Audio and video. Review of iON Air Pro Wi-Fi: professional action camera for the average person Ion air pro application for setting up the camera

Writes to us Sebastian.

Action cameras are a phenomenon for Russian market is by no means new, but so far (according to subjective feelings) it is only gaining momentum. Perhaps the largest market for sports cameras is the United States, where all kinds of extreme entertainment and active recreation are still much more popular than in Russia. However, gradually such hobbies are beginning to acquire the characteristics of a mass phenomenon in our country, and therefore the population’s interest in action cameras is gradually increasing.

When it comes to making a purchase, the first brand that comes to mind is GoPro, the brainchild of Californian action camera pioneer Nicholas Woodman (not to be confused with Pierre). Indeed, GoPro marketers have done a great job: the models of this brand in the minds of consumers sometimes have no alternatives and are generally equivalent to the concept of an action camera, just as all copy machines are copiers, and all SUVs are jeeps. If you try to minimally study the proposals of others brands, the American brand immediately catches my eye iON. Its founding dates back to 2002, with 100 full-time employees working to create direct competitors to GoPro. iON has its own “star team”, consisting of famous athletes like rally driver Peter Solberg.

In Formula 3 racing, iON sponsors the iON Campos Racing Team and is the only FIA approved sports camera brand for use in F3 racing. In general, iON are serious guys with history and ambitions.

iON models are positioned not only as an alternative to GoPro, but also as more affordable solutions. For example, top iON Air Pro 2 Wi-Fi will cost 11,190 rubles versus approximately 15,000-16,000 rubles for the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition. The “starter” version of iON Air Pro Wi-Fi costs 9,990 rubles – exactly the same as the GoPro Hero3 White Edition. But the iON device, which will be discussed, has such a set of accessories that in the case of GoPro, their purchase would cost almost the price of a new camera.

Equipment

Perhaps this is the most “delicious” moment in iON Air Pro Wi-Fi. First, let's talk about the packaging, which turned out to be unexpectedly impressive. We are “given” two boxes, one is a “collectible” beautiful stand in transparent plastic, the second is a metal box for storing and transporting the camera and accessories.

To carry the camera itself, there is a case, which, if desired, can also fit a couple of small items without any problems.

Let us immediately note that no hermobox is provided - the camera initially has a sealed housing with the ability to be submerged under water to a depth of 10 meters. This is more than enough, unless you are going to conquer the “super depths” somewhere in the open sea.

The basis of the camera mounts is the so-called CamLOCK. This element is screwed onto the lower platform and serves to secure it to the “basic” brackets with hinges.

There are only two such fastenings. As you might guess, one element is designed to install the camera on top of any surface, and the second - on the side.

There are two “large” fastenings. The bicycle rack is made of solid plastic, the holder is reliable and durable. Two screws regulate the rigidity of fastening on a tube with a diameter of 20-35 mm. In our opinion, it would not hurt to place a rubberized insert inside the mount for better grip.

The following mount mounts the camera on different helmets and rounded surfaces. The design turned out to be universal - the holder comes with two straps of different lengths, which help secure the camera to a helmet with slots. Otherwise, stickers on 3M tape come to the rescue.

In addition, there is a plastic pad to improve stability depending on how curved the surface is.

There are seven sticker overlays, four of them with tape on both sides and three with adhesive on only one side.

In both fastenings, the adjusted position is fixed with a special plastic bolt. There are two of these in the set; a spare wheel never hurts.

The last thing you expect to see in a box is a small tripod. Moreover, the thing is made in the most “camping” version - with metal legs and rubberized rounded ends. To use a tripod, CamLOCK must be removed. Interestingly, the camera can be used with other “standard” tripods, and other small cameras can actually be attached to the included “tripod”.

Let's move on to less “sporty” accessories. We have AV and microUSB cables at our disposal.

The charger comes with as many as four plug options. Too much? Not at all: when traveling to different countries, this eliminates difficulties when recharging the camera.

There are three manuals, two of them in English. The instructions on the main aspects of the camera's operation have been translated into Russian, and you will have to study the book with a description of the mounts with a dictionary (unless, of course, you know basic English).

The CD contains the full version of the manual, as well as MAGIX Software Suit with photo and video editing programs.

In general, if you calculate the amount for purchasing a similar set for GoPro Hero3 White Edition, it comes out to around 6-7 thousand rubles. With some reservations, but still. This is a serious reason to think about whether the GoPro “fashion” is really worth following.

Design and controls

The camera weighs 146 grams and doesn’t feel “fluffy” at all in your hand. But there is no doubt about the strength, which is only emphasized by the metal frame of the case. The iON Air Pro Wi-Fi looks impressive; the deep black color goes well with the iridescent blue. The cylindrical shape of the body should theoretically provide good aerodynamics - unlike the “chopped” rectangular GoPro. And on a helmet, the camera looks more presentable than the “box” from Nicholas Woodman.

Even a child can control iON Air Pro Wi-Fi. There are only two keys as such – power on and start recording. To control the power there is a button, which is also responsible for taking photos. The slider with raised dots located next to it turns video recording on/off. The elements are made of rubber material, which allows you to better “grab” the keys.

An indicator indicating camera or recording operation is located between the keys. Therefore, when you ride a bicycle, you always know whether filming is taking place.

