Sony HDR-AS50: our complete test

The stabilization, common to all the CAM actions of the Japanese producer, is obviously the game and classifies the HDR-AS50 among the most interesting options in its category. The limited autonomy and the disappointing sound quality are among the other defects that we noticed during a test note of this camera with built-in Wi-Fi. Discover the Sony HDR-AS50 in a little more detail.

Sony HDR-AS50: Design and external design

The Sony HDR-AS50 maintains the compact elongated design of the Sony House cameras. The only change compared to his sisters: he loses slightly in height, against a more rectangular base. HDR-AS50 also has improved ergonomics for easier management. The keys are really better distributed and illustrated, but above all more easily accessible, as well as the different compartments (memory and battery card).

Light (only 83 grams on the scale), the Sony HDR-AS50 is generally a good resistance. However, it has strips that seem relatively fragile and could produce over time. In addition, we find below this CAM action, a screw phase that allows you to be fixed on a tripod.

This allows us to approach the accessories included in the purchase, one of our main disappointments with HDR-AS50. Given its price, we believe that Sony has limited itself to a minimum rigorous, offering this CAM action only with a diving box for a seal of up to 60 meters and a fixing cycle compatible with the accessories of competing models such as GoPro. In addition, installed in the box provided for the purchase, HDR-AS50 can support a height of 1.5 meters and resist sketches, water and dust.

Image quality

The Sony HDR-AS50 is equipped with an Exmor R Cos sensor accredited with 11 MPX and a Zeiss Tessar lens that will open AF/2.8. These components fueled by a Bionz X chip allow you to obtain images of satisfactory quality, get rid of blue and tremors. Like other Sony cameras, we find Cam in this action, an optical stabilization that effectively reduces vibrations and tremors.

Without being transcendent, the visual rendering of the catches with this camera is generally satisfactory, even in difficult conditions. As we indicated, HDR-AS50 is able to turn in Full HD at 60 IP and offer a fairly large viewing angle. During our test, we appreciated the effectiveness of noise reduction, even when you film quick and demanding actions. In addition, the method of acquiring at a cooling speed of 120 images/s in HD restores the rich images in detail for the scenes on waves of switching, rocky paths or for uncontrolled slides.

If the video performance of Sony HDR-AS50 are overall satisfactory, the sound quality has left us hungry. Without a box, the integrated stereo microphone is subject to the wind, which can alter the audio rendering, which is also quite correct.

In line with the video quality, the photo mode of the HDR-AS50 offers clean shots and the great angular coverage optimizes the acquisition experience. If the photos captured outdoors are satisfactory, low light visual renderings are less flattering.

Characteristics

THE Sony HDR-AS50 does not lack functionality to make the user experience as pleasant as possible. First of all, Sony compensates for the absence of the definition 4K with 4K capture capture time-lapse functionality, which allows the creation of time-lapse videos from 4K shots captured at certain intervals. A 3x digital zoom function was provided to simplify the shot and correct deformations.

In other functions proposed by the camera HDR-AS50, we find the famous film manufacturer in evidence with a face detection, the function of regulating the viewing angle or even the live streaming via an accounts Ustreame. The performance of this CAM action are supported by an NP-BX1 battery of the capacity of 1240 mAh. A fairly good autonomy (plus 100 minutes in normal conditions), the latter is removable and can therefore be replaced for long capture sessions. We recommend on this subject to provide the purchase of 2 batteries + charger kit sold for about twenty euros.

Our final opinion on Sony Hdr-Aas50

For those who have a limited budget, the Sony HDR-AS50 is a good option. His performance is certainly not at the Sony FDR-X1000VR level and FDR-X3000R, but they are enough to classify it among the best Full HD action cameras on the market. The rendering of the passable sound and the lack of resistance without box (even outside the water) are the main defects that we noticed during our HDR-AS50 test.