Comparison GoPro HERO 2014 vs GoPro HD HERO

— Photo during video. The ability to take photos directly while recording a video — usually using a separate button. Thus, it is convenient to fix the most significant moments of what is happening. Such photos are much better in quality than "freeze frames" from the captured video.

— Serial photo shoot. This feature allows you to take several pictures at once in a short period (usually it is a fraction of a second). A series of shots increases the chance of capturing a good moment, which can be very important given the specifics of using action cameras.

— One click recording. The ability to quickly turn on the camera for recording — literally at the touch of a button, by the name. Moreover, such a button works even if the device is turned off. However, the recording inevitably starts with some delay; but often this delay is a fraction of a second.

— Online streaming. Ability to stream video to popular services like YouTube and social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.). Usually, the online streaming function is implemented when the action camera is connected to the Internet via a Wi-Fi network, less often via a wired connection. Communication with the World Wide Web can be held directly or through a smartphone or computer. It will require the use of appropriate software.

— Time lapse. A special mode of operation of the action camera, in which video recording is carried out at a slower frequency is mainly used for filming slow processes. Thus, for example, a long journey or a long sunset can fit into a 3-minute video.

— Auto-rotate. The function of automatic rotation of the captured photos and videos to the position corresponding to the position of the camera. Without this feature, all footage during playback would be displayed strictly in landscape orientation, and footage shot with the camera upside down or upside down would have to be rotated in a photo or video editor. Usually, at the beginning of video recording, auto-rotation is blocked — so that the position of the frame at any time corresponds to the rotation of the camera itself relative to its original position.

— Photo panoramas shooting. The ability to use the camera to take panoramic photos. In traditional action cameras (see "Product type"), such shooting is carried out as follows: the camera takes several separate photos, which are then glued into one image. Regarding panoramic and 360-degree models (see ibid.), it is worth noting that not all such models support shooting in panoramic format, so it is advisable to check the availability of this function separately.

— Key points labels. The ability to add special marks to the footage that indicate key moments. While viewing such videos, you can go directly to the labels — this is easier than manually searching for the right moment. This feature is especially useful when shooting long videos, as well as when numerous individual files. The label, usually, is placed right during the shooting by pressing a special button or by voice command.

— Night shooting. Special mode for recording in low light conditions. The specific implementation of this function may be different: in some models, the sensitivity of the sensor is increased, in others, shooting in the IR range is used. Accordingly, specific features may vary: not every camera with this function can shoot in complete darkness, and these nuances should be clarified separately.

The largest memory card capacity supported by the camera model.

This limitation is due to two points. First, the larger the drive, the more computing power is required to use it. Secondly, each type of memory card has its maximum capacity. For example, the capacity of an SD HC card cannot exceed 32 GB, larger drives already belong to the SD XC standard, and if it is not supported, the maximum card capacity cannot exceed 32 GB.

It is strongly not recommended to exceed the maximum allowable capacity: even if the card is recognized by the device, its normal operation is not guaranteed.

All action cameras are, by definition, self-powered, but the sources used may vary:

— Removable battery. The proprietary battery, not related to standard batteries like AA. The main advantage of this option is that the battery comes with the camera, so you do not have to spend time and money on buying a power source. Specs of original batteries can significantly exceed primary cells. However, when discharging, the only option is usually recharging, it takes quite a long time and requires an external power supply. This design has several useful features: the battery can be charged in an external charger, and another battery of the same type can be installed in the camera during the procedure.

— Non-removable battery. The proprietary battery (see above), has a non-removable design. Such batteries are generally less convenient than removable ones — they cannot be removed for charging, replaced with other batteries, etc. However, the non-removable design gives one important advantage: the camera body can be made almost integral, which has a positive effect on reliability and tightness.

— Non-rechargeable batteries(AA / AAA). Powered by replaceable batteries of a standard size — AA or AAA. This option is convenient because when the charge is exhausted, you do not need to look for a source of electricity and wait until the charging is over — dead batteries can be replaced with ne...w ones in just a couple of minutes. On the other hand, such a power supply is considered less suitable for action cameras than special batteries, and is quite rare, mainly in low-cost models. The main reason for this is that primary batteries are bulkier and, at the same time, less capacious than proprietary batteries, and when using them it is difficult to achieve a combination of compactness and good battery life.