The iON Air Pro Wi-Fi has two back cover options. One is ordinary, for hiding connectors and switches. The other one has a WIFI PODZ module, which allows you to connect to the camera from a smartphone or tablet. The button in the center turns the hotspot on/off, and the blue indicator shows the connection status.

Under the flap you can see a slot for microSD cards, miniHDMI, AV and microUSB connectors, as well as a reset button and a Full HD/HD shooting resolution switch. Note that it is recommended to use cards of at least 6th grade in the camera, and preferably 10th grade. You can determine that you have installed the wrong card immediately when you start shooting - the indicator will blink.

A convex glass protecting the lens looks at us from the front. We cannot say how strong this glass is, but it inspires confidence. According to the developers, iON Air Pro uses the most shock- and scratch-resistant lenses in the entire class of sports cameras. It would be interesting to check, but we’ll hammer on the lenses of cameras worth more than 9 thousand rubles some other time :)

Control

There are two ways to get to the camera settings: connect it to a computer or connect wirelessly. In the case of a computer, a microUSB cable is used; after connecting, a removable disk with the ion.exe file appears in the system. No installation is required; upon clicking, a menu with three tabs immediately appears: files, settings and checking the firmware version.

There are very few settings, which seems to be a plus from the point of view of the “average” user. GoPro boasts a wide variety of options, but hardly anyone will like dealing with a “bulky” manual. In addition, it would be better if, instead of the tinsel of settings, the same GoPro Hero3 White Edition would have added white balance settings, with which the camera has major problems.

However, let's return to iON Air Pro Wi-Fi. You can change the photo resolution (16, 5, 3 MP or VGA), shooting modes - single frame, continuous or delayed shooting. In the video, choose a resolution between 1080p, 960p, 720p 60 fps and 720p 30 fps. In the general settings, you can enable or disable the accelerometer, which automatically flips the picture depending on the position of the camera.

Connecting to an iPhone is a little more complicated. Download the iON Camera program from the App Store, then activate Wi-Fi on the iON Air Pro Wi-Fi. Find the WIFIPODZ point on your smartphone in the list of wireless networks and enter the connection password specified in the instructions. If an authentication error occurs the first time, do not be alarmed - as we found out, this is a small camera bug, and the second time everything goes fine.

The main window displays videos and photos uploaded to the Internet, as well as the connection status and battery level of the camera. The tabs below take us to Album, File Manager, Settings and Remote Control. The latter is the most interesting - we remotely see in real time through the “eyes” of the camera. And we can again take a photo or start video recording remotely. We will not describe the available settings again; they are similar to those discussed above when connecting to a computer.

Simple controls, a strong, beautiful body, extensive equipment – ​​this is all good, but the main thing in an action camera is still the quality of shooting. Unfortunately, we do not consider ourselves to be ardent extreme sports enthusiasts, so we tried iON Air Pro Wi-Fi in such “everyday” activities as traveling in a car and on a bicycle. We’ll leave the truly adrenaline-pumping video notes to the professionals, whose videos we’ll also present below.

As a top-end recorder (if you go by price), iON Air Pro Wi-Fi performed well. The picture is clear, there is no pixelation, car numbers can be read from 10-15 meters. Not surprising, since the bitrate is 14.3 Mbps. For comparison: even the best hybrid sports recorders show no more than 12 Mbit/s, and for most autoregistrators the ceiling is 6-7 Mbit/s. As a result, maximum details are preserved in the frame. The only thing missing is cyclic recording - shooting is carried out as a continuous file without splitting.

We specifically chose paving stones on the bike to test the stabilization system and the picture’s resistance to vibration. As a result, it is clear that a perfectly “smooth” shooting did not work out, but the shaking of the frame is quite insignificant. Otherwise, our conclusions are synonymous with the “car” impressions - excellent white balance, good color (despite high cloudiness).

Night photography is clearly not the camera's strong point; on a scale of five, a maximum of four.

Let's turn to the adrenaline videos promised above. Here is the iON Air Pro Wi-Fi floating under the clouds:

In the next video, in two minutes we have time to ski, ride on waves, sand jumps and a rally track.

Comparing videos from iON and more expensive GoPro, it is difficult to notice any differences in image detail and color quality. In some moments, iON behaves even better (no problems with white balance).

Conclusion

We definitely liked the iON Air Pro Wi-Fi. In terms of recording quality, the camera is no worse than the equally priced GoPro Hero3 White Edition. However, after purchasing a GoPro, you will have to spend up to 7 thousand rubles more to get the standard iON Air Pro Wi-Fi package. And you still won't get a cool metal accessory case. Connecting via Wi-Fi is organized without any difficulties, and working with the settings does not require special knowledge or studying the manual. You can complain about the paucity of settings, but this is an extremely subjective point. Otherwise, if you want to get the most versatile professional action camera from a reputable manufacturer, feel free to look away iON Air Pro Wi-Fi (No votes)

When you engage in extreme sports, you definitely want to capture the breathtaking action on camera, so that you can later show it to friends or post it on the Internet for everyone to see. True, not every camera is suitable for this; you should use specialized action models with special mounts.

