It shoots up to Full HD 1080 at 60p, and supports Sony’s XAVC S compression format for higher-bitrate videos (50Mbps), in addition to MP4 (28Mbps).
Otherwise, the camera retains most of the top specs. Grab this head mount for a quick way to attach the camera to your body. Like GoPro, Sony has a big selection of mounts and accessories. If you anticipate a long day of shooting, grab an extra battery or external USB battery pack. Sony NP-BG1 rechargeable battery pack ($11)īattery life in action cams is short. To take advantage of the AZ1’s XAVC S high-bitrate recording, you need a high-speed card. Up your game and the get the most out of your gear with the following extras, hand-picked by our editors:
#Sony action mini cam 720p#
There’s also no built-in GPS and mic input, and it can shoot slow motion only at 720p at 120 Mbps. Compared to larger models like the AS100V and AS200V, there’s no HDMI-out, the LCD is smaller (it’s practically useless, except for indicating battery life), and the battery is smaller as well. Sony had to sacrifice some features to compensate for the small size, but not many. We still recommend you use the housing, because it adds a layer of protection. That means it can handle light rain, pool splashes, and even snow. One advantage Sony’s Action Cams have over GoPro and most POV camcorders is that the camera is splashproof without the housing. It does protrude out a bit in some scenarios, like when using the chest harness. It’s different from GoPro’s boxy approach, but we don’t find it any more difficult to use – or easier for that matter. Sony uses a unique pistol-like design that makes it easy to grip in your hand or between your fingers. Smaller is better when it comes to recording action sports, since it’s less cumbersome on your body when worn. The camera is lightweight and easy to pocket, but still slightly larger than GoPro’s Hero camera in some areas - only by a bit.
It weighs 2.2 ounces (with battery), and measures approximately 1 inch wide, 1.4 inches tall, and 3 inches in length. The AZ1 is Sony’s smallest model in the Action Cam series. It doesn’t offer many fine-tuning options, but the AZ1 will satisfy those looking for an easy-to-use action cam that shoots good-looking videos. The Action Cam Mini (HDR-AZ1) fits nicely inside the palm, yet it delivers excellent video quality that can rival GoPro’s. One of the newest models is also Sony’s smallest. Its Action Cam models are well-made cameras that are chockfull of great specs that deliver very good image quality. GoPro’s Hero cameras may be the undisputed leaders in the action camcorder market, but no manufacturer comes closer to besting them than Sony.