Action camera sony hdr. Review of action camera Sony HDR-AZ1VB. Brief video review of the Sony HDR-AS30VR action camera

Action overview Sony cameras HDR-AS30VR Why Choose Sony Action Camera? That is the question. By the way, why should I, to an ordinary person, not an extreme sportsman who does not jump from a parachute, does not do deadly somersaults on skis, or on a motorcycle needed an action camera? Couldn't you buy yourself a regular video camera? In the course of my review of the Sony extreme camera, I will try to answer them in detail. As you understand, I really am not an athlete who loves extreme sports. But I am connected with these people by the desire to capture my "exploits" in any conditions and in any situation. That's why I wanted to buy myself a Sony action camera. Why do I need such a camera?

for filming underwater
for filming in winter on skis and walks
for cycling
to record HDTV videos
so that the WHOLE picture and part of it fit into the frame
it was necessary to fully integrate the camera with modern gadgets on the Android platform (smartphone, PC)
the ability to get a full stuffing of accessories for the camera, and not come up with other devices "on the knee"
optimal price-quality ratio

Experienced athletes will immediately start to object to me: what about the GoPro? Why didn't I take this popular camera? To be honest, I thought about it for a long time and compared these two models. At that time, I chose this particular camera. Let me give my comparisons for two cameras

How to compare?	Sony HDR-AS30VR Camera	GoPro Hero3 + camera
Body shape	Narrow oblong	square
Megacpix number. video matrices	12	16,8
Megacpix number. photo matrices	11,9	12
Image stabilizer	Yes (electronic)	No
Viewing angle, degrees	170	170
Media for recording videos and photos	Memory Stick Micro, microSD / SDHC / SDXC	microSD up to 64 GB
The presence of an underwater box for shooting	Yes, up to 5 m.	Yes, up to 40 m.
Communications:	WiFi, GPS, NFC remote control	WiFi remote control
Battery	Li-ion battery 1240 mAh	Li-ion battery 1180 mAh
Camera weight, in grams	65	74
Average price in USD	390 dollars	540 USD

Despite the promoted GoPro brand, I also spent comparative analysis and did the following conclusions:

the price of Sony HDR-AS30VR is slightly less, moreover, the functionality is more
the dimensions of the chamber are smaller both in size and weight
the very shape of the GoPro did not encourage me to wear or use
The omnivorous nature of camera cards allowed me to use the fastest types of high-capacity cards.
The presence of an underwater box of 5 meters did not bother me, because this depth was enough for me for a pool and swimming. I am not a professional diver and did not intend to dive to a depth of 40 meters. This is the depth stated in the GoPro underwater housing.

Well, at the end, I was looking for comparison videos to compare how both cameras shoot in the same conditions. After watching a ton of video reviews of the two cameras, I noticed a slight superiority of the Sony camera over the GoPro. Maybe it's in the corners of the shooting or maybe the lighting, but subjectively, Sony's camera worked better. Comparative video of two cameras: and

Having made a decision about which model to buy, I decided to select sets of accessories for Sony HDR-AS30 cameras Before buying, I need holders for the handlebar of a bicycle, a head strap so that you can shoot without hands, an underwater box for filming underwater or in a pool, a hand strap, a suction cup on the glass of the car (can be used as a recorder), a remote control remote control... I immediately took the camera HDR-AS30VW letters VW just indicate the presence of an underwater box, and the presence of almost all accessories: NP-BX1(battery), BLT-UHM1(head mount), AKA-WM1(wrist strap), VCT-AM1(Velcro fastening), SPK-AS2(Waterproof box with built-in stereo microphone for immersion up to 5 m.), AKA-AF1(anti-fog wipes), software editable, waterproof case, adhesive holder. What else would I like to buy before the camera?

-hand remote control RM-LVR1 and LCD Holder AKA-LU1 which turns an action camera into a regular camcorder or video camera with an LCD display. I note again - there is no display in the action camera for watching videos. Only the display for the menu, which is mounted on the side of the camera body. There was an idea to buy harnesses for the dog so that the dog could run and take off everything. But our dog doesn't really like to wear stirrups. 🙂 I'm talking about this accessory with a code - AKA-DM1 As a result of the analysis and comparison between the Sony HDR-AS30VR and the GoPro Hero3 +, I chose the Sony action camera. Why?