Just recently it seemed that GoPro had a monopoly in this area, but in 2012 the American brand iON released its first action model, which has no less advantages than its competitor. Sounds too ambitious, right? However, iON's all-star team includes professionals such as award-winning rally driver Peter Solberg, Olympic halfpipe bronze medalist Scott Lagoo and many others. iON cameras are the only ones officially approved by the FIA ​​for use in Formula 3 races. iON is also a sponsor of the iON Campos Racing TSam team in F3. Well, it's time to see what iON Air Pro Wi-Fi is - one of best models brand.

Equipment

The nice differences compared to GoPro cameras start with the packaging of the iON Air Pro Wi-Fi. It is divided into two “cases”: a metal box with a lid for storing and delivering mounts to their destination, as well as a transparent “case” for the camera itself. The latter contains a platform for installing iON Air Pro Wi-Fi, just like in the case of collectibles. Thanks to this, the camera looks more than impressive.

To transport iON Air Pro Wi-Fi, not only a metal box is provided - we also have a small fabric case at our disposal. If necessary, the camera itself and a couple of small accessories like a cable or spare stickers on 3M tape will fit there.

In general, the iON Air Pro Wi-Fi package is in sharp contrast to the borderline minimalism that GoPro Hero 3 White Edition offers for the same money. Take the iON Air Pro Wi-Fi charger - it comes with as many as four different plugs, which is extremely convenient for traveling extreme sports enthusiasts.

Cables are not forgotten either, AV and microUSB are available.

In order to understand the use of iON Air Pro Wi-Fi, a detailed manual is included. Both in Russian and in a multilingual version.

The set of iON Air Pro Wi-Fi mounts indicates that there is an extremely low likelihood that the user will have to purchase any additional accessories. For installation on a tube with a diameter of 20-35 mm, there is a corresponding bracket, which is made of durable plastic and will securely hold the camera on the handlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle.

The mount with a slightly curved base is suitable for helmets or curved surfaces. This element is interesting different ways installations. So, there are two straps to choose from (shorter and longer) for fixing the holder using the ventilation slots on the helmet. If these are not provided, it doesn’t matter; we glue a sticker with 3M tape to the base and secure the camera tightly.

The bend can be different, so for surfaces with a slight “curvature” it is possible to install an additional “lining”. It also comes with a 3M sticker.

The camera is mounted on a swivel joint, so adjusting its position is easy. Moreover, there are two holders on the hinge: one allows you to best place the camera on the side of a helmet or some equipment (for example, a motorcycle), and the second serves to mount the camera strictly vertically.

After one or two installations, any Velcro with 3M tape becomes unusable, forcing owners of GoPro cameras to spend extra money on buying new ones, and even time to find them. iON Air Pro Wi-Fi comes with seven “stickers”, four double-sided and three single-sided.

If you suddenly want to see yourself from the outside, a tripod with strong metal legs and rubber knobs will help out.

Unlike GoPro models, the iON Air Pro Wi-Fi does not require a pressurized housing for underwater shooting. By default, the camera can withstand immersion to a depth of 10 meters. This is due, among other things, to the sealed back cover. More precisely, there are two covers: one is regular, and the second is called WIFI PODZ and contains a wireless module.

You will most likely want to edit and edit the resulting video; for this there is a disk with software package MAGIX Software Suit. It includes tools for working with both videos and photographs.

Appearance

The camera looks like a five star, the deep black color harmoniously combines with the tints of blue. Inserts of blue color used in a rim around the body and lens. The cylindrical shape of iON Air Pro Wi-Fi is the most suitable solution for those who are used to high speeds, – the aerodynamics of the camera are much better compared to any rectangular competitor.

The materials used are carefully selected - the body is made of durable aluminum, there are massive plastic inserts and protective lens glass.

The latter may cause some concerns regarding resistance to impacts, so here is a video in which the glass was tested for strength by shots from a pneumatic Kalash (they shot from an airsoft AK with plastic balls).

Camera control is limited to literally two buttons. One is responsible for power, and briefly pressing it while iON Air Pro Wi-Fi is running allows you to take an instant photo. This is more convenient than GoPro cameras, where you first need to switch to photo mode. The second slider key starts and stops video recording.

Another key is located on the WIFI PODZ. If the module is installed, pressing this button activates or deactivates Wi-Fi.

Under the back cover there is a slot for a microSD card, microUSB, AV and miniHDMI connectors, as well as a “RESET” key and an HD/Full HD video resolution switch.

A CamLOCK element is installed on the bottom side, which is necessary for “dressing” the camera on the hinge pads. CamLOCK must be removed if you want to mount the camera on a tripod.

Settings

In terms of managing options, iON Air Pro Wi-Fi looks very user friendly. No clutter of functions “just in case”, only a justified minimum of settings. You can get to them in two ways: a wired connection to a computer or a Wi-Fi connection from a tablet or smartphone. If you connect iON Air Pro Wi-Fi to a computer, then to open the settings program, just go to the root directory of the removable disk that appears and run the iON.exe file.

Three tabs provide access to footage, photo and video resolution settings, auto power off and other features. By the way, iON Air Pro Wi-Fi has an accelerometer. If you allow its use in the settings, the camera will automatically change the orientation of the picture when you turn the iON Air Pro Wi-Fi over.

Connecting via Wi-Fi does not require advanced knowledge. We activate Wi-Fi on the camera by pressing a button, then in the smartphone we find an access point like “WIFIPODZ”. After connecting to the network, launch the iON Camera application (you should first download it from Google Play or the App Store).

