Sony FDR-AX40 User manual

4-586-523-11(1)
FDR-AX40/AX53/AX55/AXP55
Getting started
Recording/Playback
Saving images
Customizing your
camcorder
Others
Digital 4K Video
Camera Recorder
Operating Guide
http://rd1.sony.net/help/cam/1630/h_zz/
“Help Guide” (Web manual)
Refer to “Help Guide” for
in-depth instructions on the
many functions of the camera.

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Read this first
Before operating the unit, please
read this manual thoroughly, and
retain it for future reference.
Owner’s Record
The model and serial numbers are
located on the bottom. Record the
serial number in the space provided
below. Refer to these numbers
whenever you call your Sony dealer
regarding this product.
Model No. FDR- ___________________
Serial No. _________________________
To reduce the risk of fire or
electric shock,
1) do not expose the unit to
rain or moisture.
2) do not place objects filled
with liquids, such as vases, on
the apparatus.
Do not expose the batteries to
excessive heat such as
sunshine, fire or the like.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS.
DANGER - TO REDUCE
THE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRIC SHOCK,
CAREFULLY FOLLOW
THESE
INSTRUCTIONS.
• Read these instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings.
• Follow all instructions.
• Do not use this apparatus near
water.
• Clean only with dry cloth.
• Do not block any ventilation
openings. Install in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions.
• Do not install near any heat sources
such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, or other apparatus
(including amplifiers) that produce
heat.
• Do not defeat the safety purpose of
the polarized or grounding-type
plug. A polarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the
other. A grounding type plug has
two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third
prong are provided for your safety.
If the provided plug does not fit into
your outlet, consult an electrician
WARNING
IMPORTANT
SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS

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for replacement of the obsolete
outlet.
• Protect the power cord from being
walked on or pinched particularly at
plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from
the apparatus.
• Only use attachments/accessories
specified by the manufacturer.
• Use only with the cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table specified by the
manufacturer, or sold with the
apparatus. When a cart is used, use
caution when moving the cart/
apparatus combination to avoid
injury from tip-over.
• Unplug this apparatus during
lightning storms or when unused
for long periods of time.
• Refer all servicing to qualified
service personnel. Servicing is
required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as
power-supply cord or plug is
damaged, liquid has been spilled or
objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does
not operate normally, or has been
dropped.
• If the shape of the plug does not fit
the power outlet, use an
attachment plug adaptor of the
proper configuration for the power
outlet.

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Representative plug of power supply cord of
countries/regions around the world.
The representative supply voltage and plug type are described in this chart.
Depend on an area, Different type of plug and supply voltage are used.
Attention: Power cord meeting demands from each country shall be used.
– For only the United States
Use a supplied power cord.
Europe
A Type
(American
Type)
B Type
(British
Type)
BF Type
(British
Type)
B3 Type
(British
Type)
C Type
(CEE
Type)
SE Type
(CEE
Type)
O Type
(Ocean
Type)
Countries/regions Voltage Frequency (Hz) Plug type
Austria
Belgium
Czech
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Luxemburg
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Slovak
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
UK
230
230
220
230
230
230
230
220
220
230
230
220
230
230
230
220
230
220
220
220
127/230
230
230
240
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C/BF
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
BF

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Asia
Oceania
North America
Central America
Countries/regions Voltage Frequency (Hz) Plug type
China
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Japan
Korea (rep)
Malaysia
Philippines
Singapore
Taiwan
Thailand
Vietnam
220
200/220
230/240
127/230
100
220
240
220/230
230
110
220
220
50
50
50
50
50/60
60
50
60
50
60
50
50
A
BF
C
C
A
C
BF
A/C
BF
A
C/BF
A/C
Countries/regions Voltage Frequency (Hz) Plug type
Australia
New Zealand
240
230/240
50
50
O
O
Countries/regions Voltage Frequency (Hz) Plug type
Canada
USA
120
120
60
60
A
A
Countries/regions Voltage Frequency (Hz) Plug type
Bahamas
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican (rep)
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
120/240
110
110/220
110
110
120
110
110
120/127
120/240
110/220
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
50
60
60
60
A
A
A/C
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

