SONY FDR-X3000: Review

The Sony FDR-X3000 is a charismatic camera with character. It has the best 4K optical stabilization I ‘ve tested (correct me if I’m wrong). No matter what resolution you shoot, the picture goes smoothly. Specialist. the sensors on the device neutralize shaking and shift the lenses in different directions to compensate for the shaking.

See how the image is strikingly different with stabilization on the camera and without it.

This is a handy camera with thoughtful functionality that will suit almost everyone. No exaggeration. She will be able to easily shoot such shots, where a smartphone cannot reach. This is her bold plus. Read about other features of SONY FDR X3000 below.

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Appearance, design, dimensions

The body is plastic in a white glossy color with a streamlined shape. It is convenient to hold it in your hand with confidence that the device will not slip out or deteriorate the frame due to your finger getting into the lens. The connectors on the camera are masked with rubberized plugs. They do not accumulate dust and water.

There are two buttons on top of the camera. The one closer to the edge turns the device on and off. The second (with a red circle) starts and stops shooting, and next to it is a LED. It lights up when recording is activated. On the side is a black and white display. With it, you can adjust the optimal resolution and frame rate, as well as activate additional. stabilization and see the percentage of battery power.

If we take the ratio of width, height and depth, the dimensions of the chamber are 29.4 × 47.0 × 83.0 mm; and translated into inches, it turns out ≈ 1 3/16 × 1 7/8 × 3 3/8 ″. Weighs 114 g with the battery inserted.

SONY FDR X3000 connects in three ways

1.Using microHDM, the
camera connects to the TV without additional devices.

2. Through the 3.5mm audio port.  
   It can be used to connect an external microphone to the camera to improve sound recording. It will sound clearer and more intelligible even if there is noisy around.
3. Works with different memory cards 
   It does not matter if it is a proprietary Sony Memory Stick Micro or microSD from another manufacturer. In order for the shooting to be in high quality, it is better to take it faster.

If you activate data transfer on the camera and connect to Wi-Fi, Sony will connect to the smartphone “over the air” to exchange or process content. It’s easier to do this with the Action Cam App. It allows you to slow down and speed up video, do simple editing and editing. The camera works flawlessly in rain and slush. Withstands bicycling, snowboarding, pressure at depth.

The action camera comes with:

• Impenetrable aqua box

It is built to resist sand, dust and moisture. Suitable for shooting at depths of up to sixty meters without reference to time.

• Battery pack

Access to the compartment is located on the left of the device. The lid closes hermetically, but opens easily. It is not difficult to replace a discharged battery.

• Micro USB cable

Through it (or through a card reader) you can dump content to your computer. Additional software is not needed, because SONY FDR is connected in external storage mode.

• High-quality platform mount

Allows you to mount the camera on a tripod or helmet in almost any position to create the perfect shot that is sometimes difficult to find.

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Shooting characteristics of the SONY FDR X3000 camera

At dusk and in the dark, an equally clear picture is broadcast. Thanks to the first-class sensor and large aperture for this. The device records video in 4K (3840×2160 pixels) at 30fps, and in UHD – 1080p or 720p at 60-120fps.

Viewing angle 170 °. Quite a lot of everything gets into the frame. White balance is great. It consistently maintains the quality of shooting in dynamic moments. The microphones are located under the camera lens. This is no coincidence. They are just in the right place, the hand does not reach for them, therefore, will not close. The sound is recorded in stereo format, which suppresses unnecessary noise, creating the effect of being present when broadcasting video.

The key parameters of photo and video shooting can be found in the table:

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Functionality of the model

1. The action camera records video at a speed of 100 Mbps.
   Does not slow down even in 4K and slowmo, producing 120 fps in Full HD and 240 fps in 720p. It reads data pixel by pixel, without grouping pixels. The detail is super sensitive – it couldn’t be better for video shooting.
2. Dual-mode stabilization: standard and active
   In both, the image is read without cropping. With the standard one – video is recorded with a wide angle of coverage. In active mode, the picture is captured from only 92% of its sensor area. It is broadcasted smoothly, as if you are filming, driving on a trolley, like in a movie.
3. The sound is recorded from the built-in microphone
   More precisely, there are two of them and they write in MP4 / MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2-ch. and XAVC S: 2ch. LPCM, delivering great sound. If this is not enough, you can connect an external audio amplifier.
4. There is GPS, NFC and 3x digital zoom.
   The latter is controlled by toggling the up / down keys before starting the recording. Because if the recording is in progress, you won’t be able to zoom in and out of the picture.

The camera is suitable for the direction of vlogs or dynamic filming. Everything is thought out in it to the smallest detail, so that you get a beautiful scaled picture in almost any conditions.

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Lens

The crisp, wide-angle ZEISS® Tessar ™ lens captures spectacular scenes while skiing, traversing mountain trails, balancing between rocks in a turbulent river, or heading towards the finish line on a bouncy bike path. Fortunately, the technical characteristics untie the hands of even desperate daredevils:

• The maximum aperture of the aperture is F2.8.
• Focal length for video: for wide angle – f = 17 mm, for medium – f = 23 mm, and for narrow angle – f = 32 mm.
• The focal length for a photo – for a wide angle – f = 17 mm, for a medium – f = 23 mm, for a narrow – f = 32 mm.
• The shortest focusing distance is about 50 cm (no more).

And yes. You can choose the viewing angle yourself. When you shoot, the zoom ratio changes at your own discretion in the zoom.

Battery and power

The camera is equipped with an NP-BX1 rechargeable battery that requires a 3.5V charge. The battery sits down more vividly in frost. In the warmth with active shooting, the device works up to three hours. And the higher the quality, the faster it discharges. And it charges in about an hour.

Sony X3000 is not perfect, it is the best in its class without any alternative. At least I think so.