RE: PokéBeach Technological Discussion Thread
The GoPro (HERO) seems to be the consumer standard for those kind of specific action shots; I've seen quite a few web-shows on YouTube that use it as a cautionary alternative to the more expensive DSLRs they use regularly, though you're not really getting the same quality, in a subjective sense, as said DSLRs and professional camcorders/studio cameras have far more customization options, both with hardware and software, to help you get the best shot possible without any post-production work. I say the subjective sense since you're getting the same base HD output as any HD camera, it's just in-camera image customization/alterations and adjustment that may not be present in the GoPro. For example, obviously just looking at the GoPro, you don't have the option of interchanging lenses (…unless I'm missing some new hardware), and the GoPro has a slightly fish-eyed lens, which is aptly geared towards action sports/etc., but for everyday sorts of shots, if you want to use the camera for that stuff, it might not be ideal depending on your level of scrutiny (fish-lens shots are usually an intentional aesthetic; in the general creative sense you'd be flattening your image based on whatever you're shooting and, in the case of a DSLR/professional camcorder, what your camera and lens allow for). But obviously you'd probably be conscientious of the whole lens deal if you're buying a consumer camera anyway; in that sense it's more important to look at customization details/settings in-camera when you're trying to distinguish between cameras of a certain price range. Seeing as the GoPro is just under entry-level DSLRs in terms of price ($300 with the helmet and gear as opposed to 500+ as a general grouping), you might want to make the extra investment for customization in the long-term, unless you're planning to be throwing this thing into the ocean/hurricanes/craters/black holes/etc., in which case by all means go with the GoPro
. In terms of customization though, the GoPro lacks things like manual white balancing, manual focusing (because of the lens), manual shutter speed settings, focal length adjustment (assuming the GoPro only does digital zoom, I'm not totally sure), and stripped-down manual exposure capabilities, which is a godsend when you get to editing, but can generally be replicated, albeit not as well, in an editor or compositor, but that's assuming again you want to have that much scrutiny anyway. Also, the audio for the GoPro is on the side of regular consumer cameras, which if you want to record out of the camera itself, will suck awfully in comparison to actual mics, which you'd be able to hook up via jacks and XLR inputs going up towards higher price ranges. Also, as far as I know the GoPro only records audio in mono, and has automatic gain control, which makes it
much harder to capture quieter sounds instead of fuzz. Again though, its really a matter of scrutiny, and for audio, you can always hook up a mic to a laptop and carry it around attached to a boom, at least if you're doing everyday sorts of things on land
(DO NOT SKYDIVE WITH A BOOM POLE).
But within its own price range, despite its shortcomings in relation to the higher price bracket, I'd say the GoPro is a solid (no pun) camera that takes its main advantage in the fact that its by far the most
versatile camera for its price, and if you get the helmet gear and what not, you can basically act as an automatic steady cam, and get unique shots in the process (I still wouldn't rule out getting a mono/tripod though). And because the primary focus is on video, it far outclasses the majority of horrendous cheap picture-cameras (which is a matter of hardware, i.e. CMOS sensor(s), auto-focus, etc.), though at the expense of a 1-2+ megapixel drop for stills.
And, you get some cool perks with the GoPro that you'd normally only find on more expensive DSLRs and camcorders, mainly its ability to shoot in 60 fps for slow motion (the true, "epic/300/Watchmen trailer" kind
, not the standard jitteriness of editor slow motion). However, if you want to get into things like short films or creative projects with a stressed importance on aesthetics, you don't get the 24 fps "film look," coupled with all the things I mentioned previously, so ultimately, you have to consider your uses first before getting the camera. For an all-purpose beginner's camera though, it's incredibly good.
