Inspired by the beautiful video's in the VIM16 topic I am (again) considering buying a sportscam myself. Already had this idea when preparing for VIM14 in Tarragona. Found the GoPro camera's absolutely beautiful but far too expensive. Nowadays there are very good and cheaper alternatives available. I have been looking at both the Sony HDR-AS15 (€169,=) as the Drift HD (€189,=).
They are pretty much simular camera's. I fancy the DriftHD a little more at the moment because of:
- the small size
- rainproof
- rotatable lens
- video watching on built-in lcdscreen
- remote included
and possibilities to mount to my bike.
Reviews i find on internet are pretty good.
Anybody having experiences with this cam?
I will highly recommend the Sony AS-15 as it is the camera used in the movies in the thread you mentioned. Lack of display though but in some technology you can watch your recordings via bluetooth in your phone. Dunno if Sony AS-15 has this.
Got a GoPro myself but nowerdays I think you pay for the brand than the inside. Garmin has develop a new camera VIRB, way to expensive.
As a newbie into actionscams. Try first with a cheaper alternative. If you like to continue buy a new one next year since the cameras improves all the time and with more functions and extensions.
Madero,
I have no experience with the Drift Camera, but as you can see in an other thread, I also wanna buy me some action cam.
The Drift is not the last model, there are following the Drift Gost and the Drift Gost S.
Of course every of them more expensive than the further ones.
Her the Product Description from Drift Gost S, which at the moment I earmark.
The Drift HD Ghost S begins there on where the previous Drift HD Ghost has ceased . The improved sensor chip allows now also in 1080p with 60 fps and shoot in 720p with up to 120 fps. Photos can be shot with 12MP and video quality in low light conditions has been improved tremendously. Besides the known useful features like night mode , car mode , rotating lens and a large battery , there are some new features. Clone mode allows to couple a plurality of cameras with each other and use common. In scene mode different image settings can be selected to set the mood perfectly capture when filming . Furthermore, the bit rate can be set at the compression to allow better quality when transferring it to the computer. If the camera stop unexpectedly to film , for example, if the battery is accidentally removed , the video can still be saved when the camera is started the next time .
Product
New Features
- 1080p at 60fps ? Better video performance to see every detail .
- 3.5h battery life - world class? more shots , less worry.
- Scene mode ? Choose between Normal, Vivid, low light .
- Aperture priority mode ? Improves shooting in low light .
- Clone mode? Up to 4 cameras with a master camera to synchronize and control .
- Bit rate ? Adjustable compression from low to high in order to optimize the image performance.
The Ghost - S is suitable for defined benefit and average customers the most powerful drift camera? twice as powerful as its predecessor. With an ultra-modern processor, a Sony CMOS sensor and the aspherical lens technology, the Ghost -S can film in 1080p at 60fps , shoot 12MP photos and has an unprecedented performance in low light on . The result is an exceptionally sharp and rich image under all
Conditions.
The long battery life ( 3.5 h) means more shooting and less worries. A colorful 2 " LCD display protected by scratch-resistant Corning ® Gorilla ® Glass , distinguishes the Ghost -S from the competition.
The numerous features and an intuitive interface allow access to a variety of different settings :
Bit rate , 10x digital zoom , resolution, frame rate , exposure, wide angle, and HDMI output . Together with an improved rotatable lens combines the Ghost -S professional features with ease of use.
Key Benefits
- The most powerful drift camera - the ease of use , it simplifies videos in professional quality record .
- Everything included to take superb HD video.
- Crystal clear shots and slow motion in 1080p at 60fps .
- The aperture mode displays the image in low light a dynamic.
- 12MP series images
Greetings from the South of Germany
Rainer
Thanks for the replies folks!
@skye : no doubts about the sony quality! I do like the wifi and quality of the lens. I don't like the 'bulky' waterproof housing and the missing remote.
@meinedicke : you are absolutely right about the improved specs (incl wifi) of the Drift ghost. This model costs about €100,= more. Then you must buy a sdcard and a second battery and off you go towards an pretty high investment
Like Skye says, maybe I should start with a cheap model like the Drift HD.
Well, all this gives me more than enough to think about......................
To be continued!
I have been pondering this subject myself and can't decide. The Geiringer presentation was certainly stunning and made me envious but the choice and range is enormous and confusing for the newbie.
E-bay is of course full of cameras that will function 'to a degree' and I can't justify even eur100 on this.
There are lots of reviews and one camera I was looking at, the owner said it was OK but if you could afford the one he had replaced it with, then that was the way to go.( I think it was Go-Pro @skye). Can you follow that?
Personally, I think HD is over-rated. We have a Sony HD TV but rarely use the function as it appears no better than the standard picture, even with things like Moto GP. Maybe it's just football where you see the difference.
Just checked E-bay...I've looked at 'Oregon' sports camera (£49,95): which seem to be rated OK but from 'Crazy Store' Motorbike helmet cam seems better value at £38.90 or different style in waterproof case, full HD for £56.90.
These all come with plenty of mounting brackets which is a category by itself and as I say, the choice is endless. What sort of quality do you actually need to watch on your own TV. If you are going for public display on a big screen, then that's a different deal.
