Sony's Action Cam Mini packs just as much power in two-thirds the size
While some users might not love everything about Sony's current adventure camera lineup, you can hardly fault the Action Cams for being too large. Still, when size and weight really matter, such as when you're mounting a camera on a helmet or a drone, it certainly wouldn't hurt to shave off an inch or two. That's exactly what Sony's done with its Action Cam Mini, which replaces the AS100V we first met at CES with a camera that's two-thirds the size. Fortunately, you won't have to compromise on image quality, and all of the former model's accessories work with the Mini, too.
The battery's been scaled down, so longevity is reduced slightly, but the camera's now splash-proof, so you don't need a waterproof case when shooting mountain bike treks or trips down the slopes. Popping on the included case adds even more protection, making the Mini dust, sand and waterproof to five meters. As for specs, there's an 11.9-megapixel Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor, a 170-degree ultra-wide-angle lens, a stereo mic, 120 fps high-speed recording at 720p and support for Sony's super-sharp 50 Mbps XAVC S codec when you're shooting at 1080p.
The Mini will run you $250, or $350 when bundled with the new live-view remote, which gives you complete control over up to five cameras, including image-quality adjustments, flip, timecode and shooting mode. The remote is waterproof to five meters and also sports an integrated GPS -- data is pushed to the camera -- as well as video playback (without sound). Both products launch October 19th, and while you can't pick up the new remote a la carte, you can still order its predecessor for $150.
