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Technical Details
Style: Wi-fi
- Brand Name: Sony
- Model: HDRAS15/B
- Media Type: SD
- Optical zoom: 4 x
- Optical Sensor Resolution: 16.8
Product DetailsStyle: Wi-fi
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Product Description
Style: Wi-fi
From the Manufacturer
 Relive the glory of every hardcore, gravity-defying moment in legendary Sony quality and share it wirelessly over Wi-Fi®.1 No other mountable POV camera combines Carl Zeiss® optics with a rugged exterior that welcomes mud, snow and water. So no matter what you do—snowboard, surf, skate, bike—record it all in HD and share your shredding with the world. |  |
| Share the action instantly. | It's tough like you. | High quality HD 1080p recording. | |||||
| Share that epic run, killer move or winning score with built-in Wi-Fi®.1 Use your smartphone to frame shots and share your footage on the fly. The Sony HDR-AS15 Action Cam easily connects to Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones and tablets running the free PlayMemories Mobile™ application.3 | Push it. Dunk it. The Sony HDR-AS15 Action Cam may be light and compact, but it's built to go hard. It's just over 3 ounces (with battery) and it's rugged case can handle the bumps and scrapes wherever you go. If that happens to include water, the HDR-AS15 Action Cam is also waterproof up to 197 feet. | Capture every move, trick and action-packed second in full, 1920x1080 HD resolution. When done, simply connect your Sony HDR-AS15 Action Cam via HMDI® to any compatible HDTV for playback that's as close to reliving the real thing as it gets.4 |   |
Key features
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Product description and full feature list
The Sony® HDR-AS15 Action Cam is equipped with the latest technology to bring you
incredible entertainment quality. Explore the full range of features and options below.
incredible entertainment quality. Explore the full range of features and options below.
| Compact, rugged HD video action camcorder The Sony® HDR-AS15 Action Cam is a rugged, wearable full HD video camcorder. Weighing in at just 90grams (w/ battery) this compact, lightweight unit allows you to capture your adventures on the mountain, in the water, and anywhere else life may take you as the action happens. High quality Full HD 1080p recording The Sony® HDR-AS15 Action Cam offers 1920 x 1080 high definition resolution letting you record your memories in exceptional Full High Definition quality. Capable of 60p recording and playback via HDMI® and compatible HDTV4 providing stunning clarity and incredibly detailed and smoother playback of your memories. Ruggedized, waterproof housing with universal tripod mount The Sony® HDR-AS15 Action Cam ships with a ruggedized, waterproof housing with universal tripod mount that is built to handle extreme environments, allowing you to concentrate on safety and composition while capturing Full HD videos. Within the housing, the camera is waterproof down to 197 feet and has dirt and dust resistant seals that help make it nearly impervious to mud, snow, rain, and grime.2 Share via Connected Phone/Tablet Wi-Fi®-enabled mobile phones and tablets running the free PlayMemories Mobile™ application3 can pull optimized movies and photos from the Sony HDR-AS15 camera without requiring a special cable. Once copied, you can use your available 3G and 4G cell networks to upload your memories and share them via email or social media networks. | SteadyShot® image stabilization reduces blur SteadyShot® image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver stunningly smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto shooting. In addition, innovative 3-Way Shake-Canceling adds electronic roll stability for even smoother video capture. Ultra wide angle Carl Zeiss® Lens (170-degree FOV) With an ultra-wide angle Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens, you will increase your perspective (170-degree viewing angle) while you venture out on breathtaking views of dynamic terrain to include ski slopes and mountain trails. 