Sony updates its video camera line-up with the new HDR-AS50 Action Cam

The new Sony HDR-AS50 Action Cam is finally here, and it packs a great set of features that can make your footage feel like a true adventure.

The HDR-AS50 has a 1/2.3-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor at 11.1-megapixels resolution. It’s paired with a ZEISS® Tessar lens that has an f2.8 aperture and a focal length of 18.4 – 21.8mm (35mm equivalent). Sony claims that the combination of their sensor and lens will let users capture footage in “in crystal clear high definition resolution” – the specification sheet says it shoots up to Full HD (1,920 x 1,080p) at 30 frames per second in MP4 High Quality standard. It’s also capable of recording high-bitrate recordings in XAVC S format (50mbps, requires a Class 10 micro SDHC/SDXC memory card).

This new camera also comes with a powerful stabilization technology too. The advanced SteadyShot integrated into the HDR-AS50 is “three times more powerful” than the one found in the HDR-AS20. It’s the same SteadyShot technology used in the 4K-capable FDR-X100V. Sony believes that the improved SteadyShot is especially effective against low-amplitude vibration, which occurs in radio-controlled helicopters or drones.

The body of the HDR-AS50 undergone some changes suggested by its ardent users. It has a new, intuitive user interface that facilitates quick setting changes. It also features adjustable and enhanced beep sounds, as well as three tally lights (top, front and back) for better awareness of the camera’s status, allowing users to check if the Action Cam is recording even when it’s mounted on other transportation tools.

Field angle adjustment is now possible on the HDR-AS50 via its “angle setting” and “zoom setting”. If you have SteadyShot turned off, you can enjoy two-step angle switching between wide and narrow angles for frame adjustment of any scene with less image distortion. The Action Cam also comes with 3x smooth zoom for closer action. If you have the Action Cam Movie Creator editing software, you can take 8-megapixel images captured using Interval Shooting, and convert them into a 4K time-lapse movie.

True to its compact form factor, the Sony HDR-AS50 measures 24.2 x 47.0 x 83.0mm at 58g. You can pair it with other accessories, such as its Underwater Housing (MPK-UWH1) which allows footage to be captured down to 60m under water. The same housing is dust, shock and waterproof, and the flat lens design promises clear underwater footage.

The Sony HDR-AS50 will be available from this month onwards at all Sony Stores, Sony Centers and selected Sony authorized dealers from March 2016 at a recommended retail price of S$299.

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