Uploaded January 2014 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
The Sony HDR AS15 helmet camera has superior stabilization qualities compared to the GoPro Hero 3. This video was shot without the Sony AS15 or AS10 firmware update v2.0 then to 3.0. The 3.0 update allows 60 fps in 1080p instead of instead of limiting this slow motion to 720p. It also lets you choose the auto power off between 10 and 60 seconds. I have read reviews stating the image quality in standard 1080p mode is noticeably better. There is also more accurate white balance when set for underwater video. The general consensus is that Sony HDR AS15 action camera has image stabilization that the GoPro Hero 3 sorely lacks. I have not seen these videos tested side by side as I am sure there are many on YouTube, but I plan on doing my own side by side comparison of these two action cams if this video raises enough ad revenue to purchase an over priced GoPro Hero 3 for another video review. Most people tell me, and reviews online do agree that GoPro's video is slightly better aside from stability. That said, the Sony AS15 has better performance in low light situations. The rendering format of the Sony has been know to cause "digital static" or some pixilation with faster camera movements as you may notice in this video of a horse galloping and jumping through the woods. This was shot in 720p 60FPS, but I obviously sped things up x4 which actually becomes 2x real time. When recorded in 60 fps (1/2 speed) or 120 fps (1/4 speed) it actually plays back at these speeds. So when you are looking for super slow motion (120 fps) to capture that super fast action, but only want to see segments of the video in SSM, you have to speed the video x4 in your video editor to get real time and cut the places in the video you need to leave in SSM.
So about the actual video... I was going to post the 35 minute video at regular speed, but I was even bored with it, so I sped it up to a 8 minute time laps with the horses jumping and galloping moments. Still too long, so then I cut some of the slower jogging or trotting parts and cut the Sony AS15 helmet camera footage to the jumping and fast galloping. The galloping was about 18-20mph at normal speed. I am very curious if the GoPro Hero 3 would be at all stable when mounted on a jockey helmet and galloping and jumping on uneven terrain like this. Like I wrote earlier in the post, I'll get a side by side of galloping a horse with the Sony HDR AS15 and GoPro Hero 3 mounted on my helmet and post it on this channel.
The audio was replaced with some awesome William Tell Overture clips. It reminds me of Buggs Bunny as Warner Brothers used this classical piece quite often or maybe a few times and I just saw the same cartoon over as a child. Anyway... All You can hear in the audio track is my heavy breathing, wind and the horse breathing. The horse breathing would be great if I spent hours isolating the sound from the noise. Maybe next time I will ad an external mic to mount closer to his nose and the ground to pick up the hoof beats. even better I can use a separate recording device ad add the sound in post production. The audio is pretty good though and I was surprised it picked up pretty well when enclosed in the waterproof mounting case. I have not read or heard what the GoPro Hero 3 audo offers. I look forward to that comparison too. I custom mounted the camera without the case and I plan on posting a video of that as well. Even though the case may not impair video quality, I can't help thinking it does. What I usually do when I am using the Sony HRD AS15 mounting case, is leave the front of the case off and place a rubber band around the case horizontally and just below the lens where a piece of foam or similar material keeps the camera from sliding back and forth. Without the foam you have play between the rubber band and the Sony Action Cam.
I really didn't intend to post this as an action camera review, but I couldn't stop tying about it. I love these camera for all types of sports and activities. Now the regular guy on a budget can record memories that were never before possible and play them back for himself and his friends when that unbelievable moment occurs like when the deer ran out in front of a cyclist in a race while he was wearing a GoPro Hero. This would probably never have made the news because it's not half as interesting to talk about than to actually see happen in HD video.
If you were looking for an opinion on which camera to purchase and which is the best value versus quality, function, and price, I would recommend the Sony HDR AS15 or AS10 (no wifi) over the GoPro Hero 3. The 2 main reasons is, the price and mostly image stabilization of the Sony AS15. Check out the new GoPro Hero 4 in 2014!
