Long Time No See...

So its been a few months since  I last made a post on this blog, but yes I still use my As100v quite a lot and still am finding new ways to make the most of it.  I am a bit busy now that my year abroad in Japan is over and I am packing my schedule full of classes for graduation, but I am also riding quite a bit in Santa Barbara.

Ill try to post some of my rides every now and then here for you guys to see.  

Also I got a SDXC microsd so I can finally film in the PRO mode which actually is really nice.  

Here is a video of my descent down Old San Marcos Road in Goleta California.  

Also here is a video of when I went on a scuba trip on Catalina Island back in the summer.  Note that some of the clips are missing due to an error I had with my video editing program.

A Collection of Test Videos Courtesy of AEG

Before I bought my own As100v, I watched a few test videos from a youtube user named AEG.  I really loved his videos and decided to buy the camera because of them.  Recently I rediscovered his videos and asked him if it would be ok if I shared them on this blog and he said it was cool.  So here are some of his excellent videos that really show off what the As100v is capable of!  

watch in 1080p full screen to fully appreciate them :)

A video compilation of a his trip to Okinawa.

A video showcasing the incredible still image quality of the AS100V.

He also has done a lot of work looking into stabilizing the camera for interesting shots. 

Sakura Video.

AEG has many more great test videos on his youtube page that you should definitely check out!  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVuaogctCNpnGPj064pkc1Q

A Mini As100v?

It seems like Sony is in the works of releasing an even smaller version of the As100v.  The AZ1.

This picture is from Sony's webpage on this new exciting product.

http://store.sony.com/pov-hd-camcorder-zid27-HDRAZ1/W/cat-27-catid-collections-ifa

It seems like a worthy alternative to the As100v and likely a competitor to the Shimano Sports Camera. This newer camera will be ultra small and light weight and looks like something I wouldnt mind sticking on my racing bike during a race.  Its also 50$ cheaper than the As100v, starting at 250$.

I was actually thinking about getting a second As100v, perhaps I will pick one of these up instead.  I like where Sony is going with their POV camera lineup!

Oh and if you haven't picked up an As100v yet, here is a sale I found.  Kinda weird that Dell is selling it, but hey 268$, a pretty nice price for the best action camera on the market.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A7743498&dgc=SS&cid=281096&lid=5328379&acd=12309204843274935

Something Interesting

Recently I heard about Instagram's new "Hyperlapse" application that creates crazy smooth timelapse video from long videos on your smartphone or tablet.  

http://www.wired.com/2014/08/hyperlapse-instagrams-new-app-is-like-a-15000-video-setup-in-your-hand/

Then wondering if the same could be done with other types of video cameras, I looked up similar search entires for action cameras and found this interesting video.  If this application by Microsoft really performs how it is shown in the following video, it will be HUGE news to action camera owners!  

I have always found the AS100v's 1 second intervals to be very interesting for timelapse videos, such as when I ride on my bike.  However, they are often jerky and not quite smooth enough to be to my liking.  With this application, we should be able to create incredible fast-forward video with incredible ease. It will greatly expand the usefulness and fields in which cameras like the as100v can be used in.  

Pair this with the as100v's pro-res AVCHD 60fps video mode, and I believe we will be able to take some jaw-dropping video.  The great image quality of the as100v plus the premium video encoding of AVCHD should pair quite nicely with this upcoming program.  I am excited. 

Diving in Catalina

I just returned from my trip to Catalina Island and have lots of video of my dives on the island.  I will be editing them into a video soon, but for now here is a clip I took at 30 feet underwater using the Sony as100v with the flat door underwater case and a common camera extender monopod.

I love diving and was super excited to be able to film my dives with a fish eye lens.  This camera performed wonderfully and I am extremely impressed with its clarity and low light performance in the murky water even 30 feet below the surface.  The video was crisp and very accurate to how it actually looked during my dive.  This camera just keeps getting better and better.

