amazon Sony HDR-AZ1 reviews
The structure is compact, durable and dynamic
Compared to Sony’s previous cam action models, the HDR-AZ1 is only about two-thirds that of a half-part of cigarette packet and has an oval cross section. The sleek case with curved edges is lightly curved. The control panel group is designed to be intuitive and simple, the liquid crystal display on the left display battery capacity, wifi connection, live mode or camera. Next to that is the power button and the wifi switch on / off switch. Stereo speakers are arranged in front of the lens. On the back of the machine is the Rec button and the red recording mode indicator large enough to be seen from afar. To avoid accidentally turning on / off the Rec mode, the manufacturer has designed a “Hold” trap that requires dual operation for on / off recording mode. The Mirco USB ports, MicroSD card slots are all located in the recessed cavity and the water cover on the back of the unit. The right side is a sealed hinged lid that contains a 640mAh NP-BY1 battery.
The bottom of the machine incorporates a 6mm threaded hole that links the action of the cam to the base and a rich multitasking kit. If the cam attachment position is required to rotate the camshaft, such as when attached to the undercarriage, the manufacturer offers the feature of reversing the vertical image setting (180º flip) before rotating. Thanks to that, the camera can still record in the normal direction.
In addition to its compact, sophisticated, modern and efficient features, the Sony HDR-AZ1VR cam action is also powerful by IPX4 waterproof and dustproof. With remote control RM-LVR2V 3m water resistance, camera body submerged in 5m (in waterproof case), users can comfortably shoot action in rain, snow, mud, dust, when Windsurfing, sailing, crossing waterfalls or scuba diving. Only thing that the wifi feature does not work well underwater, the actual test shows that it has to monitor the camera with the new image displayed on the remote.
Easy, powerful and versatile control
The most important aspect of the Sony cam action is the Live View Remote RM-LVR2V, which is designed as a live view integrated watch strap, which is handy when shooting sports scenes. With this accessory, the Sony HDR-AZ1 is far superior to the GoPro cam action, so just turn it on and turn on the wrist strap right away. Adjusting the camera angle to a hat or vehicle is also easier and more accurate with one monitor monitor, one camcorder. The integrated screen controller allows continuous monitoring of the front of the camera and only saves the necessary duplicates, saving memory and reducing video editing time. Moreover, this app also supports full control of settings in the machine, allowing review and erase of remote content when the cam action is mounted on the head or in another fixed position.
This remote also controls up to 5 cam actions HDR-AZ1 . This feature is very powerful and professional when it comes to multi point-of-view (POV). After connecting 5 camcorders with the RM-LVR2V control unit in turn, users easily monitor each camera, check the recording mode and status, start recording or stopping all cameras instantly. Even change settings with just one command.
Finally, the controller saves GPS information when exchanging content with an active camcorder and allows full insertion into the video of the itinerary, distance, movement speed and satellite map.
Action Cam Movie Creator software allows for easy video editing with intuitive manipulation. It is possible to modify the cruise speed and the action repetition interval, reproduce the corner or redirection of the bike, the cross country run. With 120 fps video clips, fast motion is played back slowly, smoothly and impressively.
In case you need to watch action cam on a larger screen, for example from a car running with a camera on the windshield, just install Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile software, which is available on the Internet. Onto a smartphone or tablet, then let the devices touch each other to make a connection thanks to the one-touch NFC interface. After installing the Sony HDR-AZ1VR, the smartphone or tablet in the dashboard will display live video and have all the functions to control the connected cam actions. If these handheld devices are connected to the network, they can be transmitted directly from the cam action to the Internet via an online video transmission service (such as USTREAM) while recording. On the other hand, it’s also easy to transfer data from your camera to your Android smartphone or tablet via the built-in Wi-Fi connection.
Besides the basic video action, the Sony HDR-AZ1 also offers a range of powerful photo-taking utilities. To demonstrate the power and vibrancy of fast moving subjects, the Motion Shot LE feature saves a sequence of subject movements to a single static background image, resulting in impressive speed or fast surfing. Action shoots, long jumps, high speed cars, and many other similar contexts.
Interestingly, the temporal pacemaking function captures the subject’s slow motion as a series of images. The Sony HDR-AZ1 offers 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s, 30s and 60s bursts at regular intervals. This effect records each phase of the slow motion of the subject as a still image. For example, describe the germination of seeds, blossoming flowers, buds growing on shoots … This feature is especially useful when stationary, direct power and continuous recording over a period of time. Long time without fear of consuming too much memory. Then use the filmmaking software to string and compress a long process into a blooming video clip, seed germination … in tens of seconds beautiful virtual. It is possible to visualize this feature (slow recording, fast playback) in contrast to slow-motion video recording.
In case you need to shoot a fast action movie with high speed and quality (11.9MP) for analysis and post-quality inspection, the Sony HDR-AZ1 offers the Burst Shooting feature. Consecutive frames in optional time: 1s, 2s and 5s.
where can you get a Sony HDR-AZ1 online
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High quality images and components
In addition to full HD 1080 / 60p video recording, the Sony HDR-AZ1 also supports slow-motion 120fps recording at 720p resolution. In particular, this cam action allows high quality XAVC S 1,920 x 1,080 video with bit-rate up to 50Mbps (requires MicroSD card class 10). These advanced features are realized through the ZEISS Tessar f2.8 lens with 170º rotation angle, 11.9 megapixel BSI Exmor R CMOS sensor and the latest generation BIONZ X image processor. The HDR-AZ1 is also equipped with stereo microphones, MicroSD / SDHC / SDXC memory card slots.
In terms of color, the Sony HDR-AZ1 performs very well in color. In terms of image, although slightly lacking in dark detail, the shape is quite prominent. In dark scenes, Sony’s cam action retains depth and sharp, balanced color.
When selecting Active to activate the Steady Shoot feature, the angle of exposure will decrease to 120º, which is effective against vibration to promote good, especially noticeable when attaching this cam action on the bike recorder ride on the road.
Although still the most advanced version of GoPro on the 4K camcorder, but with superior overall quality, compact size and ease of use and efficiency, Sony HDR-AZ1 cam action Is attacking heavily on GoPro’s traditional playground.