It has been tested so far. I write for recording indoors or outdoors, test movie in freshwater and GNTB this review from vacation after the first missions in the sea.
The camera fits comfortably in your hand, but it is relatively narrow, if the display is expanded. The operation is for recording and zooming is very good. A button for movie, a button for photos (more on that later) and in between a rocker switch for the zoom.
The controls for menus are are for very stiff and do not always take well - is best to work here with your fingernail. As already mentioned, there is no lens cover, which has so far caused no problems but with me - sand, water, the fingers of my son - even over it and wipe it clean again. Scratches so far I could not find.
For image quality:
Exteriors, or bright interior: excellent. Very high details. Autofocus is not always the fastest, if time focused the image remains sharp. Face Detection works extremely well in my opinion - not only from the front but also from the side. Also multiple faces no problem at all. The Smart Capture mode makes its job very well. For manual settings the camera, however, is nothing - because you have to work through too many menus.
Twilight or interior with artificial light. Here the autofocus takes longer. The film quality adheres to my mind but very good. The image noise in photos is comparable with a snapshot camera. However, up to ISO 400 goes, then it will be very strong.
Underwater: Here I can only say - I'm thrilled. I had previously already diverse housing, but the thing is incredibly handy for taking pictures in the water or under the water. The first time into it is very unusual - so entirely without protective housing and then turn in the water and show the screen, but the films is then really great. War now snorkeling a few times and even more frequently to 3m below. I think you should definitely read the fairly detailed instructions for underwater use and stick to it. After an hour, it is minimal damp in the rubber seal of the battery compartment, but so far no water on the battery or in the HDMI / USB connector.
(A problem there is to my mind and that's the photo mode Naturally the receiving area for a photo is larger -. Weitwinkeliger - as the video area By default, the video mode is set but there is no possibility of permanent switch to the photo mode you pressed half the... Record button for photo, then the camera switches, and the image section then jumps. In the mode is there but no way to back in. That is, the respective zoom setting you must first auprobieren in the video area, which changes when switching of neckline, which is to a certain gambling whether the cut-out for photos fits) -. See Edit
Basically, I do not mind that too much, because I mainly used for video camera, who intends should take pictures anymore but try earlier. I would pull it half a star. The image quality of the photos is very good - the 16MP bit excessive for the small sensor - as addon but quite fine. You can record still pictures even during filming.
Summary:
+ Very high fun factor for the beach vacation or for watersports
+ Excellent quality of video recordings
+ Good photo quality
+ Super image quality underwater
+ Extremely easy to use - the intelligent program works very well
+ Pistol grip fits comfortably in your hand
~ Sufficient quality in darker situations
~ Autofocus slow, but stable
(- Photo function from the restricted usability - useful as addon) see Edit
- Buttons for menus need a lot Fingespitzengefühl
Overall, I would give it 4 stars for a normal video camera. Through the fun factor waterproof and in my opinion good price then are but 5 star fully justified.
Edit:
After the review of Sam I found the possibility of swizzling on PhotoView Abbreviated dialing key (unfortunately from the operating instructions do not clearly visible). This improves the ability to function Photo enormously.
Edit 2:
For underwater is I use this tripod: Joby Gorillapod GP1 Gripping Tripod black / gray (for cameras up to 275g). With a stone lock and set the camera to the ground. Attracts by her sparkle fish. I have the camera so every day for about an hour up to 3m depth in use and no problems. I have inserted a short record on video.
