Action Cameras

"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg) 09/22/2015 at 08:54 • Filed to: None

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I know Oppo has some familiarity with dash cams, action cams, Go Pros, etc. I think I’m in the market for one, so teach me a bit.

All I really need is something that does 720P60 video or better. Actually 1080P60 is preferable if it can do 720 even faster (I like high speed video). I also really like the GoPro app where you can send the image over WiFi for preview. I can think of quite a few uses for that, so that capability is a must, I think.

So what can you all recommend that would meet my needs without breaking the bank? Is GoPro the best brand out there, or should I be looking at something else?

nermal > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/22/2015 at 09:05

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GoPro is the standard. I have the last version, which will do 720 @ 60 fps, or 1080 @ 30 fps. If you’re doing anything at high speeds, you’ll want to shoot at 60 fps.

The best thing about them honestly is the variety of mounts available. I bought a $50 kit (overpriced) that had a bunch of different stickies and mounts for the camera to get different angles. Works great.

MLGCarGuy > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/22/2015 at 09:09

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There are definitely brands with cheaper cameras, but I would say to stick with GoPro because they have the best accessory support, and plus the phone app is pretty nice.

The cheapest GoPro that will record at 1080p at 60FPS is the Hero3 Silver; it also records 120 FPS at 720p.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1003…

JR1 > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/22/2015 at 09:14

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Look at the Hero + LCD. That is what I have very happy with it. $300

TheHondaBro > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/22/2015 at 09:19

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My GoPro Hero4 Silver will shoot 720p120fps. It’s $400 though, so if you want something cheaper and are willing to compromise frame rate, the standard Hero is just fine.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > TheHondaBro 09/22/2015 at 09:25

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Yeah, $400 is a little steep, I was really hoping to be about half that. But it seems like to get the features I really want, I’m going to have to pay to play. I like the 3+, I think it does everything I want and I’ve seen them for $300, I might look on CL and see if I can get a used one for like $250.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > JR1 09/22/2015 at 09:25

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I’ll take a look at it. That’s definitely getting closer to what I want to spend. I really don’t know much at all about these cameras, I was thinking I’d be somewhere around $200, but it looks like I’m going to have to pay a bit more to get everything I want.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > nermal 09/22/2015 at 09:30

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That’s kind of what I was thinking. I did a little Amazon browsing and it seems like there’s GoPro for $200-$500, and then a bunch of imitation stuff for $75ish. I’m thinking just stick with the GoPro.

I’m mainly getting it because I’m shooting a 3 gun competition next month and I want to wear it on a headband. I may also use it for making videos whenever I get another motorcycle. Obviously it’s nowhere near a true highspeed camera (1,000 fps +) but I think the ability to do 60 FPS would be a big plus for my intended uses.

JR1 > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/22/2015 at 09:30

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I almost bought the $129 Hero but it doesn’t have wifi. Just so you know the new iPhone records in 4k. It makes me mad because my Go Pro only does 1080p60

Snuze: Needs another Swede > MLGCarGuy 09/22/2015 at 09:30

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Thanks for the advice. That’s probably going to be the one I end up going with.

chaozbandit > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/22/2015 at 09:37

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Sony’s Action Cams (AS100V, pre-4K, Hero 3+ equivalent) are pretty good and regularly found for ~$250. They ship default on the wide-angle setting and have arguably better audio quality than competing solutions. Not sure if it can shoot 1080p60, but I know mine can do 1080p30 and 720p60; havent tried them underwater but they seem to trade blows there; the GoPros do have slightly better colour dependent on lighting, something that can easily be addressed in post. Sony’s PlayMemories app is excellent for previewing and adjusting basic settings, and the new Action Cam app lets you import, export, and edit video on the fly. Can connect via WiFi if you want, but it also has built in NFC and GPS, displayable if you play with the settings

The saving grace of the Sony systems is probably the optical image stabilization, something you’ll notice very quickly if you, say, use it as a dash cam (the angle is wide enough to get most of the windscreen) and drive down a bumpy road.

Accessory wise, both GoPro and ActionCam use standard threading, so mounts are generally interchangeable and you don’t have to buy OEM if you don’t want to.

EDIT: Capture resolution is up to 1080p60, with 13.5MP stills. Currently $199 at B&H

Justin Hughes > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/22/2015 at 09:40

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My GoPro Hero 3 works well, and will do 720P60. The wide variety of mounts and accessories are where it’s at for this camera. I can put it practically anywhere I want between the suction cup mount and more permanent attachments. I use a handlebar mount clamped to my car’s tow hook for track video, and you get a good sensation of speed from that angle. Add a skeleton case and an external mike mounted in a good place (I’m still seeking the optimum location), and you get this:

I originally shot this at 1080P30, but you get the idea.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > chaozbandit 09/22/2015 at 09:49

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Thanks for the info, I’ll definitely take a look. It seems like it’s right in the price range I wanted to be in, and offers all the features I want.

horizonsofkhaos > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/22/2015 at 13:35

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If you don’t need it immeadiately keep an eye out for the Silver 3+’s going on sale. It’s happened a couple times over the last few months. Sometimes it pops up in the Kinja deals or other deal sites like Techbargains, etc. If you’re looking for small and not obtrusivethe new Session models are tiny, but they only do 60fps at 720p.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > horizonsofkhaos 09/22/2015 at 14:55

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Thanks, I’ll keep my eye out.

The Compromiser > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/22/2015 at 19:17

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http://www.isawcam.com

$299 cad. Likely cheaper in the us. Wife works in a Camera store. Says that is the one if you can’t gopro. Does highspeed slow speed at 120fps. Looks alright.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > The Compromiser 09/23/2015 at 07:07

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Thanks, I’ll check it out. I may just cough up a few extra bucks, though, and get a GoPro.

The Compromiser > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/23/2015 at 08:08

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That is what she said. We have a Shark for my middlest child (have a youngest and an oldest, so why not a middlest?) it takes good shots and uses most of the gopro compatible mounts. I don’t think it specs out as high however, but it does the wifi DL stuff, etc. and It was super cheap. We have video of it on him playing hockey and riding a plasma car. The SO hooked it up to the hand grip/steering portion so its a few seconds of shaky video and then left right left right in rapid succession. Nauseating.

horizonsofkhaos > Snuze: Needs another Swede 09/25/2015 at 10:47

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Amazon is currently running a killer sale on the Session 4 model. $299 + a $40 amazon gift card. I was incorrect earlier btw, the Session does do 1080p60p. Apparently I didn’t set it up correctly when I rented one in July.

http://www.amazon.com/s?rh=i%3Aelect…