As a travel blogger, writer and photographer, I constantly seek new ways to capture my experiences and then share them with my readers. Aside from writing about my travel experiences, I take photographs to accompany articles I write and for my flickr account and make travel videos for my YouTube channel.
I’ve had the opportunity to use the GoPro HERO3 camera for a few months and have taken it on a river cruise down the Mekong river in Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as high into the Andes visiting Machu Picchu in Peru. Every time it delivers sharp, unique images and clear HD video. I think the main public image of the GoPro is a camera for action sports, I use it as a secondary camera to capture my travel experiences from a different (wider) angle.
How I use it
The camera has such a wide angle view, that I find it works great as a secondary camera to whatever I’m shooting with. I like to use it in all instances, to get a different view than the standard one I’ve already captured. I’ve also used it for some cool video of riding in vehicles, such as a tuk-tuk ride through the streets of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Being waterproof, I also try to use it whenever I’m swimming or doing anything in the water.
Ease of use
The camera is very user-friendly and I like how all the controls can be operated when the camera is inside the waterproof housing. I can start and stop recording and take still pictures and I can also change the mode from still photos to video. The whole thing is small, so I can fit in a pocket while out on an excursion and take it out as needed. The small info screen is visible and I also like the beep and visible red light when it’s recording or taking a still photo.
Technical info
I have the GoPro HERO3 White Edition, which retails for $199.99. The camera has a 5 MP sensor and is capable of 3 fps (frames per second) burst shooting. There is built-in WiFi allowing remote control and viewing of images via an app. For video, the camera will shoot in 1080p / 30 fps or 960p / 30 fps or 720p / 60 fps for super slow motion. There are Black ($399.99) and Silver ($299.99) editions available with higher resolution and more features. All the models use a MicroSD card to store data.
What you get
The HERO3 comes complete with battery, waterproof housing, cable and some basic mounts. One thing it does not come with is a standard tripod mount, which is available separately. GoPro also offers a range of mounts for everything from cars, human heads, surfboards and more.
My gear
Aside from the GoPro HERO3, I use a Canon Digital Rebel (almost ten years old!) as my primary camera. Its amazing resolution and Canon optics allow me to get some great, professional quality shots. My secondary camera is my phone, currently a Samsung Galaxy S2. I like the resolution of the photos (8 MP) and also it’s handy as I’m always carrying it anyway. The phone also serves as my video camera, giving me HD video of excellent 1080p quality. I carry the GoPro too and try to capture every experience with at least two of the three cameras. Sometimes I leave the Canon behind, but I always try to carry the GoPro whenever I’m traveling.
Freddy Sherman is a world traveler and editor of the travel blog travel4people.com. In the past six months, he has visited Turkey, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia and Canada and just returned from Peru. You can follow him on Twitter @thefredsherman
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