PREVIEWED: Sony FDR-X1000V action cam
CES 2015, Las Vegas: pro-quality broadcast action cam adds 4k and super slo-mo
Hikers, divers, surfers and cyclist; dump your GoPro. Sony’s latest action cam doesn’t just do 4k, but adds 100Mbps high-bitrate recording (along with some fancy manual controls for AE shift and white balance) and up to 240 frames per second recording (your phone can do 30fps) for super slo-mo playback.
Why 4k?
Your next phone will record video in 4k, otherwise known as Ultra HD, which captures four times as much detail. Your next tablet and TV, too. So it makes sense that any action cam should capture in 4k, no? Sony (which makes TVs, of course) is pushing 4k at CES 2015, says its FDR-X1000V can be clipped to a helmet and can take 170° field of view pics.
Less wind
There’s a ZEISS Tessar F2.8 lens, and SteadyShot for motion blur compensation, but despite all that the most useful new feature could be the stereo microphones and wind noise reduction circuity. At CES Sony is also promoting its slightly lower-spec HDR-AS200VR, which only records in sad, old high definition quality. Imagine the horror.