Sony Launches Wearable Action Cam

The new Sony wearable action cam HDR-AS30V includes GPS, NFC Live-View Remote, and slim waterproof housing.

The gadget is aimed at active users and can be used for shooting underwater, dune bashing, on the race track, or sky diving.

Its waterproof housing has a slim design that cuts through wind and water. With a 170° field of view (120° with SteadyShot on), the wide-angle Carl Zeiss Tessar lens is equipped to take in panoramic landscapes.

There is a choice of recording modes, including Full HD 60p/50p for fast-moving action and two slow-motion modes.

For the first time, Action Cam can also capture 11.9 megapixel still photos.

As a new feature, it can shoot images upside-down – useful in situations where the camera is attached in a reverse position.

After shooting, the Action Cam can be connected to a smartphone via Wi-Fi to transfer and share shots with Sony’s free PlayMemories Mobile app.

The Wi-Fi also links the Action Cam with the optional RM-LVR1 Live-View Remote. This waterproofed, wristwatch-style controller talks wirelessly to the Action Cam, allowing ‘hands-off’ operation when the camera is mounted in hard-to-reach places like the helmet, kayak or surfboard.

Using the remote, it’s possible to check how the shots are framed on the remote’s colour LCD, and also to control start/stop recording and select photo/movie modes.

The Action Cam features a range of modes: ‘The Map View’ tracks movements, using GPS data captured with Action Cam to display a trail of your progress; ‘Multi View’ reads speed information recorded by GPS, creating an speedometer-style video overlay; and ‘Two-Screen Multi View’ combines video files captured simultaneously with two different cameras, creating a split-screen composite.

New auxiliaries for the Action Cam include a chest-mount harness, a roll-bar mount, a universal head mount kit, and a suction cup mount that clings to smooth surfaces, including the car dashboard.

The new Sony Action Cam HDR-AS30V is priced at around Dhs1,600 in the UAE.