‘Forgive me Father, for I have sinned’.
Well sinned is a little strong, so let’s try succumbed.
After resisting for several years, I have finally bought a
new laptop (Dell XPS 13 13.3 inches) and a new GoPro Hero 5 Black action
camera. I’ll review the laptop another time – it is a startling bit of kit,
which we bought with an eye to the future. Lightweight, extremely powerful with
huge processing speed, we intend doing lots of travelling eventually and this
will fit the bill. From blogging to vlogging and from processing photographs to
writing articles, skyping and managing our travel plans, this wee beastie will
do it all…….fast!
Anyway back to the GoPro. I have been a long-time fan of
these. I bought a Hero2 many, many years ago and it has done extraordinary
service. I have a couple of cheaper SJCAM’s and these have bobbed up and down on
my ‘from water filming platform’. They take regular dunking’s and have also
stood up well.
However, with all three the ability to stick them way
forward on the boat or up high on the yards or down a long footpath to get ‘walking
or biking towards’ shots is difficult. One doesn’t have Wi-Fi; the other two
connect intermittently with the mobile phone and so it is hit and miss.
But this new camera?
Well, frankly, it has been a revelation to me. Now I have
only had it a couple of days and so I am still learning the tricks, hoovering
up any scraps of information I can find on how to set it correctly and how to
play with all the options but here is an initial summary of its features and my
first impressions. I will give a fuller
report on it with more video when I have mastered the basics. Suffice to say, I
am reviewing this camera from two viewpoints
a) using it on an open, slow day sailing boat and b) as an action camera in my ‘travel kit’
So let’s get started.
Packaging and ‘what’s
in the box?’
·
Normal GoPro Perspex box top and cardboard
bottom.
·
Mounted on a black plastic plate with moulded
mount. I save these. I haven’t found a use for them yet but I know there is a
use out there somewhere. First thing to note – loving the new mount clip – gone
are the hexagonal nuts, replaced with a flat nut – much better; as is the
rubber insert in to the mount which locks the clip securely in place. Again
much better than the old white plastic rubbery C clip thingy.
·
Sadly, and of concern, the perplex box had a whacking
big crack in it indicating some heavy impact somewhere – despite it being
wrapped well in several layers of bubble wrap. I informed the seller on eBay
and made it clear that if the camera malfunctions in any way I am putting it down
to this impact and I am getting my refund. I’ve sent photographs as well (so far it seems
to be working on video and photo mode with no problem – touch wood)
·
In the
box – the camera, the outer securing frame, one buckle mount, one
curved adhesive mount, one flat surfaced adhesive mount, a USB cable
Features:
|
·
Comes with 4K
video, at 30fps/1440ps80/1080p120/4k30
·
Waterproof to
10m
·
a 2 inch
touchscreen which accesses the settings,
·
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
·
voice activation
·
12 MP photo/30
fps burst; time lapse;
·
one button
control
·
longer life battery
·
one button power
up and immediate recording
|
·
USB C port
·
Two microphones
– I think I read it may have three - so
stereo at least
·
Side located
mode button
·
Location capture
·
Advanced wind
noise reduction
·
Video stabilisation
·
Mic input
·
RAW and WDR
photographs
|
The associated
apps
GoPro have a whole host of apps for this camera and I am
only getting to grips with these. There is the standard editing suite GoPro
Studio, which I am familiar with and use occasionally although thus far all my
videos have been done on basic windows moviemaker, which alas, Microsoft, in
their infinity wisdom, have seen fit to discontinue support for…….a pity…..I
was a fan of moviemaker. Maybe that was the problem….maybe I was the only fan
of it worldwide!!
Back to the GoPro apps. I won’t review these here because I
have barely got to grips with them but I did install Gopro Capture on my
mobile smartphone. It linked instantly with
the camera and hey, it does exactly what it says in the blurb……..I can
activate the camera, switch it off, see what views I have got, change settings,
toggle between the different video and photograph modes and download the images
and video to my phone. Awesome! Initially very impressed.
