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Action cameras Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Action cameras Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Action cameras Methodology v1.0

Sony Action Cam Mini Review | 96 Data compared

Avg. price:~£290Video resolution:1080pBattery life:78 minWaterproof depth:0 mElectronic image stabilization:yesMaximum 4K frame rate:0 fps

Sony Action Cam Mini Review: Compare 96 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Action cameras category and whether it is worth buying.

5.3

Overall score

Score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the action camera's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best action cameras on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

4.7

Technical score

20%

7.6

User score

â–¼Worse than 78% of action-cameras
4.7

Technical score

Technical score
4.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Action cameras category across these key areas: Video, Photo, Display & Design, Connectivity & Audio, Battery, Ruggedness & Storage.
When it matters
When you want to compare action cameras based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

30%

4.7

Video

22%

6.0

Photo

14%

3.3

Ruggedness & Storage

13%

3.5

Battery

11%

5.0

Connectivity & Audio

10%

5.7

Display & Design

â–¼Worse than 86% of action-cameras
7.6

User score

User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the action camera.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

6.7

Number of reviews

Based on 387 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 64% of action-cameras
  • sony-action-cam-mini
sony-action-cam-mini

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of action camera Sony Action Cam Mini

Technical score
Technical score
4.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Action cameras category across these key areas: Video, Photo, Display & Design, Connectivity & Audio, Battery, Ruggedness & Storage.
When it matters
When you want to compare action cameras based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

30%

4.7

Video

22%

6.0

Photo

14%

3.3

Ruggedness & Storage

13%

3.5

Battery

11%

5.0

Connectivity & Audio

10%

5.7

Display & Design

4.7
User score
User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the action camera.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

6.7

Number of reviews

Based on 387 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.6
Popularity
Popularity
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the action camera.
When it matters
When you want to see which action cameras attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Sony Action Cam Mini has a popularity score of 6.7 points, which is lower than 51.2% of action cameras.
6.7
Ratio quality/price
Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the action camera's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

