It is very easy to get lost and overwhelmed when looking for the best action and sports camera, so this review should help you find the right model for you.
I will introduce you to one of the best digital cameras manufacturers, Sony, and also some of the best action cameras that this brand made. Read more about each Sony sports camera to find out what are the best features of these cameras and check for the links for an easy online purchase.
More About Sony Company
Global Conglomerate Corporation
Sony is one of the biggest Japanese conglomerate corporations in the world. The company is so diverse and has countless different branches. Some of the main domains Sony specializes in are gaming devices, entertainment, and financial services as well as professional electronics equipment.
Biggest Entertainment Company
Sony is without a doubt one of the most important companies in the entertainment business. Sony owns the biggest music entertainment business. It is also the leading company in the video game sphere and has a big part in the TV and film industry.
Digital Camera Business
Another business Sony is very much involved with is the production of digital cameras. It is, in fact, the third biggest global manufacturer of cameras. The offer they have is fairly wide and it includes also Sony action cams, Sony sports camera, Sony underwater camera models and many more.
Service Assistance
One of the best things about Sony is responsive to customer relations and product support. There are multiple different ways to contact Sony. They also developed a special mobile phone App to get support even easier than before.
Sony Retailers
Since Sony is a very big global country, multiple retailers sell their cameras. If you want to find Sony products at great price points and benefit from some other advantages, I recommend looking through online retailers like Amazon.
Top 7 Sony Action Cam Models
Sony FDR X3000 Underwater Camcorder
Mini Sony Action Cam
Sony FDR X3000 is one of the most popular Sony action cam waterproof recorders. FDRX3000 is also one of the smallest models of this type of camera. The whole unit measures only 1.2 x 1.9 x 3.3 inches and it weighs 4.2 ounces like it was a Sony GoPro model.
Sony Underwater Camera
Sony FDR X3000 in itself isn’t waterproof but Sony took care of it and provided underwater housing to enable it to go inside the water. Once you inserted FDRX3000 inside the housing, the Sony action camera can be used at depths of up to 200 feet which is 60 meters.
Sony Action Cam 4k
This model of Sony sports camera is great for taking action photos or in general pictures while the person, animal or environment in front of the objects that are moving or are active. The good 4k resolution is enriched with the balanced optical image stabilization that controls the camera shaking and captures everything clearly.
Free Smartphone App Connection
Sony FDR X3000 action camera has integrated Wi-Fi. This is made so you can connect your Smartphone to the Sony action cam. There is a free Sony PlayMemories app available for iOS and Android phones you can download to be able to control, preview the shots and also easily transfer the pictures and videos to your phone.
Takes High-Quality Videos
Besides FDRX3000 being able to take really good quality pictures, it can also do the same with the videos. It is equipped with a new type of lens that will take care of distortion and consistent video quality. 8.3MP is optimized for 4K (3840×2160) and can be used to create quality 4K time-lapse videos.
- Provided underwater housing
- Stereo sound with noise reduction
- 4k quality
- With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS
Sony HDR AS20 Action Video Camera
Compact Design
Sony HDR AS20 is a handheld portable and small action camera that measures only 4.8 x 3 x 6.5 inches. One of the best things about it is its compact design which is different than to those of cameras like GoPro and similar. Here you have an extremely slim rectangular form with a protruding lens.
Waterproof Housing And Tripod
This Sony action cam doesn’t have a waterproof body but it does come with waterproof underwater housing. Now you can use Sony HDR AS20 up to 15 feet deep and it makes it also shock and dirt resistant. The camera comes also with a universal tripod mount.
Hands-Free Usage
Given the fact that this Sony underwater camera has built-in Wi-Fi as well as the NFC control, you can pretty much control it hands-free. There is also a possibility to use the optional remote control accessory watch but a Smartphone connected to the camera will do just as fine.
Multiple Video Modes
Sony HDR AS20 is a great on-the-go sports action camera to not only take photos with but also good quality videos. There are a total of six video shooting modes and a possibility to record using the HD 1920×1080/60p for the best quality. You can also use different slow-motion modes to accentuate extreme sports situations or similar shots.
