This was timely. I have been thinking of getting an action camera, but don’t understand all the comparison numbers the geeks use to describe them. Thanks for using simple terms.
I'm a big fan of using a remote control with my action (actually all my) cameras. They are more reliable than voice commands or gestures plus they give you feedback on battery, storage, etc. I can turn on/off the camera with a push of a button while dealing with something active on the water. They work when the environment is loud and if you strap it on your paddle you can activate it while paddling. Because it is easy, I'm quick to turn my camera on and off so I don't end up with a lot of extra footage that needs review, editing and storage. If you have more than one camera in an ecosystem, most will control multiple cameras a the same time. With one button you can turn everything on and off. This may or may not be useful depending on use cases.
Really appreciate the insights Brett. I've been thinking of getting an action camera and this gives me a starting point. As an aside, it would be interesting to see a "behind the scenes" video where you share your editing set-up, process and tips and tricks. Thanks for all the great content!
That was cool to be quoted, I think it was me that mentioned how good the videos were looking, 😊. Anyhow, very good content. For myself, I started with a cheap Akaso Brave 7. It does a good job. But for RUclips etc I would do as you said and get a camera with proper features, this Insta and even the DJI action seem great options. Cheers!! It would be nice to have a video on how you mount cameras on your kayak… just saying!!
Agree, my Hero 11 is also my last Gopro. I bought an Insta Go3s instead. Not as good in low light as the Acepro but it's small and discrete. I used it to walk my daughter down the aisle which was priceless, and it's good as a 2ary camera on my pfd or helmet.
Yeah… there are days I think I should have gone action 5…. But mostly the Ace Pro is a solid camera. And agreed my 9 is currently residing in the “only use it if there is a chance it will get crushed” box.
Thanks for the tips and especially the camera comparisons. As an old school B&W large format (4x5) landscape photographer in a former life (yeah, with a full complement of 35mm bodies and lenses) I kinda gave up photography in the mid 80's when everything was going digital. No way could I afford a digital back for my view cameras! I just liked the magic of the darkroom. about that time I got into solo wilderness canoeing, and thought I could combine the two passions. So on one 15 day trip into Canada I took by Bogen tripod, two 35mm bodies and a set of three fixed focal length lenses in a large metal waterproof ammo case. Probably 30# of gear. The trip was miserable because I could not be fully present to either the photography or the canoe experience. I had to decide on one or the other. Now fast forward 40 years and I'm tempted by the high resolution tiny movie camera technology available. Thanks for the inspirations Brett.📷
My first action camera was the Insta360x3. I’ve really enjoyed the versatility of catching everything in one file. That said, it adds that reframing step to the editing, fun but at a time cost. I’ve had a scratch on one lens and that’s hella annoying but I’ve worked around it for the most part. I’m thinking of getting another Insta, not sure which model though, leaning x3 make use of my existing batteries. Great content as always! Thank you for sharing your insights! 🤙🏼
@@AdventureOtaku What about the new Mini DJI Mic's - they connect directly to Action 4's, 5's and Pocket 3s without the need for a receiver. £50 UK - don't know what it is in Dollars...
They do, I think I can buy just a single transmitter for $89us. Which isn’t bad but there is also a loss of quality when you don’t use the receiver…. I’m thinking a lot….
I bought my GoPro Max after watching a lot of Nick Rays videos, I was torn though as there were other cameras that did very good jobs doing what they do. I liked the early footage I saw of the DJI Osmo Action 4, but with it being so new the cost stopped me and GoPro at the time had a big sale at the time and I think they had £150 off the RPP. So that is what I ended up with, and I liked the still in which Nick filmed his trips in the later days of his Round Scotland Adventure. I guessed new Camera on you intro, but got the wrong one, as I thought you had gone for the DJi Osmo Action 4 to go with your mic. Do I get half a point? Very interesting video as always Brett.
You do get half a point. Unfortunately it is redeemable for nothing of value. Sometimes I wish I had done the osmo. But I would actually have also had to upgrade my microphones, I have the Mic 1, I would have needed the mic 2 to pair with the osmo… still considering it.
I have had a lot of GoPros and my 10 is the last I will have. I just got an DJI Action 5Pro, love it! And the same battery size as my Action 3. That with the Insta 360 X3 I’m well set. I still use my GoPro 10 as a backup but if I found that the battery is leaking power even if it’s not on. Happens all the time, very annoying.