4x Slow Motion video mode in HD Extreme sports athletes and enthusiasts will enjoy HD SLOW 2x (1280 x 720, 60p) and HD SLOW 4x (1280 x 720, 120p) that shoot slow motion, which is ideal for studying and refining form and technique. For traditional shooting methods, the camcorder also offers several different resolutions to suit your needs: shoots in Full HD (1920x1080 30p), STD HD (1280x720, 30p), SD VGA (640x480, 30p). Exmor® R CMOS Sensor Experience stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with Sony’s back-illuminated Exmor® R CMOS sensor. Designed for compact cameras and camcorders, the Exmor® R CMOS sensor relocates the photo diodes above the support circuitry, maximizing the light gathering area per pixel so you can shoot with better results in lower lighting conditions. | Simply "Press-n-Go" Operation of the Sony® HDR-AS15 is as simple as pressing a large, easy-to-press start/stop button. Just press the button and you’re shooting the adventure of a lifetime. Memory Stick Micro™ and Micro SD/SDHC compatible The Sony® HDR-AS15 Action Cam features a memory card slot that accepts Memory Stick Micro™ (M2) and Micro SD/SDHC Memory Card (class 4 or higher) type memory cards. Enjoy the flexibility and convenience of expandable memory via the memory card (sold separately) that is most convenient and offers maximum compatibility with the computers he or she uses the most. Built-In stereo mic A built-in stereo microphone allows you to capture all the exciting sounds of your adventure. HDMI output for easy file transfer With HDMI® output, you’ll be able to share your Sony® HDR-AS15 Action Cam video with friends and family on your HDTV (HDMI cable required/not included). Secure on flat and curved surfaces w/ 2 adhesive mounts Hands-free shooting is at your disposal. Mount your Sony® HDR-AS15 Action Cam easily and securely to flat and curved surfaces with included adhesive mounts. |
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Product Description
Relive the glory of every hardcore, gravity-defying moment in legendary Sony quality and share it wirelessly over Wi-Fi. No other mountable POV camera combines Carl Zeiss optics with a rugged exterior that welcomes mud, snow and water. So no matter what you do-snowboard, surf, skate, bike-record it all in HD and share your shredding with the world.
Available Warranties for This Item
Style: Wi-fi
Customer Reviews
“ The Sony Action Cam has digital image stabilization and it makes a huge difference in sports like snowboarding when recordings gives you motion sickness. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
223 of 230 people found the following review helpful
By Y. Yamamoto
Style Name:No Wi-fi|Amazon Verified Purchase
(Updated 11/26/2012) I now have GoPro Hero3 Black Edition. This review changes a bit. Although Sony is pretty good, if you can afford $399 action cam, I would go with Hero3 Black Edition. Otherwise continue with my review.
If you are OK with the following limitations of the Sony Action Cam, this little Sony Cam is absolutely fantastic. Otherwise, I would go with GoPro Hero 2 or Hero 3 Silver Edition.
1. CANNOT RECORD SOUND in 60/120FPS modes. Not that I value sound from any Action Cams inside a case, but no sound can be a deal breaker for some.
2. Underwater footage is much worse than GoPro Hero2 in terms of color (Mainly Sony auto white balance does not work underwater). The case of the Sony Action Cam also has a curve lens, so it cannot focus underwater. Sony will release the door pack that includes the flat lens dive door.
3. Severe Lens flare. Some lens flare can be a good visual effect. I am OK with it if the flare is not too much, but Sony cam often washes out some colors under certain conditions.
I do not record any action cameras in 1080P/30FPS mode since CMOS jello effects can be very pronounced in fast action scenes. So I record most clips in 720P 60FPS. The problem is that Sony records 60/120FPS footage without sound and output videos as 30FPS. I do not mind the output frame rate, but the sound should be there.
Sony underwater AWB does not function properly yet. I do not believe Sony adjusted the camera for underwater usage. The color is very strange. Too green, too blue, and a bit noisy.
If you do not mind these issues, then this is the camera to get because
1. The Zeiss Lens is absolutely the sharpest among all action cams out in the market right now
2. The SteadyShot is just unbelievable. I was not a big fan of an electronic image stabilization, but this one really works!
3. Colors produced by the image processor is very natural. The tonal curve is flat, so it is much easier to post process.
4. The lens is wider than GoPro Hero2 or GoPro Hero3 Silver Edition and much less fish eye (Less distortion)
5. Low light performance is better than GoPro Hero2 or GoPro Hero3 Silver Edition.
6. The Noise Reduction works really well.
7. Very smooth motion.
8. Lower price.
9. The case is high quality.
10. The case has a standard tripod thread.
11. The case latch is pretty solid. It should not pop open like the GoPro Hero2 one. Hero3 case is very solid BTW.
Other minor issues that you may want to know (could be major issues for some)
1. It cannot stand on its own without the case. The bottom of the camera is round, so it falls down on its side.
2. I wish Sony added two more buttons on the case. This is not the Wifi version. I cannot change any settings once the cam is inside the case. I can easily change settings in GoPro though.
