Comparison Sony HDR-AS50 vs Sony HDR-AS20

The presence of a 1/4" threaded socket on the camera body. It is this size that is standard for modern tripods and is used in most of these devices. So this feature allows you to mount the camera on a tripod without using adapters and other additional equipment.

The ability of the camera to record HD video (720p).

The official HD specification provides a resolution of 1280x720. However, in action cameras, there may be resolutions slightly different from this parameter, for example, 1080x720 or 1440x960. Anyway, HD is the most modest of today's high-definition standards, which, nevertheless, provides a fairly clear and detailed image.

Another important parameter given in this paragraph is the frame rate. The higher it is, the smoother the movement in the frame will be, and the details in dynamic scenes will be visible clearly. Technically, 30 fps or even less is enough for video, but 60 fps is considered the perfect value — at this frame rate, motion blur becomes almost imperceptible and at the same time the size of the captured files remains within reasonable limits. However, there are cameras on the market with higher frame rates at HD resolutions — 100 fps, 120 fps, 200 fps and even 240 fps. This speed is usually used for recording slow-motion video, but such a possibility needs to be specified separately.

Frame rate supported by the camera when shooting in slow motion.

In general, such shooting is called “high-speed” because it is carried out at an increased frame rate (more than 60 fps). As a result, when played back at normal speed (60 fps and below), the video looks slow hence the name. This kind of slow-motion can be used just for fun, as an artistic technique, and even for scientific purposes — to capture movement that is too fast for the human eye. In any case, the higher the slow-mo frame rate, the more you can slow down the video and the more advanced the camera is in this regard. On the other hand, the higher the frame rate, the more performant the graphics part should be; and this, in turn, affects the price of the device, sometimes quite noticeably.

We also note that slow-mo shooting may be available only at certain resolutions, not always at maximum. These points can be directly specified in the specs of the action camera.

The number of megapixels in the action camera sensor, in other words, the resolution of this sensor(1 megapixel is 1 million photosensitive points).

There is an opinion that the higher the resolution, the better the image quality. It is true from the point of view that manufacturers are trying to install high-resolution sensors in advanced cameras. At the same time, there are no strict dependencies here, and from the technical point of view, the number of megapixels determines only the maximum image resolution that can be captured using this sensor. The quality of this picture will depend both on several features of the sensor itself (size, type, special design solutions), and the specs of the camera. So when choosing, you should focus not so much on the resolution of the image sensor, but on the general class of the camera and reviews with examples of footage.

The maximum resolution at which the action camera can take photos. Specified in pixels horizontally and vertically.

This parameter is directly related to the resolution of the image sensor(see above): the total number of pixels in the photo, usually, corresponds to the number of pixels in the sensor. For example, a photo resolution of 4608x3456 corresponds to a sensor of 15925248 pixels, or approximately 16 megapixels. If the number of pixels in the photo is greater than the claimed resolution of the sensor, then the manufacturer uses software tricks that allow you to improve the photo resolution to a higher one than originally. This reduces the cost of devices but also affects the quality of images.

Theoretically, high-resolution images can provide good detail, but in fact, much depends on the specs of the sensor (primarily physical size) and image processing features.

— GPS module. Built-in satellite navigation module that allows you to determine the current coordinates of the device. Options for using data from GPS can be different: geotagging footage, recording travelled routes, determining the speed of movement, or even full-fledged navigation on the map.

— Wi-Fi module. The Wi-Fi wireless module in action cameras can be used in different formats: in some models, it is responsible for connecting to the Internet, in others it is for communicating with a smartphone or other gadget, in others both options are available at once. Anyway, the main use of this connection is to transfer footage to an external device or to the Internet (including broadcasting in the online streaming format, see “Filming capabilities”). In addition, more specific functions can be provided, for example, using a smartphone as an external viewfinder and remote control. Specific features of the use of Wi-Fi in each case should be clarified separately.

— Bluetooth. Direct wireless communication technology for exchanging information between two electronic devices. In action cameras, it is most often used to connect remote controls, selfie sticks and smartphones, which can also act as a remote control. Unlike the Wi-Fi module, it consumes battery power more economically, but at the same time, the range of wireless communication is reduced to 10 m...etres.

— NFC chip. NFC is a wireless communication technology over short distances (up to 10 cm). In action cameras, this technology is mainly used as an auxiliary one, to facilitate connection with a smartphone or other gadget via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. If such a gadget is also equipped with NFC, just bring the camera to it and confirm the connection — it's easier than fiddling with the settings.

— USB-C. A relatively new type of USB interface that uses a miniature double-sided connector, slightly larger than microUSB. Most often used for similar purposes — as a universal connector through which you can charge the battery and connect the camera to a computer (for copying photos and videos, updating software, etc.). P.). At the same time, USB-C provides a higher data transfer rate than microUSB, supports more power supply, and also has a more convenient plug. Occasionally, there are more specific ways to use this interface — for example, direct connection to a smartphone or tablet that has a USB-C port.

