Currently, there is of course doubly hard to get migrated and otherwise mostly contented sports enthusiasts to a return, ie the shot with the AS30 must be reversed before a brilliant results.
Feel and look of the new offshoot are - as well as might be expected - flawlessly. A high-quality workmanship meets timeless, already known from the predecessor, Design. The operation is expected to provide tech-savvy users are no major problems, although the menu as always with Sony a little getting used to and nested fails. I own and use quite a lot of equipment / products from Sony and I have long since come to terms with the strengths and weaknesses, recommend newcomers but possibly a small test run before the final purchase. The cam itself is almost entirely made of solid plastic, which I feel by low weight and thus one of the main positive features of an action cam even as very good in view of the. Use with or without the - possible water-resistant housing, though certainly much more frequently finds application in practice Variant 2 - supplied. Just as the AS30 is permanently protected from the weather.
But just to be smaller, handier and more compact than its predecessor, makes this Sony is far become a driving force and a serious competitor for the established Action cam manufacturers. Striking is mainly drilled and improved technology. This starts with an improved lens and continues with the WiFi-equipment incl. NFC with which the interaction with mobile devices (smartphones / tablets) is now but considerably easier. In the test I had using a Samsung Galaxy S2 and the app "PlayMemories Mobile" really fun, me with - to deal with functions - within the app somewhat limited. Also new: a GPS receiver for storing location coordinates allows subsequent tracking.
Mainly consist in the supreme discipline a sensible Action cam and thus also the HDR-AS30 must - While we rejoice in gadgetry and technical gimmicks. Lack meter high snow mountains in Bavaria and Austria, I will move the Hardiness Test at iciness inevitably a little, but the ambition has served at least for some bumpy cycling.
At this point I have to mention that, unfortunately, I think that Sony itself Commercially available mounting accessories extremely useless. While I'm hopped with an original headband holder lateral camera through a sports shop and already the store had the annoying feeling of losing the camera with the smallest vibrations, ran my test with an appointed steering wheel mount incl. Tripod thread more than modest. Currently I have tinkered in the best manner McGyver using Gaffa tape a useful, but not permanently suitable replacement, but I am still very undecided how I will settle the matter in a few weeks on the ski slopes.
Include og teething problems of the past, is itself very satisfied video quality. Filming act pleasantly neutral and non-oversubscribed. Just the image stabilizer (Steady Shot technology) makes for beautiful shots. Sometimes, however, I feel that the pictures are a little too finely ironed and exempt from Aufnahmeunebenheiten- or stuttering. Here me a completely natural shooting modes would rather than technical progress. Very good solution is for the freedom of choice to renounce HD recording and downgrade in favor of a longer recording time on SD quality. Slow & Co. are gimmicks that dominates every effective image editing program similar good.
In order not to draw the infinite review at this point in the length, some in my eyes still notable weaknesses / strengths completed in short form:
- Connecting the camera to a tripod socket only using the protective housing possible
- Housing attenuates ambient noise
- The advertised property "waterproof" I feel related to a possible depth of just five meters as exaggerated and inaccurate
- Recurring and non-reproducible for me menu error message "missing memory card" after correct SD card slot
- Accessories (Sony typical) expensive
+ Allows the use of SD cards and Memory Sticks
+ MicroUSB & HDMI
+ Charging via USB replaces another, unnecessary power supply in the house
+ Much Accessories Available
Conclusion: the camera is a successful appearance in the Sony Action Cam segment. The price / performance ratio is realistic, the video recordings sovereign, the general impression up on little things verschmerzbare entirely satisfactory. To what extent the higher purchase price justifies a purchase compared to AS15, is certainly in the eye of the beholder. A continuous development takes place within the AS series takes all and I think one or the other Sony HDR-AS30 is clear to me more often than in the past, noise at sporting excursions in the future in the field of view. Even Sony is not entirely on one level with the flagships from other manufacturers - but you start, at least so significantly to shake the throne.
