The Rise of GoPros: Are They Worth the Hype?
As I sat down to film this video, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. I had recently purchased a GoPro, one of the most popular action cameras on the market, and was eager to put it to the test. But as I began to explore its features and capabilities, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. In this video, we're going to dive into whether or not you actually need a GoPro, and whether it's worth the hype.
Smartphone Cameras: The Unlikely Competitor
One of the main reasons I decided to make this video is because I genuinely think there's a point that needs to be made about smartphone cameras. In recent years, these devices have improved dramatically, and are now capable of taking photos and videos that rival those of high-end DSLR cameras. When you consider the size of the GoPro, it becomes clear that it's subject to many of the same constraints as a phone. It simply can't compete with the larger sensors and more advanced optics found in traditional cameras.
I've taken this opportunity to compare my GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition to the Samsung Note 5, which is one of the top-end smartphones on the market. As you can see from the footage, there's a significant difference between the two devices. The Note 5 has far better low-light performance, and is able to capture more detail in both bright and dark environments. But it's not just about raw image quality - the GoPro also falls short when it comes to focusing on macro objects. No matter how hard I try, I'm unable to get a clear shot of even the smallest details.
The Limitations of the GoPro
One of the most frustrating things about the GoPro is its inability to cope with macro photography. The lens simply can't focus quickly enough to capture sharp images of small objects, and as a result, the footage often ends up looking soft and blurry. This isn't just a minor issue - it's a fundamental limitation that affects the overall quality of the device.
In contrast, the Samsung Note 5 is able to capture stunning macro shots with ease, thanks to its advanced optical system and high-quality lenses. Even in bright light, the phone can produce images that are crystal clear and devoid of distortion. This isn't just about taking better photos - it's also about having more control over the final product.
The Cost: A $430 Camera for $62?
So what makes a GoPro so expensive? At $430, it may seem like an extortionate price tag for a camera that can only take average photos and videos. But when you consider the accessories that come with the device - including mounts, cases, and more - it's clear that the total cost can be quite steep.
In contrast, high-end smartphones like the Samsung Note 5 offer similar features at a fraction of the price. With a top-of-the-line model costing as little as $62 (after a pre-owned purchase), it's hard to justify spending hundreds of dollars on a camera that may not even offer significantly better performance.
The Verdict: Do You Really Need a GoPro?
So, do you really need a GoPro? In my opinion, the answer is a resounding no. While the device has its fans and enthusiasts, I firmly believe that smartphones like the Samsung Note 5 are more than capable of taking high-quality photos and videos. And at the end of the day, it's up to each individual to decide what their needs are and whether or not a GoPro is right for them.
But if you do still want to spend money on a camera, I'd recommend exploring other options before settling on a GoPro. Whether it's a mirrorless camera, a point-and-shoot model, or something entirely different, there are many choices available that offer better performance and value for your hard-earned cash.
Conclusion
As I wrap up this video, I want to thank you for watching. If you have any thoughts or opinions on the GoPro vs smartphone debate, be sure to let me know in the comments below. And if you're in the market for a new camera, don't forget to consider your options carefully - there's more to it than just brand name and hype.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enGoPros are a real craze right now and in a bit of a frenzy I ended up buying one myself and almost the whole time while using it whatever function feature or setting I was using I was just disappointed so in this video we're going to talk about if you actually need one so the reason I'm making this video is because I genuinely think there's a point that needs to be made smartphone cameras are getting better and better every single year and if you think about the size of the GoPro you'll actually realize it's subject to almost all the similar sort of size constraints that a phone is it's never going to be able to have those DSLR Optics which separate those Ultra highend cameras from those of smartphones so I actually have the highest end GoPro here this is the GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition and as you can see footage taken from it really isn't that impressive here we have the Note 5 and as you can see walking through it's much brighter this at exactly the same time of the day and you wouldn't even be able to tell moving back to the GoPro trying to focus in on macro objects is a real struggle it just can't cope the lens is not powerful enough whereas the Note 5 eases through it like butter it can focus on objects that are about five or six times as close as that of the GoPro if we look at standard photos taken as well you'll actually struggle to get a non- blurry one with the GoPro and the focus the image quality the size the light everything is better with the Note 5 and the annoying thing is is that the company uses this to justify everything about it it's true it may be the best midget camera that you can buy but you don't need