The Sony HDR AS15 helmet camera has superior stabilization qualities compared to the GoPro Hero 3. This video was shot without the Sony AS15 or AS10 firmware update v2.0 then to 3.0. The 3.0 update allows 60 fps in 1080p instead of instead of limiting this slow motion to 720p. It also lets you choose the auto power off between 10 and 60 seconds. I have read reviews stating the image quality in standard 1080p mode is noticeably better. There is also more accurate white balance when set for underwater video. The general consensus is that Sony HDR AS15 action camera has image stabilization that the GoPro Hero 3 sorely lacks. I have not seen these videos tested side by side as I am sure there are many on YouTube, but I plan on doing my own side by side comparison of these two action cams if this video raises enough ad revenue to purchase an over priced GoPro Hero 3 for another video review. Most people tell me, and reviews online do agree that GoPro's video is slightly better aside from stability. That said, the Sony AS15 has better performance in low light situations. The rendering format of the Sony has been know to cause "digital static" or some pixilation with faster camera movements as you may notice in this video of a horse galloping and jumping through the woods. This was shot in 720p 60FPS, but I obviously sped things up x4 which actually becomes 2x real time. When recorded in 60 fps (1/2 speed) or 120 fps (1/4 speed) it actually plays back at these speeds. So when you are looking for super slow motion (120 fps) to capture that super fast action, but only want to see segments of the video in SSM, you have to speed the video x4 in your video editor to get real time and cut the places in the video you need to leave in SSM.
So about the actual video... I was going to post the 35 minute video at regular speed, but I was even bored with it, so I sped it up to a 8 minute time laps with the horses jumping and galloping moments. Still too long, so then I cut some of the slower jogging or trotting parts and cut the Sony AS15 helmet camera footage to the jumping and fast galloping. The galloping was about 18-20mph at normal speed. I am very curious if the GoPro Hero 3 would be at all stable when mounted on a jockey helmet and galloping and jumping on uneven terrain like this. Like I wrote earlier in the post, I'll get a side by side of galloping a horse with the Sony HDR AS15 and GoPro Hero 3 mounted on my helmet and post it on this channel.
The audio was replaced with some awesome William Tell Overture clips. It reminds me of Buggs Bunny as Warner Brothers used this classical piece quite often or maybe a few times and I just saw the same cartoon over as a child. Anyway... All You can hear in the audio track is my heavy breathing, wind and the horse breathing. The horse breathing would be great if I spent hours isolating the sound from the noise. Maybe next time I will ad an external mic to mount closer to his nose and the ground to pick up the hoof beats. even better I can use a separate recording device ad add the sound in post production. The audio is pretty good though and I was surprised it picked up pretty well when enclosed in the waterproof mounting case. I have not read or heard what the GoPro Hero 3 audo offers. I look forward to that comparison too. I custom mounted the camera without the case and I plan on posting a video of that as well. Even though the case may not impair video quality, I can't help thinking it does. What I usually do when I am using the Sony HRD AS15 mounting case, is leave the front of the case off and place a rubber band around the case horizontally and just below the lens where a piece of foam or similar material keeps the camera from sliding back and forth. Without the foam you have play between the rubber band and the Sony Action Cam.
I really didn't intend to post this as an action camera review, but I couldn't stop tying about it. I love these camera for all types of sports and activities. Now the regular guy on a budget can record memories that were never before possible and play them back for himself and his friends when that unbelievable moment occurs like when the deer ran out in front of a cyclist in a race while he was wearing a GoPro Hero. This would probably never have made the news because it's not half as interesting to talk about than to actually see happen in HD video.
If you were looking for an opinion on which camera to purchase and which is the best value versus quality, function, and price, I would recommend the Sony HDR AS15 or AS10 (no wifi) over the GoPro Hero 3. The 2 main reasons is, the price and mostly image stabilization of the Sony AS15. Check out the new GoPro Hero 4 in 2014!
