The product: The size and weight of the Action Cam are impressive. The supercompact camcorder measures 2 inches high by 2.6 inches deep by 0.9 inch wide and only weighs about 3.2 ounces with its included NP-BX1 battery pack (a tray is included for use with Sony's NP-BG1 battery, too). That means there's less camera to strap to the side of your head or wherever else you plan to mount it. Because of its rounded bottom, though, it will almost always need to be in some sort of mount when being used, and although the included housing doesn't add a lot to its size and weight, it does add to it.
Sony includes a shock-proof/waterproof housing and two adhesive mounts, one flat and one curved. The housing is waterproof down to 197 feet and has dirt- and dust-resistant seals. It's great that it's so sealed up out of the box, and the housing has a standard quarter-inch tripod mount in the bottom, so it can be used with a wide variety of available mounts.
On the back are a big record button and a hold switch so you don't accidentally start and stop recordings. The whole back, though, is a sliding door that covers the battery compartment and a card slot supporting both microSD and Memory Stick Micro cards.
Pry open the door on the bottom and you'll find Micro-USB and Micro-HDMI ports, an expansion connector for use with the aforementioned camcorder cradle, and an external mic jack, which is a rarity on action cameras. Here's the thing, though: you can't use the external mic jack with the supplied housing or any of the other housings or mounts available from Sony. You're basically on your own if you want to mount the camera and use the mic jack.
What it offers:
The Sony Action Cam is a solid first effort and worth its price, but some design shortcomings may be enough to put off some potential buyers.
The advantage:
The Sony Action Cam is a good entry in the POV camera market that includes a waterproof case with a standard tripod mount; is available with or without Wi-Fi; has a small, lightweight body; and offers a decent number of recording options.
The unfavorable:
Video quality is disappointing viewed at larger sizes; can't rotate lens or flip video 180 degrees; camera can't stand on its own and can't easily be used without a door on its case; no access to mic jack when inside case; no still photos beyond interval shots; and additional purchases almost required.
The price:
$166.34 to $202.51
On the back are a big record button and a hold switch so you don't accidentally start and stop recordings. The whole back, though, is a sliding door that covers the battery compartment and a card slot supporting both microSD and Memory Stick Micro cards.
Pry open the door on the bottom and you'll find Micro-USB and Micro-HDMI ports, an expansion connector for use with the aforementioned camcorder cradle, and an external mic jack, which is a rarity on action cameras. Here's the thing, though: you can't use the external mic jack with the supplied housing or any of the other housings or mounts available from Sony. You're basically on your own if you want to mount the camera and use the mic jack.
What it offers:
The Sony Action Cam is a solid first effort and worth its price, but some design shortcomings may be enough to put off some potential buyers.
The advantage:
The Sony Action Cam is a good entry in the POV camera market that includes a waterproof case with a standard tripod mount; is available with or without Wi-Fi; has a small, lightweight body; and offers a decent number of recording options.
The unfavorable:
Video quality is disappointing viewed at larger sizes; can't rotate lens or flip video 180 degrees; camera can't stand on its own and can't easily be used without a door on its case; no access to mic jack when inside case; no still photos beyond interval shots; and additional purchases almost required.
The price:
$166.34 to $202.51