Wide Angles And CMOS Sensor
With its protruding pro-quality lens, Sony HDR AS20 gives you angles up to 170 degrees perfect for scenery shots. You can take these even in slightly bad lighting thanks to the Exmor R CMOS sensor that will take care of the good low light performance.
- Small and thin form
- Universal tripod mount included
- Waterproof, dustproof and shockproof
- Wide good quality lens
Other Versions Of Sony HDR AS20 Action Video Camera
Sony HDR AS50 Underwater Camera
Sony HDR AS50 action camera is from the same series as the previously reviewed Sony HDR AS20. Essentially it is just an upgraded version with minor differences. The first obvious difference is the design, with Sony AS50 being slightly thicker. The second main difference is that with Sony AS50, the viewing angle can be switched between narrow and wide. Other than that, if you want to know more about its features, just consult the previous review or the Amazon link below.
Sony AS100V Action Camera
Sony kept updating its camera models and that is how Sony AS100V came together, with it also being a part of the HDR AS series. This time the camera is white while previous versions were black. The one noticeable difference is that this one captures pictures with 13.5 megapixels indifference to 11.9 of the previous models.
Sony AS200V Action Camera
Sony AS200V is one of the newest versions in this specific Sony action cam series. What makes this version special is the splashproof body. On top of that, you can also add the provided housing to make Sony AS200V ultra-resistant. The general performance of the camera was upgraded as well as the picture quality, but features are identical to those of previous versions.
Sony HDR AZ1 Action Video Camera
Sony HDR AZ1 has the same features except for the possibility of two different aspect ratios, 16:9 and 4:3, while with the other models it was only 16:9. Also, the interval recording has been slightly modified and enlarged.
Sony TX30 Waterproof Camera
The Thinnest Design
Sony TX30 is without a doubt a special action and sports camera model. It is shaped like a Smartphone and it is so thin it can fit any pocket or purse. The Sony action cam measures only 2.3 x 0.6 x 3.8 inches, with 0.6 inches being the width.
Sony Waterproof Camera
Despite it being extremely thin and small, Sony TX30 is still as resistant as some of the chunkier camera models. This Sony action cam is waterproof up to 33 feet, dustproof, shockproof meaning it supports falls up to around 5 feet and also freezeproof up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. You can take this camera anywhere with you without having to worry about is safety.
Touch Screen
When I previously stated this camera resembles an iPhone this was another reason why. Sony TX30 has a 3.3 inch OLED touch screen where you can see the shots you are taking very clearly. The touch screen feature is also significantly faster than the already old-school LCDs that a lot of cameras still have.
Clear And Effective Zoom
Sony TX30 has a really strong feature of a high-quality zoom which is a rarity in a good number of small digital cameras. It has a 5x optical zoom as well as a 10x clear image digital zoom technology. Both of these together provide sharp captures even of far placed objects.
Printing Ready Pictures
Sony TX30 captures shots with a high 18.2-megapixel image resolution up to 10 frames per second. Besides the high-quality shots, you can easily add some picture and beauty filters and effects to have your pictures printing ready without having to use photo enhancing computer programs.
- Built-in 8 GB flash memory
- 10 x clear image zoom
- Easy-to-use touchscreen
Sony Underwater Housing And Waterproof Cases
Besides selling Sony waterproof cameras and those that come with underwater housing provided with the purchase, the brand also sells separate underwater housing. In other words, you can turn almost any camera into a waterproof one. This includes even the bigger DSLR models or hybrid models like Sony A6000 underwater housing, Sony RX100 underwater housing and more.
Conclusion: How To Choose The Best Sony Action Cam?
If you want a portable Sony action cam that has a great picture and video quality, underwater housing and also a good price point, you should read more about Sony HDR AS50. On the other hand, if you prefer a camera that is waterproof and shockproof without a separate housing, Sony TX30 may be just the right model for you.
Don’t hesitate to read more about models similar to Sony action cam models in my post called best action camera models. Similarly, if you don’t want to spend a fortune on an underwater camera, there are two informative posts called the best budget action camera or the best cheap underwater camera.