I kid you not. I was just going to type "GoPro vs Insta" in RUclips this morning when I saw your video release. Boom! Thanks for the tips. One question: I have an old GoPro 8 Black which does what I need it to do except the battery life is getting silly and totally unreliable. From your experience did the Voice Command improve with GoPro 10. Mine works if I am wearing it on the chest of close, but no way in the Bow....simply wont react unless I stop and there is no other sound. Thanks for another good idea video! (P.S. Agree with price hikes. Either buy now or wait a year or two until prices come down).
For the bulk of this channel I used the hero 9 on the bow (just recently replaced by the 10) and unless it is really windy the voice control works on the bow. Normally cupping my hands around my mouth and yelling will get it to turn on and off.... I don't remember the voice control on the 8...
I noticed! Even the color is better. Almost thought it was the lighting and room change at first. The battery is absolutely annoying! Seems like they take forever to charge too. Hmmmm 🤔
the video I shot a couple of days ago, kayaking on an overcast day, the action pro did such a better job with image that it was disconcerting editing between the two of them. You'll see it (I think) next Sunday when that video goes live. I spend a bunch of time trying to get the images to match (dare I say I need a second one? and dump GoPro all together?
I had to do a quick comparison between that and DJI. Think this is a winner. That low light is great. I definitely don’t need another camera but that price is pretty good right now! I say do it ha
I still use a GoPro 7 Black with a digipower re-fuel (correction from relive) external battery pack on it as I like recording the whole day on the water. It sucks in on a hot summer day with overheating and unwanted shutdowns causing me to either give up recording or stop, cool it down, and then continue.
@@AdventureOtaku it's more the use case of how long I record continuous. They don't like recording for 2+ hours non-stop when it is hot outside. (with full sun)
Do the Insta360 Ace cameras use the same mounting system as GoPro? It *looks* the same, but I'm not sure it actually is the same. Also, I totally feel this: "I don't need 5.7k 8k high framerates...I need a good reliable camera" For years GoPro was functionally the only game in town, and it seemed like they were not interested in selling anything but high-end $400+ action cams. That seems to have finally changed somewhat now that other companies have entered the market with mid-range and budget offerings, but not being able to get a decent no-frills camera was pretty frustrating for a long time.
to the mounting question, the answer is.... sort of. The camera itself doesn't have the matching mount, but there are two different quick release mounts that do have the little legs that work with the GoPro mounts. and they are super nicely made. On the "affordable end" Over the years GoPro has released 3 or 4 different entry level cameras that never really did much in terms of sales. They actually released one this year as well.
I think Ive killed just about every GoPro Ive owned ,even my 11 currently has a cracked screen from a petty drop. I think the video quality on the DJI action 4 is better than the GP for sure. Time will tell how durable they are.
10 was my least favorite, drown my 11 and my 12 isn’t waterproof anymore because the screen cracked. Still running it as a B camera or in the water housing if it needs to get wet
Shame on gopro . I will never buy another gopro that needs the different batteries . and I will never use a media mod on my gopro whilst kayaking as the go pro is no longer waterproof with the media mod . what about the insta ?
Same. I can’t run wireless mics to the insta in a water environment, the way I am running them, or with the media mod on the GoPro. Actually, I think I could run them via Bluetooth, to the Acepro I certainly can to the DJI Osmo action, however. A) I would need the newer generation of the mic I use. I have the DJI mic 1, I would need the mic 2 or the brand new mic mini… but the mics themselves aren’t waterproof. So it is sort of a meaningless fix.
This was timely. I have been thinking of getting an action camera, but don’t understand all the comparison numbers the geeks use to describe them. Thanks for using simple terms.
Thanks for watching! Glad it was helpful.
I'm a big fan of using a remote control with my action (actually all my) cameras. They are more reliable than voice commands or gestures plus they give you feedback on battery, storage, etc. I can turn on/off the camera with a push of a button while dealing with something active on the water. They work when the environment is loud and if you strap it on your paddle you can activate it while paddling. Because it is easy, I'm quick to turn my camera on and off so I don't end up with a lot of extra footage that needs review, editing and storage.
If you have more than one camera in an ecosystem, most will control multiple cameras a the same time. With one button you can turn everything on and off. This may or may not be useful depending on use cases.
Yeah if I was running more than one of the same camera I would consider it. But currently running the ace pro and a GoPro. Maybe in the future
Really appreciate the insights Brett. I've been thinking of getting an action camera and this gives me a starting point.
As an aside, it would be interesting to see a "behind the scenes" video where you share your editing set-up, process and tips and tricks.
Thanks for all the great content!
Thanks for watching!
