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I know many of us own and shoot pictures with SLRs. However, I was wondering if anyone here has a different kind of camera, one that is sleek , convenient, and can even shoot pictures in extreme conditions (i.e., skydiving, dirt biking, cliff diving, etc.) . I’m talking about a GoPro camera. What are the pros and cons of this camera? I know a GoPro can record high definition videos. What advantages does this camera have over an SLR?
Here’s a few that I can think of off the top of my head…
Pros:
- Extremely small
- Extremely light
- Waterproof, shockproof, etc.
- Records HD, FHD, and UHD video (at high frame-rates)
- Has various mounts for mounting in all types of situations.
- In-camera timelapse options
Cons:
- No control over autofocus
- Extremely wide-angle lens creates distortion (Nowadays, it’s correctable quite easily)
- Certain GoPro models don’t even have LiveView, (i.e you can’t even see what your camera is recording)
- Less control over camera settings.
- Tiny sensor doesn’t stack up well against APS-C and Full-Frame sensors.
- Tiny size makes it hard to hold onto if you’re trying to use it like a normal camera
- Geared more towards video than for still pictures. DSLRs are especially made for taking high quality stills, a GoPro is made for taking action video.
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This last point is in my opinion the most significant. Comparing a GoPro to a DSLR is sort of like comparing an iPhone to a Desktop computer. They’re both extremely good at what they do, but they are made for different purposes, and have their own specialized uses.Thank you very much for the pros and cons regarding the GoPro. Looks like this camera is great for recording HD videos. In your opinion, what is the best DSLR for taking pictures? I know you use a Pentax. Is there any camera brand that seems to offer the best functionalities or take the best pictures? Or are most brands the same as far as performance is concerned?
That’s sort of like asking: “Which is better, a Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet, or Toyota”? 🙂
The answer all depends on what you’re looking for from you DSLR. Yes, I do shoot Pentax, and I do think it’s about the best you can get, for the price. Interestingly, there’s an article on Pentaxforums right now that give a very good overview of reasons why, and why not to buy Pentax. http://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/photo-articles/why-buy-pentax-cameras-in-2016.html
Well of course Nikon is the best… Everybody know that! LOL just kidding of course but the point I’m making is that generally we are a little biased toward what we use and have grown accustomed to. But that doesn’t mean it’s “the best”. The goal is to take great pictures and any major brand DSLR is going to do that quite well if you learn how to use it properly (which is something I’m still trying to do!). The best functionalities are going to be determined by your personal desires and the genre of photography that interests you the most. Some of that can be learned through research. Some will be learned through experience. Having said that though, I will make one observation. Even though I like Nikon and have no reason or desire to switch brands, I have observed that Canon’s entry level DSLR seems to have a few more features than Nikon’s entry level. Of course that could easily change as camera makers upgrade their cameras from time to time.
Looks like we’ve got Pentax and Nikon fans. How about some Canon supporters? I know James uses a Canon SLR. I understand that each camera brand has its own unique specialties and functions. I guess the bottom line really is getting the best quality camera with functions suited for the right purpose at the best price. And purchasing an SLR does depend on the photographer’s taste. @dan-cope, it is true that we seem to trust brands we’ve used for many years and of which we’ve gained quite an amount of experience. I know that from personal experience. I’ve been using a Panasonic camera for almost ten years and have got pretty accustomed to using it that I may not be able to make a smooth and easy shift to an SLR should I be buying one someday.
I had a quick question (maybe I should have posted it on a lens thread instead). Can a 18-135 mm lens be used for both macro/product and landscape photography?I’m sure @JamesStaddon will be enough of a Canon fan to make up for us Nikon and Pentax fans! 🙂
I understand that each camera brand has its own unique specialties and functions.
You’re right! Just to show that I’m not too biased, 🙂 here are a couple of pros for Canon:
- Likely the best lens lineup of any DSLR manufacturer.
- Probably the best for video – With their Dual-Pixel AF technology, and STM lenses, you can get professional quality video for very cheap! (Compared to buying a professional large-sensor camcorder.)
