Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Sony - FDR-AX700 | Sony - FX6 |
|---|---|---|
| XLR input | false | true |
| Max video | 4K30 | 4K120 |
| Sensor size | 1" | Full Frame |
| Optical zoom | 12 | 0 |
Between the FDR-AX700 and FX6, the FDR-AX700 comes out ahead in optical zoom, while the FX6 wins on xlr input / max video. Overall, the FDR-AX700 scores 62.6 and the FX6 scores 61.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (62.6 vs 61.6). The decision is not about overall quality — both clear the bar — it is about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
Pick the FDR-AX700 if you care most about optical zoom. The biggest gaps in its favor are optical zoom. The single most decisive one: Optical zoom: 12 vs 0.
Pick the FX6 if you care most about xlr input / max video. Its strongest claims are xlr input, max video, sensor size. The single most decisive one: Has XLR input.
There are no meaningful ties on the headline specs — every popular-comparison metric has a winner.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Sony - FDR-AX700 or Sony - FX6?
Sony - FDR-AX700 leads the current Mars Score by 1.0 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare max video, optical zoom, sensor size against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Sony - FDR-AX700 if…
Sony - FDR-AX700 has the measurable edge on optical zoom.
Choose Sony - FX6 if…
Sony - FX6 has the measurable edge on has xlr input, max video, sensor size.
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 Sony - FDR-AX700 wins
- ▲Optical zoom: 12 vs 0.
Why Sony - FX6 wins
- ▲Has XLR input.
- ▲Max video: 4K120 (vs 4K30).
- ▲Sensor size: Full Frame (vs 1").
Spec comparison
Video
| Spec | Sony - FDR-AX700 | Sony - FX6 |
|---|---|---|
| Max video | 4K30 | 4K120lead |
| Optical zoom | 12lead | 0 |
| Sensor sizeⓘ | 1" | Full Framelead |
Audio
| Spec | Sony - FDR-AX700 | Sony - FX6 |
|---|---|---|
| XLR input | false | truelead |
| Headphone jack | true | true |
Design
| Spec | Sony - FDR-AX700 | Sony - FX6 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 934 g | 890 glead |
| Articulating screen | true | true |