Lakeland Boating — July 2017

W

e are surrounded by incredible

images and videos online, in

social media and even on the evening

news that are filmed with tiny action

cams. With the proliferation of small,

capable cameras that can be attached

to the user, recording events and

memories has never been easier.

There are many manufacturers

making action cams — from brands

like Sony, Kodak, Polaroid, GoPro

and Garmin — but no two are the

same. They range from inexpensive,

simple models that do not have

many features and record at lower

levels of resolution, to high-end

cameras that are used in filmmaking

and TV production. The good news is that for around

$400 you can own a camera that will shoot the same

high-end imagery you see on TV. These cameras are

feature-rich but functions do vary; consider your actual

needs and purchase accordingly.

A fundamental feature

One feature that is a no-brainer for boaters and yachtsmen

is being waterproof. All current offerings from one of the

best-known manufacturers, GoPro, are waterproof right

out of the box. The latest line — which includes the

Hero Session, Hero Session 5 and Hero 5 Black — has

eliminated the external waterproof casing and can function

at a depth of 33 feet. This design allows for easy access to

the controls and better sound quality.

Garmin’s latest entry into the action cam market, the

Garmin VIRB Ultra 30, requires a waterproof case but can

function at a depth of 120 feet. Garmin’s other models —

the VIRB and VIRB XE — also require a separate case but

can reach a depth of 150 feet out of the box. The unique

Garmin VIRB line can also overlay data from its onboard

GPS, including speeds, distance, Garmin Instruments

data and even g-forces.

Accessories, galore

Having a bevy of accessories is also a bonus, and many of

today’s action cams are made to work on GoPro’s mounting

system of a slotted coupling with a simple attachment nut.

There are many options, including flat surface mounts,

rail and clamp mounts, selfie sticks, and helmet and chest

harnesses. GoPro even offers a dog harness mount to get

the perspective of your pooch. Other

accessories include gyrostabilizers to

smooth out your video and drones

to achieve the ever-popular bird’s

eye view. Many of the higher-end

cameras will come with assorted

mounting options in the box.

High-definition

Those looking for ultimate resolution

from action cameras should look at

the models capable of shooting 4K.

This is the pinnacle of resolution

and the images can be startling.

Although shooting in 4K can eat up a

lot of memory, it has the advantage of

being cropped down in editing and

image stabilization with no loss in quality. Although

2.7K and 1080P are not as good when it comes to

cropping and image stabilization, they are still a great

HD output of video and can perform extremely well in

most circumstances. If you are looking for a good slow

motion camera, video frame rate becomes an issue. Thirty

frames per second is fine for standard playback, but slow

motion will smooth out with higher frame rates such as

60 and 120 frames per second. Most top-end 4K action

cameras can only shoot at 30 frames per second at 4K

but can capture 120 frames per second at 1080p. Stills on

the top-end cameras, such as the GoPro Hero 5 Black,

shoot at 12 megapixels at a burst rate of 30 frames per

second. If you have a high pixel count, cropping and

enlarging the images will not be an issue.

Battery life

Other features, such as battery life and access to extra

batteries, are also worth considering. These very capable,

tiny cameras have relatively short battery lives (typically

one to two hours, depending on activated features), and

some do not have a replacement battery option.

A touch-screen on the back of the camera can aid

in operating some models, as can voice commands

found in select new models. Also consider the apps and

software that are available and used with your camera;

manufacturers offer a wide variety of apps that can either

make using the camera a joy or a hassle.

Shooting video and images may seem complicated, but

take comfort in the fact that if you have a good camera, you

UNDERWATER PHOTO COURTESY OF GO PRO/SIMONE DE MARCHI; HERO 5 PHOTO BY GLENN HAYEScan always just press record and figure the rest out later. ★

by Glenn Hayes

ELECTRONICS

GLENN HAYES is a marine

writer and photographer

whose background in the

marine industry and in marine

electronics spans almost three

decades and many thousands

of miles at sea traveling the

world. He can be reached at

HAYESSTUDIOS.COM.

LAKELANDBOATING.COM | JULY 2017 29

Action Cams

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