5.3

Overall score

40%

9.0

Price

6.4
Video resolution
1080p
Video resolution
1080p
This action camera records video at 1080p, which is lower than that of 69.9% of action cameras.
Maximum 4K frame rate
0 fps
Maximum 4K frame rate
0 fps
This action camera has a maximum 4K frame rate of 0 fps, which is lower than that of 65.8% of action cameras and equal to that of 34.2% of action cameras.
Maximum 1080p frame rate
60 fps
Maximum 1080p frame rate
60 fps
This action camera has a maximum 1080p frame rate of 60 fps, which is higher than that of 23.8% of action cameras and equal to that of 33.8% of action cameras.
Video bitrate
50 Mbps
Video bitrate
50 Mbps
This action camera has a video bitrate of 50 Mbps, which is lower than that of 62.7% of action cameras and equal to that of 3.2% of action cameras.
Video codecs
H.264
Video codecs
H.264
This action camera supports the following video codecs: H.264. Its codec support is more advanced than that of 2.4% of action cameras.
Show more
Main camera megapixels
11.9 MP
Main camera megapixels
11.9 MP
This action camera has a main camera resolution of 11.9 MP, which is lower than that of 75.7% of action cameras.
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor size
1/2.3"
This action camera has a sensor size of 1/2.3", which is larger than that of 18.3% of action cameras.
Main camera aperture
f/2 f
Main camera aperture
f/2
This action camera has a main camera aperture of f/2, which is wider than that of 77.1% of action cameras and equal to that of 16.7% of action cameras.
Photo resolution
11.9 MP
Photo resolution
11.9 MP
This action camera captures photos at 11.9 MP, which is lower than 76.7% of action cameras and equal to 1% of action cameras.
Field of view
170 °
Field of view
170 °
This action camera has a field of view of 170 °, which is wider than that of 44.9% of action cameras.
Show more
Built-in display
no
Built-in display
no
This action camera does not have a display. 72.6% of action cameras have a display.
Screen size
?
Touchscreen
no
Touchscreen
no
This action camera does not include a touchscreen. 57.9% of action cameras support touchscreen input.
Secondary screen
?
Secondary screen resolution
?
Show more
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This action camera supports Wi-Fi connectivity. This feature is present on 92.5% of action cameras.
Wi-Fi version
?
Bluetooth version
N/A
GPS
no
GPS
no
This action camera does not support GPS. 13.9% of action cameras include GPS functionality.
GPS is handled by an external remote or tracking tag.
USB Type-C
no
USB Type-C
no
This action camera does not include USB Type-C. 42.2% of action cameras use USB-C.
Show more
Battery life
78 min
Battery life
78 min
This action camera runs for 78 min per charge, which is shorter than the battery life of 76.2% of action cameras and equal to the battery life of 0.6% of action cameras.
Battery power
640 mAh
Battery power
640 mAh
This action camera has a battery capacity of 640 mAh, which is lower than that of 91.3% of action cameras.
Charging time
2.5 h
Charging time
2.5 h
This action camera charges in 2.5 h, which is longer than the charging time of 64.5% of action cameras and equal to the charging time of 5.9% of action cameras.
About 2.08 h via the optional AC-UD10 charger in one source.
Fast charging
no
Fast charging
no
This action camera does not support fast charging. 18.8% of action cameras support fast charging.
Wireless charging
no
Wireless charging
no
This action camera does not support wireless charging. 0.6% of action cameras support wireless charging.
Show more
Waterproof depth
Not waterproof m
Waterproof depth
Not waterproof m
This action camera is not rated for underwater use. 51.8% of cameras have a native waterproof depth rating.
5 with housing/case.
IP rating
IPX4
IP rating
IPX4
This action camera has an IP rating of IPX4, which is lower than that of 88.2% of action cameras and equal to that of 10.3% of action cameras.
Maximum operating temperature
40 °C
Maximum operating temperature
40 °C
This action camera has a maximum operating temperature of 40 °C, which is higher than that of 23.4% of action cameras and equal to that of 50.4% of action cameras.
Minimum operating temperature
-5 °C
Minimum operating temperature
-5 °C
This action camera has a minimum operating temperature of -5 °C, which is higher than that of 68.8% of action cameras and equal to that of 5% of action cameras.
External memory slot
yes
External memory slot
yes
This action camera includes an external memory slot. This feature is present on 95.2% of action cameras.
Show more

