What camera to get ...

[Hai Nhi]

Yeah it's me again!

I was looking at the Go-Pro 3 camera and the pole. It's pretty cool, even though Amazon users don't have good reviews for it (3/5 stars average). Amazon.com: GoPro HERO3: Black Edition: Electronics

What's you guys using? How you like it?

I figured a conventional camera (or even a iPhone) could do the job. But then a new toy is always welcome.

Thanks.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: What camera to get ...

All depends on what exactly you want to use it for. While a GoPro will not give you the absolute best quality picture and sound, it's versatility is unparalleled. For situations where waterproofing is a must, it's great. Motion sports are good obviously, you've seen the YouTube videos, but it doesn't handle jerky motion well at all. For example, mounting on a mountain bike is pretty useless. My best shots with mine are underwater shots and when I mount it to my boat or canoe for really cool perspective shots that you can't get with other cameras.

If you're looking for a mountable type camera, GoPro is the only worthy one out there. Don't bother with the cheaper substitutions, you'll be disappointed.

 

[colbyt]

Re: What camera to get ...

Are you experienced with cameras?

The Go-pro is wonderful for what it is, what it does and its durable construction. It is severely limited by the fixed focus and limited range. While I would never mount a DSLR in the front of a canoe or boat a weather sealed DSLR body and lens is a far better choice for action pictures and even some limited video.

 

[Pony]

Re: What camera to get ...

All depends on what exactly you want to use it for. While a GoPro will not give you the absolute best quality picture and sound, it's versatility is unparalleled. For situations where waterproofing is a must, it's great. Motion sports are good obviously, you've seen the YouTube videos, but it doesn't handle jerky motion well at all. For example, mounting on a mountain bike is pretty useless. My best shots with mine are underwater shots and when I mount it to my boat or canoe for really cool perspective shots that you can't get with other cameras.

If you're looking for a mountable type camera, GoPro is the only worthy one out there. Don't bother with the cheaper substitutions, you'll be disappointed.

I respectfully disagree. There are a lot more of these types of cameras out this year than ever before, and most have only been out for a few months. Sony has an Action Cam out there that has image stabilization and takes really high quality video. I have seen side by side video of the same things shot with the GoPro, the Contour, and the Sony Action Cam.....and the Sony by far was the most stable. They all have more accessories and mounts than you can shake a stick at. The GoPro has many more, but no longer is it the "unparrelled" option.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: What camera to get ...

Well, the image "stabilization" on the Sony is a compete gimmick. It makes no difference how stable the image is with a refresh rate of 30 to 60 fps. Excessive motion on either camera give a wavy appearance to the video. It's not really stabilizing anything, it just crops your video to make it appear smoother but it degrades the quality. Under most circumstances either camera will perform well. I do a lot of underwater stuff with mine and the images you get with the GoPro are far superior for a $400 camera.

 

[Pony]

Re: What camera to get ...

Well, the image "stabilization" on the Sony is a compete gimmick. It makes no difference how stable the image is with a refresh rate of 30 to 60 fps. Excessive motion on either camera give a wavy appearance to the video. It's not really stabilizing anything, it just crops your video to make it appear smoother but it degrades the quality. Under most circumstances either camera will perform well. I do a lot of underwater stuff with mine and the images you get with the GoPro are far superior for a $400 camera.

Outside of 170 degrees it crops the image.....I too wish it was optical stabilization instead, but it shoots 720p at 120fps so the image is wicked smooth. I like the GoPro a lot....if I were buying I would probably go that route. I am just saying that the GoPro has some competition.

 

[Splat]

Re: What camera to get ...

I'm still a fan of the drift cameras.

 

[drrpm]

Re: What camera to get ...

I have a Go Pro Hero 2 and it performs well for what its designed to do. Using it for long shots doesn't work well because of its close in focus. I have a hard time seeing the little icons with my glasses on and I find it to be another distraction when getting ready to run a big rapid or waterfall in my kayak. Its really not worth filming the smaller stuff because even 6-8 foot drops don't look too impressive with it. Finally, I never really figured out what to do with the video after I shot it other than watch it a time or 2 at home and maybe show the wife and kids. I'm not into fooling around with editing and making videos.