First Look at a Camera in Development that Could Be Headed for the Market Soon

On Tuesday, Sony lifted the lid on a new micro-POV "action camera"—at this point its unofficial name—that will go head-to-head with GoPro's line of wearable HD cameras. Sony hasn't yet unveiled a release date or any specs, other than to say in a "first look" blog post that the camera captures "super high-quality video."

The camera certainly looks lightweight, tough and streamlined, as does its companion element-proof, mountable housing. How will it stack up against the GoPro HERO, which basically owns the action sports market? Sony appears to be betting on technology it has already track tested, specifically its Exmor R CMOS sensor (good in low light) and SteadyShot stabilization feature. The company has also capped the camera with a wide-angle Carl Zeiss Tessar lens.

The Sony post makes it clear this new camera is aimed at the action sports fan for mostly recreational use. But if Sony gets it right, these cameras could easily end up strapped in multiples on skydivers' helmets or inside a car, boat or small plane for some high-octane b-roll setups. After all, GoPro HERO has long been there, done that.