Consumer-Electronics Giant makes 'Action Cam'

Look out GoPro. Electronics giant JVC Americas Corp. has a new “action camera” that the company touts as having a “range of features and capabilities that outpace” the competition.

The JVC action cam — full name: JVC GC-XA1 Adixxion — is said to be waterproof, shock-proof, dust-proof, and freeze-proof. That means it can go snorkeling to 16 feet underwater and is “shockproof to withstand a fall from two meters,” JVC cites.

Built-in Wi-Fi lets it communicate with phones or right onto a network. A small LCD monitor on the side is a great feature on this mini camera, which weighs a scant 126 grams.

It will cost about $350. Like all cameras in this league, the unit offers image stabilization and 1920×1080/30p and 1280×720/60p recording.

As to the “why” on this consumer-electronics brand entering a niche market, the company line is this: “JVC brings decades-long expertise in digital imaging to a category that has seen growing popularity recently as more people want to capture their snowboarding, surfing, mountain biking or just about any other activity.”

The 1.5-inch LCD monitor built into the side caught our attention. With it you can check footage in the field or line up a shot. Also interesting, the camera has a body with a scratch-resistant rubber texture. Sounds like solid grip is guaranteed.

JVC will sell the camera through its consumer channels and online to be available in late summer for $349.95.

—Stephen Regenold