General Features
Recording Features
Battery Information
Inputs and Outputs Notes
Software

General Features

4K Digital Camcorder: The FDR-AX33 is a 4K Handycam camcorder from Sony. With four times the resolution of Full HD, you can record breathtaking video and audio with professional results. Ultra High Definition/4K content can be played back on a 4K TV in full resolution (3840 x 2160), or, by changing the HDMI output setting, in Full High Definition (1920 x 1080) on an HDTV.

3.0" LCD Screen: The FDR-AX33 features a 16:9 wide-screen 3.0" Xtra Fine LCD display. The high resolution 921,600-dot LCD screen can swing out 180 degrees, and rotate up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles. The LCD provides sharp and detailed images for monitoring or playback. The screen automatically switches to Mirror mode when the screen is rotated 180 degrees (for self-recording), but the image will still be normal when recorded.

0.24" Color Viewfinder: The FDR-AX33 also features an adjustable 0.24" wide-screen color viewfinder (1,555,200 dots) that lets you record and review video and still images when the LCD display is closed or in Mirror mode. The viewfinder can be pulled out to turn the camcorder on, and angled up to 45° if desired. The camcorder turns off when the viewfinder is pushed back in.

Multi-channel Microphone: The camcorder has a new microphone structure that lets you capture high-quality sound from five directions with approximately 40% less noise. You can record in 2-channel stereo for XAVC S shooting, and 5.1-channel surround for AVCHD shooting.

Recording Media: The AX33 records video in the XAVC S format onto SDXC or SDHC memory cards only (SD Speed Class 10 or faster, or UHS Speed Class 1 or faster). When recording at 100 Mbps or faster, UHS Speed Class 3 is required. If recording images in formats other than XAVC S, you can use SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards (Class 4 or faster), as well as Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2) or Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo media. It is recommended that the memory card be formatted inside the camcorder prior to use.

Optics: The FDR-AX33 has a Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* (T-star) wide-angle lens with a 10x optical zoom and a focal length of 3.8-38mm (35mm equivalent: 29.8 - 298mm for 16:9 photos and movies). The maximum aperture range is F1.8-F3.4. The minimum focus distance is approximately 0.39" (1 cm) in wide angle and 31.5" (80 cm) in telephoto.

Image Sensor: The camcorder has a 1/2.3" (7.76mm) back-illuminated Exmor-R CMOS sensor with 8.29-million effective pixels for video and 10.3-million effective pixels for 16:9 photos and 7.74-million for 4:3 photos.

NightShot: The NightShot feature lets you capture images in total darkness by using infrared light. With NightShot, parents can record sleeping children without worrying about waking them with a video light. In addition, the Low Lux setting lets you record bright color images, even in dim light. Minimum Illumination is as follows:

• Default Setting: 9 lux 4K, 6 lux HD
• Low Lux Setting: 5 lux 4K, 3 lux HD
• NightShot: 0 lux

Built-in Wi-Fi: The AX33 has built-in Wi-Fi, enabling you to connect the camcorder wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet, computer, or TV. You can load the PlayMemories Mobile app (available for Android on Google Play or for iOS devices from the App Store) on your smartphone or tablet and turn your device into a remote control/viewing device. You can also transfer your MP4 movies and photos to your mobile device wirelessly for instant sharing, and stream live video to others. When the camcorder is connected to your network, you can back up your files to your computer, or watch your videos and photos on your connected TV.

Near-Field Communication (NFC): For Android devices that support NFC, you can wirelessly connect the camcorder via NFC One-Touch Connection. By touching the camcorder to the device at the "N" logo near the hand strap, the wireless connection is made. The PlayMemories Mobile app will start up on the device within a second or two.

Multi Interface Shoe: The AX33 has a top-mounted Multi Interface Shoe for mounting a variety of optional accessories, such as video lights (HVL-LEIR1) or external microphones (ECM-XYST1M).

Recording Features

Video Recording: The Sony FDR-AX33 4K camcorder records Ultra High Definition and High Definition movies in the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 XAVC S format. Audio is recorded in 2-channel Linear PCM (48 kHz, 16-bit). High Definition movies can also be recorded in AVCHD format with Dolby Digital 2ch/5.1ch or MP4 with AAC audio. You can choose from the following recording format options:

• XAVC S:
  • 3840 x 2160 / 30p, 24p / 100 Mbps, 60 Mbps
  • 1920 x 1080 / 60p, 30p, 24p / 50 Mbps
• AVCHD:
  • 1920 x 1080 / 60p, 30p, 24p, 60i / 28 Mbps, 24 Mbps, 17 Mbps
  • 1440 x 1080 / 60i / 9 Mbps, 5 Mbps
• MP4: 1280 x 720 / 30p

Dual Video Recording Mode: This mode allows you to record an XAVC S movie and an MP4 movie simultaneously, or record an AVCHD movie and an MP4 movie simultaneously. The MP4 movie can easily be transferred to a smartphone or tablet for sharing or uploading to social media websites.