In addition to the settings already familiar to us, the program includes the ability to remotely view captured videos and photos, as well as upload content to the Internet (iON users are allocated 8 GB of space in the proprietary “cloud”). Another useful feature wireless connection– viewing the image from the camera lens in real time. This allows you to best adjust the camera position, because if you wear a helmet with a camera, you won’t be able to assess the angle.

In progress

A 5 MP sensor, extremely wide viewing angles of 170 degrees and Full HD shooting with a bitrate of 14.3 Mbit/s - what else is needed for high-quality sports photography? That's right, the ability to record for as long as possible. And in this regard, iON Air Pro Wi-Fi does not disappoint; the built-in battery is capable of shooting for up to 2.5 hours. The microphone did not disappoint either; good sound is recorded both on land and under water.

In addition to shooting in Full HD, 960p with 25 fps and 720p with 50 fps or 25 fps are also available. The video obtained with iON Air Pro Wi-Fi pleasantly surprises not only with its high clarity, but also with the absence of incorrect color rendering and white balance errors. It can be argued that in the same GoPro Hero3 White Edition these problems are solved by post-processing in the editor. However, seriously, will you enjoy spending long hours in front of the monitor to get a “clear” picture?

Impression

About 1,700 hryvnia - this is exactly how much you need to spend to make the GoPro Hero3 White Edition package “similar” to the iON Air Pro Wi-Fi set. The American brand iON provides an effective alternative when the consumer does not overpay for a loud brand, but receives a product that is good in all respects and can be used professionally. The price of iON Air Pro Wi-Fi is about 2,500 hryvnia (the GoPro Hero3 White Edition costs the same), which is very humane in relation to the consumer’s wallet.

Contents of delivery:

• Smartphone
• Network adapter
• USB cable
• Stereo headset
• Documentation

Until the Sony Xperia TX goes on sale, the ion is the flagship of the company's mobile division. Let's see what kind of device this is, what will please or disappoint you.

Design, construction

If the Sony Xperia acro S came to us straight from Japan, then the ion is a product originally created for the US market. We must understand that for any company producing smartphones, making a joint project with American operators means a kind of victory - the circulation is great, and the glory is great. The orders are quite large, usually hundreds of thousands of pieces. The device in question was sold (is being sold) by AT&T, the decision to supply it to Russia is quite strange - since the appearance of ion on sale confuses the cards in the Xperia line. I don’t think there are many people who are ready to understand what is happening with Xperia; many still believe that the very best from Sony now is the Xperia S. In fact, until the TX goes on sale, it is the ion that will remain the most the very device from Sony. Due to display size, characteristics, camera. I don't know how good or bad this is, I'm just stating a fact.

The device itself is great, to put it mildly. A sort of heavy shovel. Comes in regular packaging, there are two body colors, black and red, I got red. It’s curious that even though I would never wear a smartphone of this color, it’s not feminine at all - keep in mind that here it’s not soft red or raspberry, but dark red. The entire front is black, with red battery cover and velvety plastic areas on the top and bottom. At the back you can see the traditional logo, below it is the inscription Xperia. The design of the photographic area is interesting, there is a large camera lens, under it there is a flash circle, below there is an area with perforation, there is a microphone. There is a massive flap on the left side, hiding HDMI and microUSB connectors under it, and a 3.5 mm jack on the top end. Accessories for Apple seem to be suitable, but in fact the EarPod headset does not work. Above the display there is a front camera lens, a speaker, light and proximity sensors. There is also a small indicator light; it blinks if something happens to the device, for example, while charging.

Dimensions are 133 x 68 x 10.8 mm, weight 144 grams. This smartphone looks much better in black, and there is one good addition - almost the entire back is made of metal. As for the size, everything is easy to explain - the ion has an impressive display size and quality. In general, this device can safely be classified as a mini-tablet just because of the screen. Naturally, now in terms of resolution there has been a step forward in a number of devices, and ion is not on the same wavelength here, but the screen is still good.

Comparison with Apple iPhone

To insert microSIM and microSD cards into the phone, you need to remove the top flap and simply pull it off. The assembly of the smartphone is good, nothing creaks or cracks, and there are no unnecessary gaps either. I used the device as a second phone for quite a long time, during which time nothing bad happened to the body, except that the paint peeled off slightly from the frame around the camera lens.

Display

As I said, the TFT display diagonal is 4.55 inches, resolution is 1280 x 720 pixels. The screen is protected by glass, the glass is not scratch-resistant, and there is a film that is invisible to the user, as in many other Sony devices. Capacitive screen, multitouch supported, four fingers maximum. In my opinion, the screen is good by today's standards; everything is fine here with viewing angles, colors, and contrast. If you are used to watching videos on the go, then a smartphone with such a display will help in a bold undertaking, the same can be said about browsing websites, playing games, and working with programs. Size matters, and a device with a 4.5-inch display really goes a little beyond the boundaries - it’s not clear what to call such a device. After all, this is truly a thing at the intersection of the world of smartphones and the world of tablets.

But the price to pay for the screen size is the body size. And before purchasing, I would recommend twirling the ion in your hands. There has not yet been a single person who would not say: “What a healthy shovel.”

