Sony's new ActionCam

Watch out GoPro, Sony just released the ActionCam and it looks sweet!

This thing comes with a waterproof (up to 60m!) housing as standard, just like the GoPro. Besides the typical wearable accessories the ActionCam has image stabilization, ultra wide angle (170 degree) Carl Zeiss lens and besides 30 fps Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) a whopping high speed recoding mode of 120 fps at 720P to boot.

There's even a wifi version (view & control using your smartphone!). The price is very competitive at around $200 for the non-wifi version and around $250 for the wifi version. Available around october 2012.

The Sony Exmor sensor the ActionCam perform better in low light conditions. Nice 'feature' is that this camera uses the same battery as my HX9V digital camera! Other features are interval recording (for timelapse captures), stereo sound recording and 2 MP still shots. Too bad the mono color  LCD screen can't show what your captures look like. Maybe with the wifi-version you can watch it on your smartphone?

This Sony ActionCam isn't as small as the Pivothead, but if the video quality is anywhere near the HX9V I'm sure the larger size and weight will be worth a try. It's cheaper too!

Looks like more camera companies (like JVC's GC-XA1) are trying to give GoPro a run for their money. That's good news indeed!

Polarizer filter

These small compact cameras are small enough to fit in your shirt pocket. You don't need to carry several lenses because it has it all: wide angle and zoom lens. However filters as add-ons are fairly uncommon on compact cameras.

I think one of the most useful add-on is probably a polarizer filter, also called a circular polarizer filter (CPL). A CPL basically corrects washed out colors especially in bright sunny conditions. It also helps cut out the glare of light reflections, especially on smooth surfaces like on windows and water.

I have seen several DIY-style filters to attach a filter on the HX9V. I recently bought a cheap out-of-production Fujifilm compact camera polarizer filter as an add-on for my HX9V. It can't be attached to the camera in any ways, so I'll have to hold it in front of the lens when I want to take a picture or capture a movie. But the improvements of the images are very impressive.

Now there is a new CPL-filter on its way for the Sony HX-series, RX100 and probably more compact cameras with the same lens diameter. It basically attaches to the front metal ring around of the zoom lens using a magnet. Can't wait to get one!




Update 24 Aug 2012:

Due to huge demand the first production run MagFilter CPL (Circular Polarizer) is sold out.

Update 30 Aug 21012:
The MagFilter CPL is available! Go get one here! I ordered it right away. The 42mm version (for the HX-series) is $26.99? The 37mm (Canon S95/100) is $24.99.

More filters are being developed, which 'piggybacks' to each other so you can use several filters at once.

Sony RX100 vs HX9V (video)

The new Sony RX100 is the new flagship of Sony's compact camera series. It's the 'pro' version above the HX-series.

I was a bit pissed that I missed out on this camera, because the RX100 saves pictures in RAW format (HX9V only does Jpeg) as well as having more manual control options. The price is a lot higher than the HX9V, roughly twice the price.

But there are a few aspects that I think could have made the RX100 a real killer compact camera. Foremost the wide angle of 28 mm vs the 24 mm on the HX9V.

As I mentioned earlier my top priority is high quality video capture. Although the RX100 is a much better camera in many ways, the video comparison between the RX100 and HX9V really surprised me. Have a look your self.



Check out this comparison too! You'll be surprised as well.

Now something completely different

Who hasn't played with Lego during his (her) childhood?

Here's a wonderfully animated story of Lego. Really interesting to watch how Lego started in a small town in Denmark.

We're there now

I have been wondering for a while when current technology would deliver a product that would be able to capture true Full HD movies in a first persons view. A lightweight yet powerful video camera that doesn't make you look like a geek 'wearing' a box or a big cigar on your head.

Well, it has arrived in the form shape that answers my question: the Pivothead sunglasses. There are several styles of sunglasses with built in 8 mp camera able to capture full HD 1080p movies in 30 frames per second (fps). In 720p quality it does 60 fps.

The best part is it comes in several styles and one even with interchangeable polarized glasses! The bad part is it has a hefty price tag: $350 (ouch!).

The view captured isn't as wide angle as many other sports videocameras: 75 degrees rather than almost 180 degrees (GoPro). That might result in a too narrow view for some. There is 8Gb of memory on board, which will record about 60 mins of 1080p video. Since there is no screen built-in there is no way to view the captured video or even erase a footage. You'll need to hook up the sunglasses to a computer to manage the captured video or clear up the memory for the next outing.

The quality of the videos I've seen so far made with Pivothead isn't really exceptional. I will be experimenting with my new Sony HX9V for a while, but when the Pivothead gets an improvement over time it's probably worth a look.




Update Jan 2013:
Here's a slightly less expensive, yet nurdy looking, glasses capturing 720p video.