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Ion air pro camera

5K views 19 replies 9 participants last post by  Leo 
#1 ·
#5 ·
Uhhh, isn't the contour already a solid cylinder? If by solid cylinder you mean like a mag light, aluminium tube with lens on one end and access port on the other.

Just checked the specs on this ION camera and the base model looks similar in specs to the Contour Roam, at about the same price point ($229). But it's waterproof to 30 ft instead of 3 ft, and can take 60 fps at 720... If it's lense is as good as the contour then it's a pretty good deal. Would like to see a head to head comparison.
 
#12 ·
It's a good comparison video and quite frankly, the quality is comparable to the Hero2. Although I still like Hero2's saturation levels, the Ion PRO has a smoother video. The Hero 2 has a problem with image stability.

I wish I knew about this camera when I bought the Hero2. Would have made a trade.
 
#13 ·
I don't know. Youtube quality is so bad that when you upload anything to it things end up looking almost the same. 1080p to Vimeo would be better.

My monitor is 1690x1050. So I set youtube to 1080p and then go to full screen it should be beautiful but it looks like shit. Any difference between the two cameras is wiped away. I know the Hero2 looks better than that straight out of the camera. I also assume the Ion does as well. It's just so pixelated on youtube I think youtube is terrible for camera comparisons that's all. Seriously, put it on 1080p then go full screen.

ION AIR PRO TEST on Vimeo

This isn't a comparison but footage from an ion. Looks better and the Ion doesn't look too bad at all.
 
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#16 ·
While I completely agree as a self-proclaimed videophile that any type of compression means bad news for quality, YouTube comparisons still stand as valid.

1) What are you going to upload your video to? Let's face it, if you want the most views and easiest method of sharing, YouTube is going to be one of the homes for your videos.

2) While compression will degrade quality, you can still see the differences in these comparison videos. It's not like compression all of a sudden makes one upload much worse than the other. They both get compressed in the same manner. It's just that the artifacts will appear in different places. If the source video already sucks in quality, compressing it will just make that worse. If the source video quality is great, compressing it won't make it as bad as a source that was bad to begin with. Prove me wrong on this. Show me a GoPro 1 video on YouTube that looks better than a GoPro 2 video of the same resolution.

To me, it's very obvious that the ION has better image stability. The difference lies in contrast and saturation. Something tells me that even at the highest quality possible, this will still be the case between the two cameras.
 
#17 ·
[SNIP]
To me, it's very obvious that the ION has better image stability. The difference lies in contrast and saturation. Something tells me that even at the highest quality possible, this will still be the case between the two cameras.
Have you found image stabilization to be an issue from your personal experience with the Hero 2 (and the Hero 2 videos that are all over the place)? Or is that comment primarily based on the two comparison videos in this thread?
 
#20 ·
Ha, I wasn't being a lion, although that is what I was named after :thumbsup:

That's just me being a smart ass.

Yea, I notice more chop on the Hero 2, but this is based on numerous other ION videos. But yes, all were on YouTube. Not sure if one exists on Vimeo. But as I've said, I don't find YouTube to be obsolete. A lot of times, most people aren't even going to notice a difference between max quality YouTube videos and replay straight from the camera to your TV. That is as long as they have decent Internet connection with a decent gfx card and monitor.

Anyway, I am not by any means saying the ION is superior picture-wise. I find it good enough to warrant me choosing it over the GoPro. This is because of the camera's design. It also comes in a wi-fi model without the need for a bulky add-on like the GoPro. And for all the anti-teletubby people... ION won't make you look like one hahaha.

Truth be told, I'm completely happy with my Hero 2. Image is great. I can live with the chop.
 
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