Sony HDR-AZ1 Action Cam - Review
Over the last two years, electronics giant Sony, have brought six new cameras to the POV camera market, under the Action Cam brand, offering arguably the stiffest competition to GoPro's dominance. Like GoPro, with each new model, Sony have added both incremental and headline-grabbing features to their products, meaning they're definitely worth taking seriously. With riders like Brett Rheeder, Matt Hunter, Cam McCaul, Stevie Smith, Casey Brown and Brendan Fairclough running these cameras, we're taking a look at the newest and smallest model yet, the HDR-AZ1 Action Cam Mini.
The AZ1 actually sits alongside the current AS100V model as its little brother, but rather than adding a host of new features, offers a cut-down, more compact, lighter package, meaning it can be more easily (or less intrusively) mounted. Sony have achieved the around 35% reduction in size and 30% reduction in weight, by making a few compromises compared to the AS100V, and depending on your intended use of the camera, this either makes a small or a significant difference.
The details• Sony HDR-AZ1VR Action Cam (camera + Live View remote bundle)
• 110g (with case, battery, card)
• 80x53x35mm (in case)
• CAD $369.99, USD $349.99, GBP £279.00, AUD $479.00 (list price)
What's to likeThe AZ1 is small and very light, and like its bigger brother, it features full HD recording (1080p at up to 50/60fps), super slow-mo capabilities (720p at 100/120fps), a built-in tripod mount with or without a case, stereo recording and quality Zeiss optics. It also allows for quick NFC pairing via WIFI to mobile devices or the Live-View remote for monitoring the picture and changing settings, an IPX4-rated splashproof camera body (again, allowing use with or without a case), live web streaming and an extremely high quality recording mode when using compatible microSDXC cards and the on-board XAVC-S mode. If using the Live-View remote (which was bundled with our retail pack), you can also sync up to 5 cameras to one remote, for simultaneous control over settings and recording functions.
Sony's ubiquitous SteadyShot electronic stabilisation is also present, and with careful use, produces good results, although it's not ideal in every situation and can be switched off. The strict weight-loss diet also means less complex, non multi-function buttons compared to the AS100V, and with the removal of the settings menu, the cameras side display is now tiny, showing only battery life, WIFI mode and card status indicators.
A burst photo mode is present, and still image resolution is of very good quality at 11.9MP, although slightly lower than the AS100V's 13.5MP images, though both compare well with the GoPro HERO4's 12MP stills.
What's not so goodAs we said, Sony made some compromises to slim-down the AZ1, with probably the biggest of these being a smaller battery, meaning slightly shorter battery life than on the AS100V. Additionally, without the ability to change setting on the camera via the buttons, almost all setting changes now have to be made via the wrist-worn Live-View remote or the free Sony PlayMemories app on your mobile device. Changing settings on POV cameras is always a chore, but Sony's app is very low-latency, and with fewer settings to change, it's pretty quick to use.
One obvious omission, especially for those who specifically need it, is that none of the Action Cams currently record 2K or 4K video. Of course many feel these modes are a bit of a fad, but for some applications, such as aerial filming, 2K and 4K are pretty crucial to have, to allow image stabilisation or cropping.
Several other features missing from the AZ1 compared to the AS100V, including the removal of the micro HDMI port, microphone-in connection and the GPS data logger, which has now been moved to the Live-View remote. Whilst none of these omissions are deal-breakers, if you need these functions, the AS100V is obviously still the camera to go for.
A final minor criticism is the mounts that come with the Action Cam range, which could be a bit better designed. Again though, this is something that's quite subjective, as there are plenty of third-party mounts, such as those from K-Edge, that bridge the gap between different manufacturers mount systems, so there are still plenty of options.
