Action Camera Disassembly: GoPro Vs Smartphones
Riding down the slopes is awesome, but it’s even cooler to share your first-person view of your breath taking in sick air. While everyone imagines themselves as a potential X-Games participant when they attach the camera to their face, not everyone wants the durability that a sports action camera provides. For most of us, the answer to capturing cool stunts or excursions to the splendor of nature can be inside your smartphone. So which one is best for you?
Competition
Smartphones
Smartphones are often praised for their photographic capabilities. Apple uses images captured with iPhones in its advertising, professional photographers are turning to smartphones to take photos and videos when large cameras are a hindrance, and some larger smartphones have features like OIS or dual cameras. There are also many accessories to choose from, although most are versatile, fit different smartphones, and can be of questionable quality when it comes to cheaper options.
GoPro
The GoPro action camera has become synonymous with first-person video showing amazing stunts from the world of extreme sports. At the same time, GoPro cameras mounted on bicycle helmets, skateboard decks or dog sleds allow people to record more mundane aspects of their lives. GoPro cameras are compact, compatible with a wide variety of accessories, and record videos at a variety of resolutions and frame rates, perfect for capturing action.
GoPro Sharp Nail Hammer
GoPro cameras are dedicated video recorders designed to withstand the stresses of an active lifestyle. Plus, their tiny size and versatility make them ideal for extreme sports photography: you can mount them on a bike helmet, DJI drone, side of a car, or even a dog. They are more compact than a smartphone, which in comparison with it has a very large and very fragile screen.
Expect to spend at least $ 150 on the cheapest GoPro camera, the Hero Session, which records up to 1440p @ 30fps or 1080p @ 60fps. You can upgrade to the Hero5 Session, which records 4K video, for $ 299. The top-tier Hero5 Black action camera also records 4K video and comes with a small touchscreen (that’s $ 399, too).
In terms of accessories, it depends on what you are going to do with your camera. You can find helmet mounts for $ 20 to $ 50, dog harness mounts for about $ 40, and bike handlebars for $ 60 if you decide to purchase accessories made by GoPro. You can shop around, although I wouldn’t save a couple of dollars when it comes to a camera that costs several hundred dollars. Sites like Amazon have cheaper options, but they are often from brands you probably never heard of, and while they may have tons of positive reviews, most of them are likely fake .
Smartphones: versatile but fragile
What’s great about a smartphone is that you probably have one. Whether it’s the new iPhone 8 with 4K recording or the 2013 Nexus 5 with OIS, you can get pretty high-quality video from your device in your pocket or even out of your trash bin.
You shouldn’t buy a smartphone exclusively for an action camera, although it’s a pretty functional replacement. This HD camera, combined with a suite of video editing apps, means you can record, edit, and upload your stunts from the same device, rather than relying on two devices to get the job done. Larger smartphones like the iPhone 7 Plus also have optical image stabilization so your videos won’t look too choppy.
If you already own a smartphone, turning it into an action camera is quite simple: just buy a case, a mount and open the camera app. If you’re looking for a specific GoPro mount (for example, for your dog), you’ll find the appropriate version for your mobile device. You will need a case that can fit inside the mounts, but companies like Otterbox make clip-on cases that are designed to be dropped. Of course, if you bump into the sidewalk with your Pixel wrong, there’s a tiny chance your screen will turn into a kaleidoscope of color and broken glass. Seems a little risky.
Verdict: have money? Get GoPro
In the end, the compact size, durability and versatility of a GoPro action camera make it the perfect action camera, even if you have a phone in your pocket. Its one-touch recording capabilities make it easy to grip and leave, and you’re sure to worry less about it dropping onto the pavement compared to your slim, action-resistant smartphone in a bulky case. If you are worried about money, buy a helmet mount for your device and check it out to at least see if you like it. But if you’re doing more than cycling to work and want to capture the spectacle, buy a GoPro and take the big step (or head home).