Recommended Recording Formats

If using the Sony NX80

XAVC S HD 1080/30p 50 Mbps
- File Format: XAVC S HD
- Record Format: 1080/30p 50 Mbps

If using the Sony X70 or Z90

XAVC HD 1080/30p 50 Mbps
- File Format: XAVC HD
- Record Format: 1080/30p 50 Mbps

This is a standard recording format for television, videos and independent projects.

Another option for Record format is 1080/24p -- this offers a more cinematic look. (If you own your own DSLR camera and are using it for some of your shoots, you likely are capturing 24p on that camera. So, if you want to blend footage, you'll want to go with 24p on the Sony too.)

Regardless of which file format you choose, all your footage should be shot in the same file and recording format for consistency.

We WARN YOU AGAINST selecting either of the following:

4K (XAVC S 4K) -- the file size is very large!
AVCHD -- it's hard to locate this files on your SD cards.
If you use either of these formats (or any others not mentioned on this page) the footage is still usable. It's simply more difficult to work with within the given parameters.

Always Check Recording Format

The recording format needs to be manually adjusted by the user, regardless of whether the camera is in auto or manual mode.

How to Set File Format

Press the MENU button
Go down to the second Menu icon that looks like two arrows. The name of this menu is REC/OUT SET.
Enter REC SET.
Enter FILE FORMAT.
Select XAVC S HD or XAVC HD (depending on which model you're using)

Rec/out set menu on Sony camcorders.

File Format options on Sony camcorders.

How to Set Recording Format

Repeat steps 1-3 from "How to Set File Format"
Enter REC FORMAT.
Select 1080/30p 50 Mbps

Record Set menu in Sony camcorders

Importing AVCHD Footage

If you accidentally recorded in AVCHD format, follow the steps on the Sony Camcorders: SD Cards page for finding and transferring your footage.