POV Action Camera Shootout Conclusion
It’s very easy to get caught up in the hype and buy into the most popular camera or the one with the best image quality. But the truth is, for a lot of users, price and ease of use will be just as important as tons of features or perfect image quality. On the other hand, if you’re a professional athlete, photographer, or videographer, then you may be willing to sacrifice some ease of use for the best possible video quality. Taking the needs of different users into consideration, I came up with four final POV camera shootout categories and chose our top picks based on video quality, features, mount options, price and ease-of-use. One thing I didn’t include was sound. However, if you want to evaluate it for yourself, the audio is untouched and intact in the full HD videos and the differences are pretty obvious. Here are our Top Picks:
Best Video Quality: GoPro Hero3 Black Edition
There are a bunch of variables that go into video quality – exposure, color, white balance, contrast, lens, and bit-rate. Bit-rate is one of the biggest factors since it determines how much information a camera collects for each second of video. And GoPro didn’t mess around – at 20 Mbps for 1920 x 1080 30 FPS full HD video, the GoPro Hero3 Black recorded 33% more data per second than any other camera in this shootout. And that’s not just numbers – you can see the difference. The GoPro Hero 3 Black footage is sharper, has great color, and holds subtle detail in the highlights and shadows better than the other cameras. And that’s just for standard full HD video. The Hero 3 Black also has 4k and 2.7k resolution settings as well as Protune mode, which uses less compression and less in-camera processing for even better video quality. I encourage everyone to take a close look at the full-resolution Hero3 Black sample video. I guarantee you’ll be able to see the difference.
Best Value: Sony Action Cam
With the lowest price in the shootout and video quality second only to our winner, the GoPro, the Sony Action Cam is the best value here. It’s also the only camera with optical image stabilization to smooth out shaky footage and one of two cameras that can record 720p HD video at 120 FPS. That means the video quality has the potential to be even better than we’ve shown you in the shootout sample clips. The downsides of the Sony Action Cam are the lack of mounting options and the 2-megapixel still photo resolution. As a photographer, I think we should carry P&S cameras on the trail for still photos and reserve the POV cameras for video, so the still photo resolution isn’t a problem for me. The biggest issue for mountain bikers is Sony doesn’t make a helmet vent mounting harness for the Action Cam. However, they do have adhesive mounts and where there’s a will there’s a way. I think the Action Cam’s video quality and price should motivate people to get it done.
Easiest To Use – JVC Adixxion
The JVC Adixxion clearly ranks lowest in terms of video quality in this shootout. However, that doesn’t mean it’s bad. If you’re in the market for a relatively inexpensive, easy to use POV camera for footage of you and your buddies getting rad on the trail, the JVC’s accessible controls, color LCD display and “Quad Proof” (waterproof, shockproof, dustproof and freezeproof) design make it a lot more enjoyable to use than most of the cameras in this test. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for experienced videographers, photographers or anyone else who’s trying to make serious video. The video quality is fine for sharing at home on your HD TV or with Facebook friends, but it doesn’t come close to the best cameras in this shootout.
Best Overall – GoPro Hero3 Black
I’ll admit to being a GoPro skeptic. I didn’t think the product could live up to the hype when put under a magnifying glass. Boy was I wrong. GoPro was already the biggest name in in the business, with a large enough marketing presence that their name has become synonymous with POV cameras, just like Xerox with copy machines. People don’t say “POV camera,” they say GoPro.
Apparently, being the biggest wasn’t enough, though. When GoPro made the Hero3 Black Edition, they set a new standard for POV cameras. With a bit-rate of 20 Mbps (measured from the sample video shot for this test) for full HD video at 30 FPS, the Hero3 Black collects 33% more data than any of the other cameras in this shootout and the difference in video quality is obvious. It’s also the only camera to offer more resolution than 1920 x 1080 full HD. While the 4k at 15 FPS option is more about bragging rights than anything else, it lets everyone know that the GoPro Hero3 Black is more than a toy – much more. If you really do want more than full HD, it can do 2.7k at 30 FPS. And for slow motion action video, it can do 120 FPS at 720p and 240 FPS at 800 x 400. GoPro’s Protune mode, which provides even better video quality with minimal in-camera processing, makes the Hero3 Black the obvious choice for pros who use POV cameras for serious videography or even broadcast work.
It may not be the most aerodynamic or the easiest to use, but GoPro’s basic design gets the job done. They made the Hero3 Black smaller and lighter than previous models and it has a pretty easy to use control system – even when it’s in the waterproof case. The Wi-Fi remote control mobile app offers tons of control and works great, too. As far as mounting options and accessories go, GoPro offers the richest, most flexible menu of options. And they’re the only manufacturer in this shootout that offers a chest mount system. That’s huge since the chest mount position is the best angle for mountain bike and snow sports POV video. If you want that angle, GoPro is your only option.
GoPro didn’t just hit it out of the park with the Hero3 Black, they hit a grand slam. There’s no splitting hairs here, with the most resolution and frame rate options, the best video quality and the best mounting options, the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition is far and away the best POV video camera on the market.