3. Not so compact with the case.
4. Unrealistic blue sky. It can be attractive, but to me, it is way too artificial.
5. No battery can be added to extend recording time
6. All input/output ports on the bottom of the cam. I do not know how I can use any ports including the Mic input simply because it cannot be used with the case. Also the cam cannot stand without the case, so I have no idea how to use the mic input or other ports while recording.
7. No dedicated photo mode like GoPro. It has the interval (timelapse) mode where photos are limited to 1920x1080.
8. Slower start up time.
9. No adjustable beep volume on Start/Stop button. I need louder beep sound from the cam to acknowledged record start/stop when my recording environment is noisy.
10. No underwater focus solution has been released yet. Sony will release the flat lens door in November as a part of the door pack. The pack will cost around $50.
11. CA (Purple fringing) is pretty bad around corners especially in high contrast situations.
12. I could be wrong, but I do not see PAL 25/50FPS options. Not that I care for my use.
The reasons why I did not get the Wifi version:
1. Higher price of course
2. I cannot use Phones or Tablets to adjust the cam underwater or in extreme environment anyway.
3. More battery consumption
If I use the cam more above water, then I would get the Wifi version.
Conclusion:
I did not include GoPro Hero3 White Edition into this review because it would not be comparable that the white edition is the same old technology as Hero1.
Sony Action Cam's video IQ, SteadyShot, and image processor was the best among other competitors on land footage before Hero3 Black Edition came out. There are minor issues, but if Sony includes sound for 60fps and fix the underwater AWB, then I would go all the way with Sony Action Cam if you cannot afford Hero3 Black Edition.
If you can afford GoPro Hero3 Black Edition, here is why I like the Black edition better.
1. Better noise reduction under low light
2. More compact body with many mounting options
3. Sharper and detail image from higher resolution modes
4. Higher FPS and better low light from 120FPS at 720P
5. More accurate color and exposure
6. Less CA(purple fringing) and far less lens flares
7. Adjustable White Balance
8. Included Flat lens case for underwater
9. Much better Auto white balance underwater
10. Sound can be recorded at 60/120/240 FPS modes
Although I like the Hero3 Black better, I miss these Sony features.
1. Much longer battery life at all recording modes
2. SteadyShot is unbelievable
3. Less buggy
4. Nicer beep sound
If you are OK with the following limitations of the Sony Action Cam, this little Sony Cam is absolutely fantastic. Otherwise, I would go with GoPro Hero 2 or Hero 3 Silver Edition.
1. CANNOT RECORD SOUND in 60/120FPS modes. Not that I value sound from any Action Cams inside a case, but no sound can be a deal breaker for some.
2. Underwater footage is much worse than GoPro Hero2 in terms of color (Mainly Sony auto white balance does not work underwater). The case of the Sony Action Cam also has a curve lens, so it cannot focus underwater. Sony will release the door pack that includes the flat lens dive door.
3. Severe Lens flare. Some lens flare can be a good visual effect. I am OK with it if the flare is not too much, but Sony cam often washes out some colors under certain conditions.
I do not record any action cameras in 1080P/30FPS mode since CMOS jello effects can be very pronounced in fast action scenes. So I record most clips in 720P 60FPS. The problem is that Sony records 60/120FPS footage without sound and output videos as 30FPS. I do not mind the output frame rate, but the sound should be there.
Sony underwater AWB does not function properly yet. I do not believe Sony adjusted the camera for underwater usage. The color is very strange. Too green, too blue, and a bit noisy.
If you do not mind these issues, then this is the camera to get because
1. The Zeiss Lens is absolutely the sharpest among all action cams out in the market right now
2. The SteadyShot is just unbelievable. I was not a big fan of an electronic image stabilization, but this one really works!
3. Colors produced by the image processor is very natural. The tonal curve is flat, so it is much easier to post process.
4. The lens is wider than GoPro Hero2 or GoPro Hero3 Silver Edition and much less fish eye (Less distortion)
5. Low light performance is better than GoPro Hero2 or GoPro Hero3 Silver Edition.
6. The Noise Reduction works really well.
7. Very smooth motion.
8. Lower price.
9. The case is high quality.
10. The case has a standard tripod thread.
11. The case latch is pretty solid. It should not pop open like the GoPro Hero2 one. Hero3 case is very solid BTW.
Other minor issues that you may want to know (could be major issues for some)
1. It cannot stand on its own without the case. The bottom of the camera is round, so it falls down on its side.
2. I wish Sony added two more buttons on the case. This is not the Wifi version. I cannot change any settings once the cam is inside the case. I can easily change settings in GoPro though.
