The new Sony X100V was recently pitted against the new GoPro Hero4 Black to join the 4K video bandwagon.
Master Herald wrote that after GoPro featured 4K video support, Sony also released the new X100V model, featuring full support for recording 4K video at 30p with the help of the Sony XAVC S codec. Videos are recorded at a bitrate of 100 Mb/s plus there is high-speed recording support at 120 frames per second in Full HD. In 720, recording is done at 240 fps, providing excellent resolution.
In the same report by Master Herald, Sony is reportedly going to retail the camera at $500, which is the same as the GoPro Hero4.
Hero4 features high-resolution 4K30 and 2.7K50 video and high frame rate 1080p120 video, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Protune for video and photo for manual adjustments, improved audio and 12MP photos up to 30 fps. The device is also water proof down to a depth of 40 meters, based on a report by GoPro.com. The action camera also features "HiLight Tag", which allows users to mark special moments in the recording that they can refer back to later for playback and editing via the GoPro app. The Hero4 Black is the most advanced GoPro to date.
As for the Sony X100V, the device has a few extra things to offer, based on the same report by Master Herald. The camera has advanced image stabilization, a wider lens to give users a broader field of view, wind noise reduction and "Highlight Movie Maker". The editing software for video recordings will help users arrange the footage they recorded using the X100V. Users can get help in choosing the best shots as well as stabilizing the images.
In terms of ruggedness, Wired notes that the Sony X100V is a shockproof, waterproof and freeze-proof device that allows people to bring it anywhere, just like the GoPro. You can also control several action cameras via the mobile app PlayMemories.
Gizmodo reported that the X100V also has a mode that will automatically detect if your microSD card is already full. In response, it will begin looping the recording over the final few minutes of free space to ensure that you do not miss important shots. There are also manual controls for features like exposure-compensation and adjusting white balance.
For years, Sony attempted to get a piece of GoPro's success in action cameras and Sony X100V might be the device that can take away GoPro's glory when it releases in February 2015.