Sony HDR-AS20 'waterproof' housing

The "waterproof" housing for this camera ruins what would otherwise be an excellent action camera.

The still images are crystal clear. The image stabilization in the video is awesome. Sound is clear.

But the housing totally sucks.
1) The lens cover is rounded, meaning images underwater are completely blurry. GoPro figured this out years ago and switched to a flat lens cover.
2) The bottom is not flat, so I couldn't set it down like I might a GoPro.
3) It has a nasty habit of not snapping fully closed.

#3 killed my camera on its 3rd use. I'd had the housing pop off outside water a couple times, but finally it popped open while I was swimming in the ocean and it was in my pocket. Goodbye camera.

In four years of using a GoPro in much more extreme circumstances (windsurfing and white water rafting), I never had problems. The Sony died while lazily snorkeling. Well, now I know why you spend the extra hundred bucks for the GoPro.

[AppliedScience]

Too bad about the camera.  That latch on the bottom definitely looks like it doesn't function as intended (slide to unlock).  Really nice lighting setup in this video, BTW.

[francoisBonin-phils]

And the imges are not focused because of the front lens of the housing!I modified it with a flat glass and now its ok.

[dvmartel]

My case passed it first dive to 30m, no problem. During the second dive to ~27m, I saw water leaking into the case. I didn't abort my dive, however, the sea water intrusion destroyed the camera. Never had the "pop open" issue you mention. I was able to returned the AS20 under Amazon's Prime's 30 day policy. I think these cases are fails. Don't count on it working as advertised by Sony: " WaterproofUp to 16.40 ft with supplied SPK-AS2 case" I don't think so!

[pinoficara]

tried mine yesterday, not waterproof either. Thankfully I found out before the seawater could damage the camera.

[djmoo]

I took mine underwater too, first thing. Used it carelessly and it stayed waterproof. Maybe there was some defect in the casing to start with? Mine does not pop open. Good thing to know though, I'm going to be careful when closing the case from now on.
I removed the screw underneath so that the casing stays upright position on a flat surface.
I bought a flat lens cover for mine (Sony Aka-rd1, $32)
I am more than happy with my Sony HDR as-20.

[worldadventuretravel]

I can't get the effing housing off. That and it appears to be screwed onto some horizontal plastic platform. WTF