Actually, both Panasonic and Sony are making good progress with mirrorless video cameras. Neither of those has nearly the lens lineup that Canon does though.
I had a quick question (maybe I should have posted it on a lens thread instead). Can a 18-135 mm lens be used for both macro/product and landscape photography?
Absolutely! I have actually used my 18-135 a little bit for product photography, although I prefer using a sharp prime like the 50mm f/1.8.
@Emilym might be able to tell you a little about product photography with a (Nikon) 18-140mm lens.Unfortunately, @buddingphotographer, I don’t have a lot to say about product photography with the 18-140mm lens, since all of the product photography was done before I got my new lens. I’ve found that it takes great “every day” pictures at 140mm and 18mm, though I haven’t done a whole lot of experimenting.
Ok, good to know, @Emilym! If you’re happy with it in every day use, then I guess it’s doing a pretty good job! The “extended” kit lenses like the 18-135 and 18-140 are great for just that, (Taking great everyday pictures)
You could always test it’s product photography merits if you like. Take something simple, a bar of soap for example, and see how it does! 🙂
Yeah, I’ll chime in for Canon!
To a beginner choosing their first DSLR, just about any brand is going to be an impressive upgrade. The DSLR by nature is a marvel of technology. It’s when one considers their specific niche in photography that the different brands begin to make a difference. So, if a beginner feels they really want to get into videography with their DSLR, then Canon might be the best choice for them. Nikon is popular for portrait photographers because of it’s smooth integration with flash systems. Mirrorless is popular for travel photography because of it’s portability, so Sony could be the best choice for one who loves to travel.
However, the reason I chose Canon was not because I had any grand dreams for the future or a deep understanding of the specific niche I wanted to get into. I chose Canon simply because my Dad already had some Canon lenses. It didn’t make sense for me to go with another brand and have to buy a whole new set of lenses. So, that was the reason I went with Canon in the beginning.
Since that time, I’ve learned things about Canon that make me recommend Canon to others. First and foremost is ergonomics. Nikon is unbelievably confusing to me. I work with Nikon cameras a lot during workshops, and I still have a very hard time finding the simplest of options. Secondly, I have always felt Canons professional lens lineup has been superior to any other brand when it comes to wildlife and landscape, with affordability being the only limiting factor, not availability.
I’m looking forward to learning more diverse camera systems as the years progress and as opportunity provides. But for now, Canon is the best. 🙂
@jamesstaddon, what are you meaning about Nikon and it’s smooth integration with flash systems? What is the difference between the Nikon flash system and Canon’s?
- This reply was modified 54 years, 9 months ago by .
Well, Nikon had the edge on flash up through 2012 so this has given Nikon the name in flash for a long time. So, perhaps now there’s not that much difference any more. Ken Rockwell has a bit to say about this under the section “Flash” in this article: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/nikon-vs-canon.htm
But they still are different. There’s a good list of the differences in the “Lighting” section in this article: http://betterfamilyphotos.blogspot.mx/2012/05/comparison-between-canon-and-nikon.html
The big thing for me is the inability for any Canon camera I have owned to trigger a speedlite off-camera, whereas I’ve seen Nikon folks do this. That was several years ago, so I’d be interested to know now which cameras on both sides support triggering speedlites off-camera.
That was several years ago, so I’d be interested to know now which cameras on both sides support triggering speedlites off-camera.
My 7D can trigger a flash off-camera. I know 60D’s can also trigger a flash off-camera, so maybe the 70D and 7D II have that option too. Maybe also higher-end Canon Rebels…
Basically you need to fire your built-in flash and set the flash on ”slave”. When I had my T3, I couldn’t fire my 430EX. So I had four options : Buying another flash that could be used as a ”master” to trigger the ”slaves”, getting a flash that could be used as an ”optical slave”, buying a wire that connected the flash with the camera (that’s the option I choose), or getting a transmitter that could be mounted on the hot shoe of my camera to fire my flash.
But I felt so limited with the wire that I sold my 430EX, bought a 7D, sold my T3, and bought again a 430EX 😉
@buddingphotographer and I had a discussion relating to that here.
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