Brand: SONY
Category: Camcorder
Document Type: Manual
Language: EN
Manual for FDR-AX40/AX43/AX53/AX55/AXP55
Uploaded: Nov. 21, 2025, 6:59 p.m.
How to Use
Before use
- Model Information
Parts and controls
- Parts and controls (front/top) [2]
- Parts and controls (LCD monitor) [3]
- Parts and controls (side) [4]
- Parts and controls (back/bottom) [5]
Screen indicators
- Screen indicators [6]
Movie recording format
- Recording formats available with this product and their features [7]
Getting started
Checking the supplied items
- Supplied items [8]
Power source preparations
- Attaching the battery pack [9]
- Charging the battery pack using the AC Adaptor [10]
- Charging the battery pack using your computer [11]
- Turning the power on [12]
- Using this product supplying power from a wall outlet (wall socket) [13]
Initial setup
- Initial setting [14]
Preparing a memory card
- Inserting a memory card [15]
- Types of memory card you can use with this product [16]
Recording
Recording movies/photos
- Adjusting the angle of the viewfinder for easier viewing (models with the viewfinder) [17]
- Recording movies [18]
- Shooting photos [19]
Changing the brightness manually for recording
- Controlling the image settings manually with the MANUAL ring (models with the viewfinder) [20]
- Assigning frequently-used functions to the MANUAL button or MANUAL ring (models with the viewfinder) [21]
Useful functions for recording
- Zooming [22]
- Capturing photos during movie recording (Dual Capture) [23]
- Recording in mirror mode [24]
- Intelligent Auto [25]
- Decreasing the voice volume of the person recording the movie (My Voice Canceling) [26]
- Recording the selected subject clearly (Lock-on AF) [27]
- Using the Time-lapse Capture function [28]
Playback
Playing images using Event View
- Playing movies and photos from the Event View screen [29]
- Screen display on the Event View screen [30]
Creating a highlight movie
- About Highlight Movie Maker [31]
- Creating a highlight movie (MP4 format) with Highlight Movie Maker [32]
- Adding a highlight point during recording [33]
- Playing highlight movies [34]
Playing MP4 movies (HD movie) (switching the movie format)
- Playing MP4 movies (HD movie) (switching the movie format) [35]
Editing images from the playback screen
- Notes on editing [36]
- Deleting the selected images [37]
- Deleting by date [38]
- Dividing a movie [39]
- Capturing a photo from a movie (models with the internal memory or models with the USB IN/OUT jacks) [40]
- Viewing trajectory of a moving object (Motion Shot Video) [41]
Using the built-in projector
- Notes on using the projector (models with the projector) [42]
- Using the built-in projector (models with the projector) [43]
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Category | Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Overall operations | The power does not turn on. [225] | None provided. |
| Overall operations | This product does not operate even when the power is set to on. [226] | None provided. |
| Overall operations | The menu settings have been changed automatically. [227] | None provided. |
| Overall operations | This product gets warm. [228] | None provided. |
| Overall operations | A rattling noise is heard when this product is shaken. [229] | None provided. |
| Overall operations | Intelligent Auto is canceled. [230] | None provided. |
| Batteries/power sources | The power abruptly turns off. [231] | None provided. |
| Batteries/power sources | The POWER/CHG (charge) lamp does not light while the battery pack is being charged. [232] | None provided. |
| Batteries/power sources | The POWER/CHG (charge) lamp flashes while the battery pack is being charged. [233] | None provided. |
| Batteries/power sources | The remaining battery power is not displayed correctly. [234] | None provided. |
| Batteries/power sources | The battery pack is quickly discharged. [235] | None provided. |
| Monitor | Menu items are grayed out. [236] | None provided. |
| Monitor | The buttons do not appear on the LCD monitor. [237] | None provided. |
| Monitor | The buttons on the LCD monitor quickly disappear. [238] | None provided. |
| Monitor | There are dots in the shape of a grid on the monitor. [239] | None provided. |
| Monitor | The backlight of the LCD monitor turns off if you do not attempt to operate this product for a while. [240] | None provided. |
| Monitor | The image in the LCD monitor is not clear. [241] | None provided. |
| Viewfinder | The image in the viewfinder is not clear (models with the viewfinder). [242] | None provided. |
| Viewfinder | The image in the viewfinder is no-longer displayed (models with the viewfinder). [243] | None provided. |
| Memory card | Operations using the memory card cannot be performed. [244] | None provided. |
| Memory card | Images stored on the memory card cannot be deleted. [245] | None provided. |
| Memory card | The data file name is not indicated correctly or flashes. [246] | None provided. |
| Memory card | Images cannot be played back or the memory card is not recognized. [247] | None provided. |
