy an SD camera at this stage.
I found this camera to be a very nice upgrade to the PD-170; familiar, with many improvements. The audio options are far superior, with level controls right on the side of the camera (not buried in a menu).
I love all of the external buttons and controls (direct control of the options without having to navigate through menus).
I love the picture and sound quality.
Acceptable, but not as good in low light as my trusty PD-170.
Not working right with my Manfrotto zoom controller.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I own my own video production company and this is my primary camera. As someone who came from the TV News world and worked with very expensive, high end cameras this is by far the best prosumer camera I've ever used. It has a lot of the features I like in a video camera.....iris ring, manual focus, and the auto features work great as well. I would highly recommend this camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I use this Sony to video horse shows. It has made such a difference in the quality compared to what I was using before. It is so easy to use and the picture quality is amazing.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I shoot most of my content on large sensor cameras such as DSLRs and Sony FS cameras. I wanted a simple camera to be do quick interviews and event coverage.
The NX5 looks really good and has a lot of pro features. My first camera wayy back was a Sony Z1U, so I was right at home with all the familar sony controls. Some very nice features are in this camera that make it a winner for me.
One disappointment was the Slow Motion record. It can record in 3, 6, or 12 second bursts and slow it down to 120 fps like the FS700. Using the SSR mode, your lowest shutter speed is 250, so you will have to gain up or use a lot more light. The finished footage is a bit pixelated at the end. Good for some quick b-roll shots of a show motion flag, but not really usable if you want to shoot some slow motion footage of a music video.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
We bought this model based on reviews that it was well suited for churches, and relatively low-light situations. After several test shootings, I'd have to agree. The image quality, even in low-light conditions that other cameras would produce grainy results, is excellent. We intend to add stage lighting to bring the incident light up to levels that would be "normal" for broadcast-quality, and wanted to use the camera first to determine whether to buy the 75-watt equivalent LED lights, or to go to more wattage. After the test runs, we'll only need tyhe 75-watt equivalent. Auto-focus is extremely fast in its response to track the image during zoom, even when zooming into very low-light conditions. I had planned on operating the camera in manual mode for iris, shutter, focus and white balance, but after seeing the results of our test runs, I think that leaving these in auto mode, with the added lighting, will work just fine. The range of audio input sources works well with the wireless input we're using to feed our FOH mix from the console to the camera, and it will support a 2-channel stereo input.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Poor Image Quality
- Poor In Low Light
- Poor Sound
- Poor Still Image
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
i filmed 10 weddings, 2 shorts, 2 commercials with this camera when my canon a1s broke. not satisfied with this camera performance.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
Excellent camcorder, proportional excellent image quality and optical zoom is also highly professional is also comfortable in all functions. I recommend it is worth the money spent.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 245 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
94%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Zoom range/performance (274)
- Great picture quality (209)
- Easy to use (184)
- Image stabilization (159)
- Good in low light (155)
Cons
- Poor in low light (22)
- Complicated to operate (8)
- Poor sound (6)
- Limited zoom (5)
- Poor image quality (5)
Best Uses
- HD shooting (185)
- Weddings (155)
- Documentaries (154)
- Movies/short films (130)
- Low light (103)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro videographer (144), Semi-pro (82), Enthusiast (10)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (173), Yes (9)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great Z1 Replacement!
Disclaimer: LOVE the camera, but 4 stars because there is always room for improvement.
Used the cam for a 10hr wedding just three days after receiving it. Feels good in yo...Read complete review
Disclaimer: LOVE the camera, but 4 stars because there is always room for improvement.
Used the cam for a 10hr wedding just three days after receiving it. Feels good in your hands, and is solidly built. If you're used to shooting on Sony cameras, you'll slip right into this!
Shooting to 2 16GB Transcend (Class 6) cards with no problems. I get 86 min. of full-res 1080 24P on each, which is plenty for ceremony and reception coverage. I pre-made dump folders on my netbook the night before, and then when I filled a card, I just slipped it into the SD slot on the netbook and copied the whole folder to the HDD. Approximately 16 minutes to dump all 16GB. Plenty of time to dump and return the card to the camera to restart the cycle.
I was impressed at the low-light performance of the camera. A lot of grain if you've got the gain turned up, but that is to be expected. Progressive grain feels more organic.. seems to irritate me less.
LCD's color reproduction is great, but I did occasionally find it difficult to focus. I'm sure this is partially my fault for not acclimating myself properly to the camera before jumping right into a gig. Mostly, I think the focus is just more sensitive than the Z1's I'm used to shooting on.
I LOVE having manual zoom, iris, and focus all available on the lens WITHOUT having to flip any servo/manual switches! Makes operation much more intuitive.
I may be old school, but I have no use for the touch screen. Seems like Sony just wanted to be on that bandwagon.
Active Stabilization is AMAZING. Footage ends up slightly softer than with Steadyshot turned off (to be expected), but you can really achieve some nice close-up shots handheld that you'd never be able to pull off before.