(It is so sad. Simple things impress me. Clearly I am soooo
behind with technology but coming up 55 I never thought I’d be into video
editing or using smart phone technology so hey, I’m happy in my little ‘luddite’
bubble!)
- ·
Quik - allows rapid cutting of quick movie from
photos and video footage; and Splice apps - offers more control over editing but is
only for use with apple systems – I think - still getting to grips with them
but seem easy to use. Apps give some simple project themes. Quik
analyses video clips, finds the good stuff, allows further trimming, adds
transitions, effects, and I think then sync’s to music chosen - I’ll let you know further!
- · Capture –
see what I said above
First thoughts on
switching it on in the house
|
For:
·
Voice activated
camera controls are fun
·
Impressive video
and image quality at 1080/60
·
Easy to use GoPro
Capture app for tethering to smartphone – really useful for framing
shots and using from distance
·
Rubberized outer
shell makes it grippier
·
Allows
attachable filters for snorkelling and diving – useful
·
Can use exposure
controls for photos (but I don’t have that expertise….yet!)
·
Ditto - The built-in spot metering
·
Electronic image stabilisation is very useful
·
Easy to understand menu system – based on swiping screen and touch
·
Can use both top and side buttons together to change
settings using small front screen when under water etc. This will be useful
·
Can use up to 128mb SD micro cards - much better than my old Hero 2
·
Being able to go to 5m at least in water without any bulky
waterproof casing
·
Good sound quality indoors
|
Against?
·
Will wind noise
affect my voice commands?
·
Plastic mounting
frame – how strong is it?
·
Lack of
protective waterproof case makes it feel fragile
·
Will touch
screen work when covered in water droplets? (I think you may need to lock
screen before going near water so it doesn’t keep altering)
·
EIS uses up
battery juice rapidly; so does GPS, as I discovered within twenty minutes
·
Can’t do GPS overlays to show speed or elevation etc. as
video overlays - irritating!
·
Recording lights are tiny and difficult to see so I suspect
I will sometimes not realise whether I am recording or not
·
How will managing settings be using touchscreen if camera
is attached to helmet? Guess that is where Capture app comes in
·
Doors are pretty stiff to open and took me a little time to
work out
·
Scratching the back screen is a concern (so I have ordered
two screen protectors)
·
Need to use the ‘bumper’ casing in order to use different
mounts but then that is no different to having it in the old waterproof
casing I guess
·
I just wish they would come with manuals but that is just
my ‘luddite’ tendencies escaping again
|
It takes a time to get to grips with the swiping touch
screen and it doesn’t always work but I think that is more my technique and it
will become easier as I get more familiar with it. I like the rubberised
exterior. Feels grippy, probably will protect it a little more against knocks.
The touch screen is very clear, the commands appear clear in good sized
font. The EIS does, indeed, make the
videos less bouncy. I’ve been surprised at how much smaller it is compared to
my SJCAM’s and GoPro Hero 2. It is taking time to remember the voice commands!!
And it does sound slightly daft talking to yourself out in public “GoPro, power
down”, “GoPro, start video”!!
Talking of voice controls, as far as I can work out so far,
these are
|
·
"GoPro, stop time lapse"
·
"GoPro, video mode"
·
"GoPro, photo mode"
·
"GoPro, time lapse mode"
·
"GoPro, burst mode"
·
"GoPro, turn off"
|
·
"GoPro, start recording"
·
"GoPro, highlight"
·
"GoPro, stop recording"
·
"GoPro, take a photo"
·
"GoPro, shoot burst"
·
"GoPro, start time lapse"
|
The voice
commands are cool.
I tried
them on the wife, “her-indoors take the rubbish out”; “Her-indoors, make the
tea”. The bruise on the back of my head
is still throbbing. It was worth a try though!
Anyway,
lots of homework to do now getting to grips with an extraordinary little piece
of technology.
Favourable
first impression – well done GoPro.
Please note: I do my reviews as an independent user. I have no sponsorship with any supplier. It is my own independent findings and thoughts