Sony
FDR-AX700
4K HDR Handycam with 1-inch Exmor RS sensor, 12x Zeiss zoom, 273-point phase-detect AF, S-Log3, and pro-style manual controls.
$1,899
Launch priceReleased Oct 2017
Sony
FX5
2026 Cinema Line full-frame camera with 16.6MP stacked Exmor RS, 5K Open Gate, internal 16-bit X-OCN RAW, triple base ISO, and FX3-class compact mobility.
$4,899
Launch priceReleased Aug 2026
FX5 is 8.8 years newer.
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Wins
FDR-AX700
Wins
FX5
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AFDR-AX700 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- AFDR-AX700 has higher Burst (electronic) (15 fps vs 0 fps)
- AFDR-AX700 has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 800)
- BFX5 has higher EVF resolution (7,070,000 vs 2,360,000)
- AFDR-AX700 has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 12,800)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareFDR-AX700
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
FX5
132 × 79 × 87 mm
734 g (1.62 lb / 25.89 oz)
FDR-AX700 is 15mm thinner than FX5 but it is also 2mm wider and 12mm taller.
FDR-AX700 is 154 g lighter than FX5.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm FDR-AX700 · 87mm FX5
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
FDR-AX700
134 × 91 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
FX5
132 × 79 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
FDR-AX700
134 × 72 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
FX5
132 × 87 mm
Sensor size, to scale
FDR-AX700
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
FX5
35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
850 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
FDR-AX700: mount data unavailable
FX5
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
FDR-AX700
Burst (mechanical)
6 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
15 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
ISO min (native)
100 vs 800 — lower is better
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only FDR-AX700 supports it
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Reasons to choose
FX5
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 132.3, 79, 86.95
Codecs
Adds X-OCN LT, X-OCN C1, X-OCN C2…
EVF resolution
7,070,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Resolution
16.6 MP vs 14.2 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 200 Mbps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
FDR-AX700
Pros
- ✓1-inch stacked sensor + Hybrid AF
- ✓S-Log3 / HLG HDR workflow
- ✓12x Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
- ✓Built-in ND filters
- ✓Dual SD + proxy recording
Cons
- –No XLR without adapter
- –4K30 max
- –No SDI output
- –Consumer Handycam ergonomics
FX5
Pros
- ✓5K Open Gate + internal X-OCN RAW (LT / C1 / C2)
- ✓Triple base ISO 800 / 4000 / 12800 + Dual Gain
- ✓15+ stops DR (S-Log3) + BIONZ XR2 AI AF
- ✓5K 60p / 4K 120p / FHD 240p at launch
- ✓Compact body with IBIS, cooling, dual card slots
Cons
- –Body-only $4,899 — XLR handle / OLED EVF optional
- –Open Gate X-OCN only at launch (XAVC Open Gate via FW)
- –4K 240p / 5K 120p planned for 2027 firmware
- –No built-in EVF (optional DVF-EL1)
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the FDR-AX700 and FX5 at major authorized retailers.
Sony FDR-AX700
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, FDR-AX700 or FX5?
FDR-AX700 scores 7.5/10 versus 4.5/10 for FX5 — 580g — compact and travel-friendly.
What's the resolution difference between the FDR-AX700 and FX5?
FDR-AX700 is 14.2 MP and FX5 is 16.6 MP, so the FX5 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the FDR-AX700 and FX5 have in-body image stabilization?
FDR-AX700 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX5 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
What's the weight difference between the FDR-AX700 and FX5?
FDR-AX700 weighs 580 g and FX5 weighs 734 g, so the FDR-AX700 is 154 g lighter.
Do the FDR-AX700 and FX5 record 4K video?
FDR-AX700: 4K up to 60p. FX5: 4K up to 120p.
Are the FDR-AX700 and FX5 weather sealed?
FDR-AX700: Yes. FX5: Yes.
How much does each cost?
FDR-AX700 launched at $1,899 and FX5 at $4,899. The FDR-AX700 is $3,000 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way FDR-AX700 vs FX5 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.