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GoPro alternatives...SJ4000 vs. Mobius vs. Contour

11K views 39 replies 21 participants last post by  TooNice 
#1 ·
anyone use any of these for filming your riding? how do you like it?
 
#3 ·
I have the GoPro 3 Black edition and I love it. I use it snowboarding constantly, and also while scuba diving/standup jetskiing.

The contour is a nice option as well but you are much more limited on accessories and quality. I disagree on the 720p being all you need though. I shoot 720p @ 120fps while diving but otherwise my film is all 1080p or better. And having the option to shoot at 4k is nice.

GoPro studio is also nice and easy to use for video editing without having learn to use after effects etc.

The video on this home page was filmed with my gopro at 1080p @ 60fps Ballistic Boardwear and all these clips were as well. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBmTi87w1EnSYh8eha_NfxA
 
#10 ·
Having used a gopro 3 black then moving to the Sony AS100 action cam, I like the Sony better. Here is why:

1) Video stability. Sony has built in software to reduce the "shaking" of the video. Sure you can use software later to stabilize it but then it warps the video some what.
2) Colors - I find the colors on the Sony are truer colors.
3) Form of the camera - It's not a square box!
4) Less of a fish bowl picture

The most important thing for me was the video stability feature that was built into the Sony. I hated the way the GoPro shook all the time, watching videos from gopro make me like i was having seizure.

Plus you can use most of the extensions from gopro as well.
 
#19 · (Edited)
I think the image stabilization is what causes the sketchy video quality. It looks like it's trying to compensate for camera movement, and doing a pretty bad job. The GoPro and Contour in 720 mode seem to have the best picture quality without the shakes and distortion.

Edit: this video only shows the camera when it's still... 1080p has a better picture quality, but once the camera itself starts moving the image becomes distorted.
 
#17 ·
Haven't tried the Sony. Have a Contour 2+ I believe it is. Battery seems to die almost immediately in the cold, lucky to get a minutes footage. Took a spare battery, dies almost immediately. Replaced the contour under warranty. Same issue. Suspect they use Li-Ion batteries and don't tolerate the cold particularly well. Bit of a shame as it isn't a bad camera when it actually works.

Will stick with my Go Pro.
 
#18 · (Edited)
I just bought a Sony AS100 last week and I like it alot more than my gopro 3 black. The image stabilization is really amazing for snowboarding vids. You do lose the full "fisheye" when you turn it on though. Going to take some more clips for this season and will make a video of it later.

I also picked up the live view remote and wrist/goggle mounts. The live view remote is really useful since when I'm up on the mountain I don't always want to be taking out my phone to look if it's at the right height/angle/etc. The wrist mount is kinda so so for me because I don't really want to be holding my arm up like buzz lightyear all day. Goggle mount is nice though since it goes on the side of my head instead of making me feel like a beetle with my gopro on my helmet.

EDIT: I do wish I could watch replays on the live view remote, dunno why they couldn't do that. :/
 
#21 ·
Yea...the Sony video stabilization is very apparent in the side by side comparison. But, it is just doing real time what you can do later in post. So in my opinion you should go with the best quality you can get, and then fix the rest in post.

But if you have no skills in video editing, or time, or desire. And just want to video and directly upload to youtube than the Sony might be the better option.
 
#22 · (Edited)
This ^^ The reason most "professional's" use GoPro's (Other then the cash and sponsership :happy:) is because it has a lot of editing features that a someone that knows their stuff would use. It has a lot more verity in terms of shooting modes and angles and such. For example, GoPro doesn't have good Video Stabilization is because it leaves the editor or composter to work stabilization into the video in an editing software. (Premiere, Vegas, FCP) It leaves them to be able to have much more control and would in the end, come out with a better stabilized video! Same thing goes with protune on GoPro, it leaves all the extra Colour Correcting the camera does itself out. Leaving it with a very flat ugly video, but recorded in a much higher bitrate! This allows editors to really play with the footage and create there own colour correction, which in the end, again, will look miles better then the Action Cam or regular GoPro colour! I won't keep going on but you get my point. If you are just starting off with editing and Action Camera's in general, I would go with either maybe last years GoPro model (3+) (It hasn't changed much at all unless you count 4k/30fps or 2k/45fps) or the Sony.