3. Not so compact with the case.
4. Unrealistic blue sky. It can be attractive, but to me, it is way too artificial.
5. No battery can be added to extend recording time
6. All input/output ports on the bottom of the cam. I do not know how I can use any ports including the Mic input simply because it cannot be used with the case. Also the cam cannot stand without the case, so I have no idea how to use the mic input or other ports while recording.
7. No dedicated photo mode like GoPro. It has the interval (timelapse) mode where photos are limited to 1920x1080.
8. Slower start up time.
9. No adjustable beep volume on Start/Stop button. I need louder beep sound from the cam to acknowledged record start/stop when my recording environment is noisy.
10. No underwater focus solution has been released yet. Sony will release the flat lens door in November as a part of the door pack. The pack will cost around $50.
11. CA (Purple fringing) is pretty bad around corners especially in high contrast situations.
12. I could be wrong, but I do not see PAL 25/50FPS options. Not that I care for my use.
The reasons why I did not get the Wifi version:
1. Higher price of course
2. I cannot use Phones or Tablets to adjust the cam underwater or in extreme environment anyway.
3. More battery consumption
If I use the cam more above water, then I would get the Wifi version.
Conclusion:
I did not include GoPro Hero3 White Edition into this review because it would not be comparable that the white edition is the same old technology as Hero1.
Sony Action Cam's video IQ, SteadyShot, and image processor was the best among other competitors on land footage before Hero3 Black Edition came out. There are minor issues, but if Sony includes sound for 60fps and fix the underwater AWB, then I would go all the way with Sony Action Cam if you cannot afford Hero3 Black Edition.
If you can afford GoPro Hero3 Black Edition, here is why I like the Black edition better.
1. Better noise reduction under low light
2. More compact body with many mounting options
3. Sharper and detail image from higher resolution modes
4. Higher FPS and better low light from 120FPS at 720P
5. More accurate color and exposure
6. Less CA(purple fringing) and far less lens flares
7. Adjustable White Balance
8. Included Flat lens case for underwater
9. Much better Auto white balance underwater
10. Sound can be recorded at 60/120/240 FPS modes
Although I like the Hero3 Black better, I miss these Sony features.
1. Much longer battery life at all recording modes
2. SteadyShot is unbelievable
3. Less buggy
4. Nicer beep sound
53 of 55 people found the following review helpful
By joshua
Style Name:Wi-fi
Overall this is a great product at a great price. The camera captures good detail with accurate white balance, good color and saturation, and sharpness across the field of view. The steady shot works very well, and there is a definite improvement in low light detail and noise compared to competing cameras in this segment of the market. The wifi feature works as advertised and allows easy framing and control of the settings through an IOS or Android smart phone, although it can take a while to browse the content if you have a large number of photos or videos on the card.
Pros:
White balance and auto exposure are more accurate than the go pro hero HD or Hero 2. The gopros tend to have a warmer white balance and will over expose the sky when a person is slightly back lit. The Sony will slightly under expose back lit subjects and preserve highlight detail in the sky.
The 4x slow motion works well and is smooth even when further slowed down in post. The image and individual frames maintain sharpness and their is no ghosting or other artifacts. Sony also writes the metadata tag so that the 120fps videos play back and drop into a 30fps timeline.
The lens has much less barrel distortion than the gopros even at the 170 degree setting, and the Zeiss lens provides sharpness across the entire field of view.
Cons:
The still photo size is limited to 1920x1080 or 2MP only in the 16:9 aspect ratio, whereas the gopros offer 5mp, 8mp, and 11mp at 4:3 or 16:9. The gopros also offer a greater range of intervals at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, and 60 seconds vs sony's 5, 10, 30, 60.
In the 720 / 60p and 720 / 120p modes there is no audio recorded as Sony write the metadata to play back at 30fps
Pros:
White balance and auto exposure are more accurate than the go pro hero HD or Hero 2. The gopros tend to have a warmer white balance and will over expose the sky when a person is slightly back lit. The Sony will slightly under expose back lit subjects and preserve highlight detail in the sky.
The 4x slow motion works well and is smooth even when further slowed down in post. The image and individual frames maintain sharpness and their is no ghosting or other artifacts. Sony also writes the metadata tag so that the 120fps videos play back and drop into a 30fps timeline.
