Action cameras

Gaetan wrote:
From what we see in some post some people have very nice pictures
I would like to know what tipe of action cameras are you using.
Gopro ,garmin,or what?
I have not seen any with zoom?
Your comments will be appreciated
Gaetan

In the latest edition of Consumer Reports, they recommended a small JVC waterproof camcorder as a cheaper alternative to a GoPro. Though not their top rated camcorder, it is more capable than the GoPro and has a better picture too, and, as mentioned, it's cheaper. If interested, I'll post the model number when I get home.

I have seen other "gopro" type cameras for less $$$ at truck stops, etc.
I do not know sensor size/type in the GoPros but I question "professional" quality
bumpy

The "action" video cameras like Go Pro will give professional quality results but they are not intended for family videos or vacation videos. They have no zoom and they have no display screen (Go Pro sells an add on display screen) but they don't have these because they are intended to be fixed to something or someone that is moving to take continuous video of the action. If this is what you are looking for the Go Pro is a good camera. If you want more of a zoom in, zoom out camera that you can frame your shots on a display screen and take videos of your travels, etc. then look at the standard camcorders. They are compact and have a lot of features. Panasonic has a new camcorder with incredibly clear and steady 50x optical zoom.

Moved to the Technology Corner Forum.

Wayne
Moderator

I use a GoPro Hero 3 Black for skydiving, bicycling, snorkeling, etc. Picture quality is fantastic and generally speaking the wide angle lens works for the types of videos that I do. I can grab high quality stills from it, do time lapse and lots of other fun stuff. I have other cameras but they all gather dust now that I have the GoPro.

We've previously discussed my waterproof camera (Nikon AW100), but I didn't point out that it does have a zoom lens. It is still a compact camera, not designed to be attached to a motorbike helmet, but if you are looking for something you can film / photo with by hand rather than attached to a vehicle or helmet then that class of waterproof / shock proof compact camera may be worth considering.

Steve.

I use a GopPro hero 3 black edition, when I remember to take it. Also have a Canon Digital SLR that takes amazing pictures, but most of the time I wind up using my cell phone as I always forget to take the camera :)

Gaetan wrote:
Bumpyroad,
What would you buy, what are you using
Gaetan.

my DSLR is a Nikon D5100, with lenses from 8-16mm up to 600.
my best pocketable is a Sony RX100II which has a large/good sensor but costs $700. they now have a III for $800 which adds a viewfinder. these are probably the best truly pocketable ones out there.
my multipurpose small one is a Nikon coolpix S9500 with 22X zoom, wi-fi and GPS.
My latest/best cameras are in the ILC Sony NEX line, Nex 7 is the best
with a couple of 3s. these have APS-C sized sensors and the ILC mirrorless are rapidly replacing DSLRs.
I have a bunch more but these are the primary ones.
the only real choice IMHO would be to buy a ILC Sony and the choice would be full frame or APS-C.
If you want to discuss in depth, please PM me.

bumpy

I use a go pro silver 3, or a 10 mp point and shoot in rugged areas and a nice Panisonic DM50 with a 30-410 zoom for quality stills and video from a stationary vantage point.

I have put my GoPro on my bike handle bars, stuck it to the side of a boat, gone snorkeling with it, and just this week tied it to a quadcopter. Just can't do that with a regular camera!!

So get a GoPro if you are the action, or the camera is in the action. Get a regular camera if you are simply taking pictures of the action.