Hope this has helped!

PS: All video's that GoPro promotes are shot in Protune and are editing out by professional editors, don't expect it to look as good as the videos do.

GoPro IS moving more towards professional filmmaking with the higher models.
It is very easy to remove fisheye effect in editing programs, they include it because it captures a wider point of view,

Haha, basically, if you don't know how to edit, the GoPro will look good! But I would go with the Sony!!!
Goodluck
 
#24 ·
I was a very avid user of the Hero2 till I lost it on a beach dive. I absolutely loved using it. 95% of the time I shot in 720 60FPS, mainly for the slow mo. I haven't mustard up the loot for a new GoPro, I went with the SJ4000. Its a pretty decent replacement. I still shoot in 720. I compared it to my buddy's Hero 1 and the go pro has a notable quality difference, even at the Hero 1 level. The are two major draw backs I have had with the SJ400. The first is that it does not have a very good time lapse function. 1 sec compared .2 sec on the hero. The other is that it has a tendency to corrupt video during high impacts, ie percussion from the gun range and not being seated in the case properly during some laps in the park.
 
#26 ·
Any reason the Drift Ghost HD or Ghost-S isn't included?
Its a GREAT camera. Both versions are waterproof. The Ghost-S allows you to record in 1080p @ 60fps (completely unnecessary unless you are planning to watch it on a HD tv larger than 37" but still). Plus it has a playback screen on the side so that you can watch immediately. Also has a remote you wrap around your wrist


 
#31 ·
I've decided that I will remove low light time-lapse performance as my requirement. Reason being that I can't find comparisons as this is not the main purpose of the camera, and I can (do) take those kind of photos with my DSLR anyway.

Therefore, I am only interested in something well suited for snowboarding, and the option of pairing it with a remote I can strap on my wrist is a must.

I was going for the Ghost-S but.. (see below).

After more digging, I have narrowed down to three options:

Drift Ghost HD (non-S): I can import it from the US for about $225 delivered. Everything I need out of the box, though the tech is older and if something goes wrong, it'll be a pain to send back.

GoPro Hero4 Silver + Remote: The biggest issue is the price. $480 is a lot for what I want to do.. People keep mentioning about the Teletubbies issue, can't it be mounted on the side too?

Sony AS30VR (include remote): In Japan, can be picked up for under $195. Of course, once I add the necessary mount it is about the same as the Drift Ghost HD. It is a newer camera though, and I would hope that support/returns would be less troublesome. I am leaning towards this option right now.

Any comments before I press the buy button? :)

Any reason the Drift Ghost HD or Ghost-S isn't included?
Its a GREAT camera. [...]
Have you used either/both? On paper, I really like the Ghost series. They definitely do what I want (not that much), for much less than what GoPro would cost. I read their Android app is really awful, but for my purpose a remote is more useful and adding $80 for a remote for a Hero4 Silver cost more than I would ideally like to spend.

What put me off the Ghost-S is this: http://www.snowboardingforum.com/ph...edia/138073-drift-ghost-s-major-problems.html

Since the issue was raised, the firmware has not been updated leading me to think that the issue might still be there.
 
#27 ·
Ive had the Sony, Gopro, and Drift. They are all comparable in quality with none really standing out from the rest.

I chose to keep the Gopro because, like Apple, they have the most 3rd party support. There are so many different options for mounts, poles, etc for the Gopro that isnt available for the Sony and Drift.
 
#28 · (Edited)
My snowboarding is too awful for me to want to wear a camera when I am riding but I am looking at an action camera for two very different reasons:

1. I want to be able to attach it to some kind of stick (selfie stick, cheap monopod) that I can stick in the snow besides a kicker, so that I can record and review what I am doing wrong (and, right hopefully).