The lens has much less barrel distortion than the gopros even at the 170 degree setting, and the Zeiss lens provides sharpness across the entire field of view.
Cons:
The still photo size is limited to 1920x1080 or 2MP only in the 16:9 aspect ratio, whereas the gopros offer 5mp, 8mp, and 11mp at 4:3 or 16:9. The gopros also offer a greater range of intervals at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, and 60 seconds vs sony's 5, 10, 30, 60.
In the 720 / 60p and 720 / 120p modes there is no audio recorded as Sony write the metadata to play back at 30fps
68 of 76 people found the following review helpful
By SuperDad
Style Name:Wi-fi|Amazon Verified Purchase
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Pros: Camera size (small), built-in Wireless WiFi for live video monitoring during recording, transfer to smart phone and computers without cabling. Free smartphone application. Included waterproof case with tripod mount and basic helmet / flat surface mounts. Built in microphone, microphone jack, HDMI output, price.
Cons: Some controls are not accessible via the smartphone app, poor user manual (download the real one from sony support), microphone jack not accessible when camera is in its waterproof case, no means to connect to a tripod when not in waterproof case, No audio noted on smartphone app when doing live recording. (available on playback)
Watch the video to see some examples of raw footage from the camera near dusk on the US West Coast. My apologies for doing too much panning in the video and the boring subject, although this was done on purpose to observe any video artifacts. This gives you a sense of the camera's ability in low light conditions and also allows you to hear the microphone quality.
I also include a timelapse test in the video. For this test, the battery lasted for 3 hours and 15 minutes for about 400 photos taken at 30 minute intervals. The camera was also set at the shortest time available before it goes to sleep. I had hoped for a 9 hour window due to less power required to take photos, but this was not the case. For this purpose then, the user will need to plug the camera into a USB charger or portable USB power pack. Unfortunately the USB connection is not accessible from the waterproof case and the camera will not "stand up" on its own due to its curved shape. (I'll need to get a bit creative if using for this purpose) I notice that Sony has included a proprietary accessory port on the camera. Perhaps they will address this with a future accessory option.)
The camera includes a waterproof case with a tripod mount and some additional mounts that are self-adhesive.
Recording Media: Sony recommends Class 4 or better Micro SD cards (not included). Video is recorded in MP4 movie format.
This is the WiFi model. I tested this with an iPhone4s (iOS6) and an iPad (iOS5). Both were able to connect to the device. The included instructions are terrible. If you don't download the manual, you will have difficulty figuring out how to use the WiFI feature. Visit Sony's website to download the handbook. [...]template_id=1®ion_id=1&tab=manuals#/manualsTab Once I read the online manual, I downloaded the PlayMemories Mobile app (iOS or Android). See page 39 of this handbook for instructions to enable the WiFi feature. It is NOT turned on by default.
After turning on WiFi connecting to the camera (via password supplied as a sticker in the poorly written "operating guide") the PlayMemories App launched and connected to the camera but threw an error. I could see the output video (good) but once I clicked "ok" on the error dialog box, the application would quit. If this happens to you, this is due to attempting to run the camera without a MicroSD card installed. Once the card is installed, the error goes away.
The PlayMemories app can function as a remote and as a video viewfinder (be sure to set the camera remote function to on (see pg 22)) and select either interval or movie mode. In this mode you can start/stop recording and do some basic adjustments (recording quality, steadyshot on/off), etc.) but there are several functions that are only accessible via the camera itself. For example, you can't change the interval delay setting from the smart phone. This is a bummer because it means you have to remove the camera from its waterproof protective housing (if you are using it) and then make these adjustments. The most useful feature of the remote app is likely its use as a viewfinder. I can see this being very helpful when shooting in auto racing situations for example because you could mount your smart phone in the vehicle and view what the camera sees without running any wires.
When it comes time to get images or video off of the camera, you have a few options:
1) Remove the micro-sd card and us a card reader on your computer
2) Use the supplied USB cable to transfer
3) Use the camera as a WiFi "hot spot" and browse to the files
4) Use the PlayMemories app to transfer the files to your smart phone for viewing. I suppose you could then easily upload the result to youtube or the like, which I have done here: [...]
I have tested options 2 - 4 above successfully.
Sound: Sound recording is good through the built-in microphone (as you see in the clip). Having a built-in microphone jack is also a good bonus but unfortunately the waterproof case supplied by Sony does not have a means to get the audio cable outside of the housing when the camera is in the case. Hopefully there will be others that will supply a solution in the future.
