Photography

CamOne Infinity - GoPro-like action cam with interchangeable lenses

CamOne Infinity - GoPro-like action cam with interchangeable lenses
The CamOne Infinity has an LCD screen built in and boasts an interchangeable lens system
The CamOne Infinity has an LCD screen built in and boasts an interchangeable lens system
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The Infinity comes with a variety of hardware
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The Infinity comes with a variety of hardware
CamOne offers a number of innovative accessories for its cameras
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CamOne offers a number of innovative accessories for its cameras
The Infinity has various mounting options
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The Infinity has various mounting options
The Infinity has various mounting options
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The Infinity has various mounting options
The Infinity has several buttons for easy control
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The Infinity has several buttons for easy control
Interchangeable lenses are a defining feature of the Infinity
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Interchangeable lenses are a defining feature of the Infinity
The CamOne is smaller and lighter than the GoPro
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The CamOne is smaller and lighter than the GoPro
It may look like the GoPro, but the Infinity is its own animal
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It may look like the GoPro, but the Infinity is its own animal
CamOne Infinity comes boxed with several mounts and hardware
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CamOne Infinity comes boxed with several mounts and hardware
A CamOne filming session on the snow
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A CamOne filming session on the snow
The sunny Alps make for a photogenic background
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The sunny Alps make for a photogenic background
Kitesurf Teamrider Jonas Steffen puts the Infinity to work
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Kitesurf Teamrider Jonas Steffen puts the Infinity to work
Kitesurf Teamrider Jonas Steffen puts the Infinity to work
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Kitesurf Teamrider Jonas Steffen puts the Infinity to work
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The CamOne Infinity has an LCD screen built in and boasts an interchangeable lens system
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The CamOne Infinity has an LCD screen built in and boasts an interchangeable lens system
View gallery - 15 images

Despite its square, bulky build, GoPro does very well in the action cam market. So it's not all too surprising to see another competitor cloning the GoPro's form factor in its own HD action camera. The CamOne Infinity is more than just a GoPro knockoff, though - it offers some serious features rolled up into a compact package, including an interchangeable lens system.

Looking at CamOneTec's ad materials, the Infinity looks barely larger than your eyeball. However, at 1.9 x 1.7 x 1.3 inches (4.9 x 4.2 x 3.4 cm) and 3.1 oz (88 g), the CamOne Infinity is only slightly smaller than the GoPro HD Hero at 1.6 x 2.4 x 1.2 inches (4.1 x 6.1 x 3 cm) and 3.3 oz (94 g) (GoPro doesn't list size information for its latest HD Hero 2). Like the GoPro - and most every action cam on the market, the Infinity shoots in 1080p at 30 fps and 720p at 60 fps.

The biggest feature that sets the Infinity apart from its brother from another mother (and other prominent action cams) is its interchangeable lens system. The camera bridges the gap from amateur backyard adventure junkie to professional action sports filmmaker by providing an easy interface for swapping lenses. While it only has the standard lens available now, a company rep told us that they will soon be adding 142- and 96-degree lens options.

Interchangeable lenses are a defining feature of the Infinity
Interchangeable lenses are a defining feature of the Infinity

Another feature that the Infinity boasts over some competitors is an integrated LCD screen for camera control and live view. The LCD screen is something that you'd have to pay extra for on the GoPro, but comes with the flip of the camera on the Infinity. A Wi-Fi unit capable of syncing with a mobile device will launch later this year, allowing the Infinity to catch up to the GoPro WiFi BacPac and Contour +.

The CamOne Infinity gives you 170-degree, wide-angle filming in WVGA, 720p and 960p; and 127-degree filming in 1080p. It has a 5-megapixel sensor for shooting still photos and several multi-burst photo settings. You get two microSD slots supporting up to 32 GB of storage space each. Its electronics are packed up safely in an alloy housing. CamOne says that you can get crystal clear underwater filming with a 90-degree twist of the lens, while an LED flashlight improves filming in low light conditions.

CamOneTec is a division of German company ACME with a rep telling us that the company is still busy setting up a distribution network for North America. CamOne's website quotes an approximate price of "250" but doesn't specify whether that's euros or dollars.

While we wait for the official release and pricing details, the video below provides a closer look at some of the Infinity's features and accessories. For our readers that speak German, a more in-depth German language video is available here.

Source: CamOneTec

CamOne Infinity first overview

View gallery - 15 images
5 comments
5 comments
Eric Johnson
this video is too dark and contrast to get any thing useful from it , surprising for people selling a video cam
Ed
These cams like the go-pro are *HUGE* they are clunky and massive! With cameras that fit over the ear or no bigger than an "AA" battery, you have to wonder why people want these huge cameras? There's no point in them...a sport camera has no need for an LCD display and fancy lenses.
Rich Schnippel
I think these guys are coming to the game a little late...GoPro has a stronghold on HD sport video cameras...almost a cult like following. I like some of their features, but will stick with my GoPro's. I disagree with Ed...there is obviously a huge market for these or they wouldn't be selling...I guess facts are facts Ed. The small battery size cameras are toys...GoPro is a rugged camera that can take a beating.
dutch
In the comments section of the German video, they answer a question and mention the price, 250 Euros.
Howster
I totally agree with Rich. Ed, you need to do some research before you say something that isn't accurate. These POV cameras sell like hotcakes and there are a lot to choose from.