Sony FDRX3000/W Underwater Camcorder 4K, White

Any action camera's primary role is to capture the action clearly. A poor image, dancing around the screen is a "fail" even if the camera has any number of "new and exciting!!" features. The Sony FDR-X3000 is the best action cam I've met so far. No voice commands, no GPS, but the best imagery with the most stable framing I've seen. The Zeiss lens is superb. The BOSS stabilization system uses both electronic image stabilization (everyone does that) and optical image stabilization (very rare). Together, the images remain astoundingly well framed, even when shooting from a bouncing motorcycle. The form factor favors getting the camera into narrow situations (the side of a helmet, tucked in to a vehicle's framework). Unfortunately, Sony opted for their proprietary mounting system, but a simple tripod adapter allows using all of the near standard mounting hardware. The camera has HDMI out, mic jack for external mic, and operate while charging connections on the back. Leaving the cover open may compromise moisture-proofing. I shoot all of my motorcycle video with an external battery pack. The closed camera is at least rain safe. Read the manual to be sure. The included dive case is good beyond sport scuba depths - 197 feet / 60m. There is a menu window on the side of the case. It has the expected options and controls. The layout definitely needs having the manual nearby until you're clear about navigation. The camera has WiFi which can be linked to Sony's app. All of the important settings can be controlled there, too. The best part is the real-time imagery. It makes setting up the camera - is it level or twisted or tilted too much - much easier than working with a built-in display. Playback is also clearer. Sony offers the FDR-X3000r, which is the same camera package plus a wrist remote. It seems like a good idea but the remote is so big that only a diver with a passion for big wrist computers will love it. Additionally, the battery for the controller prevents shooting "shoot all day, edit later". An external battery pack will keep the camera going but the remote checks out around two hours into the day. A smartphone does the same things and keeps the camera cost down. The camera accepts up to 128 Gb microSD's. I use no-name C10 chips, shooting 1080@60 fps, without a problem. 4K challenges the chips. I've only shot some "it works - moving on" 4K and don't plan to use it. The internal mic works, but, as with any other action cam internal mic, wind noise will be a problem. Wind reduction mode helps somewhat, but assume any serious need for not hearing wind requires an external mic. The three additional purchases that I consider important are: 1) Tripod adapter to convert from the Sony mount to the usual mounting hardware 2) Lens protector to keep the camera's Zeiss lens safe. See my Amazon review for details 3) Battery charger package. See my Amazon review for details Would I buy the camera again? Without question. What about trying other brands? Why bother. The Sony FDR-X3000 fully meets my specifications. DISCLAIMER: I don't have any connection with Sony. I don't have any connection with Amazon. I don't have any connection with distributors or even delivery services. Nobody has paid me, or offered me any perks or other payment. I've got no skin in this game except I own this camera.

Great little camera. The image stabilization is BOSS. Literally. It's almost like you have gimbal. I think it's better than what's on the Hero 6. The video quality is superb. Make sure you have the right sd card with the right read write speeds. Something most reviewers never tell you. The sound recording is better than most action cameras with a higher volume recording level. Its louder than the Hero 5. You dont need an external mic but the great thing here is it has an external mic input. The bad thing is there is no db or gain control. Several external mics that I have used sounds too loud and there is some distortion peaking like when using a Boya wireless lav. When using a Zoom or Tascam you can go really low on the input levels almost to the point of not needing one. Others that have a negative db control like the Rode videomic pro works ok. If you have a mic that is not as loud as you like use it. For example my Hottec wireless sounds great with this. I would have liked to see a few more color profiles this only has flat and vivid but it looks great. The sony playmemories hook up was easy and you can do playback if you didn't get the remote but for some reason I get no sound through the app. The one thing that they could have done to really put the icing on the cake is a backlight screen. In dim areas you can't see the display. It comes with a mount but nothing to clip it to. It's like they forgot to include the sticky mount. Overall this is my go to camera with its features. It's so small and compact it's easy to take with you anywhere.

Great little action cam Pros: +I like the design as it's easier to hold or use than the gopro form factor + buttons are easy to use and menu system is easy once you get used to it + I like the included waterproof case + pretty good video and photo quality + downloadable software is nice to help edit or do time lapses with + 4k is decent but I normally shoot 1080p for size and space + since i have other sony cameras, sync'ing to phone is nice for second screen Cons: - using the waterproof case means you can't hear anything - battery life is average, keep some spares - not as much aftermarket accessories but can adapt to gopro system