Control

On the right side there is a power button, just below there is a volume rocker. Considering the fact that the ends here are beveled, pressing these buttons is not very convenient, plus, they do not have such a deep travel. You need to get used to it. Below on the right side there is a camera button, this is very cool, many of us are used to using a hardware control for shooting. If the display is locked, you can press and hold the button, the camera will launch and immediately take a photo. The camera can be launched by moving the unlock slider not to the right, but to the left.

Under the display there are four traditional Android buttons: calling an additional menu, Home, return and search. The buttons are touch sensitive, backlit, and have stripes underneath them. Sony had a signature feature - regular buttons in Android-based devices, it’s a pity that modern devices have abandoned this. You can get used to the sensors, they are sensitive, but it would be better to see a traditional solution.

The screen, as you understand, is also one of the control elements; there are no problems with sensitivity and processing speed.

OS, performance, features

While I was using ion, an update came out called 6.1.E.1.20. Used Android version 4.0.4, you can read about the OS in the review on our website.

About performance: Qualcomm APQ8060 is used, dual-core processor, 1.5 Hz, Adreno 220 graphics processor, 1 GB of RAM. The device is quite fast, this applies to both launching applications and working with them. But there is also something strange, for example, the backlight goes out with some kind of twitching.

Peculiarities:

• In the call settings there is an item “Noise Suppression”, reducing background noise during a call; by default this function is enabled. I tried to use it when music was playing on the speakers nearby, the people I called didn’t notice much of a difference (I tried it both with noise reduction turned off and with it on). But on the street, if there is wind, the function’s operation is noticeable

• There is an xLOUD mode, increasing the volume of the speakers, I recommend turning it on immediately, it becomes noticeably louder
• There is no inclusion in the brightness settings automatic settings, but there is a light sensor
• Among the display locking modes there is unlocking using the owner's face, the function works quite normally - they say the battery runs out much faster if you use this method
• To take a screenshot, you need to press and hold the power and volume down button
• A number of applications are customized, for example, this is a player. It's called a Walkman, you can customize the equalizer yourself or use presets, and there's also surround sound. But there are no settings such as ClearStereo; this is the prerogative of other devices. The sound quality is not bad, but the iPhone 5 is head and shoulders above in this regard, I listened using the same headphones, the same tracks - the volume of the ion is not so high, the sound is bland

• Evernote, McAfee Security, Astro (file manager), NeoReader (QR code scanner), Moxier Pro, Opera Mini and Wisepilot are pre-installed for navigation. There is an Electronic Arts game downloader, you can try before you buy. I would highly recommend that you install it right away Chrome browser, I like it in both the iOS and Android versions

• Your own widgets - clock, control of wireless interfaces and basic functions, help, Timescape, Walkman and others
• It’s interesting that for audio, in addition to standard files, Ogg support is announced
• When connected to a TV, a special menu appears (TV Launcher), but I’ll talk about this in a separate review
• As in the case of the Sony acro S, the ability to play AVI is not written anywhere, but the device copes with such films with a bang, as you can see in the screenshots. It’s good that the user does not have to install additional software

According to official sources, the device operates in UMTS HSPA+ networks 850 (Band V), 900 (Band VIII), 1700 (Band IV), 1900 (Band II), 2100 (Band I); GSM EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900. Don't count on LTE, it's in the ion version for AT&T.

Wireless interfaces

Like other top Sony smartphones, this device can do a lot, it supports Bluetooth, version 2.1 with EDR, the ANT+ profile for sports wireless gadgets works, it supports GLONASS, NFC, DLNA. Naturally, there is Wi-Fi. It’s a shame that the kit didn’t include a specific HDMI cable for a specific “short” connector; I have no idea where the user should look for it.

Memory

The device has 1.3 GB of memory, 11.24 GB is available to the user, you can always expand your capabilities by adding a microSD card (up to 32 GB). It seems to me that Sony may well install more memory inside; after all, most smartphones are positioned as multimedia, and if you often take photos and videos, the built-in memory will very quickly run out. Why not install 32 or 64 GB? This has not been unheard of for a long time.

Nutrition

The device uses a 1900 mAh battery, it seems that you can count on a long service life. It seems to me that among other “androids” ion really has a long life, I talked for half an hour a day, took pictures more, listened to music. If you remove the backlight, you can achieve work within a day and a half. But if you use it actively, get ready to look for an outlet later in the evening. Everything is, in general, typical.

Camera

The camera resolution is 12.1 MP, can shoot video in FullHD, as always with Sony, when taking photos there are many useful and not so useful effects - panoramic 3D view, multi-angle 3D view, regular panoramic view. You can choose the shooting method, touching a button on the display, just a key, or a combined method; it was quite possible to do without this setting. For quick launch, there are your own scripts; by pressing a button, you can launch the camera and take a photo, or just launch the program. If you wish, you can disable the function altogether. I took all the pictures for the material using automatic mode.

Naturally, for most consumers, the key parameter was and remains the sensor resolution. The numbers, it seems, should speak for themselves. Marketers are accustomed to hitting innocent heads with incomprehensible but sonorous terms, here you have 4 cores (!), 12 MP (!), 64 GB (!), FullHD and complete stuffing. In fact, the main question is why I need it, and whether I need it. The camera in the Sony Xperia ion can help you capture (and capture well) a piece of reality. But is such permission necessary if many smartphone owners now post photos on Instagram or Facebook? Don't think. It seemed to me that the post-processing of the images suffered slightly; they were quickly saved, but the colors were too bright, sometimes unnatural. But otherwise, ion pleasantly surprised me, especially with its detail. Yes, in some pictures you can see that the camera misses, there is chromatic aberration, colors are washed out, but if you shoot on a sunny day, you will be surprised when viewing the frames on a computer. Let's say I really liked how ion copes with portrait photography, you can even make out the pores, there are no problems with colors and detail. In poor lighting conditions, it makes no sense to blast the area with a flash, this can just have the opposite effect, it’s more interesting to try to shoot something as it is.