Sony Action Cam Mini vs the average action camera

246810TotalVideoPhotoDisplay & DesignConnectivity & AudioBatteryRuggedness & Storage
  • 0.8 f wider main aperture
    Main camera aperture
    2 f
    This action camera has a lower main camera aperture than the average action camera (2 f vs 2.8 f). The average action camera main camera aperture is 2.8 f.
    2 f vs 2.8 f
  • Built-in live streaming
    First-party live streaming
    yes
    This action camera supports built-in live streaming, the average action camera does not. 28.7% of action cameras support built-in live streaming.
  • 34.8 mm narrower
    Width
    24.2 mm
    This action camera is narrower than the average action camera (24.2 mm vs 59 mm). The average action camera has a width of 59 mm.
    24.2 mm vs 59 mm
  • Has NFC
    NFC
    yes
    This action camera supports NFC, the average action camera does not. 3% of action cameras support NFC.
  • Built-in live streaming
    First-party live streaming
    yes
    This action camera supports built-in live streaming, the average action camera does not. 28.7% of action cameras support built-in live streaming.
  • 0.8 f wider main aperture
    Main camera aperture
    2 f
    This action camera has a lower main camera aperture than the average action camera (2 f vs 2.8 f). The average action camera main camera aperture is 2.8 f.
    2 f vs 2.8 f
  • 34.8 mm narrower
    Width
    24.2 mm
    This action camera is narrower than the average action camera (24.2 mm vs 59 mm). The average action camera has a width of 59 mm.
    24.2 mm vs 59 mm
  • Has NFC
    NFC
    yes
    This action camera supports NFC, the average action camera does not. 3% of action cameras support NFC.
  • Lower video resolution
    Video resolution
    1080p
    This action camera records at 1080p, a lower video resolution than the average action camera (5.3K).
    1080p vs 5.3K
  • 30 fps lower 4K frame rate
    Maximum 4K frame rate
    0 fps
    This action camera has a lower 4K frame rate than the average action camera (0 fps vs 30 fps). The average action camera reaches 30 fps at 4K.
    0 fps vs 30 fps
  • No touchscreen
    Touchscreen
    no
    This action camera does not have a touchscreen, the average action camera does. 57.4% of action cameras support touchscreen input.
  • 560 mAh less battery capacity
    Battery life
    640 mAh min
    This action camera has a lower battery capacity than the average action camera (640 mAh vs 1200 mAh). The average action camera has a battery capacity of 1200 mAh.
    640 mAh vs 1,200 mAh
  • Does not have a display
    Built-in display
    no
    This action camera does not have a display, the average action camera does. 72.1% of action cameras have a display.
  • 1 m shallower waterproof depth
    Waterproof depth
    0 m
    This action camera has a lower waterproof depth rating than the average action camera (0 m vs 1 m). The average action camera has a waterproof depth rating of 1 m.
    5 with housing/case.
    0 m vs 1 m
  • 0.5 h longer charging time
    Charging time
    2.5 h
    This action camera has a higher charging time than the average action camera (2.5 h vs 2 h). The average action camera takes 2 h to charge.
    About 2.08 h via the optional AC-UD10 charger in one source.
    2.5 h vs 2 h
  • 12 min shorter battery life
    Battery life
    78 min
    This action camera has shorter battery life than the average action camera (78 min vs 90 min). The average action camera offers 90 min of battery life.
    78 min vs 90 min
  • 8.6% worse value for money
    Sony Action Cam Mini has a worse value-for-money score than the average action camera (6.42 vs 7).
    6.42 vs 6.97
  • 16% more expensive
    Sony Action Cam Mini is more expensive than the average action camera (£290 vs £250).
    £290 vs £250
  • 4.8% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the action camera.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony Action Cam Mini
    the average action camera
    Sony Action Cam Mini has a lower user score than the average action camera (7.64 vs 8.000).
    7.64 vs 8
  • Lower video resolution
    Video resolution
    1080p
    This action camera records at 1080p, a lower video resolution than the average action camera (5.3K).
    1080p vs 5.3K
  • 30 fps lower 4K frame rate
    Maximum 4K frame rate
    0 fps
    This action camera has a lower 4K frame rate than the average action camera (0 fps vs 30 fps). The average action camera reaches 30 fps at 4K.
    0 fps vs 30 fps
  • 16.7% lower video bitrate
    Video bitrate
    50 Mbps
    This action camera has a lower video bitrate than the average action camera (50 Mbps vs 60 Mbps). The average action camera has a video bitrate of 60 Mbps.
    50 Mbps vs 60 Mbps
  • No manual ISO control
    Manual ISO
    no
    This action camera does not allow manual ISO control, the average action camera does. 84% of action cameras include this feature.
  • 0.1 MP lower main-camera resolution
    Main camera megapixels
    11.9 MP
    This action camera has a lower main action camera resolution than the average action camera (11.9 MP vs 12 MP). The average action camera has a resolution of 12 MP.
    11.9 MP vs 12 MP
  • 2 MP lower photo resolution
    Photo resolution
    11.9 MP
    This action camera has a lower photo resolution than the average action camera (11.9 MP vs 12 MP). The average action camera captures 12 MP photos.
    11.9 MP vs 12 MP
  • No touchscreen
    Touchscreen
    no
    This action camera does not have a touchscreen, the average action camera does. 57.4% of action cameras support touchscreen input.
  • Does not have a display
    Built-in display
    no
    This action camera does not have a display, the average action camera does. 72.1% of action cameras have a display.
  • 4 older release date
    Release date
    2014
    This action camera is older than the average action camera (2014 vs 2018). The average action camera was released in 2018.
    Released in October 2014.
    2014 vs 2018
  • 560 mAh less battery capacity
    Battery life
    640 mAh min
    This action camera has a lower battery capacity than the average action camera (640 mAh vs 1200 mAh). The average action camera has a battery capacity of 1200 mAh.
    640 mAh vs 1,200 mAh
  • 0.5 h longer charging time
    Charging time
    2.5 h
    This action camera has a higher charging time than the average action camera (2.5 h vs 2 h). The average action camera takes 2 h to charge.
    About 2.08 h via the optional AC-UD10 charger in one source.
    2.5 h vs 2 h
  • 12 min shorter battery life
    Battery life
    78 min
    This action camera has shorter battery life than the average action camera (78 min vs 90 min). The average action camera offers 90 min of battery life.
    78 min vs 90 min
  • 1 m shallower waterproof depth
    Waterproof depth
    0 m
    This action camera has a lower waterproof depth rating than the average action camera (0 m vs 1 m). The average action camera has a waterproof depth rating of 1 m.
    5 with housing/case.
    0 m vs 1 m
  • 64 GB smaller microSD limit
    Maximum microSD capacity
    64 GB
    This action camera has a lower maximum microSD capacity than the average action camera (64 GB vs 128 GB). The average action camera supports microSD cards up to 128 GB.
    64 GB vs 128 GB