Though it does have it's drawbacks (coming up) I love having the option to do PCM audio. Such a notable difference!
2 issues to be aware of:
1) Extremely slow transcoding to ProRes when you bring it into FCP (7). A known issue, FCP doesn't seem to play well with PCM audio on long clips. I'm running an 3.0GHz 8-core with 9GB RAM, and it still took just over 4 hours to bring in a clip that was exactly 30 minutes long. Spent two days on and off transcoding 64GB worth of footage.
2) According to multiple forums, currently, the only way for FCP users to preserve the timecode of your clips is to use Adobe Media Encoder CS5 to transcode to prores, and then import those clips into FCP.
I have heard recently that ClipWrap is working on a beta that can transcode to 422 fast - WITH timecode.
All in all, a great camera. Will be MUCH better once Sony and Apple have a little fix-it party.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
DONT BUY THIS CAMERA!!!
I hardly give this camera a one star, simple as that. Stay away from this camera. Over time and specially if you work with it in heat conditions like summer time, you will ...Read complete review
I hardly give this camera a one star, simple as that. Stay away from this camera. Over time and specially if you work with it in heat conditions like summer time, you will start to hear a loud motor noise inside the zoom handle and right after that the camera will present a focusing mechanism failure expressed by an error message "C3260". I worked with this camera at a television station and four other cameraman have experienced the same problem with their cameras, so this is not an isolated situation that happened to me only. This camera heats up very quickly at the zoom handle area and I dont know what Sony has done to fix this. But If you dont want to waste your money, you will be better off buying other cameras and NOT THIS ONE.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 245 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Previous | Next »
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Non-flexible Video Format
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I am using this camera for recording/IMAG live events as well as for hobby purposes. The camera is easy to use and intuative, great output options and easy to understand menues.
The conversion of the video formats, however, are one part of frustration I have. I'm currently on a mac platform and it would be nice to have a Sony application to make the videos more user friendly. With that being said, it's still a fantastic camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
everything is grate and good
Super very good product
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
This camera is an all-around exellent product. It is relatively small yet provides good quality, and has an amazing variety of input/output options, making it highly versatile for a variety of situations and uses.
It is also relatively rugged and reliable, and seems sturdy and well-built (we take it on the road a lot).
The AVCHD format is good, but make sure you understand how to copy AVCHD project media correctly from the camera to your editing storage, as it is sometimes not as simple as drag n drop.
The camera also functions beautifully in low light situations; better than many I have worked with.
One minor drawback - if you lose power, any custom configurations made to the camera settings after the last power off will be lost. A solution to this would be to configure your settings, and then turn off the camera to write them to the internal memory before shooting your project.
Overall, this is a great mid-range camera that could work for everyone from professionals to hobbyists, and I highly recommend it. We purchased it based on the feature set and specs, and were pleased with the camera outside of our technical requirements.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- HXR-FMU128 Flash Memory Unit
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
So happy to be done with HDV take! Smooth controls and intuitive menus make this a sweet rig for whatever your needs.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
The camera is used for live event shooting. The ease of use of the menus to set specific settings depending on the environment we shoot in is incredible. The smooth variable zoom is excellent. I wish the iris ring was a bit wider so as to make it easier to feel when in manual mode. Other than that the camera is tough to beat.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- No Simultaneous Outputs
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I got a couple of these for our worship space. We use them to record our services and to feed a mixer that we can use on our screens or in an overflow room. I had kinda assumed that since it was a Sony camera that I'd have to use memory sticks to record onto. And I had come to terms with that. However, I was surprised to find that you can also use sdhc cards!!!We've had them for two weeks now and the only thing that I'm not super stoked about is that you can't use the SDI output and the composite output simultaneously. That was kinda a bummer. But we made it work. Overall, it's a killer camera for its price range.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I have 3 of these camera's now to switch in HD from my Sony DSR 250'S that I love. For the features and the price this was my best bet to switch over on a pro-consumer budget. We shot our first concert with it last Sat. and I was happy with the results. I only wish I could turn off video indexing, as it is the camera puts the files in 15 minute blocks in long format recording. So far happy with my choice plus I wanted to stay Sony again.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
Wonderful Professional Camcorder for weddings, musicals, interviews and documentary videos. This product has a powerful zoom lens for close up and wide view video shooting. It has a powerful low light functionality for low light videography. I strongly recommend it for professional filmmakers!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Travel
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
Super easy camera to use that produces professional results!
It doesn't have the depth of field that a lot of trendy cameras have right now, but it turns out, not every project depends on ultra-shallow depth of field.
This camera is nearly perfect for what we use it for.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Poor In Low Light
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
We bought this camera to use in the field as well as to tie into our control room as a back up in case one of our old ENGs goes down and it is wonderful. It is light weight and easy to take into the field. Also having 2 XLR inputs is a big plus especially when we have to shoot interviews with coaches and players.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
Good picture quality in hd, but picture quality in sd is not that good. I will try the other setting.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
Use this baby fot live multicamera shoots an the quality is awsome paired it with a ex1 ant diference was almost none.