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South America
Middle East
Africa
Countries/regions Voltage Frequency (Hz) Plug type
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Venezuela
220
127/220
220
120
220
120
50
60
50
60
60
60
C/BF/O
A/C
C
A
A/C
A
Countries/regions Voltage Frequency (Hz) Plug type
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Saudi Arabia
Turkey
UAE
220
220
230
127/220
220
240
50
50
50
50
50
50
C/BF
C/BF
C
A/C/BF
C
C/BF
Countries/regions Voltage Frequency (Hz) Plug type
Algeria
Congo (dem)
Egypt
Ethiopia
Kenya
Nigeria
South Africa
Tanzania
Tunisia
127/220
220
220
220
240
230
220/230
230
220
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
C
C
C
C
C/BF
C/BF
C/BF
C/BF
C

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Battery pack
If the battery pack is mishandled, the
battery pack can burst, cause a fire or
even chemical burns. Observe the
following cautions.
• Do not disassemble.
• Do not crush and do not expose the
battery pack to any shock or force
such as hammering, dropping or
stepping on it.
• Do not short circuit and do not allow
metal objects to come into contact
with the battery terminals.
• Do not expose to high temperature
above 60°C (140°F) such as in direct
sunlight or in a car parked in the
sun.
• Do not incinerate or dispose of in
fire.
• Do not handle damaged or leaking
lithium ion batteries.
• Be sure to charge the battery pack
using a genuine Sony battery
charger or a device that can charge
the battery pack.
• Keep the battery pack out of the
reach of small children.
• Keep the battery pack dry.
• Replace only with the same or
equivalent type recommended by
Sony.
• Dispose of used battery packs
promptly as described in the
instructions.
AC Adaptor
Do not use the AC Adaptor placed in a
narrow space, such as between a wall
and furniture.
Use the nearby wall outlet (wall
socket) when using the AC Adaptor.
Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the
wall outlet (wall socket) immediately
if any malfunction occurs while using
the apparatus.
Note on the power cord
(mains lead)
The power cord (mains lead) is
designed specifically for use with this
camcorder only, and should not be
used with other electrical equipment.
Even if your camcorder is turned off,
AC power source (mains) is still
supplied to it while connected to the
wall outlet (wall socket) via the AC
Adaptor.
RECYCLING LITHIUM-ION
BATTERIES
Lithium-Ion batteries
are recyclable.
You can help
preserve our
environment by
returning your used
rechargeable batteries to the
collection and recycling location
nearest you.
For more information regarding
recycling of rechargeable batteries,
call toll free
1-800-822-8837, or visit http://
www.call2recycle.org/
Caution: Do not handle damaged or
leaking Lithium-Ion batteries.
CAUTION
For Customers in the
U.S.A. and Canada

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For supplied accessories
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
CAN ICES-3 B/NMB-3 B
This equipment complies with FCC/IC
radiation exposure limits set forth for
an uncontrolled environment and
meets the FCC radio frequency (RF)
Exposure Guidelines and RSS-102 of
the IC radio frequency (RF) Exposure
rules. This equipment has very low
levels of RF energy that are deemed
to comply without testing of specific
absorption ratio (SAR).
If you have any questions about this
product, you may call:
Sony Customer Information Center
1-800-222-SONY (7669).
The number below is for the FCC
related matters only.
Regulatory Information
This equipment must not be co-
located or operated in conjunction
with any other antenna or
transmitter.
CAUTION
You are cautioned that any changes
or modifications not expressly
approved in this manual could void
your authority to operate this
equipment.
Note:
This equipment has been tested and
found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio
communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will
For Customers in the U.S.A.
Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name: SONY
Model No.: FDR-AX53
Responsible Party: Sony
Electronics Inc.
Address: 16535 Via Esprillo,
San Diego, CA 92127
U.S.A.
Telephone No.: 858-942-2230
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference
received, including interference
that may cause undesired
operation.