a midget camera I mean a phone still fits in your pocket you can still mount a phone on your head and I mean sure GoPros are waterproof they're very rugged they're strong they're durable but you can just get a case that replicates this for your mobile device so if we actually look at the specifications a GoPro has a 12 megap photo 4K video at 30 frames per second and burst shot mode and that's going to net you $430 on Amazon if we actually move over then to a high-end smartphone something the Galaxy Note 5 but I mean almost any of the current ones will do then we have a 16 map sensor we can still take 4K video at 30 frames per second and we still have burst shot but on top of that we have Optical image stabilization panorama mode we can now take slow motion video HDR and to be honest the built-in editor on mobile devices makes everything a lot easier and that's only going to cost you about $62 or less if you buy a different smartphone or pre-owned and then you consider that smartphones do so much more I mean it calls people you can play games you've got this giant beautiful display you can watch videos browse the internet the list is endless I'm not doubting that the GoPro is built well because it is it comes bundled with a ton of accessories you can mount onto a tripod onto a helmet onto almost anything you can think of but all these things can be also achieved with a mobile device you'll just need to buy like A2 accessory from eBay and it's basically instantly compatible with everything one of the main selling points of the GoPro is that you know you can use it for sport use because it's got this giant wide angle which basically means it has a wide field of view but yet again that can also be replicated on mobile devices with a pretty cheap accessory so guys I would love to know your opinion on this in my eyes I just can't see any situation at all whether the GoPro actually performs something that the phone can't or doesn't already do but better anyway guys thanks for watching I'm Mr who the boss and this is insanely Cool Tech come onGoPros are a real craze right now and in a bit of a frenzy I ended up buying one myself and almost the whole time while using it whatever function feature or setting I was using I was just disappointed so in this video we're going to talk about if you actually need one so the reason I'm making this video is because I genuinely think there's a point that needs to be made smartphone cameras are getting better and better every single year and if you think about the size of the GoPro you'll actually realize it's subject to almost all the similar sort of size constraints that a phone is it's never going to be able to have those DSLR Optics which separate those Ultra highend cameras from those of smartphones so I actually have the highest end GoPro here this is the GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition and as you can see footage taken from it really isn't that impressive here we have the Note 5 and as you can see walking through it's much brighter this at exactly the same time of the day and you wouldn't even be able to tell moving back to the GoPro trying to focus in on macro objects is a real struggle it just can't cope the lens is not powerful enough whereas the Note 5 eases through it like butter it can focus on objects that are about five or six times as close as that of the GoPro if we look at standard photos taken as well you'll actually struggle to get a non- blurry one with the GoPro and the focus the image quality the size the light everything is better with the Note 5 and the annoying thing is is that the company uses this to justify everything about it it's true it may be the best midget camera that you can buy but you don't need a midget camera I mean a phone still fits in your pocket you can still mount a phone on your head and I mean sure GoPros are waterproof they're very rugged they're strong they're durable but you can just get a case that replicates this for your mobile device so if we actually look at the specifications a GoPro has a 12 megap photo 4K video at 30 frames per second and burst shot mode and that's going to net you $430 on Amazon if we actually move over then to a high-end smartphone something the Galaxy Note 5 but I mean almost any of the current ones will do then we have a 16 map sensor we can still take 4K video at 30 frames per second and we still have burst shot but on top of that we have Optical image stabilization panorama mode we can now take slow motion video HDR and to be honest the built-in editor on mobile devices makes everything a lot easier and that's only going to cost you about $62 or less if you buy a different smartphone or pre-owned and then you consider that smartphones do so much more I mean it calls people you can play games you've got this giant beautiful display you can watch videos browse the internet the list is endless I'm not doubting that the GoPro is built well because it is it comes bundled with a ton of accessories you can mount onto a tripod onto a helmet onto almost anything you can think of but all these things can be also achieved with a mobile device you'll just need to buy like A2 accessory from eBay and it's basically instantly compatible with everything one of the main selling points of the GoPro is that you know you can use it for sport use because it's got this giant wide angle which basically means it has a wide field of view but yet again that can also be replicated on mobile devices with a pretty cheap accessory so guys I would love to know your opinion on this in my eyes I just can't see any situation at all whether the GoPro actually performs something that the phone can't or doesn't already do but better anyway guys thanks for watching I'm Mr who the boss and this is insanely Cool Tech come on\n"
