In the field test the HDR-AS100 it soon became clear that further accessories purchases are almost inevitable. Since the Action Cam has only a splash protection, Sony puts in an underwater housing. Just what use this free addition, if so (except in the immediate vicinity) the image quality is visibly impaired? Unfortunately, the replacement housing fronts offered for 39 euros (AKA-RD1) do not fit to the housing SPK-AS2 HDR AS100 !!! Only the flat, not arched, front from the replacement set would namely eliminate the serious loss of focus. Can Sony not equal both front frame enclose? The situation is similar to the terminals (external microphone, USB and HDMI) below the HDR-AS100. By mounting the included tripod adapter all connections are in fact hidden and are no longer accessible. However, when I once again invest 27 euros for the optionally available plastic frame AKA SF1, the external terminals can finally be used at any time. Involuntarily, I get the suspicion that the lucrative accessories business was considered by Sony during the development of the camera. Because it fits into the picture that Sony calls stately 33 euros just for a tiny replacement battery NP-BX1. I bought several copies for the price of China about 7.50 euros. These batteries also work. Only the battery life is reduced by around ten minutes. The bottom line is ultimately the total price was the accessory at least about 500 Euro. That's my opinion, already a bit much. I have this investment ultimately only carried out in order to get the Action Cam with the highest recording quality.
My test shots (with professional test image graphics) have convinced me. Action films include Yes ultimately almost always fast moving with lots of fine detail. Something calls for an extremely high data rate. Otherwise occur inevitably unsightly artifacts in the form of block noise. The HDR-AS100 exceeds with its 50 Mbit / s, even the otherwise highly acclaimed GoPro Hero 3 + (45 Mbit / s). The evaluation of my test shots of the HDR-AS100 took a very moderate electronic sharpening, a sharpness in just above the previous record level of GoPro Hero 3+, a profound detail reproduction, either a fairly saturated colors in the "Vidid setting" or a relatively neutral color reproduction the "neutral setting". The electronic image stabilizer works excellently, but unfortunately also leads to a slight cropping. Under LowLight conditions inevitably reduces the sharpness. The then existing noise largely depends on the recording mode. You can choose between MPEG4-AVC or the PRO mode (50 Mbit / s) Select. The lower data rate of MPEG-4 AVC mode obviously leads to the fact that the image processing is specifically charged under minimum light conditions and thus revealed a little less noise. A slow motion with 100 or 200 frames per second is the way also offered, but is only possible under a clear image quality waiver in 720p mode or 800x480 pixels. The HDR-AS100 has a wide-angle focal length of 17.1 mm. Accordingly Barrel looks image reproduction. Later in video editing should be performed extensive electronic "straightening". In conventional camcorders such artifacts are now largely eliminated from the image processor.
Sony emphasizes the professionalism of HDR-AS100 not only by the PRO-recording mode in the format XAVC-S but also with the integrated function timecode and GPS. To record the PRO mode recordings requires Sony high-quality micro SD card with at least 64GB of Class 10. I have (for safety's sake) bought me then the Lexar memory card with 64GB, 633x and UHS-1 for almost 60 euros. Then stood For comparison, a significantly slower SanDisk card with 64GB in the Ultra version for standard UHS-1 (ie with 30 Mbit / s) are available. With two memory cards were in PRO mode test no problems. The supplied battery pack has moreover made a continuous recording time of 114 minutes. The unfortunately permanently installed battery in the clock remote control (RM-LVR1) managed a continuous operating time (with constant visual observation) of just 260 minutes. Concern the heating of the HDR-AS100 up to 48.2 degrees seems to me (as measured by a professional laser temperature gauge). At first I suspected the hot battery as the cause. In the experiment with an external power supply, it turned out that apparently the processor generates such high temperatures, which can of course only given insufficient on the hermetically sealed plastic housing. I do not want to know how high the temperature of the processors in operation and how this massive heat production has a negative effect on the service life of the installed components rather. The faster customers buy then probably a new device ...
I was quite surprised that the Velcro on the remote control Suhr was so tight that it (glove size 10) just as precisely suited me. When the tiny display in the format 1.5 "not really want to use for image control the clock, you have to separate the housing AKA-LU1 buy the larger, fold-out display. So then the camera looks almost like a regular camcorder. Unfortunately, this reduces the continuous battery operation time to 98 minutes and it's just a Live View shooting control possible. One can thus by no means all older monitoring records! This unnecessary restriction I would not vermutetet. In addition, the housing AKA LU proves ergonomically unfavorable . The smooth surface offers no great slip resistance. After all, the camera can also be used via HDMI connection as a player. With the few buttons on the device, the menu operation is quite used to. Over-the-clock remote control or a smartphone app to the way in By no means all functions are changed.
Optical components are always sensitive. It would therefore be urgent, Sony would in future offer an inexpensive lens cap. The currently asking price of 30 euros is simply outrageous. Due to some, avoidable restrictions I forgive only four stars. After all, it has Sony, as an experienced developer and producer of camcorders finally managed the overpowering GoPro competition to defy. JVC is probably stayed with the cheap and quite good concept of GC-XA2 on the track. 50 frames per second with 22 Mbit / s are good, but not equal to the Sony HDR-AS100 in PRO mode or the GoPro Hero 3+. While the prices of camcorders fall ever, despite a marked increase in scope, equipped Actioncams enjoy great popularity in a relatively simplest ultimately often not satisfactory price / performance ratio. Actually the Actioncams should be offered much cheaper. My decision to purchase the HDR-AS100 was based primarily on the extremely good picture quality and the Steueruhr RM LVR1 with remote triggering and visual inspection.