| Memory card | The data file cannot be copied from internal memory (models with the internal memory). [248] | None provided. |
| Recording | Pressing START/STOP or PHOTO does not record images. [249] | None provided. |
| Recording | Photos cannot be recorded. [250] | None provided. |
| Recording | The access lamp remains lit or flashing even if recording has stopped. [251] | None provided. |
| Recording | The imaging field looks different. [252] | None provided. |
| Recording | The actual recording time for movies is less than the expected recording time of the recording media. [253] | None provided. |
| Recording | This product stops recording. [254] | None provided. |
| Recording | There is a slight time lag between the moment when START/STOP is pressed and the actual movie recording starts or stops. [255] | None provided. |
| Recording | The auto focus does not function. [256] | None provided. |
| Recording | SteadyShot does not function. [257] | None provided. |
| Recording | Images cannot be recorded or played back correctly. [258] | None provided. |
| Recording | The subjects passing across this product very fast appear crooked. [259] | None provided. |
| Recording | Horizontal stripes appear on the images. [260] | None provided. |
| Recording | [Monitor Brightness] cannot be set. [261] | None provided. |
| Recording | Sound is not recorded correctly. [262] | None provided. |
| Recording | Photos are recorded automatically. [263] | None provided. |
| Playback | Images cannot be played back. [264] | If you have changed file or folder names, or have edited the data on a computer, photos may not be playable. This is not a malfunction. |
| Playback | Photos cannot be played back. [265] | If you have changed file or folder names, or have edited the data on a computer, photos may not be playable. This is not a malfunction. |
| Playback | The movie freezes. [266] | Photos recorded while recording a movie are played back. In the default setting, movies and photos are played back continuously. |
| Playback | An icon appears on a thumbnail. [267] | The image data base file may be damaged. Check the data base file by selecting MENU [Setup] - [Media Settings] - [Repair Img. DB F.] - the recording medium. If it still appears, delete the image with the icon. ? may appear on an image recorded on other devices, edited on a computer, etc. Removing the AC Adaptor or battery pack while the recording media icon is lit, or before the access lamp turns off after recording, may damage your image data and display the ? icon. |
| Wi-Fi | The wireless access point you want to connect to does not appear. [270] | Depending on signal conditions, the wireless access point may not appear. Move the product closer to the wireless access point. Depending on settings, the wireless access point may not appear. Refer to the wireless access point's manual for correct settings. |
| Wi-Fi | [WPS Push] does not work. [271] | Depending on the wireless access point setting, [WPS Push] may not be available. Confirm the password and SSID of the wireless access point to set [Access point settings]. |
| Wi-Fi | [Ctrl with Smartphone], [Send to Smartphone], [Send to Computer] or [View on TV] terminates prematurely. [272] | If the battery level is low, these functions may terminate prematurely. Connect the AC Adaptor or charge the battery pack before use. Do not close the LCD monitor while copying/transferring files. Copying/transferring will be interrupted. |
| Wi-Fi | Cannot transfer movies to your smartphone. [273] | To send a movie to your smartphone, ensure it is recorded in MP4 format. Before shooting, set [Dual Video REC] to [On]. Do not close the LCD monitor while transferring files. Transferring will be interrupted. |
| Wi-Fi | The shooting screen does not display smoothly. The connection is cut off. [274] | Depending on signal conditions, communication between the smartphone and this product may not work correctly. Reduce the distance between this product and the smartphone. |
| Wi-Fi | The shooting screen during Multi Camera Control does not display smoothly. The connection is cut off. [275] | Depending on signal conditions, communication between the camera and this product may not work correctly. Reduce the distance between this product and the camera. |
| Wi-Fi | The NFC connection does not work. [276] | Change the position of the compatible device to reduce the distance between the N mark on the smartphone and the N mark on this product. If the problem persists, move the smartphone a few millimeters or move it away for 10 seconds before touching again. Ensure the product is not in [Airplane Mode]. Make sure the smartphone is ready for communication. Do not place metal products other than the smartphone near the N mark on this product. Do not touch the N mark with multiple smartphones simultaneously. Close any NFC-enabled applications on the smartphone. |
| Editing movies/photos on this product | A movie cannot be divided. [277] | The following movies cannot be divided: Movies that are too short, XAVC S 4K and XAVC S HD movies, MP4 movies. Release the protection, and then divide. |