Still Image Recording: In addition to video, you can record Large, Medium or Small JPEG still images on the camcorder in 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio. You can set the unit to the Still Image mode or capture a still image while still in Movie mode. The still image recording options include:

• Still Image Mode:
  • 16:9: L 20.6MP (6048 x 3400), M 10.3MP (4288 x 2408), S 2.1M (1920 x 1080)
  • 4:3: L 15.4MP (4528 x 3400), M 7.7MP (3216 x 2408), S 0.3MP (640 x 480)
• Movie Mode: M 10.3MP (4288 x 2408), S 2.1M (1920 x 1080)

Balanced Optical SteadyShot: The camcorder is equipped with Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization technology, to give you smoother video or blur-free still images when recording in low light or when zoomed in to a distant object. When shooting in HD mode, the 5-axis Intelligent Active mode compensates for vibration in five different directions. In all other modes, you can choose Active SteadyShot or Standard SteadyShot.

Auto/Manual Focus: The Sony FDR-AX33 allows you to choose between Auto Focus or Manual Focus. To focus manually, you can set the focus switch to "manual" and rotate the focus ring around the lens. You can temporarily use auto focus temporarily, even in Manual mode, by pressing the Push Auto button. The Focus Magnifier function will magnify the center of the screen by approximately 2 times to allow you to confirm the focus.

Manual Adjustment Ring: The camcorder offers manual adjustment to exposure parameters using the programmable manual ring around the lens. By default, the Iris (aperture), gain (ISO), shutter speed, and exposure are set automatically. You can, however, adjust each manually by selecting the respective setting and turn the manual ring. While one setting is being adjusted, the others remain under automatic control.

Battery Information

InfoLithium Battery: This unit comes with an NP-FV70 InfoLithium (Lithium-ion) battery (6.8V, 1960mAh, 13Wh). The InfoLithium system exchanges data about its actual power consumption with the camcorder for a more accurate estimate of recording time available. With a fully-charged battery, you can expect approximately 135 minutes of continuous recording time, and 65 minutes of typical recording time. Playback time is estimated at 235 minutes.

Charging: You can charge the NP-FV70 battery in the camcorder using the supplied AC-L200D AC adapter. The battery charges in approximately 3 hours 15 minutes using the AC adapter, or 9 hours 15 minutes via USB on your computer.

Inputs and Outputs Notes

Micro HDMI: The camcorder has a Micro HDMI (Type D) output jack for connecting to a HDTV. The HDMI resolution can be set to Auto, 2160p/1080p, 1080p, 1080i, and 720p. With CTRL for HDMI activated, you can control some functions of the camcorder with the connected TV's remote control. A 42" Micro HDMI-to-HDMI cable is included.

Multi/Micro USB Terminal: The camcorder has a Micro USB terminal (marked "Multi") that can be used for connecting the camera to a PC for downloading still images and video files from the memory card or charging the battery. You can edit and save your video files onto your computer, then make DVDs of them using the downloadable PlayMemories Home software. You can also charge the camcorder via USB when connected to a computer. This Micro USB connector can be used to connect an optional AV cable (VMC-UAM2) to play movies on a non-HDMI-equipped TV.

Microphone Input: The camcorder features a 3.5mm microphone input for adding an external microphone.

Headphone Output: The camcorder features a 3.5mm minijack headphone output for connecting a pair of headphones for listening to audio/video playback.

DC In Jack: The DC In Jack is for use with the supplied AC-L200D AC adapter and charger.

Software

PlayMemories Home: The Sony FDR-AX33 does not come with software in the box. Instead, the PlayMemories Home software can be downloaded directly to your computer via the Internet (URLs for Windows and Mac are provided in the supplied Operating Guide). With PlayMemories Home, you can:

• Easily organize your videos and play them back instantly
• Manage and play back content easily using Calendar View
• Upload to online services simply and easily, including Facebook and YouTube

Compatible Operating Systems: PlayMemories Home is compatible with the following Windows Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7 (SP1), Windows Vista (SP2), and Mac OS X v10.8-10.11.