Pinkbike's take
 | The AZ1 is certainly a great camera, giving you stunning picture and sound quality (in fact broadcast-quality if using the XAVC-S mode), in a spectacularly small and inconspicuous package. The compromises around settings, battery life, 4K and HDMI-out may put you off, but operating the camera via the app or Live-View remote is pretty straightforward, and if you tend to stick to one shooting mode for the majority of filming and/or photos, the removal of superfluous settings and buttons may make little difference to you. The AZ1's batteries are small, light and cheap, so if you are intending on using it intensively, having a couple of spares is a good idea, as is keeping charge topped up on your mobile device or the remote. The final clincher though, may be the price, with the bundled camera and remote kit we tested costing considerably less than other rival products, making it a good budget alternative. Overall, a good, simplified option compared to other systems, with exceptional image quality. |
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1080p60 with a remote for the price sounds nice though.
omission of 4k is fine but video quality matters.
but no hdmi out...
and 4k? seriously? low fps and by the time you upload it to youtube it will look like a 1080p video anyway
4k videos is pure marketing guys
even my xperia z3 phone can record at 4k LOL
The pros: A Carl Zeiss lens, image stabilization (which really only works with third person POV), and ability to pick up more detail than the GoPro at 1080P...
The cons: Image stabilization sucks for action cameras. Quite shockingly in fact. Overall video quality (even with stabilization off) isn't as nice off the camera as the GoPro which tends to saturate things more. Sony's footage tends to be brighter and therefore have more detail, but that sacrifices depth which is more important when taking video of "Action" and "Extreme Sports" into consideration. Mounting options are more scarce than GoPro, but that's a popularity thing.
Sony makes good cameras. At the higher levels... Their Action cameras aren't impressive in any respect other than the Sony name and the Carl Zeiss lens. [Seriously the only reason I like the Sony is the lens].
ffs
Anyways,
Yeah GoPro is the Apple of the action camera world. They started a revolution like Apple did with the iPhone. Everyone wants one and there is more support. [I don't own Apple products btw. I hate them...]
Where GoPro and Apple differ is that the GoPro is a real class leader in terms of hardware and overall footage quality...
www.pinkbike.com/u/eastsideride/blog/sony-as100v-action-cam-review.html
In saying that, @hytrus93 , Sony does make great cinema cameras and to a point even their SLRs and amateur video cameras are good. In the end, they're still a bit behind. Something that eastsideride mentioned in his review was the increase of detail compared to the GoPro. In fact, when you look at the video comparisons of the Sony vs. GoPro you will notice that quite quickly. However, notice also the Brighter colors. Personally (and to many others) the saturated look that the GoPro gives is more pleasing during most lighting conditions. During night shooting, the GoPro falls because it's saturating the colors. Whenever I go and look at videos online using an action cam you can almost tell what camera they're using. The only time that I was kinda stumped was Contour vs. GoPro.
GoPro was founded by a surfer who was making stupid (in a good way) mounts for disposable cameras. Now it's a big company that produces their own cameras (mainly manufactured by Ambarella @jozhua130 ) and has a ton of athletes and film makers who want to support it.
Part of the reason I like the GoPro more is the society involved with it. Some of the consumers of GoPro are definitely "sheeple", but a great deal of them have taken a simple camera and paired it with an average lifestyle and made it look awesome. For me, the GoPro kinda signifies what technology can do for the average human. Even if the GoPro doesn't have the best hardware (which I believe it does) it inspires a ton of people to go out and be productive and share it with the world. Fine details like that my friends are what matter!
@pinkbike pleas give us a real review with some film examples and best would be to compare the GoPro and Sony models. As @BiNARYBiKE said in his post, this review was more like reading the side of the box than anything with substnace.
I am thinking about buying a Sony AC but this review had no news for me.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SQLl4U55Yo
Use the latest batteries which can be charged at signifiat C.
Something very light, simple would be great.
Wifi is great for aligning the camera, I find the gopro wifi download power hungry and slow (shame I don't have 2 micro sd slots in my phone).
nfc pairing does not really give a competitive advantage, it's not like pairing is hard these days.
They should target a sub 50g camera with great iq with very flexible mounting. Memory write current is the only real limitation at the moment, but that is changing and sony (will their design partner) will have access to the technology.
The one problem I had was with connectivity with the remote. So I tried to install Sony's update and the remote froze -dead. Would not revive. I exchanged the package under warranty (essentially just the remote) for another after travelling. Since then, I have been reluctant to try the update again. I can find nothing about update issues from Sony or on the forums. Anyone have any leads about this?
Bend over Australia...
To be honest it's working very well fro me compared to the old gopro 3 black same goes for underwater (i do a lot of dive at up to 180ft no leak for now)