The cost of the Sony HDR-AS30 camera is less, GoPro, although the quality is better
Sony HDR-AS30 body shape is more convenient for mounting and storage
Sony HDR-AS30 has GPS and NFC in addition to WiFi. GoPro Hero3 + only has WiFi.
NFC - allows you to transfer data between devices simply by being near each other without wires and special settings.
Sony HDR-AS30VR battery capacity slightly larger than GoPro Hero3 +
Sonya works with various types of memory media - Memory Stick Micro, microSD / SDHC / SDXC, and GoPro Hero3 + only works with microSD

Let's take a closer look at the HDR-AS30 camera The camera is an elongated bar, on one side of which there is a display that displays the type of shooting, the modes enabled, the charge level and the remaining shooting time or the number of frames for the photo mode. The Prev, Next buttons are used to navigate through the menu sections. By the way, the camera turns on quickly when you press these buttons. N mark on the body - needed for NFC transfer - here you must attach your smartphone or tablet to transfer files wirelessly. To get to the card and the battery, you need to go to the end of the camera. Here is the recording indicator and the record button (in addition, it works as an OK button to select the camera menu settings). The Rec Hold latch is used to lock all camera buttons from accidental pressing. To access the memory card or battery, you need to slightly move the cover to the side. There is a slot for cards and the battery itself, which is fixed with a latch. A small note: given that the camera reads many card formats, you must carefully insert the card. If you skew, for example, a microSD card, the camera will refuse to record video until quietly until you correct the position of the card. In principle, this is a payback for the omnivorousness of all formats, this problem did not bother me much, but I warned you. The camera uses a Sony NP-BX1 universal battery with a capacity of 1240mAh back side the camera does not seem to be anything interesting - there is just information about the resolution in mega-pixels and the Sony logo. On the top of the camera there is information about GPS, HD video and lens modes - Carl Zeiss. By the way, this optics is also used by many smartphones for the camera, as well as digital cameras... On the top of the camera there is information about GPS, HD video and lens modes - Carl Zeiss. By the way, this optics is also used by many smartphones for cameras, as well as digital cameras. At the bottom of the camera there are all connectors: microUSB - for charging the camera and transferring files HDMI out - digital output for watching video. Connector for an external box with an LCD display - AKA-LU1 Connector for an external microphone. On my own behalf, I want to say that this is a really necessary thing, because if you start shifting the cameras in your hand or changing its position - given the fact that the microphone is mounted in the camera, you will hear extraneous noises or rustling from the friction of the body on your hands. If you shoot motionlessly from a tripod or from your hand without changing position, everything will be fine. I think that an external microphone will improve the quality of sound recording. All connectors are covered with a protective cover. To prevent the cover from getting lost, it is attached to a flexible tape that is strong enough. I guess the tape won't break long enough.

Brief video review of the Sony HDR-AS30VR action camera

The camera menu allows you to display the following settings

whether WiFi mode is on or not. If not enabled, the battery charge level is not displayed - all 4 divisions on the full scale. Video recording format The time remaining for recording (or the number of frames that is left or has already been taken in the Time Lapse mode) mode indicator - located at the bottom of the menu, a picture in the form of a film strip indicates that you are in the video camera recording mode, a picture in the form of a photo camera - you work in photo mode. These options include: Capturing Still Images Capturing Time Lapse.

The list of camera modes is available in this photo.

Very interesting mode Time lapse which I would like to tell you about.

This is a very interesting effect that allows you to shoot individual frames with a selectable interval of every 5 or 10 or 30 or 60 seconds and combine them into one movie while quickly scrolling through all the captured frames into one film strip.

At the same time, you can quickly view all the changes that occur in a day or a few hours in just a couple of minutes. For example, how the clouds run and the sun sets in 2 minutes, or a flower blooms. By controlling the intervals of the photos, you can change the smoothness of the movement in the video. For this, special programs are used, for example - Adobe Premier. I will describe how to work with TimeLapse in my tutorials later.

Example Time lapse For the Lapse footage, watch this video.

For over a year now I have been filming a camera and I can praise her for the following points:

Small and compact. I take her to the pool (shooting over water, under water), in the winter on the snow, in the summer on bicycles, just for shooting events.
I got carried away by the TimeLapse mode - it's very simple and convenient. By the way, I was shocked that such an option is not available in expensive SLR cameras. For the camera, it was necessary to buy a separate remote control, which itself would give commands for interval shooting with a given delay. And in this action camera it's already included.
Sometimes I use a set - a camera + a separate LCD display when hiking. Very convenient to shoot.

