The Sony FDR-AX700 is a 1.0-type sensor 4K consumer camcorder announced in September 2017, the top of Sony's Handycam range and the civilian sibling of the professional PXW-Z90 and HXR-NX80. It targets serious enthusiasts and semi-pro shooters who want pro-grade pictures without XLR handles.
Its stacked Exmor RS sensor enables Fast Hybrid AF with 273 phase-detect points - a first for a camcorder at launch - plus 4K HDR recording in HLG and picture profiles including S-Log2 and S-Log3. The 12x Zeiss Vario-Sonnar zoom covers 29-348mm equivalent, there are built-in ND filters (rare at consumer level), dual SD slots, and super slow motion in Full HD at up to 1000fps in burst modes with 100/120fps continuous. The 0.39-inch OLED viewfinder and touch-focus LCD round out a genuinely capable package.
The AX700 is significant as the last truly high-end consumer camcorder Sony made, and its phase-detect AF transformed what handheld camcorder footage of children, sport and wildlife could look like. It remained on sale for years, so the UK used pool spans early 2018 examples through to nearly-new stock.
Used checks: the retractable lens ring and ND mechanism should operate silently, the touchscreen should respond across its whole surface, and both card slots should record 100Mbps XAVC S 4K without stopping. Check the accessory shoe and battery latch, and inspect the lens for haze since these lived in camera bags for years between family events. The NP-FV series batteries age; a bundle with spares and charger is worth having. Confirm it is the AX700 and not the outwardly similar NX80/Z90, which carry handles and different pricing.