An integrated hands-free, point of view, action-sports, digital video camera (or camcorder) (10) includes: a rotary horizon adjustment controller (14) for adjusting the orientation of a horizontal image plane (16) recorded by an image sensor with respect to the orientation of a camera housing (22); a laser alignment system with laser sources (48) capable of projecting light to define a horizontal projection axis (52) that is coordinated with orientation of the horizontal image plane (16); a manually operable switch (80), which covers a microphone (90) whenever the switch (80) is in the OFF position, for controlling video data capture; and a “quick-release” mounting system (120) that retains a desired orientation of the camera (10).