Of all the camera accessories that I bought for me, very the following came in handy.

I'll start by prioritizing need: 1. Underwater box- at 5 meters depth (came with HDR-AS30VW) - swimming on the surface or under water.

2. LCD Holder AKA-LU1- allows you to turn the device into a camcorder with video playback.

3. Hand remote control RM-LVR1... It is convenient to monitor video for sporting events in winter, rain or dusty conditions.

I give one more hint. You can also control what you are shooting and control the camera remotely through the application that you install on your Android device (smartphone, tablet, laptop). In this case, the same functions are available to you. Install the program - Play memories... It's free on the Play Market. Watch my video review on how to use Play Memories and Sony HDR-AS30VR camera

Also did not interfere:

Head mount - BLT-UHM1 it is convenient to have a camera on your head and shoot where you turn your head.

Camera mount VCT-RBM1 - the feature of this mount is that it is designed for different frame diameters. Therefore, I can attach the camera to different models without any problems.

I rarely use all the other accessories, but this does not mean that you do not need them. Perhaps you also need something else.

Output: If I were now faced with a choice which camera to take, I would still take this device. He really impresses me very much.

By the way, Sony did not stop there, but released a new model - HDR-AS100V

In this chamber HAS ALREADY moisture protection in the case itself. I also recommend taking a closer look at this model.

The former top-end representative of the Sony action camera line has not lost its relevance and is presented on the modern market in a huge number of stores.

FullHD video

The model with the AS-100V index goes back to 2014. At that time, it was packed with one of the most progressive "fillings", thanks to which it is still deservedly popular. The main body of the action camera is the Exmor R sensor, built using back-illuminated technology. In the formation of the image, 13.5 megapixels are involved, which output video sequences with a resolution up to FullHD (1920x1080 pixels). Video recording takes place in two modes: MP4 with a maximum bit rate of 28 Mbps or XAVC S with a recording speed of up to 60 Mbps, which is available when using high-speed microSD memory cards with a capacity of at least 64 GB.

Zeiss optics

On board the camcorder proudly flaunts the nameplate "Zeiss", immodestly hinting at the direct participation of the authoritative German manufacturer of optics in the development of the lens. The built-in 170 ° Zeiss Tessar lens boasts a fast f / 2.8 aperture for high-quality shooting in low light conditions. In tandem with an activated stabilizer, the field of view is reduced to 120 °. The stabilizer copes with minor shaking, but can slightly blur the edges of the frame when shooting video.

Accessory park

The camera is made in a cylindrical form factor, which is very good in terms of aerodynamics. An arsenal of all kinds of mounts makes it possible to install an action camera anywhere: even glue it to your skis, or even attach it to a bicycle helmet or a pet. It is also easy to dock it with a tripod - a special adapter with a standard tripod thread is included in the delivery set.

Autonomy

Traditional wireless Wi-Fi and GPS modules, not mass-installed except in washing machines, help to simplify the process of controlling the camcorder and track the path along the way. But for long outings, it is worth getting an additional battery, since one battery charge only lasts for an hour of video shooting in maximum quality.

When going on an interesting journey, many people think about how to preserve all the bright moments in memory. Comes to the rescue action camera, which is capable of shooting video in any difficult conditions: in free flight, under water, on a steep descent or ascent. The relatively young market for action cameras is already filled with various models, which confuses buyers who are not ready to be disappointed with their purchase both during and after their holidays. Among the current models, we can highlight the Sony HDR-AZ1VB, which is a logical continuation of the line of action cameras and directly competes with the GoPro 4 Silver Edition both in function and cost.

Packaging, equipment

The camera comes in an attractive box with a transparent top that is standard for action cameras. The company offers several configuration options. Before us is a Bike Mount Kit featuring additional mounts for a helmet, head, handlebar or frame. All contents inside the box are neatly arranged in packages.