I just shot in 1080p 30fps in neutral color mode and left the rest up to the computer chips in the camera. I cant say I am a skilled diver, but I can definitely recommend this camera to any divers out there.  The flat door underwater case can go down to 190feet!



Oh and here is another promotional video I made for my cycling club, shot entirely with the As100v.

Diving with the Sony HD1A Flat Lens Underwater Case

Before I post videos and pictures from my 24 cycling trip to Hokkaido, I will be scuba diving with my brothers on Catalina Island off the coast of California.

I will post pictures and video after I return from my trip, but for now here is the case I bought for the occasion.

For that purpose, I picked up the diving case for the As100v, the AKA-RD1A underwater case with a flat lens on the front.  

Normally the much smaller case suffers from slightly blurry underwater video due to its rounded lens.  This flat lens will make the video just as sharp as it is above water, and I predict it will yield phenomenal results.


This case can also go down to 190 feet, as opposed to 16ft on the smaller case.    

The lens feels extremely solid, like a tank.  The plastic is very thick and it will take extreme water pressure to bust through any of the seals on the case.  

I wouldnt use this case for anything but underwater footage, its pretty heavy.

Also note that you cannot access the side buttons on this case. A diving case like this simply cannot have those weak points on it or it will endanger the structural safety of the case.

Ill just throw my camera in 1080p 30fps and record my entire dive.  I can take screenshots for pictures too.  

Cycling Trip in Hokkaido

Currently I am on a 22-day cycling trip in Hokkaido.  So far my group and I have rode well over a thousand kilometers in rain and shine through valleys, fields, mountains, forests, and along the beautiful coastline.  Our bikes weigh over 70 pounds with our tents and cooking pots and camping and lack of sleep have made this trip a challenge in addition to its pleasures.  

The Sony As100v has thus far proven to be a lifesaver for me on this trip.  It's light, convenient, rainproof, and has excellent video and picture quality.  Despite the fact that I brought my Cannon 50D and Nikon 1 V1, I find myself using the As100v almost exclusively simply because it is more than good enough for most of the shots and video I need and is just so incredibly convenient.  I am also just too tired to pull my other cameras out of my bag and keep my 100V in my pocket where I can pull it out in a flash.

I'll be making a video for this trip that I'll share later, but for now here are some pictures.  

Screenshots from a video I took when a fox suddenly crossed the road while we were resting.

The fox came up to us and then ran away about 10 seconds from when it appeared.  The as100v was mounted on my helmet and was shooting HD video the second I saw the fox come out of the bushes and got me a very nice video clip to put in my movie.

Time lapse shot of the sunset.

A beautiful road shot of Hokkaido's northern coast.  I was too tired to pull out my other cameras and settled with the As100v for this shot which actually turned out fantastic.

As100v with a monopod and controlled via iPhone.  This combination gives me the ability to document my trip in ways that are impossible with conventional cameras.

I'll post more updates later, but so far I can say I absolutely love the As100v and highly recommend it for any travel trip you may have.  

Here is a video I shot with the As100v of Pepper, a new robot by Japanese Telecommunications giant SoftBank.  It can understand speech and respond to over 570 Japanese words.  It will be on sale for 1,900$ next year.  

While I was in Asakusa, I also spotted a couple walking their dogs, one of which had an As100v mounted to its back!  (Photo taken with a Cannon 50D with a 24-105 F4L lens)

She was using the wrist watch to control the video and was actually getting some pretty cool footage with her setup!  

I struck up conversation by pulling out my Sony and talked to her about her uses for this camera.  It turns out she really loves her dogs and uses it mostly to "see from her dog's perspective." Glancing at her watch I saw that it really did look like "doggy vision." 

So far she also really loves the camera as well.  So I guess this camera is also good if you have a dog  and really want to get some of that doggy vision.

Maybe Ill try this on my cat sometime.  

Time Lapse Test

Here is a time lapse test video I made with the as100v.  The camera is very easy to set up for time lapse and can record images in 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, or 60 second intervals.  It also adjusts automatically to changing light conditions very well and thanks to its wide-angle view, doest suffer from distortion due to the focus changing.  