More and more often we hear from someone or read on the Internet or in magazines the phrase “action camera”. And in most cases, the associative series immediately leads us to GoPro cameras. Meanwhile, there are a number of companies in the world that have been working seriously in this direction for a long time and are developing very interesting devices that can easily compete with and often surpass the popular GoPro cameras. And today we will talk about one of them.

This is the iOn Air Pro WiFi action camera manufactured by the American company World Wide Licenses Ltd (WWL), which has been involved in the design, development and production of electronics for leading electronics brands around the world for the past 12 years. For example, the company developed computer peripherals for Disney (under their brand), and in 2002, WWL received exclusive rights to create and distribute Polaroid digital cameras worldwide. In 2002, the Ion brand was founded as a sub-brand of Polaroid cameras. By the way, Ion Worldwide is the only brand of extreme cameras approved by the FIA ​​for use in Formula 3 racing. Moreover, Ion Worldwide is a sponsor of the Ion Campos Racing Team. Interesting? Then let's go.

02 . We start, as usual, from afar - by opening the package.
I really love this moment - already at this stage you can often make the first timid conclusions about the quality of the gadget itself.

03 . By peeling off the paper packaging, we get two separate boxes.
One made of transparent plastic with a camera inside, and the other, metal (!!!), for everything else.

04 . And the rest is invested there - mother, don’t worry! No matter how hard I tried to push everything back in until the lid closes normally, it doesn’t work. My categorical respect and respect to the valiant packers.

05 . Let's figure out what they gave us that was so interesting. From the "waste paper": a b/w guide for a quick start in English, a b/w guide in English on mounts (this is a very important aspect for this type of camera) and (!!!) a color manual in Russian. The CD contains optional software: a photo manager and a simple video editor from Magix. In addition, outdated versions. Well, who needs them, in general, when everyone here prefers to immediately install video editors from Adobe?))

06 . Let’s remove the unnecessary and papery stuff from the frame and see what’s left in the bottom line.
- Camera
- PODZ dongle with built-in Wi-Fi adapter
- Bike mount (suitable for all tubular bases)
- Helmet mount
- Belt is short
- The belt is long
- Wrist strap
- Case
- Spherical bearing
- L-shape ball joint
- Universal power adapter
- 4 power adapter attachments for all occasions
- USB cable
- AV cable
- Mini tripod
- Spare 3M single-sided tape
- Spare 3M double-sided tape.
If we start drawing parallels with GoPro (we will focus on the GoPro Hero 3 White Edition model due to the price of 9990 rubles almost identical to the iOn Air Pro WiFi), then the comparison in terms of configuration will not be in favor of the gopro. The kit will include a waterproof box, a battery, a pair of platforms with 3M tape, a J-Hook, a quick-release latch, a USB cable and that’s it.

07 . Here we could focus on a waterproof box, but iOn Air Pro WiFi simply doesn’t need it. It can be immersed in water and, of course, removed just like that. As it is. At 10 meters. GoPro in boxing can dive up to 60 meters, but the question is - can you do this?

08 . Let’s go over some of the “filling” elements in a little more detail. Pay attention to a kind of “clothespin” at the bottom of the camera in the previous photo. This is a basic latch that, with a slight movement of the hand, secures the device to other, specialized mounts. For example, here’s a thing designed for attaching a camera to the handlebars of a bike, motorcycle, or the like. I, in view of the harsh winter conditions For the test, I attached iOn Air Pro WiFi to the handle of a children's sled. However, you will see this later in the test video. By the way, a bicycle mount for a goprokha will cost you an additional 1200-1500 rubles. Although there are probably “alternative” options on eBay.

09 . Tripod. Nice, maybe it will be good for something. However, the hole at the bottom of the camera is standard, so there is always the opportunity to screw the camera onto a more stable tripod. Why might this be needed? We remember that the name of the camera contains the WiFi marking, which means that it can be controlled from a distance using a smartphone. Very useful, for example, when filming competitions. Or even when watching someone)

10 . L-shaped ball joint already fixed to the helmet mount. For GoPro you will also have to buy this extra.
And also much, much more.

Power adapter for recharging the device with four (!!!) attachments for all occasions. You never know where your search for extreme experiences will take you? Here, in passing, I’ll complain about the fact that iOn Air Pro WiFi cannot take pictures in charging mode. Autonomously, the manufacturer promises 2.5 hours of operation (shooting). Less with Wi-Fi turned on, of course.

12 . I would like to note the form factor of the front lens. It is convex, which, I think, will have a good effect on aerodynamics (like the entire body of the device), and flying dirt and moisture will self-clean under the pressure of oncoming air flows. There is an opinion that such a solution could play a cruel joke if the camera gets hit by this protruding lens. I personally have not carried out such experiments, but below, so to speak, in the video block, I will post a video where they shoot at this very lens with a pneumatic gun. So, I think the manufacturer still meaningfully left the front lens “unprotected”.