In the kit, in addition to the camera itself, we will see:

Tripod adapter
- storage battery
- transparent waterproof box
- remote control with rubber strap
- straight and curved mount with adhesive tape
- removable transition mount
- USB-Micro-USB cable
- multilingual user manual
- a set of mounts for the head
- a set of mounts for the frame or handlebar

Camera

Compared to previous models of Sony action cameras, the latest development of the company - HDR-AZ1VB is 30 percent more compact than the penultimate model, and its weight is only 63 grams. The camera has a streamlined shape, which in the best way affects the aerodynamic characteristics of the device. The camera body is made of glossy white plastic. The assembly is of high quality, the camera does not creak when pressed. You can use it without an aqubox - the camera is reliably protected from dust and splashes, but it is better to drop it into mud or puddles in an aqubox.

The front of the camera is a lens protected by durable glass. Below the Sony HDR-AZ1VB, there are two holes for the built-in stereo microphone, which captures sound at a high enough level - even with high speeds wind noise, does not turn into crackling. The microphone performs well in a waterproof box, while maintaining intelligibility.

Above there is a record button, a light indicator and a switch for recording activation mode: whether the recording will continue after the button is released or to stop recording, you need to press the button again.

On the right side there are buttons for turning on the camera and Wi-Fi module, a small display, an NFC sensor, holes for the speaker.

On the left side there is a cover that covers the battery. On it, by the way, inside you can find out the password for Wi-Fi networks cameras. To open this cover, you need to slide the slider on the back of the device.

Also located nearby is a microUSB connector and a port for microSD memory cards (SD / SDHC / SDXC) or Memory Stick Micro. Below, alone, there is a hole for adapters and a tripod.

The small size of the camera is good in every way, as long as the battery is not involved. Due to the compact body, the battery size is also reduced, but its capacity is enough for 80 minutes of FullHD video recording.

The camera is equipped with the best stuff Sony has to offer at the moment: a nearly twelve megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, the latest Bionz X image processor, a Zeiss Tessar lens with an aperture of f / 2.8, focal length 2.8mm and 170 degree viewing angle. The camera is capable of shooting Full HD video (1920 x 1080 pixels) at 25, 30, 50 and 60 frames per second. The device has 2 recording formats - mp4 and advanced - XAVC S with a maximum bit rate of 50 Mb / s. To record in XAVC S format, you need a high speed memory card.

In addition to video recording, the camera can offer photography, burst shooting and shooting with a time interval, as well as the now popular recording format - Slow Motion. The first way to activate it is to set the SSLOW mode in advance. As a result of shooting, the camera itself will create a finished video file, during which the movement will be four times slower. The second method is to record a video file in HD (1280 x 720 pixels) shooting format at 120 frames per second. To get a fourfold slowdown, you need to process the resulting file in a video editor. Thanks to the presence of Wi-Fi and NFC modules in the camera, the user can easily transfer photos and videos to a smartphone, computer or TV, as well as broadcast in real time to social networks.

Sony HDR-AZ1VB has one of the most essential functions of action cameras - electronic SteadyShot image stabilization. Thanks to the stabilizer, the resulting video will be free from all kinds of shaking and vibration noise, even if the video was recorded during fast movement. But keep in mind that turning on the stabilizer will reduce the actual video resolution, even though the camera programmatically scales it to 1920x1080. For professional wide angle shooting, shoot in XAVC S 1920 × 1080 50p 60 Mbps with stabilizer off.

The camera has two color profiles: Neutral and Vivid. In the first case, we will get an image close to reality, suitable for professional processing... V color profile Vivid, the color becomes more vivid and vivid. Such a profile is suitable for videos to which no processing will be applied, but will immediately be placed on YouTube or in a home archive.

Camera control

Since there are practically no control buttons on the camera, all adjustments are made using the wrist remote control or the official PlayMemories Mobile app for iOS and Android smartphones.

The remote control is made of black plastic and is splash-proof but not completely immersed in water. This is not required as the Wi-Fi signal cannot pass underwater. It is attached to the hand with a rubber strap. The control panel has a color display with a diagonal of 37 mm. There are 5 buttons on the body. The largest is the start / stop of recording, the rest of the buttons are responsible for turning the remote on and off, entering the menu and navigating through its items. The battery is non-removable, and the micro USB port is used to charge it, as well as to update the firmware of the remote control.

The remote control can connect to 5 cameras and control them at the same time. Switching between cameras takes about 3 seconds. With a single connection of the camera on the remote control, you can view the footage or receive a "live" picture from the camera.

