Why your next camera should be an action cam
You’re an aspiring filmmaker who has been working with a DSLR for several months now and you want to diversify your tool kit — so you’re searching for a supplementary camera.
Another DSLR would be great but you want something that can do what your current camera can’t, and DSLR’s are usually much more expensive than action cameras.
Consumer camcorders, like the Canon VIXIA and Sony Handycam, are able to record much longer, and have gotten much better over the years with some able to record 4k video — appealing to many. However, these higher-end “prosumer” camcorders can cost as much or more than a DSLR.
Meanwhile, action cameras, like ones from GoPro, Sony, and Garmin, have exploded in popularity among the athletes and thrill seekers of the internet.
These small camcorders are great for capturing fast action and wide angle thrills, but for filmmaking? Let’s talk about that.
Videographers tend to be put off by action cam’s tiny sensors and wide angle lenses, but no camera is perfect for every situation and any experienced filmmaker will tell you; it’s not about your camera, it’s how you use it.
Casey Neistat, a filmmaker based in New York, is a huge proponent of action cameras. His motto on gear is “I always want the best image possible as long as it doesn’t get in the way of living my life or doing my thing.” Here is a great video where he explains why sometimes the best camera is not a $5000 DSLR but instead a $200 GoPro. Also there is some seriously dope GoPro footage in this*!
(*Note: The GoPro’s Karma drone has been taken off the market for power failure.)
Cost
Action cams range from $200 to $500 new and can be picked up used for even less if you are willing to shop around.
You should be careful however. Because of the popularity of action cameras, the market is flooded with cheap garbage. Make sure you do your research and be an informed consumer. When in doubt, go with a name you are familiar with.
Quality
A quick search on YouTube will find plenty of action cam footage at 4k quality. Watch the promo GoPro made for the launch of their new Hero 5 and see if you are still skeptical:
No, it isn’t going to compete with a $30,000 cinema camera but considering 4k consumer camcorders start showing up around $900, you could do much worse for the money.
Flexibility
There are numerous companies making countless accessories for all manner of action cams, not to mention the variety of form factors the cameras themselves take.
There are mounts for helmets, straps for wearing them, clamps for handlebars, remote controls, and even one for your dog! Almost all action cams have water resistant cases or are water resistant out of the box.
Action cams can go anywhere you can go and more. Light weight, small size, and durability makes these cameras suited to almost any environment. No space is too tight and no placement too conspicuous. Oh yeah, and did I mention DRONES!
While this article focuses on GoPro’s there are many types of action cameras and finding the one that is right for you is down to personal taste.
Final thoughts
Action cameras are the best camera ever made and you will never need anything else, right? No. Of course not.
Action cameras are just one of the many tools in a filmmaker’s bag. No camera is perfect for every situation, so finding the best one to buy at any given time can be very difficult. Action cameras offer a high enough quality at a low enough price and provide enough flexibility that it may be exactly what you need.