| Editing movies/photos on this product | The demonstration movies cannot be deleted. (models with the internal memory) [278] | Release the protection, and then delete them. Demonstration movies may not be installed depending on the model. |
| Playback on a TV | Neither image nor sound is played on the connected TV. [279] | Images are not output from the HDMI OUT jack if copyright protection signals are recorded in the images. |
| Playback on a TV | The top, bottom, right, and left edges of images are trimmed slightly on a connected TV. [280] | The product's LCD monitor displays images across the entire screen. This may cause slight trimming on TVs not compatible with full pixel display. It is recommended to record images using the outer frame of [Grid Line] as a guide. |
| Playback on a TV | The image appears distorted on the 4:3 TV. [281] | This happens when viewing an image on a 4:3 TV. Set [TV Type] correctly and play back the image. |
| Playback on a TV | Black bands appear at the top and bottom of the LCD monitor of the 4:3 TV. [282] | This happens when viewing an image on a 4:3 TV. This is not a malfunction. |
| Copying/Connecting to other devices | Images are not copied correctly. [283] | You cannot copy images using the HDMI cable. An AV cable (sold separately) must be connected properly. Ensure the cable is connected to the device's input jack. Do not close the LCD monitor while copying files. Copying will be interrupted. |
| Connecting to a computer | PlayMemories Home cannot be installed. [284] | An internet connection is required to install PlayMemories Home. Check the computer environment or installation procedure required to install PlayMemories Home. |
| Connecting to a computer | PlayMemories Home does not work correctly. [285] | Quit PlayMemories Home and restart your computer. |
| Connecting to a computer | This product is not recognized by the computer. [286] | Disconnect all USB devices from your computer except the keyboard, mouse, and this product. Disconnect the micro USB cable, restart the computer, then reconnect the computer and this product. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | Self-diagnosis display [287] | If indicators appear on the LCD monitor or in the viewfinder, check the following. If the problem persists, contact Sony support. Note the error code (C or E). C:04: Not using designated battery pack. Use designated battery pack. Connect AC Adaptor firmly. C:06: Battery pack temperature is high. Change battery pack or place in a cool place. C:13:/C:32: Remove power source, reconnect and operate again. E: Errors described in the manual. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | (Battery level warning) | Battery pack is nearly used up. May flash even with 20 minutes of power remaining depending on conditions. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | (Warning indicator pertaining to the temperature of this product/battery pack) | Product/battery pack temperature is high. Turn off power and wait for it to cool down. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | (Warning indicator pertaining to memory card) | Slow flashing: Low free space or no memory card inserted. Fast flashing: Not enough free space. Damage to memory card possible. Use recommended SDXC card for [100Mbps100] recording. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | (Warning indicator pertaining to memory card formatting) | Memory card is damaged or not formatted correctly. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | ?] (Warning indicator pertaining to incompatible memory card) | Incompatible memory card inserted. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | (Warning indicator pertaining to the write-protect of the memory card) | Memory card is write-protected or access was restricted on another device. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | (Warning indicator pertaining to the external device) | Image database file damaged or external device damaged. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | (Warning indicators pertaining to external device formatting) | External device damaged or not formatted correctly. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | (Warning indicator pertaining to camera-shake warning) | Product is unsteady, camera-shake occurs easily. Hold steady with both hands. Indicator may not disappear. |