That was cool to be quoted, I think it was me that mentioned how good the videos were looking, 😊. Anyhow, very good content. For myself, I started with a cheap Akaso Brave 7. It does a good job. But for RUclips etc I would do as you said and get a camera with proper features, this Insta and even the DJI action seem great options. Cheers!! It would be nice to have a video on how you mount cameras on your kayak… just saying!!
Here ya go! --> How to shoot Kayaking - Get Great GoPro Footage!
ruclips.net/video/Bu1cWyR4rNY/видео.html
Agree, my Hero 11 is also my last Gopro. I bought an Insta Go3s instead. Not as good in low light as the Acepro but it's small and discrete. I used it to walk my daughter down the aisle which was priceless, and it's good as a 2ary camera on my pfd or helmet.
Love both these comments, as they are exactly what I am saying. So many great options, find the ones that fit your needs.
Great video. I've committed to DJI, after being bitterly disappointed with my gopro 9 that is now a doorstop. Subscribed!
Yeah… there are days I think I should have gone action 5…. But mostly the Ace Pro is a solid camera. And agreed my 9 is currently residing in the “only use it if there is a chance it will get crushed” box.
@AdventureOtaku there are moments I wish I'd gone the ace for the folding screen, haha. We always want what we don't have 😄
It’s true! And the folding screen is really nice!
Thanks for the tips and especially the camera comparisons. As an old school B&W large format (4x5) landscape photographer in a former life (yeah, with a full complement of 35mm bodies and lenses) I kinda gave up photography in the mid 80's when everything was going digital. No way could I afford a digital back for my view cameras! I just liked the magic of the darkroom. about that time I got into solo wilderness canoeing, and thought I could combine the two passions. So on one 15 day trip into Canada I took by Bogen tripod, two 35mm bodies and a set of three fixed focal length lenses in a large metal waterproof ammo case. Probably 30# of gear. The trip was miserable because I could not be fully present to either the photography or the canoe experience. I had to decide on one or the other. Now fast forward 40 years and I'm tempted by the high resolution tiny movie camera technology available. Thanks for the inspirations Brett.📷
Thanks for watching. I have a similar story to yours.
My first action camera was the Insta360x3. I’ve really enjoyed the versatility of catching everything in one file. That said, it adds that reframing step to the editing, fun but at a time cost. I’ve had a scratch on one lens and that’s hella annoying but I’ve worked around it for the most part. I’m thinking of getting another Insta, not sure which model though, leaning x3 make use of my existing batteries. Great content as always! Thank you for sharing your insights! 🤙🏼
I have the X3 as well. and it is great, but yeah, that added step is a pain in the butt.... and different batteries.... great camera though.
The Action 5 Pro does everything in you 'wish list'
And I might still grab one (but I would also have to upgrade my mic system)
@@AdventureOtaku What about the new Mini DJI Mic's - they connect directly to Action 4's, 5's and Pocket 3s without the need for a receiver. £50 UK - don't know what it is in Dollars...
They do, I think I can buy just a single transmitter for $89us. Which isn’t bad but there is also a loss of quality when you don’t use the receiver…. I’m thinking a lot….
I bought my GoPro Max after watching a lot of Nick Rays videos, I was torn though as there were other cameras that did very good jobs doing what they do. I liked the early footage I saw of the DJI Osmo Action 4, but with it being so new the cost stopped me and GoPro at the time had a big sale at the time and I think they had £150 off the RPP. So that is what I ended up with, and I liked the still in which Nick filmed his trips in the later days of his Round Scotland Adventure.
I guessed new Camera on you intro, but got the wrong one, as I thought you had gone for the DJi Osmo Action 4 to go with your mic. Do I get half a point?
Very interesting video as always Brett.
You do get half a point. Unfortunately it is redeemable for nothing of value. Sometimes I wish I had done the osmo. But I would actually have also had to upgrade my microphones, I have the Mic 1, I would have needed the mic 2 to pair with the osmo… still considering it.
I have had a lot of GoPros and my 10 is the last I will have. I just got an DJI Action 5Pro, love it! And the same battery size as my Action 3. That with the Insta 360 X3 I’m well set. I still use my GoPro 10 as a backup but if I found that the battery is leaking power even if it’s not on. Happens all the time, very annoying.
Love this.
GoPro financials and layoffs have had me concerned about buying their product. Good to hear there are nice alternatives
there are great alternatives but in fairness, GoPro financials have been lousy since they went public. It hasn't truly affected the cameras though.
