Give us full bus access to the camera.
The original GoPro had a high speed hero port connection that allowed for many creative solutions (most require multiple cameras which more sales).
Want stereo 180 3D? Hook up two GoPros with 8mm fisheye lenses and use link to sync the settings, exposure, metering, and record to single media. Want true freeze frame bullet time? Let us hook up 300 GoPros in a circle daisy chained to sync clock, settings, and frames (and option to offload all the sdcards from one connection). Want 360 camera with decent low light, good frame rate (90Hz and up), and crisp details? Let us arrange 4 more cameras (was a huge fan of the GoPro Omni that use tetrahedral arrangement of 6 cameras). A 6 camera setup with 6k cameras would result in a 12k 360 assuming 20-30% overlap.
Lots of creative solution that would increase the niches that GoPros can get into. Dashcams, security cameras, wild wild remote monitoring, etc.
GoPro is really good for accessories historically but that's kind of fallen off. Now DJI I find has the best accessories availability.
Insta360 Is my overall favorite brand. There 360 cameras are really cool. My primary use case has been the GO 3S Which is their smallest camera because I have been using them to attach them to animals and that's been really cool. But it also means I've got quite a bit of experience dealing with the videos and the output even I'm not the one wearing the camera. Their system is definitely the best overall for just ease of dealing with it.
If you don't need anything super high-end that camera is also just fantastic as kind of a attach it and forget it situation like if you're on vacation walking around and you never know what you might want to record. Kind of like meta glasses it's really good for a camera that you just forget you're wearing which is a huge reason I think that's probably the best camera for most people.
There is an old saying that the best camera is the one that you have on you, that's kind of why it's so good because you're more likely to actually bring it and use it for small things. I know you're asking about cameras but for example I also have the Rode wireless micro microphones which is the same concept. If it's small and stays out of your way you're more likely to use it. When it comes to small cameras insta360 is absolutely dominant no one has anything even equivalent
DJI has the best system if you're wanting to do slowmo because it can do 4K120. DJI is also more rugged in their design. Their action 6 camera is what I would recommend if you're doing diving or any sort of really intense sport where it's going to get banged around a lot.
If you're just a generic tourist walking around, especially if you ever want to attach a camera to your cat or dog insta is the way to go. Also the way to go if you're ever thinking about how you wish you had your camera already set up at a moment but didn't for some reason like it's too bulky or the battery life, or it just wouldn't have been easy to mount. That's where it really excels. The GO 3S has a ton of accessories for mounting it on weird locations. RC cars, walls, pet toys, etc.
No settings relevant. Overheated while off sitting outside and would not function once it was turned on. The DJI and Insta360 cameras sitting next to it worked fine.
Tests were on 2 separate Hero13 Black models.
Would also overheat when filming at 5.3K60 and 4K60 in more mild weather while the other cameras from DJI and insta360 had no such problems.
Models Tested:
Insta360: Ace Pro 2, Go Ultra, Go 3S, X5
Note: Ace Pro 2 was tested at both 8K30 and 4K60
DJI: Action 6, Action 5, Nano, Mobile 8, Pocket 3
GoPro: Hero 13 Black, Hero 13 UW, Hero 12 Black
All GoPro models had overheating issues, none of the others had overheating issues when tested in the same environment for the same equivalent camera. So for example we would test multiple action cameras side by side but the 360 cameras from insta360 was not tested at the exact same time as the others. One such example is we will mount multiple cameras on a board on the top of a UTV while driving so they are all side by side and can be compared directly in the closest to a perfectly identical environment.
With the Cancun trip we simply brought a bunch of different cameras and then alternated betweens which ones we use except the GoPro ones kept overheating including just by sitting on a lounge chair next to us.
My husband is utterly obsessed with having the absolute best of everything which is why we own so many different models because he likes to do the testing himself as a hobby. It is also relevant for him from a professional setting when it comes to investments because he prefers hands-on research.
I can't help specifically with the GoPro Hero 11 Black but I have a couple 12's along with a couple Osmo Action 5's and a Pocket 3, and I think they all have good features that would work for your boyfriend. Assuming you are asking about the GoPro because that brand name gets used a lot in a generic way to refer to action cameras, any of the three would serve him well, but if he is focused on vlogging you might find the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is the best choice. It's ready to go right out of the box (especially if you get the Creator Combo package) so he'd need very few accessories. If you opt for a used GoPro 11, just be mindful of what you are buying because action cams often take a beating in use, and you want to make certain you are not buying a worn out piece of gear.
Good luck and I hope your boyfriend thoroughly enjoys whatever model you end up buying for him.
If it's not being used for "adventure" filming, then get the Hero 12. It supports bluetooth audio, HDR video. The firmware was completely re-written from the ground up for the camera, so it's much more efficient, runs cooler and the batteries last longer compared to using the Hero 11. However note there is no GPS on the Hero 12, so he won't be able to use any overlays (not a problem when not recording adventure videos).
If he's vlogging indoors, outdoors or even in a vehicle, the HDR is essential for proper exposure balancing in dual exposure environments.
Im still rocking my hero 11 with the media mod! For me, the changes in the 12 and 13 didnt warrant a need to upgrade for me. I use mine for vlogs and random videos too and its been amazing
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