GoPro Hero 3+ or Canon G16

[scubajoe86]

I posted this on the Photo forum, but thought I get some thoughts from people who might have more a videography opinion too.

So I've been given the OK for a new camera. My Canon G9/Ikelite setup is fine, but there have been some nice advances since I bought it. I have to admit, I'm not the best photographer and really am not looking to become an expert. I dive for relaxation so take pictures just to share with family and friends. I'm considering a Canon G16/Nauticam setup (definitely more camera than I need), but keep thinking a GoPro Hero 3+ with a tray and light package might be a nice option. I'd love to hear some thoughts on those 2 options. I'm a vacation diver, but have a trip to the Galapagos planned and thought the GoPro might be easier to manage in high current. My wife will have her Canon Canon G12/FIX setup so we will have a camera available for no matter what choice I make.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

I don't know much about the Canon. The GoPro however is a fine entry level, low cost camera for video but photos are not it's strong point. It has limited functions. No manual or auto focus, no zoom.

 

[Scubanoobi]

I have a GoPro H3 Black and a Canon G15 with Canon housing. I do ONLY video and I get slightly better results with the gopro than with the canon. The problem with video on the canon is you need to get the WB right in-camera (and every time the depth changes) which can be a bit of a pain. The canon also seems to over expose UW video by about +1 stop, so you have to account for that as well. With the gopro and red filter you can get very good colour strait out of the camera. If you shoot Protune and Camraw, you can get excellent results.

The main thing for me is I only get about 2-6 dives per vacation (I have a 5 year old and non-diving wife with me) so I also really want to enjoy the dives. I don't enjoy the dives nearly as much with the Canon (too much fiddling). The gopro you can mount on a tray with lights (which I have) or you can mount it on a pole (which I also have). It's just easy with the gopro and really nothing to fiddle with. You can now get macro filters as well for the gopro.

If you want to take photo's the Canon wins hands down (I assume, I have not taken a photo with the canon.

Here is a link from a couple dives I just did, most of the video is with the Canon (90+%), a few shots (the wide wreck shots and the video of me was the gopro).

https://vimeo.com/87390697

The Canon shots were underexposed by 1 stop, I used a filter on the gopro.

I'm selling the Canon housing as I'm going to the gopro full time.

My 2 cents.