GoPro vs. Garmin Flight Trial

These days, there are dozens of POV or action cams to challenge the market-leading GoPro, including Garmin's VIRB. AVweb did an extensive comparison of both of those cameras and prepared this video report.

[CHECK-]

You skipped a HUGE part of the Garmin Virb ELITE, it has a GPS overlay to include speed altiude and Gloads. Additionally there is a VIRB AVIATION kit that includes a headset mike adapter to allow recording of intercom and ATC and a prop filter to alleviate banding. 

[dillonyachts]

Dear Paul: Good report how ever you have omitted to include the main differences of the GoPro camera models which is the FPS  which is super important if you want to do SloMo. It is in the chart you presented. 
Thank you for the comparison I guess I need one of each. The main drive to get the Garmin in the GPS overlay data a must in any kind of sports.

[BrianThivierge]

Which version of the gopro 3 did you use in the testing? I would like to point out there is a huge difference between the quality between the white and black version, to say the remote it the only benefit is completely untrue. 

[vbazillio]

Thanks for the comparison.

Unfortunetly, it's hard to be precise with all these features and apps. Concerning the VIRB, you said "The App doesn't stream". It should be corrected : "The App doesn"t stream when it records but stream live (even with better delay than GoPro) when not recording, making easy to angle the camera".

At least with my setup,  live stream works fine with VIRB Apps (Android and iOS v1.30).

[JasonEllisBuilds]

Nice video. The JVC Adixxion line of cameras are good too.

[RightRudder]

The GoPro App allows you to easily change the settings of the camera. You don't mention that. There is a definite difference in the quality of the video when using the GoPro Black 3+ and the other cheaper GoPro models. The video comparison shown does not show the actual quality that can be had with the GoPro Black 3+. Bottom line, you get what you pay for. 

[MikeKobb]

I would have liked some experimentation with things like capturing an in-cockpit view of avionics, and/or how the cameras handle the propeller.  Looking at videos on YouTube, these seem to be problem areas for some of these cameras.  One prominent aviation videographer records in a Citation V, and the glass instruments aren't recorded well due to their refresh rate.

[RoboTekno]

Great video, but how can you compare the highest ranking Garmin camera (the Elite that costs $400) to the lowest ranking GoPro (the White edition that costs $200)??

I only watched this video once, so I may have missed it, but I'm assuming your comparing these cameras because you had them on hand, but you should have mentioned that the GoPro you're using is the Hero 3 White which is at the back of the GoPro pack. Based on specs. on the GOPro site, the Hero 3 White doesn't have low light features while the Hero 3+ Black Edition has automatic low light adjustment.

A fair comparison of video quality would be between the Hero 3+ Black Edition and either of the Garmins since the only difference between the Virbs is smartphone connectivity it seems.

I have not personally used the Hero 3 line of cameras, but based on other online comparisons between the line, the Hero 3 White's low light performance is garbage when compared to the Hero 3+ Black Edition auto adjusting light exposure.

Thanks for the video though. Sorry for the rant. Haha! :P

[GeoffreyEngelbrecht]

You mention that the Garmin produces a more "colour dense image".  From the two videos shown it looks like the contrast is turned up in the Garmin and it is pressing black and white and losing detail in the dark and bright regions of the video.  The GoPro image looks flatter with a higher degree of detail in the dark and bright regions.  The Garmin image is more what one wants from a finished video but the GoPro image contains all of the information so that you can press the blacks and whites in your video editor to get an image just how you want it.  If this is already done by the camera that information is lost and you are much more limited in what you can do when you edit the video.  I don't think the colour density is different or at least with the large difference in contrast between the two video sources it is hard to judge this.  I suspect what looks like a difference in colour is primarily an effect of contrast.  I am not familiar with the Garmin but the GoPro 3+ Black has a number of options concerning how much processing is done on the video by the camera.  I think a simple test like this with one setting for each camera is rather an unfair comparison.  You really need to do a much more comprehensive study to show the differences in video quality between the two cameras.

[BobbyPilot]

Paul - I think I speak for many of us that fear FAA retribution for putting something on our strut or wing for fear of busting a FAR for a major alteration. The inner-webs are flooded with debate on this subject of whether an STC or field approval might be required in order to attach (even temporarily) one of these 10oz cameras on your aircraft. Are we legal to do what you are showing in this video? If I get ramp checked can I just say Paul said it was ok? ;)

[jetguy]

The better the model the better the video as well

[sparkie]

To correct your statement that they all have the same video specs is totally and 100% wrong., Note the Frame Rates, also the higher end silver has better low light and the black has even better low light abilities. There are not 2 buttons, but 3, note there is one on the side, but it doesn't get used too much. The Hero 3 was not a black version.. Looks like a white version... The Black version is good in that lighting... The Vaccum mount for the GOPRO is better for exterior mounting... Permant sticking of anything to the airframe is NOT GoOD, and I Doubt FAA Approved. Also, if I am correct, Garmin is an advertiser with AVWeb, and GoPro is not... I think you could have gotten a better comparison between the 2 camera models.

When comparing side by side:
GoPro
White 1080/30 960/30 720/60
silver 1080/30 960/30 720/120
black 1080/60 960/100 720/120
Garmin
Vibe  1080/30 960/48 720/30 WVGA/120
elite 1080/30 960/48 720/30 WVGA/120

Note that the Black has 60 Frames per second and not 30 as the Garmin does. No where was frame rate mentioned. I do not feel that this is a good valid review between the 2 products.