Sony Action cam
Sony’s first Action Cam has just entered mainstream availability only for GoPro to release the 4K-capable Hero3 Black Edition. So how does the Sony Action Cam hold up
Design
It’s a handsome looking unit and Sony has also bundled a water-proof housing that works to a 60 meter depth to help keep it looking good. It is worth noting that without the water-proof housing, the Action Cam cannot be mounted onto Sony’s fixed mount accessories as it does not have screw in points built into it these are reserved for the water-proof housing itself. It adds a little bulk to the Action Cam, but it also adds to your confidence when using it in the wild.
Accessories
Sony has released several different Action Cam bundles. These include a Snowboarding bundle ($380), a Skydiving bundle ($370), a Biking bundle ($380) and Racing bundle ($380). All include at least two 'one-use-only' stickable camera mounts, two small X-type rechargeable batteries, and variously a headband, handlebar mount, or suction-cup mount. Depending on your chosen sporting activity, you will find the bundles deliver what you need to get going.
Sony has also just released a separate 2.7-LCD case for the device that turns the Action Cam into a device you can carry in your pocket and still shoot high quality movies.
Sony has also just released a separate 2.7-LCD case for the device that turns the Action Cam into a device you can carry in your pocket and still shoot high quality movies.
Performance
Although Sony has just dipped its toes into the action cam segment, it has built in many of its best technologies into its Action Cam. The Action Cam incorporates a 1/2.3 type backside illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor. It matches this with its Bionz image processor tech and a Carl Zeiss Tessar lens that can take images with a field angle of either 170 degrees or 120 degrees. Sony uses its electronic SteadyShot image stabilization software with an active mode to help keep moving images relatively stable compared to the movement experienced during use. When SteadyShot is activated, the field of view.
The Action Cam can shoot still images at 2.0-megapixels 16:9 (1920x1080) and produce impressive despite the low megapixel count. It shoots video in the MPEG4-AVC/H.264 format in 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps or 120fps. Audio is captured in the MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch standard. It includes a micro-B USB 2.0 cable and port, while images can also be transferred via its microSD card, micro-HDMI or over built-in Wi-Fi. A free companion smartphone app can also be downloaded allowing users to check footage when in the field on their mobile device.
If you are new to action cameras, the Sony Action Cam is a great place to start, and Sony is certainly a brand that nearly everyone knows and trusts. The Action Cam is an excellent first-up effort from Sony, but this should be no surprise as has a long and distinguished history in making top notch still and video cameras. The new GoPro Hero3, however, is the camera to beat in the segment now, but it does come with a price premium. Overall, though, the Sony Action Cam remains competitive and is definitely worth a look.
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