POV Camera News

Along with the two new lens cameras announced this morning, Sony has just unveiled a super small POV (point-of-view) camera: the Action Cam Mini, model HDR-AZ1. The Action Cam Mini is clearly designed to compete with the popular GoPro camera models that have dominated the POV market.

The Action Cam Mini (HDR-AZ1) is approximately 30% smaller than previous Action Cam models from Sony and weighs just over two ounces. It uses SteadyShot image stabilization, a Zeiss Tessar lens and an Exmor R CMOS sensor in a highly portable camera body.

The Action Cam Mini is powered by Sony’s Bionz X processor and offers a 170-degree field of view for wide-angle imaging. The Action Cam Mini can shoot full 1080p HD video in MP4 and XAVC S codec, offering a high data rate of 50mbps for extra detail. It also offers 120fps shooting for slow-motion video playback. The camera is splashproof (IPX4 equivalent) without the need of a separate house. It comes with a waterproof case that’s certified at depths up to approximately 16 feet (5m).

You can buy the Action Cam Mini as a kit (kit model HDR-AZ1VR), which comes with a handy, new wrist-mounted Live-View Remote. The Live-View Remote features an LCD screen with adjustable brightness for previewing and reviewing footage and adjusting settings while the camera is mounted.  The remote logs GPS data that’s transferred to the camera while you’re on the move.  It can control up to five separate action cams simultaneously. 

The new Sony Action Cam Mini (HDR-AZ1) goes on sale in October for $250 and is packaged with a waterproof case (model SPK-AZ1) and a standard tripod mount.  The Action Cam HDR-AZ1VR bundle adds the RM-LVR2V Live View Remote and will sell for $350.