No dear, it isn't a GoPro!
For the past several years, the POV (Point of View) video camera market has been dominated by outsiders GoPro and Contour. This is an odd and rare phenomenon as the photo/video industry is controlled by monoliths such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc... Well that all changed today when Sony announced their new "Action Camera," the HDR AS-15, a potential Go-Pro/Contour killer. For a long time Sony has earned the reputation of being late to the game despite making high quality products. This can glaringly be seen in their Alpha series DSLR line. Just when you think Sony is about to make a big power grab, they don't. So what makes the new Action Camera any different? After all, GoPro already has the name recognition and strong reputation amongst videographers and high action sports enthusiasts. Well as I mentioned, the AS-15 is really a potential GoPro killer, let's take a look at why Sony is going to make a big splash here.
The Action Camera with all flaps/hatches open
Sony makes the best consumer imaging sensors in the world, period. Despite all the dancing around technicalities, Sony is largely responsible for the success of Nikon's return to relevance in the world of photography. If it wasn't for Sony, chances are Nikon would be making manual focus lenses for other camera mounts ala Carl Zeiss, in addition to bloated line of crappy point and shoots. Well they already do that, but the point is that Sony sensors are so good that it seems everyone besides Canon (who make their own sensors) wants to use them. Sony's dedication to creating solid CMOS imaging sensors has led to world beating resolution AND high ISO performance as seen in the Nikon D800. The EXMOR CMOS sensor inside the new Action Camera is no different. While the AS-15 isn't a full frame DSLR, the principle remains the same. It kicks butt in low light for a POV camera. It is also important to point out that Sony is one of the only sensor manufacturers/fabricators that focuses technology on improving LOW ISO performance. Think all cameras are the same at ISO 100-400? Check your shadows next time, especially when you need to boost the gain/luminance of your photos. Sony sensors disperse heat more quickly and more evenly than competitors which results in lower noise and better dynamic range across the entire spectrum of ISO sensitivities. While I didn't have time to record directly against a GoPro HERO camera, I can see a visible difference between the two products. So again, Sony makes the best CMOS in the world and GoPro buys theirs from lesser third party fabricators. Sony has a major advantage here.
This flap opens up on the bottom to reveal a plethora of ports. There is an external microphone jack, a connection for the optional LCD accessory, mini-HDMI, and of course standard micro-USB.
Let's not be arrogant and say that experience is all that counts, but you can't completely throw it out the window. I seeing a relatively new and small company like GoPro make a mark in the industry, but money talks. Sony has a lot of money. It isn't necessarily the experience that counts here. When Sony wants high-end otpics they dial up Carl Zeiss and have them design something specifically for the camera it is going in. This is exactly what they did with the Action Camera. Again GoPro footage looks fine, but the specially designed Carl Zeiss lens really shines in tandem with the high-end CMOS sensor. Sony also did something very "Un-Sony" -like by using a G series battery that is a common find in many of their other products. You would have figured that it would have some odd and expensive proprietary battery, but bravo. Additionally, the use of a micro-SD card is welcomed and the bizarre mini-memory stick compatibility is uh... Well it's there. Maybe Sony is learning a thing or two about making consumers happy and not making them feel trapped with inconvenient proprietary peripherals and accessories. Rumor has it that future Sony DSLRs will have Standard ISO hot shoes now too. We're getting better all the time!
Yay a standard micro-SD card and common Sony G series battery in a holding tray. No super proprietary garbage here.
The term "Wi-Fi enabled" has become the "HD" and/or "3D" feature of 2012. Its the label all camera manufacturers are dying to slap on their cameras, no matter how choppy or poorly it is integrated. Personally I don't see the need to instantly upload every single photo you take, but that's for another rant. Despite its somewhat gimmicky nature, Wi-Fi is extremely important in the AS-15. Straight out of the box, the camera has no LCD monitor. Sure you can buy a nice one that clips onto the bottom of the camera like a transformer robot to make the Action Camera resemble a mini-camcorder, but how is that going to be useful when your Action Camera is mounted up in a tree or at the bottom/edge of a skate ramp? Well of course it won't be! That's why Sony is releasing a smart phone app for both iOS and Android devices. The application will allow users to have a live view of what the Action Camera is pointed at, basically a remote LCD. This will help get shots setup properly. Settings and recording can also be started/stopped. We will see how smooth it operates, but I am very optimistic about this feature.
Be sure to check out Unique Photo President Matthew Sweetwood's review and video samples with the Sony Action Camera. He mounted it inside of a bar on his BMW 1M and took it for a spin on the track.
A few months ago, Sony announced plans to develop the Action Camera. Personally I didn't think much of it at the time, but after seeing the specs and getting to use it briefly changed my mind. The 720 120p super slow motion mode alone makes the camera worth a look for those seeking to slow down time. While GoPro will remain a strong contender in this segment of the industry, Sony is really the only big time player and I'm honestly surprised that it took them this long. I expected Panasonic and/or Olympus to have more foresight and release a GoPro clone competitor years ago, but they didn't. The proof won't be in the pudding until creative minds and brave cliff diving souls try out the new Action Camera and report back, but the future looks bright for the new AS-15.
For more technical specs and a thorough hands-on review with sample video, check out a write-up by Unique Photo President, Matthew Sweetwood.