13 . Let's move on to management. You could say it’s a family of “single-button” ones, because... the second “controller” is a slider or, if you like, a toggle switch. The button turns the camera on/off, and also when it is already on, when pressed briefly, it works in camera mode. All manipulations are confirmed tactilely - the device has a vibration motor, which is very convenient when the camera is mounted, for example, on the head and you cannot see the LEDs. Even a photograph taken by the camera is confirmed by a slight short “bzhzh”. Tubler, as is clear from the captions, starts and stops recording. By the way, the box with toothpicks was not included in the photo by chance, but gives an idea of ​​the size of the gadget: 110 x 37 x 37 mm.

14 . Another button will appear on the back of the camera if you replace the standard dongle with a dongle with a WiFi module. This is the so-called PODZ. By pressing the button, you will turn it on and be able to connect and control the gadget wirelessly. But more on that later.

15 . If you remove the plug, you will find more traditional ways connections: via micro-USB, AV or mini-HDMI interfaces. For the latter, you will need to purchase an additional cable. There is also a lever for hardware switching of video recording quality (HD or FullHD), a slot for a micro-SD card, and a hidden button for rebooting the camera.

16 . When you first connect to a computer on Windows, you won’t even have time to blink an eye when a tiny program iON.exe appears out of nowhere at the root of the card. Did I mention that that CD is absolutely useless?

17 . By launching the program, we can view the files (it will transfer them to the Explorer window), or configure video and photo settings, as well as update the firmware. There is no Russian language, but in general, everything is intuitive. Auto power off, date-time... Please note that the camera has a sensor that determines whether the camera is upside down or not. Very convenient if the camera does not have a screen. However, any video editor will flip the picture with one click of the mouse.

18 . Video settings. It would seem that maximum quality is always the priority, but there are nuances: the camera shoots 60 frames per second at HD resolution and 30 at Full HD. Also, depending on the selected parameters, the viewing angle changes: 127° in 1080p mode, 150° in 720p mode, 170° in 960p mode.

19 . Photo mode settings. We adjust the quality and shooting mode.
As you can see, there is even the ability to shoot time-lapses.

20 . However, I personally have an unshakable belief that photographs should still be taken with cameras, and not with video. As a last resort, there is always a smartphone. Conservative, whatever. I'm attaching one photo, just in case. The only advantage, in my opinion, is the wide angle, which is inaccessible to a smartphone. However, time-lapses are probably still worth trying. Maybe I'll get into it. This topic fascinates me from time to time.

21 . Actually, let’s move on to the smartphone. Download from you know where (there are versions for both iOS and Android) and install the iON Camera application. We connect to the camera and see what we have here. In the Dashboard tab we see the connection status and charge level.

22 . The footage manager will appear in the iON tab. Moreover, the video files will be in two resolutions at once. The additional file is written automatically in low resolution (432×240 29.976p) for quick uploading directly from the application to YouTube and social networks. In the Album tab, files can be immediately sorted into album folders. It is also worth mentioning the pleasant fact that each iON camera is provided with 8 GB of free space in the iONCloud cloud storage. It allows you to view data via a smartphone or tablet from anywhere in the world. GoPro does not have such branded services.

23 . Setting tab. Settings for everything.

24 . You can quickly change the photo and video settings already mentioned above. In the Remote tab, accordingly, you can control the camera in real time. The image is transmitted directly to the smartphone screen. There is a slight delay, but not at all critical. Here you will have a screen, if anything happens.

25 . Little by little we got to video examples. First off, my impromptu video. Don’t judge harshly, I’m still an extreme enthusiast myself, so instead of a snowboard I have a children’s sled, and instead of Pacific beaches I have my own bathtub. If it were summer, it would be possible to shoot something more cheerfully, but here the frosts are bitterly cold.

26 . The video promised above about shooting a lens.

27 . An excellent video where iOn Air Pro WiFi is compared under the same conditions with the more expensive model GoPro Hero3 Black Edition, I propose to draw conclusions from it individually, but for myself I see some advantage for GoPro in night photography and underwater, but at the same time There is a complete failure in the richness of the image during the day, in the evening, indoors, and so on. You can call it a matter of taste, but... In general, we look and decide for ourselves.

28 . I guess I'll wrap it up here. I just want to add that at the moment there is also an older model iOn Air Pro WiFi II on sale in Russia, and the third version of the camera has recently appeared in the USA. And I definitely want to try it. Judging by the promo on YouTube and the official website, this is just a bomb. 120 frames per second! Many have probably seen GoPro’s dynamic promotional video, but here’s an alternative from iON for your sweet treat. Enjoy!

I remind copy-pastors that when reprinting photographs and text, an active link to the source is required. Without noindex And nofolow.
Paper and electronic media must first

Advantages: iOn Air Pro 3 is a new action camera that is not only easy to use, but also: waterproof; durable; has very good quality video; shoots in 1080p resolution; has a wide range of functions and accessories (for example, built-in Wi-Fi and the ability to use a wireless remote control remote control). In addition to the ability to shoot video in 60 fps mode, you can use slow motion with a frame rate of 120 fps!

Flaws: The camera's built-in battery cannot last long if you constantly use Wi-Fi and shoot videos at high frame rates. Also, by using a higher frame rate, you will deprive yourself of the ability to use some other features of this model.