Nice lens just a bit dark all zoomed in but good overall low light performance
The compresion is awful I do not recomend this camera for production work like comercial coorporative o music videos UNLESS you use a external recorder to feed it from the SDI output.
Robust, good weight, pro feel!!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- sony´s shoulder mount
Pros
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
We bought 4 of these cameras for field reporting. Images are clean and clear and the stablization options work great. The main zoom lever has multiple speeds which I cannot figure out how to disable. You can't make a clean zoom without accidently switching speeds...unless you're really really careful. For controlled zooms you need to use the handle lever where you can set the speed in software.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Lots Of Buttons
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I am a legal videographer. I primarily use this camera to record legal depositions, but I do occasional "artistic" production work for attorneys, too.
I bought this to replace my PD170. My main motivation was to go "tapeless", so that I could eliminate tape "breaks" during depositions. While HD isn't a requirement (yet) for legal depositions, it seemed pointless to buy an SD camera at this stage.
I found this camera to be a very nice upgrade to the PD-170; familiar, with many improvements. The audio options are far superior, with level controls right on the side of the camera (not buried in a menu).
I love all of the external buttons and controls (direct control of the options without having to navigate through menus).
I love the picture and sound quality.
Acceptable, but not as good in low light as my trusty PD-170.
Not working right with my Manfrotto zoom controller.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I own my own video production company and this is my primary camera. As someone who came from the TV News world and worked with very expensive, high end cameras this is by far the best prosumer camera I've ever used. It has a lot of the features I like in a video camera.....iris ring, manual focus, and the auto features work great as well. I would highly recommend this camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I use this Sony to video horse shows. It has made such a difference in the quality compared to what I was using before. It is so easy to use and the picture quality is amazing.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
I shoot most of my content on large sensor cameras such as DSLRs and Sony FS cameras. I wanted a simple camera to be do quick interviews and event coverage.
The NX5 looks really good and has a lot of pro features. My first camera wayy back was a Sony Z1U, so I was right at home with all the familar sony controls. Some very nice features are in this camera that make it a winner for me.
One disappointment was the Slow Motion record. It can record in 3, 6, or 12 second bursts and slow it down to 120 fps like the FS700. Using the SSR mode, your lowest shutter speed is 250, so you will have to gain up or use a lot more light. The finished footage is a bit pixelated at the end. Good for some quick b-roll shots of a show motion flag, but not really usable if you want to shoot some slow motion footage of a music video.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
We bought this model based on reviews that it was well suited for churches, and relatively low-light situations. After several test shootings, I'd have to agree. The image quality, even in low-light conditions that other cameras would produce grainy results, is excellent. We intend to add stage lighting to bring the incident light up to levels that would be "normal" for broadcast-quality, and wanted to use the camera first to determine whether to buy the 75-watt equivalent LED lights, or to go to more wattage. After the test runs, we'll only need tyhe 75-watt equivalent. Auto-focus is extremely fast in its response to track the image during zoom, even when zooming into very low-light conditions. I had planned on operating the camera in manual mode for iris, shutter, focus and white balance, but after seeing the results of our test runs, I think that leaving these in auto mode, with the added lighting, will work just fine. The range of audio input sources works well with the wireless input we're using to feed our FOH mix from the console to the camera, and it will support a 2-channel stereo input.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Zoom
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Poor Image Quality
- Poor In Low Light
- Poor Sound
- Poor Still Image
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
i filmed 10 weddings, 2 shorts, 2 commercials with this camera when my canon a1s broke. not satisfied with this camera performance.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM Professional Camcorder:
Excellent camcorder, proportional excellent image quality and optical zoom is also highly professional is also comfortable in all functions. I recommend it is worth the money spent.
Media
Show more >Required item: Recording media is not included. A memory card is required to record your footage.
- Price: $43.74
- Instant Savings: -$3.79 Offer ends MAY 25 '13
- You Pay: $39.95
Batteries & Power Adapters
Show more >Always keep a spare battery handy so you won't get caught without power.
- Price: $109.90
- Price: $84.95
Lenses & Lens Adapters
Show more >Capture your desired angle of view with a quality conversion lens.
- Price: $699.95
- Price: $149.00
Microphones & Audio Adapters
Show more >Focus your sound with a high-quality microphone. Audio quality can make or break your video.
- Price: $156.82
Create a more snug fit and vibration isolation for a shotgun mic when it is mounted in the camcorder's mic clip. (B&H # SAROCS)
Bags & Cases
Show more >Carry, organize and protect your investment with quick access to your gear.
- Price: $74.95
Tripod, Sliders, Dollies, & Cranes
Show more >Stabilize the your footage and eliminate handheld fatigue with the support you need.
- Price: $149.95
- Instant Savings: -$20.00 Offer ends JUN 30 '13
- You Pay: $129.95
Warranties & Support
Show more >Guarantee your investment with premium coverage and support.
- Price: $139.95
WHY SHOP AT B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via any UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority shipping methods by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don't turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you'll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We've made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
