Which HD video camera to buy?
Discussion
I've been thinking about buying a GoPro (or similar) for some time and have finally decided to bite the bullet.
The GoPro 5 seemed like the natural choice (I've previous borrowed a GoPro4 and been very impressed with it for ease of use and picture quality etc), however I am aware there are some ongoing issue with the battery life amongst other things?
In terms of usage, I'd definitely want to take it snorkelling / scuba diving and for golf, whilst my wife would potentially use it for horse riding (with the chest strap). Having had an accident and a couple of near misses recently, I'm also tempted to stick it on the dash of my car for my commute!
Is the GoPro5 the best option, and if not, what is?!
What 'package' and accessories do I require, given my suggested usage above?
Any recommended sources for buying this?
Thanks
Sidicks
The GoPro 5 seemed like the natural choice (I've previous borrowed a GoPro4 and been very impressed with it for ease of use and picture quality etc), however I am aware there are some ongoing issue with the battery life amongst other things?
In terms of usage, I'd definitely want to take it snorkelling / scuba diving and for golf, whilst my wife would potentially use it for horse riding (with the chest strap). Having had an accident and a couple of near misses recently, I'm also tempted to stick it on the dash of my car for my commute!
Is the GoPro5 the best option, and if not, what is?!
What 'package' and accessories do I require, given my suggested usage above?
Any recommended sources for buying this?
Thanks
Sidicks
There are a lot of alternatives that are cheaper than gopros - but gopros have the benefit of a massive amount of accessories on the market. Im afraid I cant offer alternatives, as i tend to stick with gopros, as I use them for work, and producers tend to be happier with names they recognise.
Worth noting there isnt a huge difference between the 4 black and the 5, at least when it comes to image quality: https://havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer/gopr...
The 5 has the screen built in, and the whole thing itself is waterproof, which is nice. Screen does kill the battery life though - For how i use them, i set up a shot and check the framing on the wifi iPhone app, then switch off wifi so save battery. Thats why i tend to prefer using the 4 black. But if you plan on using it more like a traditional camcorder at times, then a screen on the back may be useful. (and you might want to think about a handle or gimbal to hold it, if you plan on using it that way - as minicams are so small and light, handheld footage can be very wobbly to watch.)
For diving, its worth looking into colour filters - they massively improve the colour rendition underwater, and you can get different colour filters for different types of water you might be swimming in: http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/when-to-use-gopr...
Also its worth considering a different housing - water changes the field of view of the lens, and everything becomes much more 'zoomed in' underwater. - so a case like this one, corrects for that: http://oceanleisurecameras.com/inon-sd-mount-cage-...
Theres many mounts for diving, you might want a head mount, wrist mount, chest mount etc - and often its just down to personal preference.
Id start with working out what camera will best suit your needs, then what accessories you want to get the shots you'd like. some accrues can be specific to the model camera, so worth making sure what you get is for the right camera.
- Pete
Worth noting there isnt a huge difference between the 4 black and the 5, at least when it comes to image quality: https://havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer/gopr...
The 5 has the screen built in, and the whole thing itself is waterproof, which is nice. Screen does kill the battery life though - For how i use them, i set up a shot and check the framing on the wifi iPhone app, then switch off wifi so save battery. Thats why i tend to prefer using the 4 black. But if you plan on using it more like a traditional camcorder at times, then a screen on the back may be useful. (and you might want to think about a handle or gimbal to hold it, if you plan on using it that way - as minicams are so small and light, handheld footage can be very wobbly to watch.)
For diving, its worth looking into colour filters - they massively improve the colour rendition underwater, and you can get different colour filters for different types of water you might be swimming in: http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/when-to-use-gopr...
Also its worth considering a different housing - water changes the field of view of the lens, and everything becomes much more 'zoomed in' underwater. - so a case like this one, corrects for that: http://oceanleisurecameras.com/inon-sd-mount-cage-...
Theres many mounts for diving, you might want a head mount, wrist mount, chest mount etc - and often its just down to personal preference.
Id start with working out what camera will best suit your needs, then what accessories you want to get the shots you'd like. some accrues can be specific to the model camera, so worth making sure what you get is for the right camera.
- Pete
Fordo said:
There are a lot of alternatives that are cheaper than gopros - but gopros have the benefit of a massive amount of accessories on the market. Im afraid I cant offer alternatives, as i tend to stick with gopros, as I use them for work, and producers tend to be happier with names they recognise.
Worth noting there isnt a huge difference between the 4 black and the 5, at least when it comes to image quality: https://havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer/gopr...
The 5 has the screen built in, and the whole thing itself is waterproof, which is nice. Screen does kill the battery life though - For how i use them, i set up a shot and check the framing on the wifi iPhone app, then switch off wifi so save battery. Thats why i tend to prefer using the 4 black. But if you plan on using it more like a traditional camcorder at times, then a screen on the back may be useful. (and you might want to think about a handle or gimbal to hold it, if you plan on using it that way - as minicams are so small and light, handheld footage can be very wobbly to watch.)
For diving, its worth looking into colour filters - they massively improve the colour rendition underwater, and you can get different colour filters for different types of water you might be swimming in: http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/when-to-use-gopr...
Also its worth considering a different housing - water changes the field of view of the lens, and everything becomes much more 'zoomed in' underwater. - so a case like this one, corrects for that: http://oceanleisurecameras.com/inon-sd-mount-cage-...
Theres many mounts for diving, you might want a head mount, wrist mount, chest mount etc - and often its just down to personal preference.
Id start with working out what camera will best suit your needs, then what accessories you want to get the shots you'd like. some accrues can be specific to the model camera, so worth making sure what you get is for the right camera.
- Pete
Some excellent food for thought there - many thanks!Worth noting there isnt a huge difference between the 4 black and the 5, at least when it comes to image quality: https://havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer/gopr...
The 5 has the screen built in, and the whole thing itself is waterproof, which is nice. Screen does kill the battery life though - For how i use them, i set up a shot and check the framing on the wifi iPhone app, then switch off wifi so save battery. Thats why i tend to prefer using the 4 black. But if you plan on using it more like a traditional camcorder at times, then a screen on the back may be useful. (and you might want to think about a handle or gimbal to hold it, if you plan on using it that way - as minicams are so small and light, handheld footage can be very wobbly to watch.)
For diving, its worth looking into colour filters - they massively improve the colour rendition underwater, and you can get different colour filters for different types of water you might be swimming in: http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/when-to-use-gopr...
Also its worth considering a different housing - water changes the field of view of the lens, and everything becomes much more 'zoomed in' underwater. - so a case like this one, corrects for that: http://oceanleisurecameras.com/inon-sd-mount-cage-...
Theres many mounts for diving, you might want a head mount, wrist mount, chest mount etc - and often its just down to personal preference.
Id start with working out what camera will best suit your needs, then what accessories you want to get the shots you'd like. some accrues can be specific to the model camera, so worth making sure what you get is for the right camera.
- Pete
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