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not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
– Reorient or relocate the receiving
antenna.
– Increase the separation between
the equipment and receiver.
– Connect the equipment into an
outlet on a circuit different from
that to which the receiver is
connected.
– Consult the dealer or an
experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
The supplied interface cable must be
used with the equipment in order to
comply with the limits for a digital
device pursuant to Subpart B of Part
15 of FCC Rules.
This device complies with Industry
Canada licence-exempt RSS
standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may
not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Notice for the customers in
the countries applying EU
Directives
Manufacturer: Sony Corporation, 1-7-1
Konan Minato-ku Tokyo, 108-0075
Japan
For EU product compliance: Sony
Belgium, bijkantoor van Sony Europe
Limited, Da Vincilaan 7-D1, 1935
Zaventem, Belgium
Hereby, Sony Corporation, declares
that this equipment is in compliance
with the essential requirements and
other relevant provisions of Directive
1999/5/EC. For details, please access
the following URL:
http://www.compliance.sony.de/
Notice
If static electricity or
electromagnetism causes data
transfer to discontinue midway (fail),
restart the application or disconnect
and connect the communication
cable (USB, etc.) again.
This product has been tested and
found compliant with the limits set
out in the EMC regulation for using
connection cables shorter than 3
meters (9.8 feet).
The electromagnetic fields at the
specific frequencies may influence
the picture and sound of this unit.
For Customers in Canada
For Customers in Europe

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Disposal of waste batteries
and electrical and electronic
equipment (applicable in the
European Union and other
European countries with
separate collection systems)
This symbol on the
product, the battery or
on the packaging
indicates that the
product and the
battery shall not be
treated as household waste. On
certain batteries this symbol might be
used in combination with a chemical
symbol.
The chemical symbols for mercury
(Hg) or lead (Pb) are added if the
battery contains more than 0.0005%
mercury or 0.004% lead. By ensuring
these products and batteries are
disposed of correctly, you will help
prevent potentially negative
consequences for the environment
and human health which could
otherwise be caused by inappropriate
waste handling. The recycling of the
materials will help to conserve natural
resources.
In case of products that for safety,
performance or data integrity reasons
require a permanent connection with
an incorporated battery, this battery
should be replaced by qualified
service staff only. To ensure that the
battery and the electrical and
electronic equipment will be treated
properly, hand over these products at
end-of-life to the applicable
collection point for the recycling of
electrical and electronic equipment.
For all other batteries, please view the
section on how to remove the battery
from the product safely. Hand the
battery over to the applicable
collection point for the recycling of
waste batteries. For more detailed
information about recycling of this
product or battery, please contact
your local Civic Office, your household
waste disposal service or the shop
where you purchased the product or
battery.
Battery Pack
Self Declaration –Conforming to
IS:16046:2012, R-41022659
For Customers in
Singapore
For Customers in U.A.E.
For Customers in
Malaysia
For customers in India

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Table of Contents
Read this first ............................ 2
Learning more about the
camcorder (Help Guide) ......11
Selecting the recording format
for movies ........................... 12
Getting started ........... 14
Supplied items ......................... 14
Charging the battery pack ...... 15
Turning the power on ..............18
Inserting a memory card .........19
Recording/Playback ... 22
Recording ................................ 22
Using the manual adjustment
features .............................. 25
Playback ................................... 26
Viewing images on a TV ......... 29
Viewing images using the built-
in projector (FDR-AXP55) .. 33
Saving images ............ 34
Importing images to your
computer ............................ 34
Saving images on an external
media device ..................... 35
Using the Wi-Fi function ..........37
Customizing your
camcorder .................. 42
Using the menus ..................... 42
Others ........................ 45
Precautions .............................. 45
Specifications .......................... 47
Parts and controls ................... 52
Index ........................................ 55
Learning more
about the
camcorder (Help
Guide)
Help Guide is an on-line manual.
Refer to it for in-depth instructions on
the many functions of the camcorder.
This manual describes 1080 60i-
compatible devices and 1080
50i-compatible devices.
To check whether your camera
is a 1080 60i-compatible device
or 1080 50i-compatible device,
check for the following marks on
the bottom of the camera.
1080 60i-compatible device: 60i
1080 50i-compatible device: 50i
Access the Sony support
page.
http://rd1.sony.net/help/cam/
1630/h_zz/
You will find further information such
as the following functions in Help
Guide.
• Time-lapse Capture
• TC/UB (Time Code/User Bit)
• Highlight Movie Maker
• Live Streaming
• Multi Camera Control
• Trimming Playback

