Review: Sony PXW-X180 (PXW-X160) camcorder
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- Опубликовано: 16 ноя 2024
- Here's our review of Sony's latest pro-ENG / doco camcorder, the PXW-X180 (identical to the PXW-X160 except that the former adds GPS and WiFi).
It's got a 25x optical zoom, 3x1/3" chips and a variety of recording codecs including XAVC, XDCAM and AVCHD.
If you fancy buying one of these, please would you do so via our Amazon link? That way we get a small commission which helps to keep the reviews coming. Thank you
PXW-X180: amzn.to/1DRLVKs
PXW-X160: amzn.to/1GfFEdM
Published by www.tubeshooter.co.uk
tubeshootermag
tubeshootermag
Company's should be running to you to get you to do reviews for them. This one was so well done. None of that typical RUclips silliness. Just a very professional quality review. Great job!
Thanks, very useful info here. It's not easy to find a good review of this type of cameras anymore. More and more shooters seem to be abandoning them but I think they still have their place.
Good review...it is not afraid to mention the con's. Regarding the ergonomics: Yes, for years the Sony designers have sometimes been clueless about placement of buttons, camera balance, how different shooters hold their cameras and so on. With the money they spend and the feedback they must have gotten after putting millions of video cameras into consumers' hands, you'd think they would have this relatively simple part of camera architecture down so that everything is perfect. It just amazes me they still haven't learned!!! We are looking at purchasing this camera, which would be our 7th Sony XDCAM video camera. The ergonomics and the loss of the depth-of-field indicator would definitely have me looking at another brand if we didn't want certain compatibilities between all our cameras (such as batteries, camera cards, downloading software). Grrrrrrrrrrrr.............
We had some really big problems with this camera. Small bugs inside the camera lens. They get in the venting system then head for the light. Sony repair staff was unable to dissemble the camera to clean the live and dead bugs out so they replaced the camera. Unfortunately they replaced it with a high hour used camera that I’m guessing was underwater at some point. Huge amount of systems that didn’t work on the camera. I have switched to Cannon and after 30 years of using Sony cameras will never buy another one.
Wow, that's appalling! I'm almost ready to have a rage at Sony "Professional" myself as an issue on the XLR audio handle of my NX80 has reappeared despite tham fixing it once already, and when I reported it they said "Oh, we don't guarantee our kit works with non-Sony products" (because I'd plugged Sennheiser and Audio Technica mics in)!! Utterly absurd to fob me off like that. I complained and they are now taking the unit back for investigation but if they don't sort it, I shall be having a rant...
Content sells content, youtube is full of quickly edited together short scenes of a walk by a canal, camera going through leaves, close ups of flowers with a refocused background, all the things any fool could do even with a camera phone.
Comments are generally positive and often about grading and post production, because they also just want to make another " we've seen it a million time's" video.
I'm guessing they don't do anything challenging because of its challenging, they'll Witter on about the various functions and what it can do.
But ultimately it's just a commercial and often a poor that rarely contains anything useful.
This at least has some depth to it and doesn't concentrate on only picking out the very best scenes
What's a good camcorder for me to take on holidays. I currently have a Panasonic hcx900m. I would like to go better quality and settings.
Good review, it solved my problem with the af - mf. Thanks!!
Glad to hear it; cheers!
+TubeShooterMag Now I can finally really use my camera, thank you again...:)
Would you know the specific lens ramping on the X180? There is a shot (2:30) where you are at a telephoto setting, and state it was stuck at f2.4. Is that at maximum telephoto, and if not, do you know what the maximum telephoto widest aperture available was?
Paul Anderegg That shot was indeed at full telephoto, so f2.4 is the widest as I recall (sorry, the cam's long gone back to Sony so I can't double-check for you). Hence my suggestion of the X200 for your purposes as I think it's constant aperture f1.9 all the way through the zoom range.