| Self-diagnosis display/Warning indicators | (Warning indicator pertaining to photo recording) | Photos cannot be recorded during processing. Wait and record. Cannot capture photos while recording movies in specific settings (REC Mode, Picture Effect, SteadyShot, File Format combinations). |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | [Setting] Live streaming information has not been set to the device. | Verify settings on a computer using PlayMemories Home. |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | Cannot stream. Login to USTREAM failed. | Log in to Ustream again and confirm settings using PlayMemories Home. |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | Cannot stream. There is an USTREAM channel error. | The channel set by PlayMemories Home is incorrect. Other media may be streaming on the same channel. Set the channel again. |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | Cannot stream. Please verify the date & time setting of the device. | Set the date and time again on the product. |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | Could not find connectable access point. | Access point found but not connected. Check the password and connect again. |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | [Network] Connecting... The network is temporarily unavailable. | None provided. |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | Could not save the movie on USTREAM. | Saving settings of video cannot be saved due to a network error. |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | Could not find an access point. | Confirm access point settings using [Access point settings] on the product. |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | [Network Service] USTREAM error occurred. | An unknown Ustream error occurred. Wait and try confirming the connection again. |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | Twitter post failed. | Twitter post error. Check the network or log in to Twitter again. |
| Error messages during Live Streaming | Facebook post failed. | Facebook post error. Check the network or log in to Facebook again. |
| Warning messages | Cannot recognize the internal memory. Format and use again. | Internal memory format differs from default. Performing [Format] may enable use. Formatting deletes all data. |
| Warning messages | Data error. | Error during reading/writing internal memory. May occur from shocks. Movies recorded on other devices may not play back. |
| Warning messages | The Image Database File is damaged. Do you want to create a new file? HD movie management information is damaged. Create new information? | Management file damaged. Selecting [Yes] creates a new file. Old recorded images may not play back. [Repair Img. DB F.] may help. Copy images using PlayMemories Home if playback fails. |
| Warning messages | There is no Image Database File Create a new file? | No movie management information. Cannot record or play movies. Selecting [Yes] creates new information, allowing recording/playback. |
| Warning messages | Inconsistencies found in image database file. Do you want to repair the image database file? | No movie management information. Cannot record or play HD movies. Selecting OK creates new information, allowing recording/playback. |
| Warning messages | Inconsistencies found in the image database file. Back up and recover. Recover, then import using the included PC software. | HD movie database damaged. Inconsistencies between database and file. Select OK to back up HD movies and repair database. Backed-up movies not viewable on product. Connect to PC to import using PlayMemories Home. Not all movies guaranteed to import. |
| Warning messages | Buffer overflow. Writing to the media was not completed in time. | Repeated recording/erasing or using a memory card formatted by another device. Copy data to another device, then format the memory card on this product. Insufficient memory card size for copying. Use recommended card. |
| Warning messages | Restoring data... | If writing data failed, attempts will be made to recover data automatically. |
| Warning messages | Cannot recover data. | Writing data failed. Recovery attempts were unsuccessful. |
| Warning messages | Reinsert the memory card. | Reinsert memory card. If indicator continues flashing, card may be damaged. Try another card. |
| Warning messages | Cannot recognize this memory card. Format and use again. | Format memory card (deletes all data). |
| Warning messages | The maximum number of still image folders has been reached. Cannot record still images. | Cannot create folders exceeding 999MSDCF. Format memory card or delete folders using computer. |
| Warning messages | This memory card may not be able to record or play movies. | Use a recommended memory card. |
| Warning messages | This memory card may not be able to record or play images correctly. | Use a recommended memory card. |
| Warning messages | Do not eject the memory card during writing. Data may be damaged. | Reinsert the memory card. |
| Warning messages | External media cannot execute functions. | Check image database file. Format external media on computer if indicator flashes. Reconnect. Formatting deletes all data. If message persists, external media may be unsupported or damaged. Try another external media. |
| Warning messages | Unable to access external media. | Use external media in stable conditions. Ensure power source is connected. |
| Warning messages | Maximum number of images already selected. | Can select only 100 images at one time for deleting, protecting/unprotecting, or copying. |
| Warning messages | Data protected. | Tried to delete protected data. Release protection. |