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Self Contained Hi-Def Cams
March 2010
Self contained cams are very
popular and now in great Hi-Def. They offer a simple, all in one solution
in selectable resolutions up to 1080p Hi-Def. The two cams below, the
ContourHD 1080p and the Hero GoPro HD, are top examples of what is
currently available in today.
After we compare side by side
which one will you choose to buy...
Specification Comparison Chart
Some specifications taken
from mfg's website or product manual. |
ContourHD 1080p |
GoPro HD Helmet Hero |
| Suggested Retail Price |
$329.99 |
$299.99 |
| Included
mounts |
Goggle and flat surface, extra
stickem pad |
Vented helmet,
headband, 2 flat surface, 2 curved surface, adjustable pivot
arm, WP housing* with add'l open "audio" back, 2 quick release
mounts |
| Included cables |
USB |
USB, HDTV and RCA |
| Software |
Online download available |
No |
|
Lens/Field Of View (FOV) |
110 deg. on 1080p, WVGA
135 deg. on 960p & 720p |
127 deg. on 1080p
170 deg. on 960 & 720p |
|
Adjustable camera settings |
via software: Time, 4
video quality, audio gain, bit rate, contrast, exposure,
sharpness, spot/center/avg. metering |
via camera
menu:
video settings
exposure metering |
| Video settings |
1080p@30fps
960p "full frame"@30fps
720p@30 or 60fps
WVGA (848x480 @60fps) |
1080p@30fps
960p "full frame"@30fps
720p@30 or 60fps |
| File Type/codec |
QuickTime .MOV/H.264 |
MP4/H.264 |
| Battery /
included |
rechargeable lithium - yes |
rechargeable
lithium - yes |
| Battery run time |
3 hrs (as per Mfg.) |
2.5 hours (as per
Mfg.) |
| Internal memory |
No |
No |
| Memory Storage |
MicroSD up to 16GB |
SD up to 32GB |
| Memory included |
Yes - 2GB |
No |
| Still photos? |
No |
Yes
- 5 mp, several modes |
| Digital zoom? |
No |
No |
| Remote or LANC |
No |
No |
| weight w/battery |
4.4oz |
6.3oz in wp case*,
3.5oz without |
| Size L x W x H |
3.75" x 1.27" x 2.15" |
1.6" x 2.77" x
2.5" (in case) |
| Weather
resistance |
"water resistant" Not WP without WP housing - NOT
included |
Yes, only with WP housing*
(included) |
| Other notes: |
Rotatable lens, dual laser sighting system
Online video hosting/posting |
*housing must be
used for mounting of camera |
Out of the box. Both cams are packaged in a clear
"Rubik's cube"... a puzzle to open and not the most eco friendly of
packaging. This is cool clever marketing, but I'd rather see minimal
packaging from both companies.
Packaging aside, the Contour once charged is ready to go,
the GoPro will need a memory card.
Performance Information
| |
ContourHD 1080p |
Hero GoPro HD |
| Image sharpness |
Overall good but soft in
corners |
Very Good |
| Image Clarity |
good, but has some vertical
lens flare when facing direct sunlight |
Good, only
occasional lens flare |
| Color quality |
OK - cooler colors (settings
adjustable) |
Good - warmer
colors |
| Contrast |
Good (adjustable) |
Good |
| Lighting compensation |
Good |
Good |
| Smoothness of video |
Good - great frame
grabs |
Good -
great frame grabs |
| Shock resistance (image) |
OK, heavy shock/vibration
causes some distortion |
OK, heavy
shock/vibration causes notable distortion |
| Sound quality |
OK ++ |
OK, but only with
open back, poor to none if waterproof back is used. |
| Mounting system |
Very good and many |
Good and many |
| Ergonomics/shape |
Good, back cover can come
loose, very good record switch |
Fair - buttons can
be fiddly, modes can be changed accidentally |
| Battery life
(mfg specs) |
up to 3 hours |
up to 2.5 hours |
Some test video is
HERE
ContourHD - Pro's:
-
Great overall video quality.
-
Good mounting system with many options
-
Comes with battery and memory card
-
EZ one slide switch recording
-
Sophisticated software for changing cam settings
-
Wide angle lens - without much distortion
-
Light weight
-
Handles low light well
-
Rotatable lens - very handy!
ContourHD - Con's:
-
MOV File system not as software editing friendly
-
Packaging could be more eco-friendly
-
Access flap on back can be bumped loose reaching for
record switch
-
Image color is a bit unsaturated and on the "cool"
side
GoPro HD - Pro's:
-
MP4 video easier to edit
-
Great overall video quality
-
Good mounting system with many options (but some can
be a little fragile and flexy)
-
Many record options (But be careful you might
be shooting stills instead of video)
-
Wide angle lens - without much distortion
GoPro HD Con's:
-
Even though small, it's shape is "bulky"
-
Low light becomes a bit grainy (video clip coming)
-
Must use waterproof case for mounting system
-
Getting on the heavy side
Bottom Line:
Both cams are good ones and both have their
particular pro's and con's. If pure video quality and ease of editing
(file type) is your game, then I feel the GoPro has the edge, but it
ergonomics and mounting are important then the Contour has it's
advantages. Both cams could use some work in one way or another, as is
the case most of these cams: no cam is perfect. I think you need to
review all the info to make your choice. One thing is sure, either one
will give you good results, I think your choice will depend on how and
where you are going to use it.
Contour HD 1080p wish list:
-
Adjustable image saturation (like the contrast)
-
Work on shock proofing
-
Threaded front lens cover
-
Positive latch on back cover
-
Work on packaging (go green please!)
Hero GoProHD
wish list:
-
Work on shock proofing
-
It would be nice if it were more aero/ergonomic (not
a brick)
-
1/4 x 20 threaded mount in the camera AND case
-
More positive record button - it's easy to NOT be
recording when you think you are
-
Work on packaging (go green please!)
Notes about AUDIO/SOUND
Even though I do not use much of my native audio from my cam shoots (I
usually put in music instead), it's a big bonus to have it. It adds to
the moment, a short chat at a break in the action with your friends or
whatever. A few of these companies have opted for water-proofness over
audio but I really hope they can find a way to do both! |
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