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I always wanted a GoPro camera, but I can’t justify spending so much money on a extreme-action video camera because I might not use it often.

I saw the Sony HDRAS20 Action Video Camera and Sony 16GB Class 10 Micro SDHC R40 Memory Card being sold as a bundle on Amazon for US$97 (S$128). It is not Amazon’s Gold Box Deal of the Day but rather sort of a pre-black Friday deal. I bought it because it was a very good deal despite it does not ship to Singapore directly.

I shipped it through my favourite freight forwarder, HopShopGo, and after using the black Friday’s coupon code PPSECURE2014 (20% off International Shipping + Free Upgrade to Express delivery) on HopShopGo, I paid just US$12.52 (S$17).

In total including shipping, I paid a total of US$109.52 (S$144).

Bought it on the 27th November 2014 and it was shipped out the next day. HopShopGo received it on 6th December 2014 and it got shipped out on 8th December 2014. I received it 3 days later on 11th December 2014. I just love DHL Express Shipping!

In Singapore, the Sony HDR-AS20 alone is already retailing for S$299 and the Sony 16GB Class 10 Micro SDHC R40 Memory Card is retailing for S$23.

Features

• SteadyShot image stabilization reduces blur
• Built-in Wi-Fi for remote control and viewing via smartphone
• 16 video modes including 1080/60p HD and 4x slow motion
• Built-In stereo mic for quality sound recording
• Never miss the action with long lasting up to 150min stamina battery
• Ultra wide 170° pro quality ZEISS Tessar lens
• Exmor R CMOS sensor for excellent low light performance
• Ruggedized, waterproof housing2 with universal tripod mount included
• Hand free control and remote viewing of up to 5 Action Cams
• Capture amazing high quality 11.9MP still images in photo mode

You can use the PlayMemories Mobile (iOS) or PlayMemories Mobile (Android) app with the Sony HDRAS20 Action Video Camera since it has built-in wi-fi!
Box Contents

• Rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-BX1)
• Micro USB Cable
• Operating Guide
• Waterproof Case (SPK-AS2)
• Adhesive Mounts (VCT-AM1)
  • Curved Adhesive
  • Flat Adhesive
  • Attachment Buckle

Specifications

• Advanced Features
  • Image Stabilization: SteadyShot image stabilization w/ Active mode
  • Dustproof: Yes (In use with Waterproof Case (SPK-AS2))
  • Wi-Fi: Control with Smartphone
  • Interval Recording: Yes (photo) (5s/10s/30s/60s)
  • Waterproof: Yes (In use with Waterproof Case (SPK-AS2))
  • Airplane Mode: Yes
  • Power Save: Yes
  • Shockproof: Yes (In use with Waterproof Case (SPK-AS2))
• Camera
  • Camera Type: POV Camcorder
  • Auto Non Flicker: Yes
  • Gain Control: Auto
• Color: Black
• Convenience Features
  • Multiple Language Display: English
  • Media/Battery Indicator: Yes (recordable time) / Yes (remaining capacity)
  • On Screen Main Indicators: Recording Mode; Image stabilization; Shooting Mode Status
  • Image Management File Repair: Yes (AUTO)
  • Fast Playback: About 5 times/10 times
• • Convenience Features(details) Date&Time, Area Setting
    • Date & Time, Summer Time, Area Set: Yes
• Display Panel
  • Display Panel: Yes
• Drive System
  • Shutter Speeds: Auto Control Range: 1/30 – 1/10,000 (30fps)
• Exposure System
  • Minimum Illumination: 6 lux
  • Exposure Settings: Auto
  • Scene Mode(s): Auto / Underwater
  • Metering Modes: Multi-segment
  • Backlight Compensation: Yes (Auto)
  • Noise Reduction: Yes
  • White Balance Mode: Auto
• Imaging Sensor
  • Processor: BIONZ image processor
  • Pixel Gross: Approx.16.8 megapixels
  • Color Filter System: RGB primary color filters
  • Effective Picture Resolution: Approx.11.9 megapixels(16:9)
  • Imaging Sensor: 1/2.3″ (7.77mm) back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS Sensor
• Imaging Sensor(details)
  • Recording pixels (photo, 16:9): Approx.11.9 Megapixels
• Interface
  • HDMI Terminal: Yes (HDMI micro)
  • Memory Card Slot: Memory Stick Micro and Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC compatible
  • HD Output: HDMI Out(micro)(sold separately)
  • Wi-Fi: Yes (IEEE 802.11b/g/n(2.4GHz band))
  • Multi/Micro USB Terminal: Yes
  • BRAVIA Sync: Yes
  • SD Output: Composite Video Out(AV CABLE VMC-15MR2(sold separately))
  • Microphone Input: Stereo Minijack
• Optics/Lens
  • Minimum Focus Distance: Approx.11 7/8inch (Approx.30cm)
  • Lens Type: Carl Zeiss Tessar Lens
  • Focal Distance: f=2.5mm, f=1/8inch
  • Steady Shot Mode:Active: 21.3mm
  • Aperture: F2.8
  • Focal Length (35mm equivalent): Movie mode: f=15.3mm(170°), f=21.3mm(120°). Photo mode: f=15.3mm(170°). Interval Photo Recording Mode: f=15.3mm(170°), f=21.3mm(120°)
  • Angle of View: 170° (without SteadyShot), 120° (with SteadyShot)
• Power
  • Power Requirements: 3.6V (battery pack)
  • Battery Type: NP-BX1
  • Power Consumption (in Operation): 1.8W (in Display Panel operation)
  • Charge on camcorder (Charging time with supplied Battery): Approx. 4h 05min
• Recording
  • Progressive Mode: Yes
  • Video Signal: HD:HDTV 1080/60p
  • Microphone/Speaker: Built-in Microphone, Monoral Speaker
  • Video Resolution: 1920 x1080 60p/50p (PS), 1920 x1080 30p/25p (HQ), 1280 x720 30p/25p (STD), 1280 x720 60p/- (SLOW), 1280 x720 120p/- (SSLOW), 640 x480 30p/25p (VGA)
  • Audio Format: MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch
  • Movie Recording Rate(Average Bit Rate/VBR): PS: Approx.28Mbps/HQ: Approx.16Mbps/SSLOW: Approx.24Mbps/SLOW: Approx.12Mbps/STD: Approx.6Mbps/VGA: Approx.3Mbps
  • Video Format: MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
  • Still Image Mode: JPEG
  • Still Image File Format: DCF Ver.2.0 compatible, Exif Ver.2.3 compatible, MPF Baseline compatible
  • Media Type: Memory Stick Micro (Mark 2), Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or Higher)
  • Still Image Max Effective Resolution: 11.9 Megapixels
  • Still Image Size(Photo Mode): 11.9 megapixels 16:9
  • Video Actual (Pixel): Approx.11.9 Megapixels
• USB Charging(details)
  • blank: DC 5 V 500 mA/800 mA
• USB Power Supply
  • blank: Yes (1.5A or more is recommended)
• Weights and Measurements
  • Weight (Approx.) (Total): 2.9 oz (83g) (NP-BX1(supplied battery))
  • Dimensions (Approx.): 31/32 x 1 7/8 x 3 1/4in (24.5 x 47.0 x 82.0mm) (W x H x D)
  • Weight (Approx.): 2 oz (58g)

Sony 16GB Class 10 Micro SDHC R40 Memory Card

The quality of the photos taken by the Sony HDRAS20 is pretty good for day and night shots. But for low light conditions, it didn’t perform really well. Check out three sample photos I have taken below. Click on the image to enlarge to the original quality.