TubeShooterMag Thanks for confirming that. Several people online have commented that the X200 ramps down to f2.8, but the iris indicator in the viewfinder continues to say f1.9. In a camera with a mechanical iris ring, 2/3" for instance, that is to be expected, but it would seem this is a glitch in the X200 firmware that should be corrected. I am pretty much set on the X160, assuming I can attach a wide converter to the damn thing! And according to my f-stop chart, f1.6-f2.4 is roughly 1 1/6 stops, or 7db. f1.9-f2.8 is also roughly 1 1/6 stops as well.
Paul Anderegg Didn't know that about the X200, how odd. I'll have to see if Sony will lend me one for review.. I'll be interested to hear what you think of the X160.
Is there a setting I can change so the viewfinder won't shut off when I pull my eye away from it?
Can't remember, sorry. I think you'll need to check the manual.
How to reduce grains in that.... please help me
I am clueless about the different codecs this camera offers and which should I choose?
I can't answer that for you. If there was a single correct answer then Sony would have implemented only that codec instead of giving you a choice. Which one is "right" depends on what you need and what you want to do (and perhaps what your client wants, if you're shooting commercially). Quite simply you need to do some research then make an informed choice.
I understand.
I am an amateur film maker. I have been working with canon 600D with basic kit lens 18-55 and 55-250 tele photo.
I got sharper images from that camera than what I get with the Sony pxw. Having spend so much money on Sony I am very disappointed with the quality it produces.
I thought choosing the right codec with give me sharp images.
I hope you understand my POV. I appreciate your response.
+Shashwat Singh I understand the POV but I still can't give you a single answer. It truly depends what you want and why you're filming.
Given that you shoot films, I have to wonder why you switched from a DSLR (which are known to have a film look) to a handheld ENG-type camcorder? It's not really a film-maker's device.
As for sharpness, ensure you're using the lens at its optimum aperture (in the range f2.8-f5.6). It's also possible your DSLR applies artificial sharpening to the video which would give the impression of it being sharper when it actually isn't.
The maximum image quality on the Sony comes from the XAVC-Intra recording but it records at around 111Mbps so you'll need lots of memory cards.
great camcorder, thanks for share. I have a question about the x180. It´s made in china or is made in japan? that info is on the bottom. I know the PXW FS7 is made in china. but the others PXW models I dont know
grateful
best regards
No idea, sorry - the X180 has gone back to Sony as I only had it on loan. Best to email Sony and ask them maybe.
ok thank you :)
How do you set this camera for night shot
Great review, really appreciated it! Just subbed! Cheers!
+Gabriel Barbaro Thank you!
i got pxw 160 please tell me about picture profile setting.or give me alink
That's a very wide question, "tell me about", I can hardly describe the entire function of the picture profile settings in a RUclips reply! Your best bet is to read the camcorder's manual which you can find on Sony's website.
The firmware is now V3.0. If you have did an update, can you give me a reply if it has solve those issue you mention in the video. Thank you
Hi. I had the camcorder only on a brief loan from Sony so I don't still have it for further evaluation, sorry.
Thanks for the "Review"
Is there any chance you can look into or talk about this subject.....
Instead of continuing to make camcorder with 1/3”or 1/2 “, sensors such as Sony pxw z150 and z280,
why can’t Sony also make a camcorder with the sensor and mount of their D-SLR A7 series cameras.
Just imagine a camcorder with the quality, low light ability of A7sii (or the new A7siii), with audio Xlr, no more over heating issues, no more video limit of 30min, Built in ND filters etc etc not forgetting the full frame bokeh!!!!!
surely there is a Market for this type of camcorder with a full frame sensor and mount???
So why hasn’t Sony made such a camcorder?????
Kull
They have - it's called the FS5 (or if you have deep pockets, the FS7 version)
i like this camera where i can get in nepal..?
No idea! A local pro video store I presume.
excelent
Thanks
super
Do you came across this issue in outdoor night shot: ruclips.net/video/qJvt3KlkcMU/видео.html
+Jackie Tan I haven't but the chap who posted that video is reliable, knows what he's talking about so his footage and experience can be trusted. I believe he's now sold his X180 as he didn't like it.