The model name of the proprietary battery used in the camera. Knowing this name, you can easily find a spare or replacement battery for the device.

The capacity of the battery supplied with the action camera.

All other things being equal, a higher capacity allows the device to last longer on a single charge. However, action cameras can differ markedly in design features and, as a result, in power consumption. Therefore, only models with similar specs can be compared with each other in terms of capacity (and even then quite approximately). To assess the autonomy of the device, it is better to use data on the actual operating time on a charge (this data can be indicated by the manufacturer itself or given in reviews).

— Protective case. A special container that provides additional protection from dust, moisture, impacts, extreme temperatures and other similar "troubles". The specific level of protection in each case should be specified separately. In order not to interfere with filming, the box is made of transparent materials. In addition, we note that some cameras can only be mounted on mounts in a box (or in a mounting frame - see below), since the body itself may not have space for this.

— Mounting frame. A device designed to install a camera on various mounts — helmet, steering wheel, etc. The camera body itself often does not have "landing sites" for such mounts, which is why additional equipment has to be used. Note that a protective box (see above) often performs a similar function; the mounting frame, in contrast, provides almost no protection, but the camera body remains maximally open in the frame. This provides additional opportunities — in particular, it allows you to connect various cables and effectively use the built-in microphone, which is impossible when using many boxes.

— Helmet mount. A mount designed to mount a camera to a helmet or other curved surface. The design of such a mount is based on a curved platform with an adhesive layer or Velcro, the shape of which roughly matches the shape of the helmet surface. Such a device can provide a more s...ecure hold than a classic flat platform (see below).

— Flat mount. One of the main and simplest mounts used to fix an action camera to almost any uniform surface: snowboard, skateboard, car hood, etc. It is a small flat platform, to one side of which the camera is attached, while the second is fixed to the desired surface (using Velcro, special glue, etc.). Note that flat mounts are often used for installation on a helmet, but for this purpose there is a separate type of mount, with a curved platform (see above).

— 3-axis mount. This differs from other types of mounts by the presence of three movable units that allow you to rotate the camera at an angle of up to 90 degrees in three axes. In practice, this allows you to choose the most interesting or successful shooting angle - on the side of the helmet, for example. Such solutions are usually compatible with many other mounts, so they can be used together with a steering wheel, curved, etc.

— On the handlebars of a bicycle/motorcycle (pipe). A mount for installing a camera on a small pipe — for example, the handlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle. As a rule, it works on the principle of a clamp, and the size of the mount can be adjusted within a fairly wide range, adjusting it for pipes of different diameters.

— Suction cup(on glass). A camera mount that is fixed in the desired location using a suction cup. Allows you to install the device on flat and slightly curved surfaces. It is worth considering that such mounts do not hold as securely as flat or curved ones (see the relevant points). On the other hand, the suction cup is easy to attach and remove and leaves no marks. Therefore, mounts of this type are mainly used for installation on car glass when the camera operates as a video recorder.

— Clamp (clip). The clip-type mount is quite universal, since it allows you to hang the camera on almost any suitable piece of equipment (backpack strap, unloading belt, belt, etc.). However, it is not very suitable for extreme shooting due to its relatively low reliability.

— Head mount. A device for fixing the camera to the head — usually on the forehead, like a headlamp. In addition to freeing up your hands, this placement has another advantage: the camera lens looks in the same direction as the customer. The mount itself is usually a system of elastic straps and is designed to be worn directly on the head, as opposed to a curved helmet platform. However, some models allow the possibility of wearing it over a helmet.

— Chest mount. This mount is a system of elastic straps that allows you to fix the camera on the customer's chest, shooting slightly lower than "from the eyes". Like the head mount (see above), it is easily adapted to the desired size.

— Monopod(selfie). A device commonly known as a “selfie stick”. It is a rod, usually foldable and sometimes adjustable in length; at one end of the rod there is a mount for the camera, at the other - a handle for holding in the hand. In accordance with the name, such a monopod is intended mainly for filming yourself - thanks to the length of the rod, the camera can be held at a comfortable distance. However, other ways of using it are possible: for example, with the help of a monopod you can “look” quite far over the edge of a cliff or around a corner. The main disadvantage of such a device is that one hand is constantly occupied.

In addition to those described above, the delivery set may also include other types of fastenings - for example, for musical instruments (on the neck of a guitar, on the bar of a drum kit, etc.), on a surfboard, etc.