Note: There have been a lot of reports about software and battery problems with the GoPro Hero3 Black. When it first hit the streets people were having problems with software freezeups and batteries draining overnight for no apparent reason. I didn’t experience any of these problems and the reports seem to have stopped in January. So it’s possible that GoPro has fixed the problem with newer Hero3 Black cameras. However, if you do buy a GoPro Hero3 Black, it would probably be a good idea to test it out thoroughly and immediately to determine if it has any software or battery problems.
Do you disagree with my test methods or take exception to my results? Do you have questions about the cameras or POV video techniques? Here are your options – you can post in the comments section below; you can visit our Videos and POV Cameras Forum; or if you own a POV camera, you can write your own review in our Video Cameras User Review section. We want to know what you think!
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POV Camera Shootout - The Cameras
POV Camera Shootout - The Cameras - Left to right: JVC Adixxion, Contour+ 2, GoPro Hero3 Black Edition, Drift HD Ghost, Replay XD1080, Sony Action Cam
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The Author & The POV Shootout Test Rig
This is the test rig I built for the POV camera shootout. I made it from PVC pipe and an old full-face helmet. Total cost (with mistakes and tools), not including the helmet, was about US $35. The helmet, rig and cameras together weigh about 6.2 pounds. It's definitely not safe, although, when used carefully, it's perfect for the kind of test we did here.
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GoPro Hero3 Black Edition - Best Overall POV Camera
GoPro Hero3 Black Edition - Best Overall POV Camera
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The GoPro Chesty Mount
Mtbr reviewer extraordinaire and part time model Brian Mullen, wearing GoPro's fabulous and always fashionable Chesty POV camera mount.
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Thanks for this shootout, it’s about time someone tackled this. I would have liked to see video samples with the stabilization turned on, I had difficulty distinguishing details from one camera to the other with the images bouncing around. Correct me if I’m wrong but I can’t think of a situation where you would turn it off anyway, so would it be a moot point? I really want to like the jvc the best mostly for its ease of use and for its narrower lens (I hate the exaggerated fisheye view of most of them), but I will wait for a more detailed review before I consider buying one.
Great work, John! Really interesting.
Great shoot out John I was quite interested to see your findings and also glad that you picked the GoPro 3 as I just got mine last week as well as a steadycam smoothie and have been having quite a good time discovering the fine differences from Still to video (I Like still better) and was pleasantly surprised with the Quality of the video as well as the stills .I have the Galaxy S3 with the GoPro App works great as you now have a screen for deference to set up your shot quite cool I thought. I have heard rumors that the new GoPro 4 will have interchangeable lens.Thanks again for your great reviews
From what I hear about the GoPro, you are only held back by the speed of your computer.
I wish such a comparo was around when I got the Drift Stealth a couple of years ago. I now have a Drift HD as well. They seemed about the best for night videos at the time.
John, would a night ride comparo be possible?
With the Drift HD on low light and + 2 exposure, am I getting the best video to test lights with? If not, how much more is available from the best of the lot under low light conditions?
BTW replaceable lenses are a nice feature. The old Stealth lose its lens cover due to an impact. Still going, but less water resistant.
Thanks.
I have used all these cameras and what I can say is:
1. Hero3 = Amazing IQ but buggy as hell and horrible battery life (lock ups read Amazon reviews) Has a sweet remote!
2. Contour+2 = Great IQ and very easy to use. Looks cool when helmet mounted and looks great on a rifle (Military folks love these cameras) Also has GPS data that lets you imbed speed and location into videos. No Remote (only app)
3. Sony Action Cam = Good/OK IQ but colors are way off, higher FPS modes don’t record audio and are already slo-mo. No remote (only app)
4. ReplayXD = So-So/OK IQ – Small and has cool accessories
5. JVC – Looks and sounds bad – Nice LCD
6. Drift – OK IQ – Awesome remote. Too Bulky
Thanks a lot man (Oscar Munoz)! If it wasn’t for your comment I would have bought the GoPro risking those failures that many people are having it. So I did get the Sony over Contour; much better overall image quality and audio quality. (is the main thing about a camera IMO). Also a bit smaller than Contour. Mounting options of the Sony however suck (rigid glue on mounts or some headband mounts with the OUTDOOR kit, which don’t fit bike helmets). All but one mount require that the camera is in the waterproof case, which adds to weight, size and makes it impossible to access many features.
But anyway, Thanks again for the warning. Amazon reviews are pretty clear about it.
I’d have to disagree with a couple of your conclusions/opinions. First, I don’t think the chest mount video is the best for mountain biking – the FOV makes people’s arms look like ET’s, which is kind of weird and distracting to me. And so many of the chest mount videos seem to be angled down so all you see is bike and trail going under the bike, not what’s coming. And second, I wonder about your easiest to use choice. The Contour has a single slide switch to turn it on and off. It doesn’t get more simple than that.
I think you should have put in a category for variety of, and ease of mounts. It would be between the GoPro and the Contour and, at least in my opinion, the Contour’s form factor wins easily here. The GoPro is big (relatively speaking) and boxy where the Contour can be tucked into a lot of places without much fear of snagging something. And for me, it’s a major factor. With my ContourROAM tucked up against my headset, it gets a great perspective and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb… or a target for a tree branch.