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Selecting the recording format for
movies
The camcorder is compatible with the XAVC S format.
 What is XAVC S?
XAVC S is a recording format that allows high-resolution images, such
as 4K, to be highly compressed with MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 and
recorded in the MP4 file format. High image quality will be obtained
while keeping the data size within a certain level.
*1 Bit-rate indicates the quantity of data recorded in a certain period.
*2 When recording using the high-speed recording function, select from
60 Mbps or 100 Mbps.
Recording formats available and their features
XAVC S 4K XAVC S HD AVCHD
Pixels
3840 × 2160 1920 × 1080 1920 × 1080
Bit-rate*1 60 Mbps/
100 Mbps
50 Mbps*2 Max. 28 Mbps
Features Records images in
4K. Recording in
this format is
recommended
even if you do not
have a 4K TV so
you will be able to
enjoy the benefits
of 4K in the future.
Information
volume is greater
compared to
AVCHD, enabling
recording of clearer
images.
Compatibility with
recording devices
other than
computers is good.

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• You can change the recording format by selecting [Image
Quality/Size] [ File Format].
• See the following website for the latest storage environment.
http://www.sony.net/
• You can store images by connecting to a recorder with an analog AV
cable (sold separately). Movies are copied with standard definition image
quality (page 36).
• You can directly copy images to an external media device with the VMC-
UAM2 USB Adaptor Cable (sold separately).
 To transfer images to a smartphone
You can transfer MP4 images to a smartphone connected to the
camcorder via Wi-Fi (page 37). MP4 format is good for uploading to
the Internet. When [Dual Video REC] is set to [On], the camcorder
records movies in XAVC S 4K format, XAVC S HD format, or AVCHD
format while recording movies in MP4 format at the same time.
Recording format and the available shooting mode
Recording
format XAVC S 4K XAVC S HD AVCHD
Shooting mode Movie Movie
High Speed REC
Movie
Smth Slw REC
Golf Shot
Storage method
Recording format Storage method Image quality
stored at Page
XAVC S 4K Computer using
PlayMemories
Home™ software
•Externalmedia
device
XAVC S 4K 34
XAVC S HD XAVC S HD 34
AVCHD Computer using
PlayMemories Home
software
AVCHD 34
External media
device
AVCHD 35

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Getting started
Supplied items
The numbers in ( ) indicate the
supplied quantity.
All models
•Camcorder(1)
•ACAdaptor(1)
• Power cord (mains lead) (1)
•MicroUSBcable(1)
•HDMIcable(1)
• “Operating Guide” (This manual)
(1)
• Rechargeable battery pack NP-
FV70 (1)

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Getting started
Charging the battery pack
1Turn off your camcorder by closing the LCD monitor,
retract the viewfinder*, and attach the battery pack.
* Models with the viewfinder (FDR-AX53/AX55/AXP55) only
2Connect the AC Adaptor and the power cord (mains
lead) to your camcorder and the wall outlet (wall
socket).
* Align the mark on the DC plug with that on the DC IN jack.
• The POWER/CHG (charge) lamp turns orange.
• The POWER/CHG (charge) lamp turns off when the battery pack is
fully charged. Disconnect the AC Adaptor from the DC IN jack of the
camcorder.
Battery pack
DC plug*
AC Adaptor
Wall outlet (wall socket)
DC IN jack Power cord
(mains lead)

