Sony's Action Cam series used to be the affordable choice for extreme videographers, but at $299.99, the newer HDR-AS100V model's price tag is creeping closer to its more expensive rivals like the Editors' Choice GoPro Hero3 Black Edition. The new GPS feature may be the price hike's culprit, and it leans towards the gimmicky side. As with the previous model, the HDR-AS15, the HDR-AS100V's video quality is only serviceable in darker environments and pretty decent in bright situations. But the new PlayMemories app shines brighter than the rest, thanks to the ultra-smooth and almost lag-free live streaming of what the Action Cam is recording.
Design and Functionality
The Action Cam (HDR-AS100V) retains the same slim, oblong barrel design as its predecessor, the HDR-AS15, and is more streamlined than GoPro's signature cuboid design. Measuring 1.8 by 0.95 by 3.2 inches (HWD), the HDR-AS100V is not much bigger than the GoPro Hero3 series and is a bit smaller than the iON Air Pro 3. Weighing in at 3.2 ounces, it's lighter than the 5-ounce Air Pro 3, and a feather lighter than the GoPro.
On the right side, you'll find a monochrome LCD display along with rubber Prev/Next buttons. The removable (but still attached) back cover contains a large Recording button and a Hold switch. When you open the cover, you reveal the removable battery and a microSD/Memory Stick Micro slot that accepts cards up to 64GB. There's a micro USB port housed underneath the Action Cam's body for charging and connecting to a computer, along with a micro HDMI port and a 3.5mm microphone jack.
With the Prev/Next buttons, it's much easier to navigate through the menus than using GoPro's two buttons, but it's still not as intuitive as I would like. For example, if you want to switch to the "Pro" video mode (more on this later), don't bother looking in the Video Mode menu; you'll actually find it in Confgr (Configurations).
Whereas the previous models weren't resistant to water at all, the HDR-AS100V is at least splashproof, meaning you won't need the (included) waterproof case for rainy or snowy shooting conditions. Thankfully, Sony's amended the Action Cam's waterproof housing with extended buttons for pressing the Prev/Next buttons on the camera itself, which allows for on-the-fly adjustments. That was lacking in the original design. Even with the housing, though, the Action Cam isn't designed with professional divers in mind, as it can only go to a paltry depth of 16.5 feet underwater, which is as deep as a puddle compared to the GoPro's 197-foot limit.
Features, Apps, and Battery
Sony has added GPS connectivity to the Action Cam that records metrics such as speed, distance, and timing features. Using the PlayMemories computer software, the GPS data is designed to layer over your footage for performance analysis. Surprisingly, the GPS feature doesn't register where in the world you were shooting, which seems like an oversight; instead of showing you a map, for example, the GPS data overlay simply draws out a trail of your movement. Unless you're using the Action Cam with a high-speed activity where speed matters, it's a gimmick.
One key feature that may appeal to a wider audience (and prevent motion sickness while viewing) is Sony's SteadyShot image stabilization, which reduces shakiness for smoother footage. The difference was clear on a hand-held test between the Sony Action Cam, iON Air Pro 3, and GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition; footage from the Sony looked smoother, with less jolts. SteadyShot did help when the Action Cam was attached to a bike's handlebar using the bicycle mount, too, but footage was still quite shaky. The only caveat to SteadyShot is a reduced field of view from 170 degrees to 120.
With Sony's PlayMemories Android and iOS apps, connecting the Action Cam to my Nexus 5 and iPad Mini Retina via Wi-Fi was utterly painless. In fact, it was by far the easiest process compared with the GoPro, and especially the Air Pro 3—just don't throw away the Sony's instructions, as that's where you'll find your specific default password. The Android version was so seamless that it would automatically switch my Nexus' Wi-Fi network to the Action Cam's when I opened the app, eliminating the need to manually enter settings and switch to the camera's network myself.
Both apps have identical options and functionality. Acting as an extension to the Action Cam, and considering how easy it is to connect the camera to your mobile device, the app's remote feature is a shining beacon of great design. From your mobile device, you'll see a smooth preview of what the Action Cam is pointing at, and with minimal lag; you can start/stop recording remotely, as well as take pictures. To compare, the GoPro app's remote feature works, but the streaming video quality isn't as good, and lag is more noticeable.
If, say, you're preparing for a skydive, and your focus somehow strays to camera configuration rather than the fact that you're about to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, the PlayMemories apps let you adjust the most important options. You can change capture modes (including Movie, Time Lapse, and Photo), as well as video quality/frame rates, photo quality, and SteadyShot activation. While PlayMemories does offer substantially more control than iON's apps, the GoPro mobile app provides the most options by far, including just about every setting you find on the camera itself.
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