In my past videos, I used time lapses while I was riding to add a super fast forward effect to my movies too.  Overall, the time lapse function on this camera is great and a lot of fun to use.  I am sure many of you will find your own creative ways to put it to use.  

Also, please feel free to ask any questions you have by commenting on this blog, or by posting on my youtube videos.  Maybe I could make a Frequently Asked Questions post or something for people.  Ill also take video/test requests as long as they are not too crazy.  

Mt. Fuji Climb with the Subaru Cycling Team (Test)

Ahh finally, a real chance to test out the as100v in a situation where I really needed it.

Last weekend I went on a cycling trip with the Subaru Cycling Team where we climbed to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji.  This was an all day trip with roughly 5,000 feet of climbing over a 25 kilometer course.  During this trip I cycled one of the most beautiful routes I have ever seen, made some great friends, and had the time of my life.  So how well did the Sony as100v capture these memories?

Both on and off the bike, this little camera was always a few seconds away from "off" to recording silky smooth 1080p 60fps wide angle video.  As I had experienced during my previous rides with this camera, the lightweight and aerodynamic design of the camera made it hard for me to even tell that the camera was mounted on my head.  It was a pleasure to ride with and I had the camera mounted on my head for the majority of the ride.  (I only took it off to use it with my monopod)  The aerodynamic design also came in handy when I was descending at 40mph.  

When I used a Gopro White Edition, using the camera was a pain and detracted from my overall riding experience.  It caught the headwinds and dragged my head back (which just felt miserable) and was heavy to the point where my helmet could not ventilate and I got drenched in sweat.  This as100v is a VAST improvement in every regard.

Its official, I love this camera.  You can be sure that it will be with me on every notable ride and trip I take from here on out.

Side Notes:  Another cyclist in the group also had an as100v and like me preferred to use it without the waterproof housing.  BUT he warned me that I should buy the front lens cover to protect the precious Carl Zeiss lens on the camera.   In hindsight I have to admit I am taking a huge risk riding without any protection on this lens.  (The cover is 20$ and depicted in the video)  Damage the lens, and your camera is heavily compromised.

Also, when you record with GPS with the intent to put GPS overlay on your video, you need to import it via Sony Playmemories Home.  I imported my descent videos in IMovie and deleted the video data, but it did not keep the GPS data.  

Sushi with the As100v

I suppose this will be the "shooting with the as100v in everyday life" video at a sushi restaurant in Shibuya.

The small size and lightweight design of the as100v allows it to fit easily into any pocket, making it a camera that I can have with me at all times.  Its fun and easy to shoot with and can be used in many creative ways.  This camera is just as much fun to use in everyday life as it is to shoot with on my bike.

Video note:  1080p, 30fps

(The 1080p 30 frames per second is noticeably less fluid and sharp than the 60fps video mode, so Id recommend sticking to 60fps for the best video quality if you are not using the XAVC mode.)

Sony as100v Hacks

Having a tripod mount on the As100v's waterproof case and on the body of the camera itself is absolutely awesome.  Because of this, the camera can be used with a wide variety of camera and video equipment.  Here are some cool accessories that you can buy that will make your shooting experience with the As100v even cooler.

A Joby Gorilla Pod.  Mount your As100v in anyway you can imagine anywhere.  

Its cheaper than the mounts that Sony offers and is much more flexible in its application.  I use this to mount my As100v on my bike handlebars, on my seat post, on the frame of my bike, and just to set it up on the street for some interesting ride by shots.  I also use this to hold the camera when I film walking around. 

Gopro Mount Adapter.  Switching from a Gopro like me? Prefer the Gopro mounts over the ones Sony offers?

Get this little adapter that exploits the tripod mounts on the As100v.  Problem solved.  

10$ on Amazon Japan.  

Not the As100v, but same concept.  On another note, Im so glad that Sony slimmed down the waterproof case from this behemoth.  