Camera size: I really like the small size of the camera - much better than the Gopro and other competitors. The one flaw though is that if the camera is not in its waterproof case, there is no means to attach it easily to a tripod as the tripod base is part of the waterproof case itself. I suspect that is the point though with the use of this camera (sports, action, etc.) but as stated above, the inability to connect an external mic when it is in the case is unfortunate. There is a headband accessory available from Sony that would allow one to use the camera and a microphone while out of the case and be secured, but one would have to be creative if you want to
Controls: In the case, there is a basic record stop/start and on-off control. They work as expected. A big bonus would be if Sony updates their smart phone app to provide more access to controls. For example, the ability to adjust the interval for time lapse recording.
Image and Video Quality: Still pictures as tested were fuzzy. Video is good at the best HD 1080p setting, although has a bit less sharpness than I would hope and as compared to a Canon AVCHD camera I own. (Admittedly it is more expensive, so perhaps I am asking for too much). Low light use as you see in this recording is acceptable, especially for an inexpensive camera of this nature.
Conclusion: It is a good start by Sony for their first entry into this market. Despite the limitations above, I expect many of them to be addressed through third party added accessories that solve the microphone input limitation mentioned here. Most videographers using footage created by these cameras don't use onboard audio anyway. It's too early to tell how much enabling WiFi saps battery life and if there are other 'gotchas' but for $30 less than a GoPro Hero HD2 including a good waterproof case, some mounts, Wifi and remote video monitoring, it is a value. Outfitting the same for the GoPro is much more coin. If you don't need wireless, $199 for the base model is an even better bargain.
Cons: Some controls are not accessible via the smartphone app, poor user manual (download the real one from sony support), microphone jack not accessible when camera is in its waterproof case, no means to connect to a tripod when not in waterproof case, No audio noted on smartphone app when doing live recording. (available on playback)
Watch the video to see some examples of raw footage from the camera near dusk on the US West Coast. My apologies for doing too much panning in the video and the boring subject, although this was done on purpose to observe any video artifacts. This gives you a sense of the camera's ability in low light conditions and also allows you to hear the microphone quality.
I also include a timelapse test in the video. For this test, the battery lasted for 3 hours and 15 minutes for about 400 photos taken at 30 minute intervals. The camera was also set at the shortest time available before it goes to sleep. I had hoped for a 9 hour window due to less power required to take photos, but this was not the case. For this purpose then, the user will need to plug the camera into a USB charger or portable USB power pack. Unfortunately the USB connection is not accessible from the waterproof case and the camera will not "stand up" on its own due to its curved shape. (I'll need to get a bit creative if using for this purpose) I notice that Sony has included a proprietary accessory port on the camera. Perhaps they will address this with a future accessory option.)
The camera includes a waterproof case with a tripod mount and some additional mounts that are self-adhesive.
Recording Media: Sony recommends Class 4 or better Micro SD cards (not included). Video is recorded in MP4 movie format.
This is the WiFi model. I tested this with an iPhone4s (iOS6) and an iPad (iOS5). Both were able to connect to the device. The included instructions are terrible. If you don't download the manual, you will have difficulty figuring out how to use the WiFI feature. Visit Sony's website to download the handbook. [...]template_id=1®ion_id=1&tab=manuals#/manualsTab Once I read the online manual, I downloaded the PlayMemories Mobile app (iOS or Android). See page 39 of this handbook for instructions to enable the WiFi feature. It is NOT turned on by default.
After turning on WiFi connecting to the camera (via password supplied as a sticker in the poorly written "operating guide") the PlayMemories App launched and connected to the camera but threw an error. I could see the output video (good) but once I clicked "ok" on the error dialog box, the application would quit. If this happens to you, this is due to attempting to run the camera without a MicroSD card installed. Once the card is installed, the error goes away.
The PlayMemories app can function as a remote and as a video viewfinder (be sure to set the camera remote function to on (see pg 22)) and select either interval or movie mode. In this mode you can start/stop recording and do some basic adjustments (recording quality, steadyshot on/off), etc.) but there are several functions that are only accessible via the camera itself. For example, you can't change the interval delay setting from the smart phone. This is a bummer because it means you have to remove the camera from its waterproof protective housing (if you are using it) and then make these adjustments. The most useful feature of the remote app is likely its use as a viewfinder. I can see this being very helpful when shooting in auto racing situations for example because you could mount your smart phone in the vehicle and view what the camera sees without running any wires.
