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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 price

Released Oct 2017

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vs

Sony

PXW-Z90

Palm-sized XDCAM with 1-inch Exmor RS sensor, 12x Zeiss zoom, Fast Hybrid AF, 3G-SDI, dual XLR, and XAVC 4K up to 30p.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Dec 2017

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PXW-Z90 is 2 months newer.

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Wins

0categories

FDR-AX700

★ Sports & Action★ Wildlife

Wins

5categories

PXW-Z90

★ Wildlife★ Sports & Action

13 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FDR-AX700 wins 0 categories·PXW-Z90 wins 5 categories
  • BPXW-Z90 has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
  • BPXW-Z90 has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
  • BPXW-Z90 has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)
  • BPXW-Z90 has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 15 fps)
  • BPXW-Z90 has higher IBIS effectiveness (7 stops vs 6 stops)

Key specs at a glance

FDR-AX700PXW-Z90
Resolution14.2 MP14.2 MP
SensorMFTMFT
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst15 fps20 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS6-stop7-stop
Weight580 g580 g
Battery640 shots640 shots

Size and weight, to scale

FDR-AX700

134 × 91 × 72 mm

580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

PXW-Z90

134 × 91 × 72 mm

580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)

FDR-AX700 and PXW-Z90 share virtually identical body dimensions.

FDR-AX700 and PXW-Z90 weigh the same.

Depth (front-to-back): 72mm FDR-AX700 · 72mm PXW-Z90

Sensor size, to scale

FDR-AX700

17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds

225 mm² area

PXW-Z90

17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds

225 mm² area

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFDR-AX700PXW-Z90
Portrait
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Sports & Action
8.0Excellent
8.0Excellent
Video & Hybrid
7.5Good
7.5Good
Landscape
3.5Limited
3.5Limited
Travel
7.5Good
7.5Good
Wildlife
8.0Excellent
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
7.0Good
7.0Good

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

FDR-AX700

No major advantages on measured specs.

Reasons to choose

PXW-Z90

  • RAW buffer depth

    120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

    3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better

  • Burst (mechanical)

    8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ✓Resolution — Both 14.2 MP
  • ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
  • ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
  • ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
  • ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
  • ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %

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

PXW-Z90

Pros

  • ✓1-inch stacked Exmor RS (14.2MP)
  • ✓273-point Fast Hybrid AF
  • ✓Built-in ND (1/4, 1/16, 1/64)
  • ✓3G-SDI + dual XLR handle
  • ✓S-Log3 / HLG / S-Cinetone

Cons

  • –4K limited to 30p
  • –Small palm body ergonomics
  • –XAVC 100Mbps max in 4K
  • –Superseded by newer NX800/Z200 line

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FDR-AX700 and PXW-Z90 at major authorized retailers.

Sony FDR-AX700

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Sony PXW-Z90

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Full specifications

✓ = category winner

FDR-AX700
PXW-Z90
Resolution
14.2 MP
14.2 MP
Sensor type
Four Thirds Live MOS
Four Thirds Live MOS
Sensor size
17.3 × 13.0 mm
17.3 × 13.0 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
FDR-AX700
PXW-Z90
Processor
BIONZ X
BIONZ X
FDR-AX700
PXW-Z90
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
FDR-AX700
PXW-Z90
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, FDR-AX700 or PXW-Z90?

PXW-Z90 scores 9.0/10 versus 8.0/10 for FDR-AX700 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.

What's the resolution difference between the FDR-AX700 and PXW-Z90?

Both cameras share the same 14.2 MP resolution.

Do the FDR-AX700 and PXW-Z90 have in-body image stabilization?

FDR-AX700 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while PXW-Z90 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the FDR-AX700 or the PXW-Z90?

FDR-AX700 reaches 15 fps electronic. PXW-Z90 reaches 20 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the FDR-AX700 and PXW-Z90?

Both bodies weigh roughly 580 g.

Do the FDR-AX700 and PXW-Z90 record 4K video?

FDR-AX700: 4K up to 60p. PXW-Z90: 4K up to 60p.

Are the FDR-AX700 and PXW-Z90 weather sealed?

FDR-AX700: Yes. PXW-Z90: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the FDR-AX700 and 640 shots for the PXW-Z90, giving the PXW-Z90 the edge.

How much does each cost?

FDR-AX700 launched at $1,899 and PXW-Z90 at $2,799. The FDR-AX700 is $900 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way FDR-AX700 vs PXW-Z90 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.