Combining [ Video + GPS ] to Create Next Generation [ Online Maps ]
Combining [ Video + GPS ] to Create Next Generation [ Online Maps ]
It is no secret that action cameras are a big part of what we do here at Trail Genius. Without them, there would be no genius. We are in a constant search for the next best thing. That next best thing could be the new to the market Sony HDR-AS15. We decided to test this side-by-side against our other cameras: the Contour+ and the GoPro Hero2.
Which is the best? The short answer is, it comes down to usage. I know, I know, it sounds like a cop out, but it's true. Each camera has something the others don't which makes them better in certain applications. At the end of the day, no camera is hands-down the best. In the end our goal is to review these cameras based on how we use them, and provide you with side-by-side video comparisons so you can judge for yourself.
If usage is the biggest factor, let's talk about how we use the cameras here at Trail Genius? Our primary focus is to film trails and events and sync that video with GPS data to create online interactive maps. We started out creating mountain bike maps. They still are the main focus, but we have branched out to road biking, running, swimming, and skiing. The end use of our video is the internet, streamed via YouTube at 360p by default, with the option to play at up to 1080p. We are not creating production videos that are meant for HDTVs. The biggest factors when Trail Genius chooses a camera are mounts, battery life, reliability and how easy it is to turn on. GPS capability is an added bonus because it can simplify our process (more on that in a bit). We want to easily know: Is it on? Is it filming? How much battery memory is left?
The first camera we ever bought was a Contour 720p. We got it mostly because of how nice it mounts to a helmet. With its versatile rail system and rotating lens, the Contour+ is still top of the class for mounting. Second place goes to the GoPro because they do have mounting options, and with the additional link extentions you can accommodate uneven surfaces, but the form factor and mounts can't compete with Contour. The Sony in our opinion needs the most improvement when it comes to helmet mounting. The biggest downside of the new Sony is you can't rotate the lens like on the Contour. The mounts themselves are not up to par with veteran cameras. We realize they are the new player in this market but that means they have had time to study the existing competition. They should be one step ahead now. The Contour, by far, is the best camera for helmet mounting.
Contour wins here again, with the exception of the chest mount application due to its shape. With it's rotating lens and rail system, Contour is our go-to camera for most applications. Second place goes to GoPro with it's array of mounting options, including the chest mount. We could not rate GoPro top because the mounting parts consist of strange screw and bolt connections that are difficult to keep tight and are prone to breaking. Again Sony comes in last here. We have faith that they will continue to develop more and better mounts, but the current mounts are just plain bad. You can see in the YouTube video below. The only good play that made in this category is including the 1/4-20 screw mount. This allows the ability to use any other mount on the market....and we prefer some of the contour ones here as well.
This video is taken with the stock mount supplied by Sony. The mount does not secure the camera in place and it bounces the camera all over the place on a simple gravel path. With that said, the Sony can be used with some of the Contour mounts. This gets it back in the game, but Sony obviously spent their time on the electronics and not on mounts.
I should start by saying that most of the filming we do at Trail Genius if for long stretches of time. Our comments may not apply to the weekend warrior who only needs a camera to perform over short periods. With that said, there is no real winner when it comes to battery life for what Trail Genius does. These small cameras are just not made to film for longer then 2-3 hours. There are a couple options to extend battery life. On the Contour+ we attach an external battery via the USB connector, but not all Contour models can do this and this is not an official Contour attachment. You have do a little DIY to make it work. GoPro offers their extra battery add-on that works great, but it adds to the bulky form factor that already is not great for helmet mounting, and we are pretty sure the use of it eliminated the waterproof case ability. The Sony actually has the most potential here. They use a tray system to load/unload the battery. It works really slick, and gets them an A+ for this feature. The negative here is unlike the other two cameras they now have wasted space. It seems easily doable to have a custom battery fill the entire battery and tray void and offer the longest running action camera in the industry. As of now we are not aware of a way to extend the Sony's battery life.
