5+1 vlogging cameras

Despite the positioning of the model as a camera for active filming, vloggers, youtubers and other video bloggers are giving it more and more preferences, since the ergonomic shape of the Sony FDR-X3000 contributes to a comfortable grip of the camcorder, and the optical stabilization system on board minimizes shaking and shaking of the operator's hands.

In the immediate vicinity of the object of the action camera there is a Zeiss nameplate, which directly makes it clear about the use of a solution from an eminent German brand as optics. The object takes pictures at a focal length of 17 mm (35 mm equivalent) with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. The focal length values can be increased to 23 or 32 mm by cropping the frame.

The picture captured in the field of view of optics is recorded on a microSD flash drive installed in the camera in resolution up to 4K (3840x2160 pixels). The bitrate for ultra-high resolution video recording reaches 100 Mbit/s, and the video sequence itself is written in the XAVC S codec, which opens up wide possibilities in post-processing of the footage.

The Sony FDR-X3000 case is protected from dust and splashes without any additional cases. However, with this, the degree of protection of the action camera increases significantly — the model ceases to be afraid of falls and water, withstanding deep—sea dives up to 60 m. The camera lacks only a screen for viewing captured video clips (a monochrome display with a settings menu is not suitable for this purpose), but then one of the main advantages of the device would have to be sacrificed — compactness. Instead of a full screen, you can use a smartphone by connecting it to a camera for active filming over a wireless network.

GoPro action cameras have been in well-deserved demand among video bloggers for a long time, even despite the lack of an optical stub in their equipment. Numerous devices for image stabilization, which are part of a developed accessory park, are designed to replace it.

The sixth generation of the active shooting camcorder visually repeats its predecessor (GoPro HERO5 ), which is done to preserve the backward compatibility of accessories. But inside the camera there is a completely different "filling" — a more powerful processor handles with recording video in 4K (60 fps), 2.7K (120 fps) and FullHD (impressive 240 fps) formats, and also helps to get a high-quality result when shooting in low-light conditions. As compensation for the absence of an optical stabilizer, the camera adopted an electronic image stabilization system.

The GoPro HERO6 case can withstand diving to a depth of up to 10 m without additional protective cases. However, when diving, the controllability of the camcorder deteriorates, since the 2-inch touchscreen stops responding to touch, and it is not possible to command the camera with a voice underwater. There are no such problems on land and the process of changing parameters takes a matter of seconds. In addition, by tapping on the screen, you can zoom in on the image when shooting using digital zoom.

In addition to video shooting, GoPro HERO6 is strong in rapid—fire "shooting" of photos — images in RAW+JPEG format are recorded on a microSD flash drive at a speed of up to 30 fps in 12-megapixel resolution. A two-way USB Type-C port is used to charge the portable camera. Energy is supplied through it to the battery tanks with a capacity of 1220 mAh, on one charge of which the action camera is capable of recording about 2 hours of FullHD video or 1 hour of 4K video.

The manual steadicam with the Plus prefix differs from the classic version DJI Osmo Price from 3 166 up to 24 943 ₴ enhanced functionality and the absence of a "baby sore" associated with imperfect sound recording quality. But let's not get ahead of ourselves and put everything on the shelves.

The release of a three-axis stabilizer with an advanced camera in the equipment was appreciated by many vloggers, because the device significantly simplified the tasks of obtaining a smooth picture when shooting yourself and the environment. The Plus version offers even more — it uses the Zenmuse Z3 Zoom module as a camera, which is equipped with a 12.4-megapixel Sony Exmor R. The "eye" of the camcorder is able to zoom the image 3.5 times by optical magnification and another 2 times by digital zoom. The optical aperture is floating and its value varies between f/2.8 and f/5.2.

What can such a camera do? Videos with its help are recorded in a resolution of flesh up to 3840x2160 pixels, which corresponds to the 4K format. When shooting in FullHD, the operator has the right to use the freeze function in the motion frame, increasing the recording frame rate to 100 fps. The camera takes photos in the "raw" RAW format, opening up wide possibilities in post-processing of the footage. In addition to the usual photos, DJI Osmo Plus takes timelaps and circular panoramas.

The parameters of the video recording are changed by the operator via a smartphone connected to the steadicam via a wireless Wi-Fi network, for which a convenient swivel mount is provided. The mobile gadget can also be used as a viewfinder. Other controls on the stabilizer handle fit exactly under the index and thumb of the operator.

DJI engineers solved the issue with not the best sound quality in their own way — instead of the built—in microphone, they offer the user a small external device for DJI FlexiMic sound recording. Fortunately, it is included in the steadicam package "out of the box". But to extend the battery life of the device, they had to put their hand to increasing the capacity of the removable battery from 980 to 1225 mAh. Due to the improved stabilization, DJI Osmo Plus writes clear and smooth videos in most shooting conditions, minimizing the number of unsuccessful takes and preventing image shake.

