SONY ACTION CAM, ACTION CAMERA REVIEW [UPDATED]

If you are a lover of adventure and extreme sports and you thought that the world began and ended with GoPro cameras , I have good news: it is not true.

Luckily, GoPros aren't the only ones in the stunt photography market, but they have some pretty good competition from the (perhaps unfairly) lesser-known Sony Action Cams .

Do you want to know more about them?

So let's see its main features. Although before, if what you are looking for is simply an underwater camera, here are our recommendations.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

As I have already mentioned, they are cameras designed for sports or extreme situations. They are designed to be portable (small and light in weight) and to withstand bumps, splashes, water, snow, and just about anything else that comes your way.

Very light: Weight approx. 90-115 gr. with battery included
Approximate size: 8.8cm long x 5.1cm high x 2.45cm wide
1/2.3″ ® type back-illuminated Exmor R® CMOS sensor from 8.8 to 11.9 MP
2.8 maximum diaphragm aperture
Lens Type: Carl Zeiss® Tessar® Ultra Wide Angle 170º
Shutter speed 1/30 – 1/10,000 (30 fps)
Electronic SteadyShot image stabilization
integrated Wi-Fi
GPS

TO WHOM?

It's no secret who this camera is for, since it comes standard with the word action, we can deduce that it's not for macro photography ? but for almost the opposite.

This camera is aimed at those who enjoy taking photos and/or videos in all those situations in which they would never take their SLR camera with them due to its weight, size, or fragility in the face of dust-water-blows. This camera is for those who love super-wide-angle action images , who like to get into a wave, record a jump in the snow or their pet's paws underwater. For those who are interested in focusing on the action without worrying about the adjustments, knowing that the result will be good in 99% of situations (very bright optics) and who like the aesthetics of these images.

If you meet the previous “requirements”, you will love these cameras ?

WHICH TO CHOOSE

There are several models on the market with different specifications, although always with the same philosophy and basic principles regarding the philosophy of action cams: light weight, small size, bright optics and ultra-wide ring images.

If you are interested in any of them, you should know that the main differences between models are the specific functionalities. There are some with great video quality (4k), specialized in scuba diving, with their specific housings and adjustments, etc. And of course with a wide range of prices. To give you an idea, let's take a look at a couple of the models that are currently on the market.

SONY ACTION CAM X1000V / X1000VR 4K

It is the latest model in the Sony Action Cam series designed to obtain high quality video recording (4k Ultra HD).

With WI-FI® and GPS
Water resistant to 10m with case (included)
Size: 2.4cm wide x 5.2cm high x 8.9cm long
Weight: 114g.
Effective pixels 8.8MP
f/2.8 maximum aperture number
SteadyShot image stabilization
4K Ultra HD image quality (4 times more detail than Full HD)
Remote control that allows you to control the camera from the wrist
Price N/A

SONY ACTION CAM HDRAS50B.CEN

With WI-FI® and GPS
Water resistant to 60m with the included case
Size: 4.2 x 4.70 x 8.30 cm
Effective pixels 11.1 MP
f/2.8 maximum aperture number
SteadyShot image stabilization
Full HD 60p image quality
Price N/A

You can see its full specifications hereand the opinions of Amazon users will give you more clues, as you can see, they value it quite well.

If you are really interested in these cameras, it is recommended that you take a look at them taking into account the function that you mainly want them to perform, because you cannot simply be guided by the model and/or price since most of them are designed for specific contexts. If you want it for water sports, scuba diving, recording video or simply taking photos, the same models probably won't work for you or, at least, surely you have a model more adapted to your interests.

Action cam-hdr-as50 - action camera - carl zeiss hdras50b.cen - Action ...

STRENGTHS

More competitive price and at the same level of performance as its main competitor; the gopro
Shock and splash resistant body without the need to use the housing (included), thus further reducing weight and size. In addition, dispensing with the casing allows us to gain image and audio quality
Housing with universal tripod adapter
In its superior models, great image quality and professional results

WEAK POINTS

It is no secret that the autonomy (battery) of this type of cameras is insufficient . If we take into account the small size of these types of cameras, it is something that most of them have to deal with.
Although it has enough accessories and accessories, the truth is that it cannot compete with those of the GoPro. So if you are a fan of supports and gadgets to place these cameras in the most disparate places, you may miss one.
The generic casings, although they have been improving model by model, do not have the resistance of their direct competitors.

CONCLUDING THIS REVIEW

If action photography is your thing and you dream of a camera capable of following you underwater, on your bike, through the air, snow, mountains and seas, or if you are simply fascinated by its size, weight and the style of its images, If you are also looking for a more than reasonable price and great image quality, one of these little ones may be the camera you are looking for.