Live View

Main menu

Movie setup menu

Color profile selection window

Recording codec selection window

Selecting the video recording format in Mp4 mode

XAVC S Professional Recording Format Window

The remote control is capable of exchanging information with the camera at a distance of up to 7 meters in the absence of obstacles in the signal path, and the delay is only 0.3 seconds. The remote control has a built-in GPS sensor, the presence of which allows you to record routes and link photos to a specific area.

If you don't want to carry the remote with you, there is a very handy PlayMemories smartphone app as an alternative.

Mounts for all occasions

Almost all Sony mounts have a proprietary latch. This allows you to quickly move the camera to the pre-installed mounts, or easily remove and change the battery. Sony has released a variety of adapters and mounts to suit any shooting condition.

The Sony HDR-AZ1 kit includes 2 platforms with a straight and curved mount, an adapter for attaching the camera to the platforms.

Aqubox prevents water penetration down to a depth of 3 meters. If, nevertheless, you often need underwater photography, then you need to purchase a waterproof box with a flat lens, which will increase the legibility of the picture.

Sony HDR-AZ1VR additionally includes a camera mount for pipes, handlebars, frame, as well as a head or helmet mount and separately for a ventilated helmet.

The mounts are made of plastic, the elastic bands for the head mount or for the helmet are adjustable and impregnated with silicone to securely hold the camera and prevent loss of the camera during activity.

Collection and editing software

To import and process videos on your computer, there is a proprietary program for PC and Mac - Action Cam Movie Creator. When the remote control is connected to the computer, it charges up and offers to update the GPS auxiliary data. When the camera is connected, we will be offered to import all the videos to the hard drive, and then, you can perform a simple video processing and editing. The final step will be exporting the finished movie.

Outcome

All camera specs are comparable to the GoPro 4 Silver Edition. Of the advantages, it is worth noting a rich set of mounts, which will not satisfy a wide range of needs, the quality of photos, and the presence of an image stabilizer eliminates the need to always process videos for a personal collection and social networks... However, for professional use the stabilizer must be turned off if you need FullHD format, as the output will not turn out full-fledged FullHD. In a professional environment, the Sony camera looks less attractive, as it is slightly inferior to the GoPro in image detail.

Overall, Sony has a great camera that performs well in different types activity by offering ready-made solutions mount the camera, excellent video and sound recording quality for most cases, compactness and lightness.

- Model: Sony HDR-AZ1VB
- Weight: 63g (with battery)
- Dimensions: 7.4 x 3.6 x 2.42 cm
- Matrix 1 / 2.3 ", CMOS, 11.9 Mp
- Maximum image resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Video resolution: 1080/25, 30, 50, 60p, 720 / 120p
- Lens: f / 2.8, 2.8mm,
- Image format: JPEG
- Video format: MPEG4-AVC / H.264, XAVC S HD
- Image stabilizer: SteadyShot
- Memory cards: microSD / microSDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Micro (M2)
- Interface: microUSB
- Communications: Wi-Fi 802.11b / g / n, NFC, GPS

The question of having action cameras for a 2D team has never been raised. We just always understood that we needed them, and after launching Veddro.com, without hesitation, we bought ourselves a GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition with a whole box of bells and whistles. After that, we realized that for shooting wheelbarrows: a). an action camera is really needed; b). one is not enough. But now we are thinking, is it worth buying another GoPro, or pay attention to other offers? Nevertheless, we decided to see what else was on the market, because GoPro had some nuances that did not suit us: the lack of stabilization, the lack of a standard tripod mount and a short time autonomous work... We stopped at Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V, of which we now have three.

All of the above things that we lacked in GoPro are in Sony, but at the same time we got another little bonus, which, in truth, is not so important for us, but very significant for the camera as a whole - sound. With the help of a standard microphone, it is recorded in stereo, moreover, the waterproof case has holes for it, in the GoPro there are none. But, what is generally surprising, the camera has a connector for a lavalier (external microphone). In fact, you can shoot a full-fledged video with normal sound on it!

The Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V is the successor to the HDR-AS15 and features a 1 / 2.3-inch back-illuminated Exmor R sensor with a resolution of 11.9 MP. Optics - Carl Zeiss Tessar with aperture of 2.8, angle of coverage - 170 degrees. The camera has SteadyShot image stabilization, although it is software-based and for its operation the viewing angle is reduced to 120 degrees. Which is also very good. Video can be recorded in the following resolutions with the following parameters: 1920 × 1080 60p / 50p, 1920 × 1080 30p / 25p, 1280 × 720 120p / 30p / 25p. That is, even Full HD can be recorded at 60 fps, but there is also a SloMo mode - 120 fps at 720p.