A Cycling Promotion Video

Here is a video I recently made to promote my school's cycling club here in Tokyo.  The wide-angle video footage in this video was with the as100v.   

(The other video and photo segments were taken with a Nikon 1 V1)  

Also... I purchased a 16gb Sandisk MicroSDHC Pro a few weeks ago to use the high quality 50mbs video mode on the camera.

However, I was very shocked to find that the Sony as100v cannot use this card for the 50mbs mode despite the fact that this card is capable of 90mbs write speed.  Only a MicroSDXC card will work for this mode, not the MicroSDHC one that I bought.   I am not very knowledgable about memory card formats and should have read the manual where it specifically mentioned that I needed a SDXC card for this video mode.  What a shame.

GPS Overlay Test

Here is a quick video of the GPS overlay that can be added if you have GPS mode on while recording.  Note that you need to give the camera time to triangulate your position when you turn on your camera or turn the GPS mode on.  Mine usually takes 5-10 seconds to calculate my position. 

Cycling Daylight Test

Yesterday I decided to go for a ride with a friend in Tokyo and take a quick test video.  

Video Notes

-1080p 30fps

- steady shot on

-mounted on the top of my helmet

-shot without the waterproof housing

This was my first test with the camera where I sprinted and rode against a strong headwind.  I was pleased that the camera did not create very much drag in the headwind thanks to its cylindrical shape.  Without the waterproof housing, the camera is also very lightweight.  

I had previously used a Gopro3 White Edition, but was displeased with the weight of the camera that caused my helmet to be compressed onto my hair.  This caused my helmet to lose much of its venting ability and as a result, my head would often become drenched in sweat.  The block shape of the Gopro also created an excessive amount of drag on my helmet.  In headwinds I could feel my head being dragged back.  Thus I would often take the camera off of my helmet and only put it on when I wanted to film.  It was not pleasant to ride with.

The Sony as100v without the waterproof casing is light enough and aerodynamic enough to the point where I sometimes forgot it was mounted on my helmet.  I had this camera on my helmet for the entire 4 hour ride and never felt the need to take the camera off for any reason.  I am extremely pleased with this camera so far and feel that it is much better suited for cyclists like myself.  

Oh and the video is very sharp, and the steady shot hides the bumps and jitters to create a very smooth video without losing too much of the scene (120 degree view with steadyshot as opposed to 170 degrees without it)  I will be testing the 50mbs XAVC video mode on a later ride, I will also do a night ride video when I get the chance.  

Low Light Video Test

I recently took a week-long cycling trip around Okinawa after I purchased the as100v.  Unfortunately I only had an 8gb card, so I was forced to record my videos in standard (720p) mode.  Nevertheless, here is a video I shot at the Churaumi Aquarium to test out the low light capabilities of the camera.  The camera performed well in this dimly lit exhibit.  

Oh and you can buy the camera from Japan through Rakuten International if it isn't out in your territory.

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/pure-m/item/4905524942217/

Still Image Test

One thing that I need when I am traveling or cycling is a camera that can take both video and pictures. In this post I will show you some of the incredible still image quality of the Sony as100v. 

Note: When I talk about great image quality, I am talking in comparative terms to my Cannon 50D and Nikon 1 V1.  Quite inexplicably, the as100v holds its own against both of these cameras.  Im impressed, heres why.

Daytime Photos

International Street, Okinawa

A local fish market

HUGE shrimp.  Delicious too!

This camera has a very fast start-up time and can even begin video recording or image capture from the off position when the record button on the back is pushed.

Dynamic range is also great.  In this picture the scene in direct sunlight came out great, the contents of the shaded area is also clearly visible. 

Low Light Performance  

Great low light performance coupled with a 170 degree wide angle yields some great images, even handheld.  

How about a cave in the jungle?

Solid images even in very dim light.

Tokyo Tower.  Impressively sharp and noise free given that I shot this handheld at 9pm.