A video camera for adherents of the classics from Panasonic produces a video recording in a maximum resolution of 3840x2160 pixels. But its full functionality is revealed in FullHD format — it is in it that the user has access to a lot of useful video recording modes.

The advantages of shooting in high resolution lie in the ability to drop part of the video sequence to FullHD format without loss of quality. Also, in the most common resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), the functions of tracking the object in the frame and embedding images from the smartphone camera into the main video (when it is connected to the camcorder wirelessly) work. The latter mode will appeal to those operators who like to comment on what is happening in the frame, shooting themselves in parallel with the surrounding reality.

You can be seen in the process of video recording both on a 3-inch rotary screen and on a smartphone paired with the camera. There is no separate viewfinder in the design of the model. But its equipment includes a hood and a removable cold shoe for installing additional equipment (for example, a camera light).

The camcorder uses high-power optics with a 20x optical zoom, which was developed by engineers of the reputable German company Leica. At the wide end, the object can capture the operator and a small piece of the environment directly into its field of view, and increasing the focal length will help to reveal the talents of the videographer to the user. A high—quality picture at the output is the merit of the operator's direct hands and all kinds of "improvers" like the HDR mode.

The younger brother of the "five" in the Canon mirrorless range is essentially a simplified version of the flagship Canon EOS M5 body . Yes, there is no viewfinder in it, but if we talk about shooting videos, then in most cases it is useless — agree, this is a weighty argument in favor of the "baby" when looking for a camera for shooting video blogs.

An alternative to the viewfinder when recording videos and taking photos is an inclined screen that reclines to the "selfie" position for the convenience of monitoring what is happening in the frame when shooting yourself. However, with a strong desire to be seen through EVF, the user has the right to use a removable viewfinder with a standard mount on a hot shoe. The accessory port is also designed for installing other devices, such as an external microphone or flash.

A large APS-C sensor with a resolution of 24.2 MP fits into the compact body of the camera. A similar matrix is installed in a serious amateur DSLR Canon EOS 80D body Price from 42 000 up to 76 432 ₴, therefore, it will not need to make any claims to the colour rendering and detail of the picture when photographing it. The situation is even better with video, because the camera uses an advanced Dual Pixel CMOS focus system, which provides smooth and high-quality tracking of the shooting object. At the same time, the videos are written in the maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels at a speed of up to 60 fps.

The flexibility of the system in terms of providing the opportunity to use interchangeable optics is slightly overshadowed by a small number of compatible objects for the EF-M bayonet. Nevertheless, there is enough optics available to solve the main tasks in photographing and videotaping. One of the universal options for most of the set goals is the zoom object Canon 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 EF-M IS STM Price from 4 641 up to 7 518 ₴, which is often found in the role of a whale. But more high-power lenses will have to be borrowed from an "adult" mirror system, installing them on the camera through a special adapter.

With the improvement of camera performance, smartphones are increasingly displacing compact cameras and amateur video cameras from the market. However, so far their capabilities in photo and video shooting do not always reach a high level. A stabilization suspension from the world—famous manufacturer of quadrocopters, DJI, is designed to help improve the quality of the footage.

When building a three-axis manual stabilizer for smartphones, an "adult" steadicam was taken as a basis DJI Osmo Price from 3 166 up to 24 943 ₴. Externally, the Mobile version almost completely repeats it, except for the absence of a built—in camera in the equipment — its place is taken by a mount for a mobile phone. By the way, it has high requirements for the smartphone being installed: the dimensions of the gadget should not exceed 8 mm in thickness and 84.5 mm in width.

If the smartphone is successfully secured in the seat, the user only has to download the DJI GO app and enjoy all the delights of a stabilized image. The control of the turns of the "head" with the phone installed is carried out using the joystick button on the handle of DJI Osmo Mobile. Having adjusted, you can move the smartphone in space in any direction, including simultaneously in the horizontal and vertical plane. Next to the joystick there are a couple of keys for taking pictures and starting video recording.

All the functionality of the suspension is revealed in a pair with Apple smartphones, while owners of Android devices have to be content with reduced capabilities. For example, they cannot record SlowMotion videos. Common to all systems are support for streaming videos on the social network or on YouTube, shooting 360° panoramas and tracking mode (tracking a preset object, which is especially appreciated among vloggers).

The battery life of the device claimed by the manufacturer is about 4.5 hours. However, in fact, everything depends on the shooting style and the weight of the smartphone — the more actively the operator moves along with a heavy phone on a suspension, the more often it will be necessary to replenish the energy reserves of the 980 mAh battery. In the dry balance, we are faced with a profitable investment for owners of smartphones with serious cameras, which will certainly help to increase the skill in photo and video mastering.