Shimano, better known for its groupsets and wheels, has launched the CM-1000 Sport Camera, putting it squarely up against the likes of GoPro’s Hero 3 and Garmin’s Virb in this lucrative market.
The new camera is the first offering from its new ‘Lifestyle Gear Division’, tasked with producing multi-sport devices targeted at both its fishing and cycling consumers. The camera is fully waterproof without the need for an external case, with an IPX-8 rating. That means it can survive continual submersion to a depth of 10 metres. Deeper than most puddles you’re likely to encounter.
Inside the camera is an f2.0 lens which should enable it to produce good results in low light conditions. It has auto image rotation, and the lens offers a choice of a standard angle 135° or super wide 180° mode. The 16 megapixel back illuminated CMOS image sensor provides full 1080p HD capability. It offers three video recording modes; 1920 x 1080 at 30fps, 1280 x 720 at 120fps and 640 x 360 at 240fps. The camera records onto micro SD cards, up to 32GB. There’s no internal storage.
It’s light, at a claimed 86g. That compares well to a GoPro at 188g and 177g for the Garmin Virb. It’s small too, measuring 44x70x30mm, about the size of a pack of playing cards. So it’ll easily fit in your pocket. The battery lasts a claimed 2 hours and is charged in less than 4 hours.
Shimano has packed the CM-1000 with the latest tech, including WiFi connectivity and has developed iOS and Android apps so you can watch live views from the camera and make setting adjustments remotely. It’s also packing ANT+ and an ANT private connection, so there is potential to hook it up to Shimano’s newly introduced D-Fly wireless Di2 transmitter to add ride data to recorded footage. Garmin’s Virb is able to record ride data to overlay on recorded video but uses GPS.
Included with the camera is a helmet mount and adhesive mount, Windows 7 and Mac OS software and a lens cover. The iOS 6.0 and Android 4.2 apps, which can be used as a remote controller, are free to download. Other mounts are available, including a chest and handlebar mount.
It’s an interesting move for Shimano, and not a move we saw coming. The company must be confident the market is big enough to support yet another video camera. It certainly has a lot going for it, the small form factor and impressive list of features we like, we can’t wait to get out hands on one. Which might not be for a while; it’s not coming into the UK yet - Shimano’s UK distributor Madison haven’t confirmed they’ll bring it into the UK. Which might be because Madison also distribute GoPro… It will be shipping across the rest of Europe in May.
Pricing has yet to be confirmed. If you want to find out more, Shimano has launched this shiny new website www.shimano-sportcamera.com
Here's some sample footage of the camera in action
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20 comments
I've finally finished playing with the Shimano Action camera.
There is so much to love about it, as a result I was so disappointed that it fails short by comparison of VIDEO QUALITY when you look at other cameras that are available today
If they improve the quality for V2 was better, i think this would be one of the best action camera on the market.
Here is my take on the camera http://www.titaniumgeek.com/gear-reviews/shimano-action-camera-cm100-rev...
Not just the recording time that is important, but the standby time. I have to carry two spare batteries for my GoPro 3 when out cycling for a day. I don't record that much (20min descents, time lapse for interesting roads when grouped), but the GoPro dies within a couple of hours of standby (inc. light use).
How is the CM-1000 going to handle being out for an 6-hour ride? Shoots some video and in-standby for the first three hours and then a deadweight on the bike because I can't change the battery?
Come on Shimano you've been very stupid not allowing us to change the battery - it instantly removes it for any of us wanting to use on a ride lasting more than a few hours
Note:The other thing I would kill for is time lapse photograpy in exactly HD size - the Go Pro's minimum photo size is 5Mb - wasted memory card space if I'm then converting a 1000+ of those to 1080 video
Hi guys reading some of the comments I thought i'd show you mine (oh matron) bought this cam some few years ago usually have it mounted on my helmet with zip ties.
Batteries sit in the main box which goes in my jersey/jacket pocket, Company claims two and a half hours running time (I change every two), 32GB card, oh and yes there is a bin/memory wipe button on the main body
HelmetCam 001.JPG
" I really like the idea of recording in segments and the oldest one being automatically overwritten. Sort of a fire and forget solution that you only need to touch when you need the last bits of footage."
Me too - this is exactly what i need, if a camera is actually going to get used!
interesting!
Does anyone know of cameras that you can delete the videos from directly - eg by a button on the unit - rather than having to connect to pc? Or one that will auto record over old footage once full?