In regards to the battery setup in general on these cameras, Contour is by far the worst. Keep in mind we are using the Contour+ in this comparison, which allows the ability to swap batteries (an important feature for long duration recording), and not the Contour Roam with a built in battery. Contour has tried a couple different ways to secure the battery over the years, never with much success. In fairness to Contour, the plus is much better then what they have on the Contour GPS, which is hands-down the worst system for loading and unloading a battery. Batteries get stuck in our Contour GPS all the time. The Contour+ is better, but not much. The latch system is fragile, and the battery compartment catches on the batteries all the time. The GoPro battery system works great, and we have had no problems with it. The Sony's battery set up is also pretty nice and we have had no issues so far.
This may seem like a simple thing, but you will realize quick how important this feature is with these cameras. Especially when helmet mounting where it is nice to not have to take your helmet off to start your camera. The winner in this comparison is the Sony, with it's instant on record button. Just push the button on the back and the camera turns on and starts recording. The Contour comes in second, it has a super nice slider on top that makes starting and stopping recording easy, but you have to turn the camera on first by pressing and holding a hard to push button on the back of the camera. We will say that Contour is going to an instant-on slider for the Roam and +2 cameras, which we have used and works good, but for this test we are using the Contour+ which does not have this feature. The GoPro falls behind in this category. We are never sure that it is recording unless we can see the record light, which is difficult to see when it is on a helmet. We are always asking "Is it recording" to who ever we are riding with.
This is possibly another easily overlooked feature (at least in our usage case). Is the camera on and recording...very important info. Overall in this category Contour leads again. With the loudest audible beeps of the three, that is a good start for the "is it on & recording" questions. They also have a front and rear light indicating record status that almost provides 360 degrees of indication from any angle. The lights are also easily visible in sunny conditions which cant be said for the GoPro indicator light and both LCD screens on the Sony and GoPro. The only negative Contour gets here is for what appears like a glitch on our particular camera. The audible beep frequently changes tone and volume. Some days it is super high pitched and quiet, then one day it is back to full power.....weird. Sony gets the number two spot here, but barely. The audible beep is not as loud and only present when starting to film, not stopping for some reason. Again, maybe it is just our physical camera. The side LCD is better than a front LCD cause you can at least see it from one side of the camera. The GoPro unfortunately comes in last again. The only indicator light is very dim, and we are still puzzled by the 5 or 7 beep tone indicating it is turning off. Is 7 beeps really necessary? The main reason for last place in this category is for the following reason. Do I really need to put my face in front of the lens every time I want to see if it is on and filming? Who thought this was a good idea?
Contour, being the only camera to offer onboard GPS, is the obvious winner here. Keep in mind that there is not much room for an antenna on this camera and as a result, signal strength and accuracy can be an issue when in hilly or wooded areas. GPS can be turned on and off through Contour software, and when on you will see reduced battery life. Trail Genius maps require video synced with GPS, so this feature has been very useful to us. We tend to use it as a backup, and do our primary data capture with an external GPS because we have gotten poor data results with the Contour under certain conditions. We should also note that waiting for GPS lock requires patience, because it can take up to 5 min to lock. When your friends are all eager to start riding, or you have to change a battery during a race, this can be frustrating. We are interesting in testing the new Contour+2 which somehow has instant on and GPS ability. Our guess is there will still be a wait time required for GPS lock.
Sony wins by far. GoPro comes in second, and Contour a close third. Our delivery method for our video is the internet, so video quality is not top of our list, but it is a factor. Sony is top of the game at this point when it comes to quality, but keep in mind these three companies are in a race to put out the next best thing so new cameras with better quality are coming out all the time. Contour just released the Contour +2 and GoPro just announced the Hero 3 with models that can do 4k quality video. The point is, as of this test Sony is top dog, but the other two are not far off and their new camera could put them on top. To get an idea of how all three compare take a look at this side by side video:
As you can see they are all pretty close in regards to quality. The difference is more noticeable when you have the full resolution videos playing on you computer screen, the Sony really stands out. In the end, where you plan to show your videos will be a factor. If you plan to post your video on YouTube like us, having the best video quality may not matter.
Sony HDR-AS15
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
Contour+
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
GoPro Hero 2
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
Base on what we do here at Trail Genius, we conclude that out of the box the Contour is still our favorite option. The Sony is a close second, only if you use other mounts. GoPro comes in last on our list, but that is not to say it isn't a great camera, it's just not the best solution for us at this time. We just put heavy emphasis on some features that may be over looked by most.
Feel free to email us with your comments or questions: Contact Form