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 Charging the battery using your computer
Turn off your camcorder and connect the Multi/Micro USB Terminal of
the camcorder (page 52) to the USB jack of a computer using the
micro USB cable.
• Change the setting of your computer so that it would not enter the sleep
(hibernation) state before charging your camcorder.
 Estimated time of charging the supplied battery pack
(minutes)
• The charging times are measured when charging an empty battery pack
to its full capacity at a room temperature of 25 °C (77 °F).
 Estimated time of recording and playback using the
supplied battery pack (minutes)
• The recording and playback times are measured when using the
camcorder at 25 °C (77 °F).
• The recording times are measured when recording movies with the
default settings ([ File Format]: [ XAVC S 4K], [ REC Mode]:
[60Mbps ], [Dual Video REC]: [Off]).
• Typical recording time shows the time when you repeat recording start/
stop, switching the [Shooting Mode], and zooming.
• The recording time shows the time when recording with the LCD monitor
open.
 To use your camcorder connected to the wall outlet
(wall socket)
Connect the camcorder to the wall outlet (wall socket) in the same
way as “Charging the battery pack.”
Battery pack AC Adaptor (supplied) Computer
NP-FV70 205 555
Battery pack Recording time Playback time
Continuous Typical
NP-FV70 150 75 250

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Getting started
 To remove the battery pack
Turn off your camcorder. Slide the BATT (battery) release lever ()
and remove the battery pack ().
 To charge the battery pack abroad
You can charge the battery pack in any countries/regions using the
AC Adaptor supplied with your camcorder within the AC 100 V - 240 V,
50 Hz/60 Hz range.
• Do not use an electronic voltage transformer.

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Turning the power on
• To turn off the power, close the LCD monitor. If the viewfinder is pulled
out, retract it (models with the viewfinder (FDR-AX53/AX55/AXP55) only).
• To set the date and time again, select [Setup] [Clock
Settings] [Date & Time Setting]. (In case you haven’t used your
camcorder for several months)
• To turn off the operating sound, select [Setup] 
[GeneralSettings][Beep] [Off].
1Open the LCD monitor of your camcorder and turn
the power on.
• You can also turn on the camcorder by pulling out the viewfinder
(models with the viewfinder (FDR-AX53/AX55/AXP55) only).
2Following the instructions on the LCD monitor, select
the language, the geographical area, Daylight
Savings or Summer Time, date format, and the date
and time.
• To go to the next page, touch [Next].
Touch the button on the LCD monitor.

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Getting started
Inserting a memory card
• To select a memory card as the recording medium, select 
[Setup] [ Media Settings] [Media Select] [Memory Card]
(FDR-AX40/AX55/AXP55).
• To eject the memory card, open the cover and lightly push the memory
card in once.
 Types of memory card you can use with your
camcorder
Select the type of memory card to use with the camcorder referring to
the following table.
1Open the cover, and insert the memory card until it
clicks.
• The [Preparing image database file. Please wait.] screen appears if
you insert a new memory card. Wait until the screen disappears.
Memory card AVCHD XAVC S
Memory Stick PRO Duo media 
(Mark 2 only)
–
Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™
media
–
Memory Stick Micro™ (M2)
media

(Mark 2 only)
–
Insert the card with the notched
corner in the direction as illustrated.
Access lamp

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20
*1 SD speed class 4: or faster, or UHS speed class 1: or faster
*2 Memory cards that meet the following conditions
– Capacity of 4 GB or more
– SD speed class 10: , or UHS speed class 1: or faster
When recording in 100 Mbps or faster, UHS speed class 3: is
required.
• The movies recorded will be divided into files of 4GB when a SDHC
memory card is used to record XAVC S movies over extended periods of
time.
The divided files will be played back continuously when played back on
the camcorder.
The divided files can be integrated into the single file by using
PlayMemories Home.
• Proper operation with all memory cards is not guaranteed. Contact the
manufacturer of each memory card for the compatibility of memory
cards other than Sony.
• When using a Memory Stick Micro or microSD memory card with the
camcorder, be sure to use it by inserting it into the dedicated adaptor.
• Movies saved on SDXC memory cards cannot be imported to or played
back on computers or AV devices not supporting the exFAT(*) file system
by connecting this product to these devices with the micro USB cable.
Confirm in advance that the connecting equipment is supporting the
exFAT system. If you connect equipment not supporting the exFAT
system and a message that prompts you to perform formatting appears,
do not perform the formatting. All the data saved will be lost.
* The exFAT is a file system that is used for SDXC memory cards.
SD memory card *1 –
SDHC memory card *1 *2
SDXC memory card *1 *2
microSD memory card *1 –
microSDHC memory card *1 *2
microSDXC memory card *1 *2
Notes
Memory card AVCHD XAVC S