Best Action Cams now?

Rumbo Sur

Rumbo Sur

learning everyday
Looking around at various action cams for On Bike filming. I was looking for alternatives to GoPro.

The latest GoPro6 looks pretty good but after some research I started reading up on the Sony FDRX3000. It's in same price range and specs out good. I'm concerned about editing and pairing with a new iPad ... I like it simple.

Also looked into the Sena Prism. It barely registered a mention on pro photo sites although their comm systems are highly rated.

Anyone using the Sony system above? Feed back? Or? Recommendations?

Knocks on GoPro are that if used hard ... they tend to break down in a year or so, so so image quality vs. Sony.
 
Slow Goat

Slow Goat

Fun Junkie
Sony always makes good gear but the GoPros arebuilt for this stuff we do. Great image stabilization, lots of formats and simple to interface with Apple products.

The Sony you mentioned lacks a view screen. That’s ok though, I have a Hero Session 4 (tiny 2”x2” block) that doesn’t have one - it’s easy to use the app to set the view and control the settings via WiFi/Bluetooth.
 
Rumbo Sur

Rumbo Sur

learning everyday
For a long time GoPro had no image stabilization at all ... and what it has now is electronic, not optical like Sony uses.

The Sony IS system was claimed to be better from several reviews I've read/viewed.

But you may have a point on ruggedness. But the Sony's are now broadly in use ... but I hear rumors they are abandoning this segment. No idea if true.

But as I mentioned a couple long time GoPro guys claimed the GoPros fail after hard use. (on motorcycles)

The GoPro seems to have more options for mounting ... have to try one out, see how it goes.
 
Rumbo Sur

Rumbo Sur

learning everyday
Thanks for posting those vids up. Leave it to Aussie DR650 legend Dr Grey to do some of the best reviews I've seen on these cameras.

Dr Grey is my DR650 Guru, he's posted some great upgrade tutorials on the Suzuki DR, also made the funny "KDM" vs. DR video most have seen. A crack up.

He also rides with a couple of the BEST pro dirt riders in OZ. You can see these incredible talents all through his Vids.

To my eye the Sony and GoPro look pretty equally matched image quality wise. YMMV. But I do like the Zeiss glass lens on the Sony.

Still looking for a comparo Sony vs. GoPro on ease (or lack of) of editing.

Great Vids! :thumbup
 
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Kestrel

Kestrel

Well-known member
I've had a slightly older Sony for a bit now. (AS200V). I like it a lot, and the newer stuff is even better. The profile requires a different mounting strategy than the GoPro stuff, but that really hasn't been a problem, and can even be seen as an advantage. I tried a few helmet mounts, and actually settled on some 3M Dual-Lock on both the camera case and my helmet, and thread the tether on the camera through a spot on my helmet just in case it falls. (It has *never* come loose, however.)

Sony does active image stabilization much better than the competition. GoPro is still catching up, but Sony's camera division has been around for a long time, and gave them a serious head start.
 
Moto Beck

Moto Beck

The Longest Title Allowed
I had a GoPro Hero 5 Session - just sold it for the Hero 5 with GPS that was on sale for $250.

PRetty nice upgrade - the gps telemetrics are great. The app for the computer and on the phone are horrible but i haven't used a good app for a camera yet.

For the price you can't go wrong. I dont think the 6 is worth the price premium unless you really want to shoot in 4k.

Specs on the Hero 5 is more than enough for my needs.
 
Rumbo Sur

Rumbo Sur

learning everyday
Kestrel said:
I've had a slightly older Sony for a bit now. (AS200V). I like it a lot, and the newer stuff is even better. The profile requires a different mounting strategy than the GoPro stuff, but that really hasn't been a problem, and can even be seen as an advantage. I tried a few helmet mounts, and actually settled on some 3M Dual-Lock on both the camera case and my helmet, and thread the tether on the camera through a spot on my helmet just in case it falls. (It has *never* come loose, however.)

Sony does active image stabilization much better than the competition. GoPro is still catching up, but Sony's camera division has been around for a long time, and gave them a serious head start.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the review. I'm pretty sold on the Sony at this point. Only question is editing.

How easy or hard is it on the Sony vs. GoPro?
Plan to use NEW iPad to store and edit videos. Just wondering how latest Sony FDR X3000 interfaces with Apple products. Any clues or experience?

I've heard good and bad reviews on the little Watch Monitor thingy that you can buy with the Sony camera. Seems handy in some ways but many say you cannot see the screen in any sort of bright light.

Sounds like many crap Cell Phones I've used. :thumbdown But it may have some other handy features like doing play back and such. Dunno. ??
 
Moto Beck

Moto Beck

The Longest Title Allowed
iMovie is a good stock app and free but the experience on iOS vs. MacOS is different. It's harder to crop and cut + add music (if that's your thing) to iOS iMOvie app. MacOS - very seamless and easy to trim and cut videos and add music.

Others may use different app or program but with iMovie being free - it's worth giving it a shot.

Also may be tough to use iPad for a few reasons:

1. if you have to upload video files to it through an app or over wifi - IT TAKES FOREVER - particularly if you're shooting in 1080 at 60FPS or higher

2. if you have a small storage size for your iPad - most 1080p videos take up a decent amount of space - the 20 minute sessions i took at the track on my gopro hero 5 @ 1080p x 90FPS were 4GB is size.

Ideally it's easier to take the memory card out - plug it directly into your computer and transfer what you want from there. Wireless transfer with videos of decent size can be really frustrating.
 
Rumbo Sur

Rumbo Sur

learning everyday
Thanks for the tips!
I'm not a computer literate guy but learning bit by bit.

I would do direct transfer via data card or card reader.

I also heard iMovie is a good starting point, then use Videorama for more detailed editing, effects and finally, the SPLICE app for sound/music. I may also Xfer a rough cut back onto my Desk top the use MacOS for final cut.

Final Cut Pro supposed to be good to ... no idea how to use it.

:port
 
M

MikeSteel

Rider
I think it depends on what is most important to you , if I wanted the best picture I would go with the x3000. The Hero 5 is a good deal for decent quality and super easy to use. Both are great but I personally like the stabilization and picture quality of the Sony over the GoPro.

That is just my opinion but I am poor and can't afford either of those:loser. I use a A/T action cam from Amazon that cost me $35 , shoots in 4k and also fits in a cheap gimbal I purchased for $99. I would not compare the quality to either but for under $150 I got an action camera with a bunch of attachments along with a kit of extra mounting attachments , a gimbal for off the bike shooting and I use VSDS video editor that was free. My wife also still uses my hero 2 which is indestructible and shoots in 1080 if that helps.

Good luck with your decision , it takes me quite a while to pull the trigger when looking for a camera and then it seems the day after I finally buy it they put out the new version.
 
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