Result: A fun and flexible action camera, the iOn Air Pro 3 is easy to use and perfect for anyone who likes to shoot, no matter where they are (in or underwater, for example).

The iOn Air Pro 3 model stands out among its competitors due to its design. The cylindrical aluminum body makes the camera less bulky to mount, for example, on a helmet, unlike the boxy GoPro models. The camera doesn't need additional protection when diving under water. Thanks to the large “slider” located on top of the camera, you can not only quickly record video, but also work with gloves and even in water.
Basically, if you want to buy a simple and lightweight camera that can be used in all weather conditions, then this model is just for you! By the way, I would like to note the excellent quality of the video.

Equipment

The $349.99 camera kit includes: Wi-Fi module; mini tripod; helmet with camera mount; universal power adapter (which can be connected to any sockets existing today); Micro-USB cable. Separately, you should buy a 64 GB microSDHC memory card and feel free to start shooting.
You will also be able to take advantage of 8 GB of cloud storage from the MiMedia service, which can be used to back up or share photos and videos online (although this is only 1 GB more than when registering for free on MiMedia).

Design and characteristics

The design of the new flagship Air Pro 3 differs little from its predecessors - the model also has a cylindrical shape, but is more durable, compact and lightweight (about 140 g). Improved waterproofing of the camera allows you to dive with it to a depth of up to 15 m, while the Pro 2 camera is limited to a depth of 9 m. The nice thing is that you do not need a special protective case and you can safely dive underwater with the camera without additional equipment.
At the front of the camera is the latest 16mm anti-fog lens with f2.8 light sensitivity and a wide viewing angle of 160 degrees. The viewing angle can be adjusted to 140 and 150 degrees based on your needs. There should be a distance of at least 1 meter or more between the subject and you directly, since at a shorter distance the quality of the footage deteriorates sharply.
Behind the lens is a 12 MP BSI CMOS sensor from Sony and, judging by the recording capabilities of the Air Pro 3, the matrix is ​​powered by a powerful processor.
The functionality of this model does not differ from the previous ones. At the top there is a “slider” for starting and stopping recording, which has a vibration signal to alert you. There's also a shutter button at the front of the switch for taking photos.
There is a tripod mount on the bottom of the camera, but the iOn Air Pro 3 uses quick connectors CamLock.

The key feature of the camera is the Podz wireless speaker system. Under the cover there are Micro-USB and Mini-HDMI ports, a microSD card slot and an external microphone connector. The camera is equipped Wi-Fi module for wireless connection to a computer, smartphone or tablet. Along with Wi-Fi PODZ, there is a wireless remote control, thanks to which you can control 8 cameras at once at a distance of up to 18 m.

Wi-Fi and apps

Connecting to Wi-Fi PODZ is quite simple: turn on your device and Wi-Fi PODZ, go to Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone or tablet, select PODZ as your network, create a password and you're done.

There are apps available for iOS and Android devices that let you view your battery level (which is important since the camera won't alert you until the battery level reaches 29%), change camera settings, view and download video or photo, remotely start and stop recording, etc. I tested some applications on iPhone 5S and Galaxy S4 gadgets and I liked the results.

Shooting options

The camera, with a resolution of 1080p, can shoot video at a frequency of 30 fps, and at a resolution of 720p – at 60 fps; The back of the camera has a switch to select the shooting mode.
Pro 3 shoots full HD video at 30 and 60 fps, 720p video at 120, 60 and 30 fps, that is, at an approximate speed of 22 Mbps. If you shoot video using the application, you will only be able to use two shooting modes: 1080p at 30 fps and 720p at 30 fps.
In addition to video, you have the opportunity to take 5 and 12 megapixel photos in 4:3 format. There are 3 modes: time-lapse shooting with intervals of 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60 s; high speed continuous shooting for 10 shots at a time; normal shooting.

The mobile application is used to change camera settings. To do this, connect via USB to your Mac or Windows computer and run software directly from camera storage. Interface mobile application not very attractive, but it works flawlessly.

Video quality

The Air Pro 3 camera has certainly advanced in shooting video in full-HD quality, but not much compared to the Air Pro 2. The main advantages are better shooting in low light conditions and the ability to shoot slow-motion video.
Colors remain vibrant and pleasing, and changes in exposure are handled smoothly and fairly quickly. But there is also a minus - the quality of the played video depends on the screen size. The picture on a smartphone and tablet is wonderful, but if you use a larger monitor, your mood worsens.
The camera does have a built-in microphone, but the quality of audio recording depends on the distance of the camera to the person and the greater the distance, the worse the quality. Therefore, you will definitely want to connect an external microphone.

Conclusion

I loved it Air camera The Pro 2 excels in its ease of use and video quality, while the Pro 3 doesn't go too far in this regard. But new model I was pleased with the improved waterproofing and a wider choice of frame rates when shooting. Unfortunately, shooting at 1080p at 60 fps and 720p at 120 fps limits many customization options, including auto rotation and dual stream capture. Moreover, in these modes the battery discharges very quickly. However, if you're looking for an all-weather camera for extreme shooting, the iOn Air Pro 3 is an excellent choice.

home » Loans » Audio and video. Review of iON Air Pro Wi-Fi: professional action camera for the average person Ion air pro application for setting up the camera