Testing the PXW-X180

It's customary to compare the PXW-X180 with the PXW-X160, and it's true that the differences between the two models aren't immediately obvious. But there are two, and they're enough on their own to explain why some prefer one model to the other. The difference lies in connectivity. The PXW-180 has WIFI and GPS functionality; the PXW-X160 does not.

Far from being a matter of debate, the choice is obviously made according to one's needs, and with the most basic pragmatism. These two camcorders, which we recently updated, are the latest additions to a range of cameras designed to broadcast news and reports on the fly.

They are equipped with Sony G-series optics with 25X optical zoom. This makes it particularly suitable for the configurations for which it was chosen. Need flexibility for reportage? It's light enough. Need to shoot from quite a distance? The zoom is 25X. That's what you'd expect from this type of camcorder, and the PXW-X180 does the job, delivering a picture of the highest quality.

The zoom is adjustable from the lens or camera, which is quite functional and useful in a job where circumstances vary with each new shot. The iris-ND filter combination ensures rapid adjustment to achieve the perfect exposure.

Surprisingly, the built-in microphone is absolutely correct. While it's obviously not as powerful as an external microphone, it ensures really pleasant audio pick-up, even in windy conditions (windy, understand, not hurricane-force).

In terms of format and recording, the PXW-X180 uses SxS storage technology for storage, has an SD card slot and uses USB for file retrieval. Capture formats are respectable, from XDCAM to AVCHD, via XAVC long GOP or interframe.

As the model we're talking about is the PXW X180, it's hardly surprising to find a small slot on the side for a wireless dongle, enabling control from tablets and smartphones and, since the latest firmware update, streaming and file transfer.

Visual quality is up to scratch. No surprises, but no disappointments on the image front. For a camcorder at this level of the range, we expect precisely this quality. For this reason, the interest of this test lies not in image performance, but in the camcorder's ergonomics for everyday use in the field.

That said, it's impossible (yes, it is possible, but that would be silly) to overlook the PXW-X180's low-light performance. Clearly, this is a relevant innovation, putting the X180 in a position to compete with the superior PXW-X180. The autofocus is also clear and precise. You'll have to read the manual a few times, but with a little patience, it becomes formidably efficient.

In conclusion, we'd like to mention the quality of the optical zoom, the high-performance ND filters, the impressive low-light performance and the choice of codecs. The camcorder does its job, and even surpasses it.