Sony Action Camcorder

[Big J]

Saw the Sony Action Camcorder on the moldy chum this morning and have been doing some reading on it.  It won't be released until the end of Sept, but from lookin at the specs does anyone foresee any issues with it?  Seems pretty legit and looks like it'll be a good competitor with the Go Pros.  If it gets good reviews I may put it down on my Xmas list and try talking my wife into getting it for me.   

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666484161#additionalImage1"

Here is the specs off their website.  Looks like it copied and pasted correctly.


Product Specifications
Convenience Features(details)Date&Time, Area SettingDate & Time, Summer Time, Area Set : Yes (except Summer Time)
Media FormatQuick Format (Initialize) : Memory Card
RecordingMedia Type : Memory Stick Micro™ (Mark 2), Micro SD/SDHC Memory Card (Class 4 or Higher)
Still Image Mode : JPEG
Still Image Max Effective Resolution : 2.0 megapixels
Video Format : MPEG4-AVC/H.264
Video Resolution : 1920×1080/30P (HQ),1280×720/30P (STD,SLOW,SSLOW), 680×480/30P (VGA)
Video Actual (Pixel) : Approx.11900K pixels
Video Signal : HD:HDTV 1080/60p
Audio Format : MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch
Microphone/Speaker : Built-in Microphone, Monoral Speaker
Movie Recording Rate(Average Bit Rate/VBR) : HQ:Approx.16Mbps/SSLOW:Approx.24Mbps/SLOW:Approx.12Mbps/STD:Approx.6Mbps/VGA:Approx.3Mbps
Still Image File Format : DCF Ver.2.0 compatible, Exif Ver.2.3 compatible, MPF Baseline compatible
Still Image Size(Photo Mode) : 2.0 megapixels 16:9 (1920x1080)
Progressive Mode : Yes
Drive SystemShutter Speeds : Auto Control Range: 1/30 - 1/10,000 (30fps)
InterfaceMemory Card Slot : Memory Stick Micro™ and Micro SD/SDHC compatible
HD Output : HDMI Out (micro)
USB Port(s) : micro-B/USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage)
BRAVIA® Sync™ : Yes
Microphone Input : Stereo Minijack
HDMI Terminal : Yes (micro)
Display PanelDisplay Panel : Yes
USB Power Supplyblank : Yes (1.5A or more is recommended)
CameraCamera Type : POV Action Cam
Auto Non Flicker : Yes
Gain Control : Auto
Optics/LensLens Type : Carl Zeiss® Tessar® Lens
Aperture : F2.8
Focal Length (35mm equivalent) : f=15.3mm, f= 5/8 inch
Minimum Focus Distance : Approx.1 3/16inch (Approx.30cm)
Angle of View : 170° (without SteadyShot), 120° (with SteadyShot)
Focal Distance : f=2.5mm, f=1/8inch
Steady Shot Mode:Active : 21.3mm
Convenience FeaturesDate / Time Stamp : Yes (Rec Date and Time)
Media/Battery Indicator : Yes (recordable time) / Yes (remaining capacity)
Multiple Language Display : English
Fast Playback : About 5 times/10 times
Image Management File Repair : Yes (AUTO)
On Screen Main Indicators : Recording Mode; Image stabilization
Weights and MeasurementsDimensions (Approx.) : Approx. 31/32inch x 1 7/8inch x 3 1/4inch (Approx. 24.5mm x 47.0mm x 82.0mm)
Weight (Approx.) : Approx. 2oz (Approx.65g)
Weight (Approx.) (Total) : Approx.90g (NP-BX1(supplied battery))
Imaging Sensor(details)Recording pixels (photo, 16:9) : Approx.11900000 pixels
Imaging SensorImaging Sensor : 1/2.3" (7.77mm) back-illuminated Exmor® R CMOS Sensor
Processor : BIONZ® image processor
Pixel Gross : Approx.16800K pixels
Effective Picture Resolution : Approx.11900K pixels (16:9)
Color Filter System : RGB primary color filters
Exposure SystemMetering Modes : Multi-segment
Exposure Settings : Auto
Noise Reduction : Yes
White Balance Mode : Auto
Minimum Illumination : 6 lux
Backlight Compensation : Yes (Auto)
Gain Control : Auto
Advanced FeaturesWaterproof : Yes (In use with Waterproof Case (SPK-AS1))
Dustproof : Yes (In use with Waterproof Case (SPK-AS1))
Image Stabilization : SteadyShot™ image stabilization w/ Active mode
Interval Recording : Yes (photo) (5s/10s/30s/60s)
Power Save : Yes
PowerPower Consumption (in Operation) : 1.7W (in Display Panel operation)
Power Requirements : 3.6V (battery pack)
Battery Type : NP-BX1 (supplied)
Charge on camcorder (Charging time with supplied Battery) : Yes (Approx. 4h 05min)
USB Charging(details)blank : DC 5V 500mA/600mA
In the Box
Operating Guide (1)
Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-BX1) (1)
Waterproof Case (1)
Micro USB Cable (1)
Adhesive Mount (1)

[NewTyer1]

I think the GoPro takes beautiful movies and stills but, if it could just not give the fish bowl effect I think I would be more happy with it. I did not see that much fish bowl effect with the Sony

[Woolly Bugger]

the sony has the same sort of extreme wide angle lens, looks like they are going after the GoPro market.

looks pretty cool, I wonder how batter life on the Sony compares to the GoPro...

I like the fact that you can overcrank it for quality slo-mo, but right now I'm satisfied with the Oly TG-1 for shooting any video that I need...? One thing that I don't like about either the GoPro or this Sony is that they require an external housing for waterproofing....

The major problem with any HD pos camera is that they use a fair amount of lossy compression.

Also requires a lot of storage, and processor power to edit the footage...

[Big J]

the sony has the same sort of extreme wide angle lens, looks like they are going after the GoPro market.

looks pretty cool, I wonder how batter life on the Sony compares to the GoPro...

I like the fact that you can overcrank it for quality slo-mo, but right now I'm satisfied with the Oly TG-1 for shooting any video that I need...? One thing that I don't like about either the GoPro or this Sony is that they require an external housing for waterproofing....

The major problem with any HD pos camera is that they use a fair amount of lossy compression.

Also requires a lot of storage, and processor power to edit the footage...

Yeaha, the Pentax that I have is supposed to shoot in HD but man does it suck. 

It also looks like the Sony doesn't have zoom capabilities.  But then again its made to be mounted to a helmet and not filming rising trout....  I'll be curious to see how it competes with the GoPro.

[benben reincarnated]

One of these will come in handy when I start parachuting into bluelines.   

[The Dude]

One of these will come in handy when I start parachuting into bluelines.   

I like where your head is at, Ben. 

[Woolly Bugger]

looks like JVC is entering the action cam market toohttp://www.photographyblog.com/news/jvc_gc-xa1_a_adixion/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+photographyblog+PhotographyBLOG

[Big J]

looks like JVC is entering the action cam market toohttp://www.photographyblog.com/news/jvc_gc-xa1_a_adixion/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+photographyblog+PhotographyBLOG

I saw that too. I think it'll be hard for jvc to compete with Sony and the GoPro.

[Woolly Bugger]

that JVC is more expensive, but it is self-contained waterproof design, shock proof too.

I'm not in the market for either at this time.