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

C
cnet.com
30/10/2014
Summary of the review
T
techradar.com
29/01/2015
Summary of the review
R
reviewed.com
03/03/2015
Summary of the review
B
bikerumor.com
11/10/2014
Summary of the review
K
kevinmuldoon.com
31/03/2015
Summary of the review
T
techradar.com
29/01/2015
Summary of the review
E
expertreviews.co.uk
14/02/2015
Summary of the review
F
fluofun.fr
20/01/2015
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on 387 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Sony Action Cam Mini

  • Extremely compact and lightweight design, making it easy to carry and mount on helmets or vehicles.
  • Effective SteadyShot electronic image stabilization that reduces vibration and camera shake.
  • High data-rate recording via XAVC S codec (50Mbps) which delivers great video detail and color reproduction.
  • Splashproof and freeze-proof camera body even without its external waterproof housing.
  • Useful wrist-mounted Live-View Remote that provides a convenient wireless preview, GPS logging, and settings control.
  • Good low-light performance using the back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor and Zeiss lens.
  • Integrated standard tripod mount adapter, offering wide compatibility with various mounting accessories.

What we don't like about Sony Action Cam Mini

  • Short battery life, typically providing only about an hour of continuous recording time due to the downsized battery.
  • Limited standalone camera controls, requiring a smartphone or the Live-View Remote to change most settings.
  • The included waterproof housing is only effective down to 5 metres (16 feet), which is shallow compared to competitors.
  • Lacks built-in GPS on the camera body itself, offloading that functionality entirely to the external remote.
  • The tiny monochrome side display is very basic and only shows status indicators rather than a menu interface.
  • Iffy or unstable Wi-Fi connectivity in crowded or high-interference areas when streaming to the remote or an app.
  • Requires specific, higher-end storage media (such as MicroSDXC cards) to access the best recording codecs and frame rates.

Verdict

The Sony Action Cam Mini (HDR-AZ1) is a compact POV camera roughly two-thirds the size of standard models, weighing just 63g. It features a 11.9MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and a Zeiss Tessar lens with a 170-degree field of view, capable of recording 1080/60p video at high bitrates (50Mbps) using the XAVC S codec. Key pros include its ultra-portable splashproof design, high-speed 120fps recording at 720p for slow motion, and the convenience of a wrist-worn Live-View Remote with built-in GPS. However, significant cons include the removal of internal GPS and a full settings screen to achieve its small size, along with relatively short battery life and a requirement for specific high-speed SDXC cards to access top-tier video formats.

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