Tag Archives: GoPro Hero 5

Ambarella H3 Paves Way for Portable 8k Video!

Ambarella H3

Ambarella has introduced two new SoC chipsets for portable electronics that shoot video.  The H3 capable of up to 8k video or dual 4k 60fps streams for 360º VR video and also the H22 which is a souped up version of the H2 found on cameras like the Yi 4k+ that will be shooting 4k 60p and up to 120fps 1080p video.

No real leads were given into what specific cameras will be incorporating the new chipset but from indications of past releases it is safe to say that the best action cameras, some high end phones and drone centric cameras will be sporting this new SoC in their specs by the end of this year.  If we had to bet we will probably see a Hero 5+ using the H22 before the H3 as 8k video seems a huge jump for a refresh model. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

BEST SLOW MOTION CAMERAS OF 2016!

BEST SLOW MOTION CAMERAS

The end of 2016 is upon us and now it is time to look back across the year and see what delivered in affordable slow motion gear.  While many cameras had higher frame rates, only a few really shined and delivered on the promise of offering HD quality and higher than normal frames per second “fps” at an attractive price point.

Many promised lots of performance and didn’t deliver and some have yet to ship which means they will not be counted in the running. Only cameras that are shipping and fully available are being considered for this list. However we will mention upcoming promised cameras as a side note for future consideration. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony FDR-X3000 4K Action Cam Update!

Sony FDR-X3000

In a very quiet update last week Sony released a low end action camera to cater to the lower end crowd that wants better performance than the current GoPro options but with a limited budget resource. In comes the Sony FDR-X3000 4K Action Camera that brings 4k and impressive image stabilization to the $399 USD action camera bracket.

The big deal in this camera is the Balanced Optical SteadyShot (or B.O.S.S.) which uses the entire optical lens path to reduce vibration and motion. Previous systems only moved an element inside the lens to alter the light path. The new system is  more effective at reducing rolling shutter artifacts and wearer induced motion to produce stable and less jittery video even at 4k. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Xiaomi Yi II New 4k Camera Boosts Frame Rates!

XiaomiYi24k

The Xiaomi Yi Camera offered most of what the low end GoPro Hero cameras brought to the table but for much less money. Now Xiaomi is releasing the Xiaomi Yi II which is a 4k capable action camera sporting the Ambarella A9 chip with a Sony IMX377 sensor and an f2.8 lens.

For the price of $249.99 which is extremely low for a camera of this caliber; you get a 30p 4k capable imaging body with the added benefit of 240fps at 720p resolution, 120fps at 1080p and 960p and the 2k 60fps spec to boot.  For giggles there is also a pink version of the camera that might appeal to the female users. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Ambarella H2 Promises 4k at 120fps!

Ambarella-H2

Regardless of what the GoPro and Ambarella marriage can provide in tandem hardware it is clear the company wants to branch out of the fledgling sales of GoPro which have tanked in recent quarters and the stock price from a high near a $100 USD is now trading at a mere $12 which is half the IPO price.   By branching out it seems they want their chips in many more imaging devices and be less affected by the GoPro product cycle.

The announced H2 and H12 chips are able to provide beefy 4k specs at high frame rates for mobile devices at a mere 2 Watts of power. As to 1080p frame rates it will remain to be seen how this powerful new chip can handle that in a camera design and how it is implemented to squeeze that performance.  120fps at 4k from the H2 in theory should be able to yield 480fps at 1080p just counting the Pixel processing.  This however can be limited by the rest of the components like imaging sensor. → Continue Reading Full Post ←