Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Canon - XA70 | Sony - FDR-AX700 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical zoom | 15 | 12 |
| XLR input | true | false |
| Max video | 4K60 | 4K30 |
Between the XA70 and FDR-AX700, the XA70 comes out ahead in optical zoom / xlr input, while the FDR-AX700 wins on several specs. Overall, the XA70 scores 68.1 and the FDR-AX700 scores 62.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The XA70 edges ahead on the Mars Score (68.1 vs 62.6), but the 5.5-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the XA70 if you care most about optical zoom / xlr input. The biggest gaps in its favor are optical zoom, xlr input, max video. The single most decisive one: Optical zoom — 25.00% more. 15 vs 12.
The FDR-AX700 similarly does not carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.
Both ship with comparable sensor size, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the XA70 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Canon - XA70 or Sony - FDR-AX700?
Canon - XA70 leads the current Mars Score by 5.5 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare max video, optical zoom against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Canon - XA70 if…
Canon - XA70 has the measurable edge on optical zoom, has xlr input, max video.
Choose Sony - FDR-AX700 if…
Sony - FDR-AX700 does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Canon - XA70 wins
- ▲Optical zoom — 25.00% more. 15 vs 12.
- ▲Has XLR input.
- ▲Max video: 4K60 (vs 4K30).
Why Sony - FDR-AX700 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Video
| Spec | Canon - XA70 | Sony - FDR-AX700 |
|---|---|---|
| Max video | 4K60lead | 4K30 |
| Optical zoom | 15lead | 12 |
| Sensor sizeⓘ | 1" | 1" |
Audio
| Spec | Canon - XA70 | Sony - FDR-AX700 |
|---|---|---|
| XLR input | truelead | false |
| Headphone jack | true | true |
Design
| Spec | Canon - XA70 | Sony - FDR-AX700 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 975 g | 934 glead |
| Articulating screen | true | true |