My Sony FDR-X3000 Action Camera and Its Accessories

I wanted to upgrade to 4K video resolution since my old Canon EOS 600D is only capable of capturing 1800p video. It is a discontinued model but still works fine for taking still picture and even video up to 1800p which is a high-definition resolution. I did not want to buy a new camera body or switch to mirrorless interchangeable lens camera because that would be expensive for me.

I thought that an action camera was the gadget for my purpose and if I buy one it would be my first. When I went to the mall, I came across little cameras in a store that sells Sony electronic products. They looked much different than the traditional ones I used to have. They were small, compact, and light. I gave that Sony FDR-X3000 a go because it was sold at a much lesser price than when it was first originally introduced into the market in 2016.

My action camera came with Sony RM-LVR3 live view monitor. This separate device functions as the remote control and display monitor of the camera which does not show the image the lens is seeing. The remote came with a charger and a cradle where the remote is mounted on, and a wrest belt where the cradle and remote are fitted into. On my wrist the remote looks just like an ordinary digital watch. I felt that the belt which came with the monitor was not comfortable on my wrist so that I replaced it with an ordinary NATO watch strap which I found to be a better fit and good on my wrist. And since then, use the remote with that NATO watch strap.

In addition, the action camera also came with an underwater housing that should enable me to go underwater up to a depth of 60 meters continuously for 30 minutes. The remote control though is waterproof only at 3 meters with 30 minutes of continued use. Other items included in the bundle were the micro-USB cable, rechargeable battery pack and an attachment buckle.

The 4K resolution Sony FDR-X3000 is primarily a video camera although I can also take still pictures with it. Other useful features include time lapse capture, loop recording and live streaming. Using the camera, I found it convenient and practical especially for recording video. I can say that it is an improvement to my Canon DSLR as far as the quality of video even at 1800p is concerned. In addition, it is also much smaller and lighter so that using the camera and remote alone without any other accessory makes using them unnoticeable to most people. The action camera is also ideal for use in action filled scenes like hiking, mountaineering or mountain biking and other activities where a hands-free operation would be preferable by mounting the camera to the appropriate accessories which is available online.

People with poor eyesight like me may barely make out the image display in the remote because the screen is too small. Fortunately, I can pair the camera with a smart phone for control and display. A Sony apps can be downloaded from the Play Store for free. However, the phone works for the action camera only with a wi-fi signal. Without it I can go by with the use of the remote control which can pair with the camera all the time.    

             

  A Sony finger grip puts the camera and the remote on a single accessory which gives me convenient operation of the camera and view of the monitor. In place of the Sony finger grip I can attach the remote or the smart phone and the camera also in a single accessory with the use of a selfie stick or monopod by fitting it with a smart phone or a remote on a holder and clip. The advantage of a monopod is that I can take video with the camera higher over my head by pulling up its sections. It will come in handy when there are people in front of me blocking the view of my lens.

A monopod is convenient tool for taking still pictures and video with the Sony action camera. With it attached to the head of the monopod with tripod stand at the bottom, I can take selfie or regular still pictures and video of myself and other people or scenes by pointing the camera lens towards or away from me. And from a distance I will be able to control the camera and see the image display.

There are accessories that are made by the same company as the camera brand. And there are also third -party accessories that are much cheaper than branded ones. Go Pro is an action camera brand with many compatible third-party made accessories that are mostly made in China. Fortunately, these accessories designed for Go Pro can also be used with a Sony action camera. I have just to buy a screw adapter to mount the camera into the accessories. I have bought a set of accessories for Go Pro for use with my Sony action camera. The bundle contained many items, and the most useful ones are the chest harness mount, and the clip mount which can be placed on a backpack. The mountain bike handlebar clip and the adapter screws were separate purchases.