No disagreement, though, on the best overall being the GoPro; the video it produces is pretty amazing. And I’m a Contour guy!
the sony blows the gopro out da water. pause at 1:51 sony and 1:56 gopro and just look at how much more detail the sony gives! sony won this one hands down! sounds like gopro gives more money to mtbr
I thought the Contour looked the best, blacks were much sharper and the distance was about right for POV. The Go pro was too far out and the Sony was way too fish eyed. The trees were like bows. I would agree with the comment about ease of use on the Contour. So easy-The go pro is a camera that acts like a POV as the contour and Sony are POV cameras. The new Black Ops game has the Solider’s wearing the Contour.
I have used both the Gopro and Contour. I now prefer the Contour. It is much simpler to use. The battery lasts a long time. The Gopro hero 2 battery was ok but epic rides required bacpacs etc. The new Contour mounts are nice especially the flex staps. The new Hero 3 has all kinds of problems. The CEO had to put out a message apologizing for it. Stay away from VIO, the hd version is crap. It was the worst purchase I have made. No experience with Drift but the Ghost looks interesting.
Hi John! What a great test “all in one – POV camera shootout test” Very informative, and very helpful. Thanks for sharing and making the effort of doing it! For us evaluate and to choose our favorit, after what ever reason …I pick GoPro 3
M64 DK/Europa
I have a indirect question to the POV Shootout on film editing software. I plan on purchasing a GoPro Hero3, but want to find, in advance, a beginner film editing software for this camera. Here’s some criteria of editing software I would like to create on: cutting and pasting segments to different areas, speeding up or down FPS, adding in music and at different volumes. This seems like common editing of video I often see online. Could you name your top two or three, under $100, a beginner could learn to do the above types of editing. Thanks for your time and devotion to MTBR, John W.
How much does the helmet weigh with all the camers on it ?
Oskar – the helmet with cameras weighs 6.2 pounds / 2.8 kg
Wolfski – I have been doing video for a few years now with Adobe Premiere Elements. It’s a fairly robust consumer video editing package at a pretty reasonable price. I’m about ready to upgrade to Premier Pro, but Premiere Elements will do everything you’re asking for. I made this video with it, for example.
The main reason I went with the Black Edition was the 1080p/60fps. None of the other cameras offered this and feel it needs to be mentioned. I had an HD contour that already did the 1080/30 and 720/60. If I was going to pay the money for an upgrade, I wanted a “tangible” upgrade. Contrast/color improvements vary by viewing screen. GPS wasn’t a deal breaker.
The one thing I do miss from my contour is the switch. I think the single switch for on/off & record is brilliant. In around 30*F temps I only get about 2 hours of battery life with sporadic recording. I feel like I got around 3-4 hours on the contour. Still, an extra battery is $20 and the benefits of the 1080/60 are worth it imho.
This was a great review, and the best I have seen. But I have found that the editing can become an issue. Do the camera’s all use the same kind of files to record? I have a Contour HD and the mov files turned out to be hard to work with if you didn’t have an Apple. You may want your purchase to be influenced by the camera that uses files that are easier to edit. Will the Adobe Premier Elements handle the mov files?
Maybe it’s my screen, but I liked the Drift HD Ghost’s color and image the best.
I have a Kali mtb helmet with the camera mount on top. The camera (attachment) snaps into place. I have tried it with a GoPro. Anybody know if any of the other helmets have this feature or accessory?
Thanks….Mr. K
Too bad you didn’t demo the VIO POV HD – it beats them all. The Sony did a good job though.
The battery life is the problem with these small units. VIO POV still wins.
:38 There was actually test done by Skiing magazine months ago testing camera back to back.
http://www.skinet.com/skiing/videos/skg-gear/tested-helmet-cams
Check it out for some more info.
Nice comparison! I have an ION, it would be interesting if you could add that to the mix if there is more testing in the future.
Would be nice if you could put up the RAW video files up as a torrent that we could download. Youtube is not a great reference for image quality.
Good review, but essentially just a copyjob/plagiarisation of someone else’ work a couple months before yours, right down to the helmet modification. That part…not cool.
It’s also clear that you favored the GoPro right from the start.
The Sony HDR-AS15 Action Cam has Digital Image Stabilization, not Optical.
The jerkiness of the videos are what turns me off to ever wanting to buy one of these cameras. How long can you watch these videos? I would rather look at a clean picture then watch these unstable movies.
All I want is a bike mounted camera that I can stop and go snap and then start again.
Thanks for taking the time. Just thought I would chime in to say that I thought the Drift had the best picture as well.
Haven’t bought an action cam yet, but after reading and viewing a weekend of reviews I might go with the Drift HD Ghost…If for nothing else, because of the problems the GoPro 3 buyers are having with firmware and battery life. One more thing, unless I missed the more complete review section of your site, I would consider putting together a complete review of all cams, including accessories, wifi usability, apps, costs…etc
Once again, thanks for taking the time.
Check out the VuVantage POV camera set up backpack/hydration type setup that adds no weight to the helmet and actually tracks your forward progress. I believe they have videos on on their webpage.