Included with the camera is a waterproof case with which you can dive to a depth of 5 meters, several velcroes on the helmet and a retainer for the same pads. This is in addition to the battery and instructions.

If there is nothing to attach to, you can improvise:

But for this type of cameras, the main thing is accessories, for the Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V there are plenty of them available: from banal cases and fasteners, to cases with external displays and a wrist controller with a display. First of all, we need suction cups to easily attach the camera to the car body.

By the way, about the displays. As in other action cameras, there is no color screen showing the picture from the lens, there is only small b-w display for convenient settings. If you want to shoot a home video, the screen will have to be purchased separately, but there is also a more elegant solution - to display the image on the smartphone screen. GoPro also has such an opportunity, but everyone knows that with the latter you will also get a huge delay in the transfer of the picture. At Sony, the broadcast is almost instantaneous. Moreover, in words it does not sound as convincing as in practice - you just see what the lens sees right now. This requires the free PlayMemories Mobile app to be installed. After that, you need to turn on Wi-Fi in the camera itself, find the camera in the application on the smartphone and enter the password, which, attention, is in a text file on the camera itself. Moreover, the instructions do not indicate the location of the password, so I had to google where to get it. After that, everything is ready, you can watch what gets into the frame from the screen of your device, you can change the shooting modes and do whatever is necessary.

This layout is very convenient for us - it is important to see what gets into the frame when the camera is mounted on the outside of the car body. Someone will also find it convenient to observe whether the Sony Action Cam attached to the helmet is looking in the right direction.

To start shooting, you don't even need to turn it on with separate buttons, you just need to press the record and in a couple of seconds everything will start to be recorded. This, by the way, is very useful for ordinary everyday situations, for example, in communicating with the inspector, so as not to miss anything.

There is a lock next to the record key that can be turned on when transporting the camera so that you do not accidentally press the record in the bag. Of the other controls, the camera only has two buttons to navigate the menu, which is fast.

Another big plus, compared to GoPro, is autonomy, it is at least twice as much. We almost never have time to finish writing a review of a wheelbarrow so that the battery of a goproshka does not sit down, this will not happen right there, the camera works for about 4 hours in Full HD video recording mode.

And at the end of a small excursion into the advantages of Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V, I suggest watching a few videos shot by this camera:

Video review Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.

With the development of technology and the advent of truly compact protected cameras, extreme sports and leisure turned from private exploits into a real spectacle. After all, now the whole world can watch your achievements, which were previously available only to friends-extremals - special thanks to free video hosting sites. The big sport also received its dividends, which began to actively use action cameras in the process of broadcasting competitions. But just a few decades ago, for recording, for example, an onboard video from a motorcycle, it was necessary to attach a very weighty box to the unfortunate racer, which complicated the process of controlling the equipment and made the already heavy helmet heavier, which increased the risk of neck and head injuries in the event of a fall. Now the GPS Full HD video camera, stabilized camera and time-lapse camera can fit even in the palm of a child! Today we'll talk about just such a baby - Sony HDR-AZ1.

⇡ Specifications

	SonyHDR-AZ1
Image sensor	Exmor R, back-illuminated CMOS, 1 / 2.3 "
Effective sensor resolution	11.9 megapixels
Image stabilizer	electronic, SteadyShot system
CPU	Bionz x
Video format	MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264) XAVC S (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264)
Photo format	Jpeg
Frame size	up to 4608 × 2592
Video resolution	up to 1920 × 1080, 60p
Excerpt	1 / 30s - 1 / 10,000s (30fps)
Lens	Zeiss Tessar, f / 2.8
Focal length (35mm): video Photo	17.1 mm (170 °), 21.8 mm (120 °)
Minimum illumination	6 lux
White balance	auto
Memory card	Memory Stick Micro - Mark 2 (MP4 format) Micro SD / SDHC / SDXC - Class 4 and above (MP4 format) Micro SDXC - Class 10 (XAVC S format)
Interfaces	microUSB
Wireless Modules	Wi-Fi, NFC
Nutrition	Li-ion battery NP-BY1, 640 mAh, 3.7 V
Dimensions (edit)	24.2 x 36 x 74 mm
Weight	63 grams (with battery)
Actual price	22,000 rubles (in the configuration AZ1VB)

⇡ Contents of delivery

Like most action cameras, the AZ1 comes in several configuration options, mainly differing in the set of mounts. Taking into account the supposed conditions of the test of the gadget (about which a little below), a variant of AZ1VB came to the editorial office - the so-called bicycle set for installing the camera on two-wheeled vehicles.