Reviews are essential to base a decision on, I think. Best of luck!
JK
PS. Used Drift Camera with original packaging on E-bay UK. current bid £42.50 . Seller 2806jon 5 hours to go.
JK
Yes, Jackyork, that was me.
First I bought a SD camera due to I believed that one was good enough and cheaper. But HD is a lot better and makes the picture so much more detailed. Using Full HD 1080p or Half HD 720p really doesn't matter that much but there is a little hangup in GoPro.
Using 1080p setting the wideangle of the scenery is more flat than 720p. Think it differs from 127 to 170 degrees, therefor I'm using 1080p
Some data from my old HD hero MK1
HD Video Resolution Settings
Format and codec: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC
R1 WVGA (848x480): 60 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate
R2 720p - 1280x720 pixels, 30 fps with 7.5 Mbit/s data rate
R3 720p - 1280x720 pixels 60 fps with 15 Mbit/s data rate
R4 960p - 1280x960 pixels, 30 fps, 10 Mbit/s data rate
R5 1080p - 1920x1080 pixels, 30 fps, 12 Mbit/s data rate
Disk usage
Memory: SD card, up to 32GB capacity (SDHC)
Average recording times with 32GB SD card:
R5 1080p (30 fps): 4hrs. 21 minutes
R4 960p (30 fps): 5 hrs. 26 minutes
R3 720p (60 fps): 4 hrs. 21 minutes
R2 720p (30 fps): 8 hrs. 9 minutes
R1 WVGA (848x480 60fps): 8 hrs. 9 minutes
Camera Optics
Lens Type: Fixed Focus (2ft/.6m — ), glass
Aperture: f/2.8 (high performance in low-light situations)
Angle of View: 170° ultra wide angle in WVGA/720p / 960p R1-R4 läge
Angle of View: 127° wide angle in 1080p hd R5
Don't think the Disk Usage differs from other brands. Also to have in mind. Battery time capacity. 2-3 hours recordtime are common and than you have to charge it. I was using 12v and 3 hours later I could use the camera again. Done some modifications so now its always connected to 12v using a cigarettplug-usb which automatically set right voltage to the camera.
Thank you Magnus,
your post is very informative. Especially the average recording time depending on the resolution.
Rainer
The Sony hdr as15 has the same life on battery and the same memory as the go-pro..
But when U use the 1080 in 60p/frame it will also be the half of the memory ( 2h 40m ) on a 32Gb memory card.
I bought on eBay 2 ps 64Gb micro SDHD SAMSUNG, but that was a scam... ( so whatever U do, don`t by these cheap cards from eBay)
Must for me to film in full HD 1080 when i ride the bike..
So now i maybe buy 2 ps 32GB more or i pay full price for 2 ps 64Gb
Also in the Sony U have a stabilizer that's always is on, but U also can use an extra stabilizer ( but only when U are filming in 120° )
As i have modify one of mine so that i don't have to worry that the battery is out.
I also have made external cable for the microphone, that i have placed inside the tail, just in front of the taillight.
This is a picture frame from the camera who's runs only on battery..
And this is from the camera connect to the 12V system on the bike.
So its pretty good for an action cam to bee..
Hi Jos
Please contact Mense (Blacksmith). He has an excellent HD cam on his bike, top quality footage (I have enjoyed his footage about the 'Ligurische Grenzkammstrasse (LGKS) which he shot last summer).
For what I remember, it wasn't really expensive either (the cam)
I'll ask him to reply here with his experiences.
Hi Jos,
Like Bernard wrote, I used a GoPro2 to make video's in Spain, Wales and in the Alpes and still am very content with this cam. I use it on 960 frame, although the max is 1080. On 960 frame I have a perfect video on big flatscreen. I intent to buy an extra cam before traveling to Norway and most possibly it will be the GoPro 3 black edition, because it has remote control and the possiblity to watch the pictures on Ipad or smart Phone. The cam is mounted on top of my helmets through small adhesive mount. Gopro has absolutely a very wide range of extra parts to use it in almost every situation. The camera has no problems in heavy rain, but pictures then become worse because of the drops on the lense. Have a look on the site of V-nix, they have all sorts of cams and are specialised in GoPro. They are situated in city Groningen and deliver good service. When you have any question don't hesitate to send PM. Be aware that you use a class 10 SD card for video cams. See you at Geiranger or earlier.
Thanks for replies! Interesting topic we have here!
@jokern : what have you found out to be the best spot to mount the camera? On/under the fairing, on the front fender, on your helmet, stearingbar?
@blacksmith : Gopro seems to be the most obvious choice but too expensive for me
If you place your cam on top of your helmet (equal what cam you use), then you look a little like a Teletubbie, isn´t it.
Rainer
@Madero :
If i only use one cam, i would use my left mirrorarm to mount it on ( also that i always have ) and use 170° angel..
I use to shift position whit my second cam, on helmet, on the right site of the bike and on the right mirrorarm...
@meine dicke :
Maybe i also look like a Teletubbie when i take of my helmet
I think we look like tubbies with helmets on.
But as long as you make this kind of video's nobody will complain I think.
See you at G.