26% workforce reduction has to have an impact on retaining top engineering talent. I’m guessing this is not a fun place to innovate at the moment.
@Boilermaker92 probably not. But they are at least keeping pace
I kid you not. I was just going to type "GoPro vs Insta" in RUclips this morning when I saw your video release. Boom! Thanks for the tips. One question: I have an old GoPro 8 Black which does what I need it to do except the battery life is getting silly and totally unreliable. From your experience did the Voice Command improve with GoPro 10. Mine works if I am wearing it on the chest of close, but no way in the Bow....simply wont react unless I stop and there is no other sound. Thanks for another good idea video! (P.S. Agree with price hikes. Either buy now or wait a year or two until prices come down).
For the bulk of this channel I used the hero 9 on the bow (just recently replaced by the 10) and unless it is really windy the voice control works on the bow. Normally cupping my hands around my mouth and yelling will get it to turn on and off.... I don't remember the voice control on the 8...
An action camera is something for my to-do list. Just want something to see what I see.
Even if you aren’t running a RUclips channel, they can be a lot of fun.
@@AdventureOtaku Indeed. I bought myself a nice wee SLR back in '79 at high school but things have changed a little since then.
I noticed! Even the color is better. Almost thought it was the lighting and room change at first. The battery is absolutely annoying! Seems like they take forever to charge too. Hmmmm 🤔
the video I shot a couple of days ago, kayaking on an overcast day, the action pro did such a better job with image that it was disconcerting editing between the two of them. You'll see it (I think) next Sunday when that video goes live. I spend a bunch of time trying to get the images to match (dare I say I need a second one? and dump GoPro all together?
I had to do a quick comparison between that and DJI. Think this is a winner. That low light is great. I definitely don’t need another camera but that price is pretty good right now! I say do it ha
I still use a GoPro 7 Black with a digipower re-fuel (correction from relive) external battery pack on it as I like recording the whole day on the water.
It sucks in on a hot summer day with overheating and unwanted shutdowns causing me to either give up recording or stop, cool it down, and then continue.
decrease your resolution, I am guessing you are shooting 4k. shoot at 1080 and you will probably not overheat.
@AdventureOtaku I find it overheats just as much at 1080 as 4k.
surprising. it probably has something to do with the external power. Ive never had a GoPro overheat, but I know a lot of people have the issue.
@@AdventureOtaku it's more the use case of how long I record continuous. They don't like recording for 2+ hours non-stop when it is hot outside. (with full sun)
I've used mine a lot when I lived in NC and it never overheated... but more importantly, what do you do with all that footage?
Do the Insta360 Ace cameras use the same mounting system as GoPro? It *looks* the same, but I'm not sure it actually is the same.
Also, I totally feel this: "I don't need 5.7k 8k high framerates...I need a good reliable camera" For years GoPro was functionally the only game in town, and it seemed like they were not interested in selling anything but high-end $400+ action cams. That seems to have finally changed somewhat now that other companies have entered the market with mid-range and budget offerings, but not being able to get a decent no-frills camera was pretty frustrating for a long time.
to the mounting question, the answer is.... sort of. The camera itself doesn't have the matching mount, but there are two different quick release mounts that do have the little legs that work with the GoPro mounts. and they are super nicely made.
On the "affordable end" Over the years GoPro has released 3 or 4 different entry level cameras that never really did much in terms of sales. They actually released one this year as well.
I think Ive killed just about every GoPro Ive owned ,even my 11 currently has a cracked screen from a petty drop. I think the video quality on the DJI action 4 is better than the GP for sure. Time will tell how durable they are.
And I have never destroyed one… go figure. Lost one stand up paddle boarding….
10 was my least favorite, drown my 11 and my 12 isn’t waterproof anymore because the screen cracked. Still running it as a B camera or in the water housing if it needs to get wet
First to view and like -- yet again! :-)
I appreciate that brother! Keep it up. This time of year my views plummet. I’ll take all the help and excitement I can get.
Shame on gopro . I will never buy another gopro that needs the different batteries . and I will never use a media mod on my gopro whilst kayaking as the go pro is no longer waterproof with the media mod . what about the insta ?
Same. I can’t run wireless mics to the insta in a water environment, the way I am running them, or with the media mod on the GoPro. Actually, I think I could run them via Bluetooth, to the Acepro I certainly can to the DJI Osmo action, however. A) I would need the newer generation of the mic I use. I have the DJI mic 1, I would need the mic 2 or the brand new mic mini… but the mics themselves aren’t waterproof. So it is sort of a meaningless fix.