2. One of my non-winter hobbies is mountain climbing and photography, and I also like taking time-lapse of the night sky (star-trails).

At the moment, my two candidates are the GoPro Hero4 Silver and Drift Ghost HD (the -S version seems very hard to get in Japan - the only place I saw it was rather extortionate).

Since I do not need super high resolution of me sucking, I don't particularly care for super high video quality.

However, I would be able to remotely start the recording before I hit the kicker, and stop the recording after. GoPro has a remote, but for a lot of extra money. Wi-Fi is viable but it would require me taking off my gloves and using my phone which is not that convenient. The Ghost on the other hand is bundled with the remote for the $300 it still costs in Japan.

I am a bit put off by the fact that it is a lot more expensive in Japan than it can be found in the US, but I might overlook it if the low light performance for still photos is half-decent. Are there are tests online that look into this aspect?

Edit: I'd also like to know more about the Drift remote vs the GoPro remote. The GoPro remote seems awfully expensive.. does it do any more than the bundled Drift remote?
 
#30 ·
Just found an online shop that sells the Ghost-S for a very good price in Japan (delivered for about $320). What is stopping me is the Amazon customer reviews (http://www.amazon.com/GHOST-S-DIGIT...UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=byRankDescending). I don't mind if it doesn't have the best video quality, but I am quite terrified of DoA, especially as the store I found.. while having very good feedback on Yahoo Auction (Japan), is still not one I've used before, so I don't know if it would be troublesome in the odd chance I get a dud..
 
#33 ·
Get the Sony.

Honestly, once you record a few videos, and realise that replaying those videos is as exciting as watching paint dry, it becomes clear that having an action cam out on the mountain is not all that important. Sure, there are times when you will want to record things - for advice or whatever, but most of the time the stuff you record is not going to be good enough to make an edit out of; much less something you will want to show to others who may say "ooh the lowlight performance of that camera is really letting down that video"

I recorded a bunch of videos on my JVC action cam when i first got it (another decent choice btw - comes with a screen, is tiny, cheap and Japanese warranty). But now it just sits in my pocket, when I am out on the hill.

For that reason you should just get the cheapest one that will do the job for you. I wouldnt spend more than $200.

Btw, the Sony can be used with a $5 selfie stick since it uses a standard tripod mount.
 
#34 ·
Thanks, I did end up ordering the Sony yesterday. Since I have nothing to show off, this is just for a bit of memory and mostly watching and pick up something I can improve on. I expect to keep it in the locker/pocket more often than not.

I will also probably get the cheapest stick I can find since it'll just to stick it in the snow or filming my friends / vice-versa.

That said, I might get a helmet/goggle mount or something for those odd time I feel like having a first person view. There seems to be a couple of options, can someone with Sony action cams (or looked seriously into them) provide some feedback regarding the best option?
 
#35 ·
I used a Sony action cam for my recent trip to Japan. Im more than happy with it!

I used the head mount setup. I used it separate from my goggles. I tried it mounted to my goggle strap but found it uncomfortable. With the camera on its own band it was easy to take off and on without upsetting my goggle position. I could also run it tighter.
 
#36 · (Edited)
Thanks! Is it this thing over here? Or the one here?

Edit: Ah, I guess it must be the universal head mount kit, given that you talk about straps. The other one uses adhesive pads.

How do you secure the strap on the helmet though?

Edit2: Also, for those kind of camera, how many minutes can 32GB records? (Debating whether to go 32GB or 64GB microSD)
 
#37 ·
I have a hero 4 and 2 sj4000. GoPro is certainly better quality wise but for $70~ you cant go wrong with the SJ4000. Mounts are interchangeable as well.

I use the hero for less risky activities and the SJ4000's for activities in which I may lose it or gets damaged.

Look on youtube of reviews of the SJ
 
#38 ·
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