GoPro HERO: Thoughts for Vlogging/Videos?

[Sjors]

That is NOT a GoPro HERO my friend, the HERO is a new version. From what I see that is a HERO 3... please read >.>

 

[IftiBashir]

Yes you can plug in an external battery pack. Here is a picture I just took of my GoPro. Next time, you should do your research.

He's talking about the GoPro HERO - The grey camera fixed into the housing - not a Hero 3/3+/4[DOUBLEPOST=1421517251,1421516487][/DOUBLEPOST]

If you have to use a action camera for vlogging I would suggest you get a sony action cam. It is what I use, and the video is nice, but the audio is even nicer! Do note that in my vlogs I digitally zoom in on my person, and it is also the lower quality camera of the two. The one facing outward has a crisper image, and as such is the default for capturing anything on the road. The action cam also has digital image stabilization at the cost of some wide angle (120degrees vs 170 without).

Otherwise, go with any handycam. They will beat action cams in terms of sound and quality (no fisheye) for the same or sometimes even less money!

OK, so I've used GoPros a fair bit since I review the cameras and accessories (as you'll see from the extensive playlist on my channel). So much so, that I've been contacted by GoPro themselves who use some of my videos on updating firmware etc when responding to some of their support queries from customers

The advice given by the member above is actually rather good and I agree.

The problem with the GoPro is not the video (unless you'e shooting indoors or in low light with the HERO, where you'll get grainy results), you'll need plenty of good natural light. The problem is the audio. And for that reason I really do not think its a vloggers camera. When vlogging you will have the camera facing yourself. Even when using the Skeleton back door, the only way to get audio to the GoPro Hero is via the rear. Hence theres no direct audio going to the camera. Unless its very quiet, you will get muffled sound, as well as a LOT of background noise, considering the sound from your mouth needs to travel to the rear of the camera, and anything behind the camera will have a more direct line of audio into the unit.

With the other GoPros an external mic can be used, hence audio would be much better. Nevertheless I still wouldn't recommend a GoPro as a vlogging camera, especially the Hero. You have no viewfinder, or no way to see what you're shooting, so don't know if your framed well. Yes the GoPro's have a wide angle lens so you're likely to capture yourself anyway, but you'll capture tons of the stuff around you, which is not only distracting, but will also be in a fish-eye view. Correcting this in post will need to stretch and crop some of the image, lowering quality.

Leave the GoPro as an action camera - its honestly not a vlogging camera.

The members suggestion above is better since with Sony Action cams you get a stereo mic which is at the FRONT of the unit, just under the lens itself - hence audio will be better as your speech goes straight into the camera rather then travelling round to the rear etc. You'll also be able to live stream to a smartphone etc to check on the actual shot, whether its lined up correctly, and so on. This is actually very handy!

There are alternatives - the Polaroid Cube (which Im reviewing at the moment!) and the HTC RE (which Ive just received to review next!). To be honest though, I would suggest picking up a compact camera instead - maybe one where you can flip and rotate the rear screen up to see yourself - or if you have a recent smartphone the camera in your smartphone will actually yield better results then most of the smaller budget cameras these days!!

Just my thoughts

 

[Sjors]

It was just a thought to use it for blogging anyway, main use will be action camera