Review: Sony HDR-AS100VR POV Action Video Camera

Sony HDR-AS100VR POV Action Video Camera
Like the almost identical sister camera the Sony HDRAS100V/W, the Sony HDR-AS100VR is a great choice for people who aren't ready to buy top-of-the-line professional video equipment, but who still want to be able to shoot very professional-looking video.

The SteadyShot image stabilization feature provides the ability to shoot clear and smooth video in situations where it would be impossible with other cameras. This stabilization makes it a great choice for bikers or other athletes attempting to shoot video in rocky or uneven surfaces. It's also a great choice for Parkour or skateboard enthusiasts, since it will retain a steady image even when it's upside down or spinning around.

Another nice feature of the camera is that it has the ability to shoot in the XAVC format. That format is used by professional videographers and this is one of the first pro-consumer cameras with the ability to shoot in the format. The camera can also shoot in 4K, which the high-resolution format now slowly being rolled out in commercial televisions. If you are shooting something that might end up on a DVD or on television, shooting in 4K means you'll have video that will still be useful and commercially valuable in the coming years.

The camera has what is describes as a "splashproof" watertight case and Sony literature states you can keep it under water for up to 30 minutes. But if the camera is submerged, you can't monitor the feed with the live view remote function. But unless you're shooting video of fish or scuba divers, this shouldn't be a problem for most people. Speaking of the live view remote system, you can control up to five Sony HDR-AS100VR cameras with one remote, making it easy to set up a shot which requires multiple simultaneous angles of the same event.

While it's great to have the option of a watertight case, one advantage of the camera is that by removing the splashproof case you have a base camera that is light and can be easily mounted on a bike or other spot where size and weight are important considerations. Both the watertight case and the base camera have a tripod mount installed, making installation a snap. It's also possible to send the video feed directly to a TV or computer using a mini-HDMI cable (which isn't included in the base package of the camera).

The camera can easily shoot in slow-motion using 240 FPS/480p and 120FPS/720p settings that will give smooth, sharp results perfect for showing off those special action shots.

Battery life is estimated to be two hours, but that's likely to be an optimistic estimate. The upside is that both the viewer remote and camera can be recharged using the same charger as your android phone, which means you'll have one less accessory to carry around on your shoot.

If there is one issue with the camera is that it's not the best choice if you plan to shoot in cold weather. For protection in snow, you'll want to use the splashproof protective case. But moisture tends to build up between the case and the camera, leading to a fog that can impair or block the lens. It's a problem that can be worked around, but it's definitely something to consider if you're planning on use the camera to shoot skiing or other winter shots.

But side from the small quibbles, the Sony HDR-AS100VR POV Action Video Camera is a great choice for anyone looking for a professional video camera at a consumer-friendly price.