This portion will purely concentrate on the image quality of this action camera.
If you want to know more about the accessories and overall build quality, click here.
Image quality
Modern cellphones today can take very good images partly because of the increased megapixel count and sensor technology. The action cameras photo quality unfortunately is poor, reminiscent to those cameras modules from phones of years 2007 or below. The lens is not sharp enough too and this also affects video quality.
The images you see below were taken at the 12 megapixel mode. The box specifies that the sensor is a 5MP. It may produce better images at 5MP but I decided to just shoot at the 12 MP mode.
Here's the 100% crop.
I also used the vivid mode and the standard mode to see if there's a marked difference in saturation. I really cant tell if there is.
The image below shows how the camera exposure settings managed to keep the subject up front clear enough behind the rather bright background. It worked well.
When shooting against the sun or any light source, the camera does a good job in adjusting the exposure so the scene upfront is clear. The flare is not that bad either.
Its easy to get dirty, blurry video and images too. Do make sure to wipe the lens or the lens case first before doing any shooting. Even smudges can ruin the quality.
Video Quality
Overall the video quality is as expected at the price point. It's not bad, its not great either. Its okay if you just want to capture and view the videos on a mobile device, large screens and even on a laptop, the low quality video really becomes evident.
Still if you want to get the most out of your video, a simple editing software may make things better. Publishing in youtube, using their editing software also helps. It might take some time though since a few minutes of video at 1080p or even at 720p will occupy 1 or 2 GB or more of your card easily.
Down below is a sample shot at 1080p25. Even in well lit conditions, the image is grainy and not sharp at all.
The shakiness is my fault though. :)
These came directly from the camera itself without any kind of editing of sorts at all.
here's the VGA mode, somehow the video output is very bad. parang naka fish eye.
Lastly, the 720p at 30 frames per second mode. Fish eye effect on this mode too but not too pronounced compared to the VGA mode.
The fish eye lens effect is great BUT i want to have it as an option and not as default setting, something that is happening to the cameras when using the lower sized quality.
Cards today are pretty cheap, almost no reason for us to be using the 720p or vga mode but there are times when we're out and about that they actually become handy when our cards go full. For what it's worth, the degree of color and brightness in between the video formats are maintained.
The image and video quality is something you'd expect from this pricepoint. Its not good, its not great, but just enough for most of our needs. If you are into movie making though, you might as well slash this camera off your list because it's no good in that regard.
It will never be as good as a go pro camera or any of the well known, chinese brands. Is it worth buying though? Well yes, if the price is right and that price would have to be less than 2,000 pesos. I got mine for 1399.00.
The price has been for the last couple of days slowing reverting back to the original list price of more than 6,000 PHP. At that, don't get this one because it is not worth it. Instead get the Hero. It does everything better for sure.
PROS:
Cheap (lazada discounted 1399.00 - original price is more than 6k)
Lightweight
High Quality accessories
Tons of features for the price
CONS
Image (Photo) and Video quality is as expected at this pricepoint
Fish eye effect on vga and 720p modes. non adjustable.
Camera screwhole for mount is made of plastic
Battery life and the fact that you can't remove it.
Comments
Post a Comment