After drowning my 2nd ION , I finally cracked and got a Go-pro and used it for the first time over the weekend.
I know have 3 cameras to test against each other.
Go-Pro White $270
ION $299 (non wifi)
Sony Action Cam $369.
Why did I get the white , beacuse it's cheap and has the same 1080 25p video quality as the black , doesn't have the same quality slomo but I do that in post production anyway , plus it only takes shots 4 per second not 11 or 30 but I don't use that feature either , it adds hours at the editing desk.
One thing I have learnt using all the different sport action cams , is that the base models are easrier to use and have much better storage and battery life. The wifi is a wank not worth the bother on all brands.
The Go-pro white still has the wifi but I never set it up , in this video and you will see that my subject is always centre in the shot , in general use you just don't need it , same with the remotes.
All 3 cameras have very unique features but similar specs and this is where the goal post shift. On paper there is not much between any of them BUT with the Go-Pro it's very different , it simply just sh!ts over the other 2 , not sure how it does it , but the quality & clarity of the picture is simply amazing.
Check out this video and you see what I mean , I have not altered or enhanced any vision (just a bit of slomo). The whole clip is shot on the Go-Pro white except for the very first still photo. Remember this is the very first time I have used this camera.
That's one cheap GoPro.. To think they were all $399 not long ago.
Great vid Rob..
My last GoPro just came out of the box.. Charged it and stuck in the card.. and used it.
I've done no mucking round with connecting it to my commuter or updating it..
Just used it out of the box and all's been fine.. I'm pretty happy with them now (GoPro's)
BTW.. Just bought myself one of these to compare... www.afternic.com/forsale/cobraxtreme.com?utm_source=TDFS_DASLNC&utm_medium=DASLNC&utm_campaign=TDFS_DASLNC&traffic_type=TDFS_DASLNC&traffic_id=daslnc&
Haven't used it yet.. Maybe tomorrow ..
DJ
The black has a better sensor chip for high res and slo-mo, it's also sharper than the silver or white doing 1080 @24/30fps, but for net videos you might not notice.
If you want a free gopro black, there's one rolling around out in the surf at Whale Beach, broke off my paddle last week.
Gotta say the quality of the black is awesome. It shoots at 60 fps and the photo quality is pretty schmick too. If your a gadget nerd like me you cant beat it. Took this shot on a beachie on the 30fps setting
The black definitely has a big difference in image quality over the white especially if you use the native modes of the sensor - 2.7k @ 30fps, 1060@ 60fps ( not 30) and 1440@30fps.
The reasons why the native modes are best are explained here by the guy that shoots and edits the Gopro Promo Videos, Head Production Editor and our GOpro User Forum Guru Abe Kiislevitz. It's how the images are down sampled that makes the difference between modes and even the Field of Views (narrow, wide, medium)
abekislevitz.com/understanding-your-new-gopro/
This is the comparison list of the current HD3 models compared to the previous GOpro models.
HD3 White 5MP is basically the same image quality as the Old HD1 (except with flat underwater lens)
HD3 Silver 11MP is basically the same image quality as the Old HD2 (except with flat underwater lens)
HD 3 Black 12MP is big step up on all of them mostly due to the 3x increased recording bitrate and new sensor.
As Rob has discovered, even the basic white camera can record awesome video in good conditions with little Risk of water ingress unlike the caseless, water resistant ONLY cameras. I agree with Rob, if you want reliability and good image quality, the white will serve you well if you use the BASIC camera features and forget about all the added BS like wifi etc. However if you want video for PRO production needs in more challenging conditions, the Black with Protune is the ultimate but comes with a huge learning and maintainance curve, not a camera for the mount and record crowd.
Fogging... It's easily prevented if you use 2 methods combined, like fog inserts and keeping your case and camera stored in a sealed lunch box half full of desiccant when not in use and don't introduce sweat on the camera when inserting it. There are many other combinations that work also.
Nice work Piros, enjoy your GoPro mate.