When it comes time to get images or video off of the camera, you have a few options:
1) Remove the micro-sd card and us a card reader on your computer
2) Use the supplied USB cable to transfer
3) Use the camera as a WiFi "hot spot" and browse to the files
4) Use the PlayMemories app to transfer the files to your smart phone for viewing. I suppose you could then easily upload the result to youtube or the like, which I have done here: [...]
I have tested options 2 - 4 above successfully.
Sound: Sound recording is good through the built-in microphone (as you see in the clip). Having a built-in microphone jack is also a good bonus but unfortunately the waterproof case supplied by Sony does not have a means to get the audio cable outside of the housing when the camera is in the case. Hopefully there will be others that will supply a solution in the future.
Camera size: I really like the small size of the camera - much better than the Gopro and other competitors. The one flaw though is that if the camera is not in its waterproof case, there is no means to attach it easily to a tripod as the tripod base is part of the waterproof case itself. I suspect that is the point though with the use of this camera (sports, action, etc.) but as stated above, the inability to connect an external mic when it is in the case is unfortunate. There is a headband accessory available from Sony that would allow one to use the camera and a microphone while out of the case and be secured, but one would have to be creative if you want to
Controls: In the case, there is a basic record stop/start and on-off control. They work as expected. A big bonus would be if Sony updates their smart phone app to provide more access to controls. For example, the ability to adjust the interval for time lapse recording.
Image and Video Quality: Still pictures as tested were fuzzy. Video is good at the best HD 1080p setting, although has a bit less sharpness than I would hope and as compared to a Canon AVCHD camera I own. (Admittedly it is more expensive, so perhaps I am asking for too much). Low light use as you see in this recording is acceptable, especially for an inexpensive camera of this nature.
Conclusion: It is a good start by Sony for their first entry into this market. Despite the limitations above, I expect many of them to be addressed through third party added accessories that solve the microphone input limitation mentioned here. Most videographers using footage created by these cameras don't use onboard audio anyway. It's too early to tell how much enabling WiFi saps battery life and if there are other 'gotchas' but for $30 less than a GoPro Hero HD2 including a good waterproof case, some mounts, Wifi and remote video monitoring, it is a value. Outfitting the same for the GoPro is much more coin. If you don't need wireless, $199 for the base model is an even better bargain.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Neat action cam
We've been using this on motorcycle rides and we've put a mount on the fairing (though that vibrates quite a bit) and on my husband's helmet. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Mrs. Kilo Delta
5.0 out of 5 stars
meets for the price
The camera meets expectations. The problem I found was that it did not allow recording to 1080 with 60 fps, but with the new update already allows. So for the price is excellent.
Published 13 days ago by Charly
1.0 out of 5 stars
Mount did not hold!
I bought the camera for skydiving. The mount was placed as instructed. It did not hold, and the camera was lost. Sony was notified and could care less! Read more
Published 13 days ago by Pen Name
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent product
Work fine to record the activities that will sustain over time with excellente quality, the slow motion was expectacular to appreciate the activities with all its attributes
Published 14 days ago by Ricardo Urbina
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Lot to Like, Cool SlowMo, One Major Drawback
Customer Video Review
Length:
9:57
Mins
Published 16 days ago by Tiger
5.0 out of 5 stars
High Def
Great little camera. Communicates well with QuickTime, iPhoto or iMovie. Better set-up directions would have sped up the learning curve a bit.
Published 21 days ago by Michael Jones
3.0 out of 5 stars
Love the underdog.
Could not justify spending the money on a GoPro after reading all the horrendous reviews. People in-store will tell you the bugs are fixed but the reviews I read were as recent as... Read more
Published 27 days ago by Geoff Petlowany
4.0 out of 5 stars
sony-HDR-as10 one thing wrong
I just got the sony HDR-as10 and think it's great except for one problem and I know most people just view their footage on the computer BUT doesn't any one but me want to get a DVD... Read more
Published 28 days ago by jessefingers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Right up there with the best of them.
This Sony "action cam" is basically their answer to the go-pro type of camera. For being Sony's first foray into it I have to say they have produced a winner. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bearcat
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great pictures--great fun
This is a small-sized high-definition video camera designed for capturing action and adventure sports. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Erika Mitchell
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