— HDMI output. HDMI is a digital interface specially designed for high-definition video and multi-channel audio. With this output, you can connect the camera to a TV, monitor or other device as an external player and play the footage directly. The convenience of HDMI is that almost all modern video equipment with support for HD standards is equipped with such inputs.

Note that the cameras can be equipped with a smaller version of the connector — miniHDMI or microHDMI; however, finding an adapter cable is usually not a problem, it can even be supplied in the kit.

— Microphone connection. Almost any modern action camera has a built-in microphone that allows you to record sound. However, the quality of its sound is often quite low. Thus, many models can connect an external microphone — you can fix it, for example, on the helmet strap and record the comments of the athlete in the process of movement. Note that different types of connectors can be used for such a connection. As a result, the specific connector type and supported accessories depend on the action camera model, and some devices are only compatible with branded microphones.

The largest memory card capacity supported by the camera model.

This limitation is due to two points. First, the larger the drive, the more computing power is required to use it. Secondly, each type of memory card has its maximum capacity. For example, the capacity of an SD HC card cannot exceed 32 GB, larger drives already belong to the SD XC standard, and if it is not supported, the maximum card capacity cannot exceed 32 GB.

It is strongly not recommended to exceed the maximum allowable capacity: even if the card is recognized by the device, its normal operation is not guaranteed.

— Protective case. A special container that provides additional protection from dust, moisture, impacts, extreme temperatures and other similar "troubles". The specific level of protection in each case should be specified separately. In order not to interfere with filming, the box is made of transparent materials. In addition, we note that some cameras can only be mounted on mounts in a box (or in a mounting frame - see below), since the body itself may not have space for this.

— Mounting frame. A device designed to install a camera on various mounts — helmet, steering wheel, etc. The camera body itself often does not have "landing sites" for such mounts, which is why additional equipment has to be used. Note that a protective box (see above) often performs a similar function; the mounting frame, in contrast, provides almost no protection, but the camera body remains maximally open in the frame. This provides additional opportunities — in particular, it allows you to connect various cables and effectively use the built-in microphone, which is impossible when using many boxes.

— Helmet mount. A mount designed to mount a camera to a helmet or other curved surface. The design of such a mount is based on a curved platform with an adhesive layer or Velcro, the shape of which roughly matches the shape of the helmet surface. Such a device can provide a more s...ecure hold than a classic flat platform (see below).

— Flat mount. One of the main and simplest mounts used to fix an action camera to almost any uniform surface: snowboard, skateboard, car hood, etc. It is a small flat platform, to one side of which the camera is attached, while the second is fixed to the desired surface (using Velcro, special glue, etc.). Note that flat mounts are often used for installation on a helmet, but for this purpose there is a separate type of mount, with a curved platform (see above).

— 3-axis mount. This differs from other types of mounts by the presence of three movable units that allow you to rotate the camera at an angle of up to 90 degrees in three axes. In practice, this allows you to choose the most interesting or successful shooting angle - on the side of the helmet, for example. Such solutions are usually compatible with many other mounts, so they can be used together with a steering wheel, curved, etc.

— On the handlebars of a bicycle/motorcycle (pipe). A mount for installing a camera on a small pipe — for example, the handlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle. As a rule, it works on the principle of a clamp, and the size of the mount can be adjusted within a fairly wide range, adjusting it for pipes of different diameters.

— Suction cup(on glass). A camera mount that is fixed in the desired location using a suction cup. Allows you to install the device on flat and slightly curved surfaces. It is worth considering that such mounts do not hold as securely as flat or curved ones (see the relevant points). On the other hand, the suction cup is easy to attach and remove and leaves no marks. Therefore, mounts of this type are mainly used for installation on car glass when the camera operates as a video recorder.

— Clamp (clip). The clip-type mount is quite universal, since it allows you to hang the camera on almost any suitable piece of equipment (backpack strap, unloading belt, belt, etc.). However, it is not very suitable for extreme shooting due to its relatively low reliability.

— Head mount. A device for fixing the camera to the head — usually on the forehead, like a headlamp. In addition to freeing up your hands, this placement has another advantage: the camera lens looks in the same direction as the customer. The mount itself is usually a system of elastic straps and is designed to be worn directly on the head, as opposed to a curved helmet platform. However, some models allow the possibility of wearing it over a helmet.

— Chest mount. This mount is a system of elastic straps that allows you to fix the camera on the customer's chest, shooting slightly lower than "from the eyes". Like the head mount (see above), it is easily adapted to the desired size.

— Monopod(selfie). A device commonly known as a “selfie stick”. It is a rod, usually foldable and sometimes adjustable in length; at one end of the rod there is a mount for the camera, at the other - a handle for holding in the hand. In accordance with the name, such a monopod is intended mainly for filming yourself - thanks to the length of the rod, the camera can be held at a comfortable distance. However, other ways of using it are possible: for example, with the help of a monopod you can “look” quite far over the edge of a cliff or around a corner. The main disadvantage of such a device is that one hand is constantly occupied.

In addition to those described above, the delivery set may also include other types of fastenings - for example, for musical instruments (on the neck of a guitar, on the bar of a drum kit, etc.), on a surfboard, etc.