I only have the GoPro Hero3+ as a comparison so nothing GoPro with image stabilization. The image stabilization on this camera (BOSS) is very impressive. I've never been a huge fan of the super wide angle GoPro look of videos, I assume most camera makers way around not having image stabilization is to go with that really wide fisheye look to cover up the person holding the cameras shakiness. With this Sony that isn't an issue, and underwater videos shot from this thing look incredible, not that the GoPro is bad it's just that this Sony has way less of the stretchy wide angle so the videos just look better IMO. The underwater housing is somewhat tough to open and close, might be a good thing though. You'll need extra batteries especially shooting in the highest resolutions. Shooting in 1080p at 120fps makes some Amazing videos, drops of water slowed down during playback are just un-real. The only issue with those files are trying to network stream them back on my TV through an Apple TV or an Amazon Fire TV, they stutter, stutter.....crash. These are 2 year old TVs, not 4K though. You would think they could handle 1080p files? They don't even playback any better via USB plugged directly into the TV. I assume post processing the files would result in a playable file, they look amazing straight off the camera on a iMac with 5k display. Quicktime recognizes them as 120 fps files and gives you the cool slow motion playback option, no Sony software required. If you do already own a lot of GoPro accessories I would go ahead and order the part so you can use your mounts on the Sony. There's not a lot of accessories for this camera but, it has the standard threaded camera mount on it so, it's a non issue. The waterproof housing and the camera itself have the threaded mount option. The connection to your mobile device works nicely with the PlayMemories app, very easy to understand and really makes shooting a time-lapse a breeze. Actually, any camera settings you want to make are probably more easily done with the app rather than that tiny screen on the camera itself. For my old eyes that screen is a chore. I find that I prefer the way this camera fits in my pocket better than my GoPro, it's not a size issue just the layout of the cameras. I don't have the big weird hood lens cover on my Sony, probably should but I'm waiting for a better option. In summary I have to say that this is a better camera than my Hero 3+ but, I can't say for certain if it's better than the Hero 5 not having used it. What I can say for sure is that if I had never bought a GoPro and I just grabbed this Sony I wouldn't feel like I missed out on anything. Maybe a few tweaks here or there but this camera doesn't lack anything at all. It already creates better files than my devices can even playback. I've never been much of a Sony fan so, I bought this camera fully expecting I would likely return it and get the Hero 5. The fact that GoPro keeps changing things just enough to make us have to replace our accessories has made me look at other options, for the time being I'm not looking back. I'll keep the Sony!

Easily the best video camera I've purchased. The picture quality is on par with the GoPro 4 Black, however the built-in image stabilization is what makes this camera better than the GoPro. The image stabilization simply works. Very smooth video while walking and moving the camera around. It will get a little movement if you're running or riding a bike over rough terrain. The built-in microphone is pretty good. I haven't tried the wind suppression mode yet. I really like that I can plug in an external mic, so I now get amazing video and sound in a very compact camera. Mine came with the underwater case and it works as expected. Don't plan on getting much sound when its in the case though. I did end up buying the lens protector because the lens sticks out and could easily get scratched or smudged. One thing to be careful of is that the camera allows you to insert the micro-SD card in either direction which is weird. Only one direction works, so after you insert the micro-SD card, make sure the screen is showing how much recording time you have left. If it's in the wrong way, it will show an error. I included a photo of this camera next to my GoPro so you can see the actual size is not much bigger. The Sony App works really well...better than the GoPro App. Basically, this camera is better than my GoPro 4 Black. I purchased a $7 adapter which connects the Sony camera to all the GoPro mounting accessories I have. You will need extra batteries, as it does burn through batteries quicker than the GoPro. Overall an amazing and fun camera to have! Well worth the price!

The camara might be taking good videos, but there are a few "buts"... Especially when it comes to the waterproof case. I bought it especially for the purpose of using under water: diving, swimming, surfing. Just after 1 use under water, it started to fog up, so there was a very limited use of it under water (up to 2minutes at the most), so for underwater footage, i always had to ask other people to share their videos (go pro), which is not optimal, when you are trying to gain money doing water related videos... Ironic... Then, after 9 months after purchase, the waterproof case is leaking. I realized that in a lake, at the depth of 5 cm, so I immediately intervened and the camera didn't break. But had I beed diving or I hadn't realized that immediately, it would be bye bye camera.... I bought the camera in amazon.com and paid for shipping to Mexico, now I am traveling - Guatemala. The sony customer service is not very helpful, they tell me to contact them through phone (I have no option to do so at the moment)... If I sent it back to them, will have to pay the shipping cost - which is already more than the camera case in itself. And then, if they send me a replacement product - it will have to be to the USA, where I dont live anymore... So, I have now an action cam, which i cannot really use for any action at all... The sealing covers dont work well anymore - you need to push it really quite hard so that they enter the correct place. The battery - when it is colder than 12 Celsius, dies within a few minutes (And for some spectacular volcano footage i had to use my phone....). A 10 minute video is more than 4gb, which is quite difficult to store, especially if you shoot a lot. And the camera is not taking good footage if it is not a very sunny day... A lot of noise. If you are looking for an action camera, I would not be buying this camera again. If you want to use it carefully, in full sun and not do much action - then it is ok. But what is the point of buying an action cam, that isnt really made for action? I am really disappointed as I trusted in Sony after all the reviews I read.

The camera is great and i love it all thought i probably got 1 with defect the bottom where the screw attachment is broke while using the camera, send it to fix but they did a poor job.

This camera blows away previous generation Action Cams as well as ANY (yes any) competition. I haven't seen a camera with this many features before, and the BOSS (Balanced optical steadyshot) is INCREDIBLE! No need for a gimbal on my dirtbike/dual sport motorcycles anymore. Also, since it's optical AND electronic stabilzation, you don't get the quick and jarring "panning" effects of previous models. It is silky smooth! It has a "standard" color mode for post production coloring, and a vivid mode if you'd just like it to look good right off the card. The battery life is pretty comparable to the as100, and in my first tests at 1080p @ 60fps "PS" mode (with all other features turned off) I'm getting about an hour and 30 minutes before it even gets low. I haven't had it shut off yet. 4k on this camera looks INCREDIBLE! I haven't even tested it at 100mbps yet because I don't have the memory card, but 4k @ 60mbps is VERY good! This camera has GPS built in, and will display a cool overlay if you want. It also has Wi-Fi, so you don't have to have the live view remote, you can just use your phone. The controls are easy to use. NFC connection (or just scan the qr code) makes connection a snap. The controls on the X3000 are better than previous models, with a large button on the top of the camera instead of the back, which makes it easy to activate with gloves on. There are more lights on the camera than before, and the beeps are louder, so if you're not using the live view remote or your phone, you can still tell when it's recording. There are just too many features to list, but I'll be doing a full review on my channel. Just search for "everide sony x3000" and you'll see all my videos on this camera!