That would be the major criterion for me, on my next camera.
I really like my bulletcam hd, but unfortunately its one button doesn't let you wipe the card, so whenever it's full you have to go to a pc and do it there! Which is a pain.
(Also posting just in case camera companies read this!)
The Drift Ghost cameras let you do that via the screen, you can even play back vids on it and transfer them to your phone via WiFi.
As for the Shimano camera, it seems a bit odd that it only records 1080p at 30fps, when 60fps has become a big selling point for other manufacturers.
The RoadHawk Ride does exactly that - records in 5 minute segments, and overwrites the oldest footage once the card is full.
See, if I could have that but with a decent battery run time ... the RoadHawk Ride's battery is only good for 90 minutes tops, and it's a built-in battery. I need at least 120 minutes, 150 minutes preferred, and I would definitely want the battery to be replaceable.
Looks like with this camera there'll be an app for that; with the Smartphone connectivity the possibilities certainly aren't limited and no need to add an extra button and possible water ingress point.
Oh Shimano getting in on the act
Won't be long now before we see cameras as part of the bike, like in the seat post or even embedded in the frame somewhere.
Go pro still has to be the way to go if you want to record your rides surely ?
What do you guys think ?
I think the integration will only work if all-round coverage can be provided - so front and rear fisheye lenses covering 180 degrees each.
As for the gopro, I deliberately steered clear of it. Ugly, makes you look like a tellytubby, expensive. The Contour Roam is none of these things, plus has a longer battery life and (IIRC) wider viewing angle.
This. Exactly this.
I've got a small number of cameras on my Amazon wish list, but none of them seem to satisfy all the requirements I would have.
1. The main thing is a replaceable battery that lasts 2 hours at the very least, the longer the better (my commute is 2 hours one way), and support for large memory cards. Non-replaceable batteries and internal storage in a device that costs several hundred quid is something I'll be glad to leave to the Apple crowd.
2. Small. Bullet cams would be ideal, mostly for vanity reasons. See notfastenough's comment. I'm happy to wear skin tight lycra and ignore mocking questions about how long it takes me to shave my legs, but the tellytubby look is where I draw the line.
3. I really like the idea of recording in segments and the oldest one being automatically overwritten. Sort of a fire and forget solution that you only need to touch when you need the last bits of footage.
4. Water- / rainproof. Obviously.
5. Mount-wise, I would want a rear facing stay-mounted cam, a cam on the handle bar, and a helmet-mounted one. I reckon the rear and front facing ones fitted to the bike don't need to have as good quality as the helmet cam, they would mostly provide support footage. But then, full HD doesn't seem that expensive anymore nowadays.
Currently considering the Roam 2 for the helmet, and two cheap and cheerful Crocolis HD for stay and bar. But if someone could recommend one which fulfils all of the above, that'd be much appreciated.
I think the Drift HD Ghost fits your criteria - you can set it so it's permanently recording, and then "tag" the mist important moments via a remote. It's quite bulky, but if you're attaching it to your bike you soon forget it's there.
It should be noted that the 10m water resistance refers to watertightness at that depth with no movement of the water in which the device is submerssed. 40mph down a hill in driving rain may very well put the same amount of (or more) pressure on some of the seals.
Looks ace. Especially with the Android app.
Just a bit wary of them claiming 2 hours battery life. Might be a tad short for my commute, depending on settings.
I was really excited by the look of this, but just wanted to check one thing. My fears were confirmed by this on the Shimano website:
Battery type: Li-ion battery 3.7v 950mAh (Non-removable)
I'm afraid a couple of hundred quid for something that's going to become a high-tech paperweight in a couple of years is not good value for me. I'm very disappointed at the proliferation of non-removable batteries in recent years, in everything from mp3 players to phones to bike lights, etc. I won't be supporting it. But if they come out with one that uses a removable battery, so that I can expect to have a reasonable lifetime out of the product and I can get a spare to record a ride longer than two hours, I'll be close to the front of the queue.
Ah, bugger.
All you'll need is a YouTube video, a couple of tools and a bit of patience to replace it, just like a smartphone battery. Besides, in two years time you'll be wanting to upgrade to a 4K or better unit anyway.
Love the size and weight of this thing. And waterproof without any extra case either. If the image quality is good this is a no-brainer decision over a go pro.
Pricing here in the US is showing as $300. That's, not surprisingly, very competitive.