I wanted to start this thread for a long time because our forum lacked one (and now we have one, yay!
)
So, the reason why I started this thread is so we all can have a place for discussion of some of the most well-known "action" cameras on the planet. In the recent years there surely have been lots of competition, especially from companies like Xiaomi, DJI, Insta360 and so on, but the one single camera that started it all was GoPro Hero. And I absolutely don't mean that other cameras are bad, all of them are good but GoPro seems to be one of the most interesting in my opinion and also has nicer design.
Hated by many tech bloggers for falling short of modern smartphones, sometimes hated by users for software and hardware bugs like overheating, despised by fans of other action camera brands but still used by millions! So why would anyone like them at all? Maybe because they are just fun! And innovative. Like a Nintendo Switch of a camera world.
It was one of the first cameras to feature "butter-smooth" software video stabilization that looked as if footage was shot with some sort of gimbal. It saved hours and HOURS of time for editors who otherwise would have needed to to it all manually in specific software. Same for nightlapse videos - you simply put it on a tripod, choose place and it shoots magical nightscapes, all without any software or editing required. That is what I call computational photography!
It certainly has its flaws, such as the mode switch button on the side that gets destroyed over time, which effectively kills waterproofing, as well as that the RAW photo format is still some weird .GPR instead of widely used .DNG, but those are rather side effects one can live with than dealbreakers.
That's my Hero 5 which I "fixed" with some duct tape (and a new battery recently!). Surely had to buy waterproof case for some rare water occasions. It is 9 years old and I still use it regularly. My iPhones on the other hand...well, 6s from same year is already dead🤣 Enjoying USB-C ever since then. It still works perfectly btw!
Still has some lovely night capabilities with a tripod and a bit of patience![;)]( "Wink ;)")
Btw, today they have revealed two new cameras, I honestly waited for Hero 14 because obviously my 5 needs a company, especially considering how much has changed ever since then: stabilization, new features and modes etc, a huge leap. Will probably have to wait for another year, considering there were news they are working on a rugged mirrorless camera (which could be a gamechanger IMO). I really want a new GoPro but with even larger 1' sensor, as some rumors suggest. However I might be not as hesitant and will maybe go with Hero 13, it is already so good, or maybe not?
Well, anyway. What is your GoPro? Do you use it alongside your iPhone/smartphone? Tell your experience, share photos, everything GoPro goes here
)So, the reason why I started this thread is so we all can have a place for discussion of some of the most well-known "action" cameras on the planet. In the recent years there surely have been lots of competition, especially from companies like Xiaomi, DJI, Insta360 and so on, but the one single camera that started it all was GoPro Hero. And I absolutely don't mean that other cameras are bad, all of them are good but GoPro seems to be one of the most interesting in my opinion and also has nicer design.
Hated by many tech bloggers for falling short of modern smartphones, sometimes hated by users for software and hardware bugs like overheating, despised by fans of other action camera brands but still used by millions! So why would anyone like them at all? Maybe because they are just fun! And innovative. Like a Nintendo Switch of a camera world.
It was one of the first cameras to feature "butter-smooth" software video stabilization that looked as if footage was shot with some sort of gimbal. It saved hours and HOURS of time for editors who otherwise would have needed to to it all manually in specific software. Same for nightlapse videos - you simply put it on a tripod, choose place and it shoots magical nightscapes, all without any software or editing required. That is what I call computational photography!
It certainly has its flaws, such as the mode switch button on the side that gets destroyed over time, which effectively kills waterproofing, as well as that the RAW photo format is still some weird .GPR instead of widely used .DNG, but those are rather side effects one can live with than dealbreakers.
That's my Hero 5 which I "fixed" with some duct tape (and a new battery recently!). Surely had to buy waterproof case for some rare water occasions. It is 9 years old and I still use it regularly. My iPhones on the other hand...well, 6s from same year is already dead🤣 Enjoying USB-C ever since then. It still works perfectly btw!
Still has some lovely night capabilities with a tripod and a bit of patience
Btw, today they have revealed two new cameras, I honestly waited for Hero 14 because obviously my 5 needs a company, especially considering how much has changed ever since then: stabilization, new features and modes etc, a huge leap. Will probably have to wait for another year, considering there were news they are working on a rugged mirrorless camera (which could be a gamechanger IMO). I really want a new GoPro but with even larger 1' sensor, as some rumors suggest. However I might be not as hesitant and will maybe go with Hero 13, it is already so good, or maybe not?
Well, anyway. What is your GoPro? Do you use it alongside your iPhone/smartphone? Tell your experience, share photos, everything GoPro goes here
