Sony X3000 vs Gopro 11: Can Gopro Finally Win?

Sony x3000 was released way back in 2016, and at the time, although marketed as an action camera, those who vlogged new this was the best vlogging camera of its time. It destroyed the Gopro 6 at the time. Then the Gopro 7 came out with hypersmooth stabilization, and while it was nice, it only worked in good light, whereas Sony had BOSS optical stabe that worked regardless of light. With it's low megapixel sensor it was superior in low light and just had a more natural look instead of Gopro's HDR fakeness.

Gopro 8 and 9 were very glitchy, and while the specs were starting to pass the X3000's, Sony still had many advantages like built in mic jack, smaller size, better form factor, more reliable, recorded 1 single file instead of splits, natural colours, more natural looking stabilization etc. It really was a toss up. Well, in 2023 has the Gopro 11 finally caught up? Open gate, 10 bit, 4k 120p, 2.7k 240p. On paper Gopro wins... or does it?

If you buy today's gear through my affiliate links, you'll be able to afford a sunflower seed hat and vlog ducks trying to eat it off your head.

[cameraconspiracies]

If you buy today's gear through my affiliate links, you'll be able to afford a sunflower seed hat and vlog ducks trying to eat it off your head.

[dtrip]

I actually like the Sony colors better!?

[TheKelvala]

X3000 still winning for me. I bought it because of you, I have a DJI Osmo Action (first release) and I still reach for the X3000. Its easier to hold and manage.

[thissidetowardscreen]

Street crossing, angry dad walk and the dance! Pure gold! The Sony X3000 still looks better imo, The colours on the GoPro look yellowed! Yes the stabilization on the GoPro is better, but the Sony is not that bad to watch. The sky on the Sony looks great! Thanks for the comparison.

[Sabundy]

I will never understand why Sony does not update the X3000 ....just baffling....

[mudbrats]

I still use my x3000 for every trail ride winter and summer and it’s bulletproof. I bought a DJI Action 3 which I think is better than the Hero 11 after updates, but if I have to choose between a little less better colour and resolution of the Sony over the risk of losing or corrupt files of the GoPro, I’ll take Sony any day. The external mic quality is better on Sony than GoPro and DJI and the Sony files are way more manageable.but I am noticing my Sony is a tad soft focus and fear it is only a short matter of time before I a, forced to use my Action3

[fixedfocusmediaofficial]

I have the GoPro Hero 12 Black but the Sony FDR-X3000 is still superior in many ways.

FDR-X3000 advantages

Image stabilization works just as good regardless of lighting conditions (GoPro sucks at night and sunset)

Superior reliability (GoPro refuses to fix reliability issues year after year)

No lag (the GoPro menu has lag and everything else on the GoPro has lag too, glitches happen as well)

Faster boot up (turns on and records significantly faster than the GoPro)

Settings can be changed even if camera is wet since it has buttons

Much better color science that looks more natural (the GoPro sometimes makes things look ridiculous in strong sunlight)

Better quality lens and sharper video

Lens flare is also much nicer and looks more like a proper camera

Better audio quality and has a wired microphone input BUILT IN

Has a more of a camera look than an action camera look

Amazing battery life and batteries are easier to change. All their action cameras use the same battery too.

The list goes on. The GoPro is great at some things but REALLY sucks at other things.

[thatcherfreeman]

I liked the image on the right more and was sure that the left was going to be the x3000. Surprised how well that camera continues to hold up. (Watching on a phone though)

[AFKexplores]

I've been using x3000 for a long time and still prefer it even over gopro 11, it's a very versatile vlogging camera according to my experience.

[regalwalnut]

LOL, I forgot how much I missed the angry dad walk test!

[knoptop]

That Sony looks good and still seems to have sharper focus then GoPro at that close range.

[GrimVanhall]

Hi man, enjoying the video :D you're a cool guy haha, greetings from Poland

[chickenpasta]

GoPro 11 also has 10 bit and a proper LOG format, so it will look better than the Sony X3000 with a LUT and minor color correction. Also the GoPro doesn't suffer from jagged lines like the X3000. If you don't want to do any of that though the Sony does look more pleasing out the camera. I also do prefer the slightly softer image the GoPro has. Seems a tiny bit more "cinematic"

[AndrewBassonZA]

that good old sony, compared to the gopro, I must say its sad seeing how little progress has been made over such a long amount of time

[DigiDriftZone]

Why is the GoPro giving an extremely yellow image? - I was worried about your liver there for a moment, but you look fine on the Sony

[Filming-Phil]

I own a X3000 and GP10, the Sony is the best walk about camera (with a bit of foam held over the mic with an elastic band) very discrete and no one pays you any attention, but I pull the GoPro out if it's going to get wet etc as they can both fit in a jacket pocket...I've now bought a Panny G9, so blending all 3 styles into one vlog will be fun, especially sound.

[Walk_Africa]

For me it's that dance 15:40 😂😂😂😂

[gordon]

I was hoping with all my heart that the x3000 was the left….but it wasn’t. Surprised! Our auto exposure seems to work a bit better than we saw here. That said, GP for the overall win (but go OSMO Action 3 today?). Still, we use our 3000 all the time and it does a great job; stab isn’t quite as good as our GoPro (we are still at 8, it looks good, but freezes often) but it always works, mic is great for ‘vlogging” and rarely needs a back up (we often use the Sony as a back up for audio). And did we note: it always works!! I think if Sony did an update, they likely would lose all their sales of other camera supposedly designed for vloggers. Nice comparison! Still love the Sony, but think of it more like a mini camcorder rather than an action camera. At least thats how we tend to use it.

[audioupgrades]

The Gopro has shadow lift. If you do a shadow lift on the Sony in post, I think the image would beat the Gopro. Not sure why the Gopro has a yellow tint, either.

[suhocare]

How about the low light performance? I want to see your version of comparison. Thanks for your great videos.