In the package, the camera is fixed on a plastic podium and hidden in a shockproof waterproof box. The case, called the SPK-AZ1, was designed specifically for this model and is not suitable for other devices in the Sony action camera line, since it has different dimensions. The box is capable of withstanding a drop from a height of 1.5 m and is ready to dive to a depth of 5 m - which, of course, is not particularly impressive. On the other hand, most people do not dive to great depths without scuba gear, and there are other Sony models for deep-sea shooting. For example, the top-end X1000VR with the special AKA-DDX1K diving attachment is capable of diving to a depth of 60 m! And the SPK-AZ1 is more of a protection against short-term and not very desirable immersion than a complete solution for underwater photography.

As befits such an accessory, in which an action camera spends most of its difficult extreme life, the SPK-AZ1 is endowed with almost all the controls for the gadget. Moreover, they are large enough so that you can work with them even with a gloved hand.

On the bottom of the box there is a large tripod thread, which makes it possible to use any tripods, holders, suction cups, mounts and other accessories on the market. Unlike proprietary types of connections, tripod threads significantly increase the number of options for mounting a Sony action camera. It's nice that the standard tripod thread is included in the basic package of the kit, and is not included in the category of add-ons and accessories. There is a small diameter thread on the bottom of the AZ1 camera itself, which is suitable only for attaching a special adapter platform to it for a normal large thread ... This was probably done due to the small dimensions of the camera.

The case opens in the front, from the side of the lens. The fastening of the fastener is tight, as it should be for a protective box.

The action camera is made in the form of a compact cylinder, flattened on the sides, and differs in miniature dimensions: 24.2 × 36 × 74 mm. At the same time, with the complete battery installed, the device weighs only 63 grams! On the right side of the device are the on / off and AZ1 Wi-Fi connection buttons, a small LCD screen with a minimum of information, speaker slots and logos (one of which indicates the presence of an NFC module).

Almost the entire left side of the AZ1 is dedicated to the battery compartment. The Sony action camera itself is protected from splashes according to the IPX4 standard, which in many situations allows you to use the device without additional protection in the form of a case - the battery cover is supplemented with a sealing gasket and is securely fixed with a sliding button-lock.

The battery here, of course, is removable, and its capacity, alas, is as scanty as the dimensions of the camera itself - only 640 mAh! That's almost half the battery life of Sony's previous action camera, the AS100V.

On the top edge of the Sony AZ1 there is a large recording on / off button, a sliding lock key, and two indicator lights. On the narrow back of the action camera, in addition to the button for unlocking the battery compartment, there is a place for two plugs (also with rubber seals). Behind one is a microUSB connector, after the other is an input for installing memory cards (MicroSD or Sony Memory Stick) plus the Reset key, which can only be pressed with a thin, sharp object. The Sony AZ1 has neither HDMI output nor microphone input - another sacrifice to the god of compactness.

"Two for the price of one" is about the Sony HDR-AZ1. The action camera comes with a gadget control panel, made in a protected form factor. wrist watch for wearing on the wrist. As expected, the remote control is packed in a separate box.

There are few controls here, and they are all intuitive. Unlike the camera, the remote has a full color display on which you can even view the footage. Although for these needs, of course, it does not suit the best way, it is needed primarily to control the few settings of the Sony HDR-AZ1. And the remote control also contains a GPS module, which the manufacturer transferred here from the camera itself, so that the navigation chip does not consume the already meager reserves of the AZ1 battery. I also note that the control panel is waterproof and can withstand diving to a depth of 3 m, plus up to five action cameras can be connected to it at the same time.

A microUSB connector is hidden under a waterproof plug at the end of the remote control, which is used to charge the battery and synchronize with a PC (for example, to update the software), as well as a reset button for the device. The battery in the remote control is non-removable.

As usual, the action camera comes with an impressive amount of waste paper: instructions for the AZ1 itself, accessories, etc.

And finally - a whole scattering of mounts included in the AZ1VB package (including the head strap).

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