Action Cameras

[Carbon Tart]

Looking to fit a decent action camera to my roll bar with an external microphone so that wind noise can be managed. Easy answer is Go pro or Sony FDR X3000. Would welcome opinions before deciding.Thx

[Jonc]

I recently bought the GoPro Hero 7 Black and totally recommend it. The stabilisation is fantastic and the footage is not far off from what you get from a camera mounted on a gimbal. Plus there are tons of accessories for the GoPro ecosystem. It's also waterproof without needing it to be placed inside a waterproof housing which can ruin the audio.

Here's my GoPro mounted on my Audi R8
https://youtu.be/ssBAweiDjWE

Edited by Jonc on Friday 16th November 19:02

[TheRainMaker]

Don't know about any other options, but the GoPro mount is chocolate at best, the Sony has a proper threaded mount.

The audio is better on the Sony.

The stabilization is better (optical) on the Sony, it is still only software based on the GoPro and looks poop in low light.

Very good review here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YRLyetbQ-c

[Jonc]

I've used both and the Hero 7 has much better stabilisation, especially when it's hard mounted to something like a rollbar which will transmit vibrations to the camera. The vid below can demonstrate this, granted it's mounted to a skate board, but the effect would be similar.
https://youtu.be/Spd8qUvIr1E

With regards to the audio, again, the Hero 7 is better as it has a very effective wind filter in its software and will not be muffled as the camera will not be housed in case, which is good on those wet days. In anycase, the point is moot since the OP will be using an external mic.

[TheRainMaker]

Jonc said:

I've used both and the Hero 7 has much better stabilisation, especially when it's hard mounted to something like a rollbar which will transmit vibrations to the camera. The vid below can demonstrate this, granted it's mounted to a skate board, but the effect would be similar.
https://youtu.be/Spd8qUvIr1E

With regards to the audio, again, the Hero 7 is better as it has a very effective wind filter in its software and will not be muffled as the camera will not be housed in the case, which is good on those wet days. In anycase, the point is moot since the OP will be using an external mic.

If he's using an external mic, the sony has a 3.5mm socket, no stupid adapter needed.

First time I have ever heard anyone say the GoPro has better audio than the Sony, same as the stabilization.

[Jonc]

Great! My claim to fame, I'm your first!

[TheRainMaker]

Jonc said:

I've used both and the Hero 7 has much better stabilisation, especially when it's hard mounted to something like a rollbar which will transmit vibrations to the camera.

Shouldn't really be using stabilisation when mounted to a roll bar etc etc, it will give the impression the camera is floating inside the car. Same rule as if you were to put a camera on a tripod.

Use proper mounts, not plastic fantastic GoPro ones

[Jonc]

TheRainMaker said:

Shouldn't really be using stabilisation when mounted to a roll bar etc etc, it will give the impression the camera is floating inside the car. Same rule as if you were to put a camera on a tripod.

Use proper mounts, not plastic fantastic GoPro ones

Well if that's the case then the FDRX3000 is no good since you can't turn off the OIS.

[300bhp/ton]

Very pleased with my Go Pro. Not saying others can’t work out too. But the Go Pro just works and gives great results in return.

https://youtu.be/Tt0EaiGuk4U
https://youtu.be/ExiRWpE7diI

[TheRainMaker]

Jonc said:

TheRainMaker said:

Shouldn't really be using stabilisation when mounted to a roll bar etc etc, it will give the impression the camera is floating inside the car. Same rule as if you were to put a camera on a tripod.

Use proper mounts, not plastic fantastic GoPro ones

Well if that's the case then the FDRX3000 is no good since you can't turn off the OIS.

Screenshot 2018-11-16 at 22.14.43 by The Rain Maker, on Flickr

[Jonc]

Yes, SteadyShot is the electronic part of stabilisation that works with OIS and that bit can be turned off but note that it's not availalbe when shooting 4K. Optical image stabilisation cannot be turned off. Hypersmooth stablisation is availble on the GoPro Hero 7 at 4K 60fps AND all stabilsation can be turned completely off on the GoPro if needed.

[TheRainMaker]

Can you point me at the part of the manual that covers this please , can’t find anything to back this up.

[Jonc]

TheRainMaker said:

Can you point me at the part of the manual that covers this please , can’t find anything to back this up.

Well if you haven't already realised or just deliberately being argumentitive, I don't have the camera anymore but I remember it did clearly differentiate the two as having both "optical AND electronic Steadyshot stabilisation", its in the spec list if you care to look it up. With SteadyShot the image is cropped. It's the same with the GoPro (footage you can review with its built in display, something which can't be done with the Sony!). OIS is the mechanical part of the stabilisation and cannot be disabled hence why it enabled in all resolutions whether you like it or not and the fact they Sony sells a motor vibration absorber mount to counter this. If you had the camera you can cleary see the difference when Steadyshot is enabled since the footage is clearly cropped.

At the end of the day, I've tested both and chose the Hero 7 over the FDR X3000 as it best matches my needs. I've laid out my experiences of both for which the OP asked for and will leave it up to him to make his decision and I'll leave it there, Have a nice day.

Edited by Jonc on Saturday 17th November 10:41

[Carbon Tart]

Bit confused by the floating around comment but then I'm an action camera virgin. If I go with the Sony I would fit it in their motor vibration absorbing mount. I particularly want the facility for external mike so I can experiment with recording exhaust tone , induction roar and commentary with wind noise reduced as much as possible. The Sony also has a remote screen facility. So, at this stage still not totally decided and I've watched YouTube reviews till I fall asleep- guess this means they are both good product and the choice is AC market leader or world class camera/ electronics brand.

[TheRainMaker]

Carbon Tart said:

Bit confused by the floating around comment but then I'm an action camera virgin.

Very helpfully, if you watch the video which has been posted of the landrover, the camera is attached to the windscreen, however using the stabilization the camera appears to float around above the bonnet, it should be static.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt0EaiGuk4U&fe...

Mind you it could have been handheld, which if it is fair enough.

Here is another example of it, you can see the frame moving in the car, which gives a very strange effect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgNWXMFqUKY

This is ideally what you want to achieve, look at the shots with the car in the frame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IHLd-XeyIw

Edited by TheRainMaker on Saturday 17th November 14:09

[Carbon Tart]

Thx Rainmaker thats really useful. Guess Ill chew on it and wait for Santa

[300bhp/ton]

I can confirm the Land Rover footage is indeed the camera hard mounted to the dash and using the electronic stabilisation.

I personally really like it as it shows how much the vehicle is moving about but keeps the image nice and crisp. I have non image stabilised action cams and the vibrations off road can cause some horrible distortion and banding on the image.