There are so many options for outdoor action videos. Should you get a GoPro action camera? A 360 Camera? A Drone? All of these could be good options, depending on what you want to record.
Mountain Dad and I recently tried out a GoPro HERO5 Black, Insta360 One, and Rylo 360, plus we pulled in drone video tips from some good friends. In this post I’ll share which camera we ultimately decided to purchase for capturing outdoor action video and why.
The links in this post are affiliate links meaning if you buy something after clicking through these links I get a small commission AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. If reading this (or anything on my gear page) inspires you to make a purchase PLEASE show us some love and buy through these affiliate links.
GoPro Hero 5
In March Verizon sent me a GoPro HERO5 Black to demo. GoPro is known as the leader in action cameras, offering easy controls, unique mounting positions, a waterproof case and more. In general, people are happy with their GoPros. I had a very different experience.
When Verizon sent me the GoPro HERO5 Black I was excited to get unique snowboarding video for the end of the season. Alas, using the GoPro HERO5 Black was the most frustrating video experiences of my life.
After capturing an awesome snowboard run I would hit the save button and the camera stuck in save mode…for hours. Not only was that footage lost, any other attempts to film while on the slopes didn’t work.
Then the camera would lose charge. It wouldn’t switch between video and photo mode. Overall the unit glitched more than it successfully recorded anything, but even with those challenges I was able to capture all of the shots in this video using the GoPro. Check it out:
I’ve gotta say, I do like the unique perspectives you can capture with an action cam, I just wouldn’t recommend the GoPro HERO5 Black after my experience with that demo unit.
Benefits of a GoPro Action Camera
- Compact
- Easy mounting systems
- Waterproof case (additional cost?)
- Supposedly simple to use – although the specific camera I tried wasn’t
GoPro Hero 5 costs $259.00 – $399.99
360 Camera
Our experience with the GoPro Hero 5 inspired us to look at other options for an action cam. After hours of extensive internet research, Mountain Dad purchased both the Insta360 ONE 360 Camera and the Rylo 360 Video Camera – ultimately deciding to return the Insta360 ONE. This post explains why – Read why here.
What’s cool about 360 Cameras? Basically everything.
With simple controls and similar mounting systems to the gopro, a 360 camera captures video in all directions and allows the viewer to choose what to focus on in the shot. This camera will make action cams like GoPro obsolete in the next few years. It does everything a traditional action camera does and more.
In this video we did of a recent trip to Onion Creek Off-Roading trail in Moab, Utah, USA you can use the controls in the upper corner to change the perspective and see in 360 degrees. It’s super cool!
Psst..If you have a minute please subscribe to my YouTube channel.
The Rylo 360 Video Camera connects directly to your phone so you can easily offload footage and edit on the go. You can choose to have it follow a specific person, capture your mountain biking trail from the front or back and stitch together a story based on everything around you. You don’t have to view the completed videos in 360 mode either.
Read the complete review of the Rylo 360 here.
Benefits of a 360 Camera
- No more worrying about if you “got the right shot”
- Immersive viewer experience – there’s no better way to capture the full view from a mountain top
- Compact design
- Easy to use
The Insta360 One PRICE: $299
The Rylo 360 PRICE: $499
Drone footage
The final way to capture unique outdoor video is by using a Drone with a Video Camera. These devices look like hand-held helicopters and are controlled by remote. They can capture unique video since they fly in the air – I mean look how cool this video is from our friends over at CurrentlyWandering.com.
It looks really cool right? If you’re looking for a unique way to capture beautiful outdoor scenery a drone would be it. However there are some drawbacks to using a drone.
- Price
- Limited use areas (drones are restricted in national parks and near airports)
- You have to have another person to capture action footage
- Weather – Drones don’t fly well in windy, rainy or snowy weather.
But even with that I’ve gotta say they are pretty cool. To get that overhead visual, there’s nothing like it, unless you’ve got connections to a full blown helicopter.
Prices vary from $499 – $1299+ depending on the drone you choose.
Put the Camera Down
Whatever action camera you choose, make sure it only ADDS to your outdoor experience. If I get too caught up with trying to get the perfect shot I miss experiencing the activity in real time.
To combat this I make a point to put the video camera away at some point on every hike, bike ride, campout or ski run. Having cool outdoor action video makes reliving the experience easy, but that only works if you actually live the experience the first time around.
See you in the outdoors,
~Mountain Mom
