Sony FDR-AX43A/B UHD 4K Handycam Professional Camcorder

Compact UHD 4K Handycam

The Sony FDR-AX43A/B is a pocket-sized professional camcorder built for creators who need broadcast-quality footage in a portable form. It records UHD 4K video at 24 or 30 frames per second and captures 16.6-megapixel still images. A 1/2.5-inch Exmor R CMOS sensor handles low-light scenes while a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens provides 20x optical zoom and 40x Clear Image Zoom. Dual Video mode records an MP4 proxy alongside the high-bitrate XAVC S file for quick sharing.

100 Mb/s XAVC S 4K recording

The single specification that decides fit is the maximum XAVC S 4K bitrate of 100 Mb/s. This codec rate determines whether your editing workflow and storage media can sustain the data stream without dropped frames. If your project demands higher bitrates or different codecs such as ProRes or RAW, this camcorder will not meet that requirement. Buyers who need internal 10-bit 4:2:2 recording or raw output should look elsewhere.

Passive cooling with gimbal stabilisation

The built-in Balanced Optical SteadyShot gimbal mechanism stabilises the entire optical block without active fan cooling, so operation remains silent during recording. Power draw stays modest because the sensor and processor are optimised for the 100 Mb/s 4K pipeline and 50 Mb/s 1080p mode. No thermal throttling occurs in normal handheld use, and the flip-out touchscreen adds negligible heat. The design suits extended event coverage where quiet, steady operation matters.