Sony has updated its hugely popular action camera series with the HDR-AS50 and HDR-AS50R - the latter coming with a new Live View Remote you can wear on your wrist in order to see what you're recording.

Our quick take

Sony HDR-AS50R takes the action cam to another level

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The camera itself is as tiddly as last year's model, but there are several new features and enhancements.

For starters, there is Advanced SteadyShot technology on board to help create smoother video with less blur. An 11.1-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor captures images for Full HD video, which can also be shot at up to 120 frames per second.

It can also shoot stills at 8-megapixels, and although video resolutions maxes out at 1080p, 4K time lapse videos can be created in camera from stills.

There is a new Zeiss Tessar lens is included for even sharper pictures.

It has a 3x smooth zoom mode. And a redesigned body and menu system help guide users through features more easily.

sony hdr as50r takes the action cam to another level image 6
Pocket-lint

The camera now has a tripod socket, rather than need a separate adapter as before.

A mighty collection of accessories will be available for both the HDR-AS50 and HDR-AS50R, including the Underwater Housing, which enables the camera to be submerged down to a depth of 60 metres.

It will be available in Europe from February and although a UK price is yet to be revealed, it is understood to cost $350 in the States.