Matt Sez: I have been using helmet-mounted HD cameras since before they were small enough to put on your head comfortably (see image! Caption: Matt G, rocking a giant Sony three-chip camcorder in 2004 on the north face of the Eiger with my buddy Jimmy Hall). Just as the Sony HC (digital tape) series was being replaced by the smaller CX (internal hard drive / memory card) series, several mini “point of view” or “action sports” cams were launched onto the market. Out of the ten or so brands that are currently selling, there are two clear leaders as far as I can tell, at least in the adventure sports community: GoPro, and Contour.
Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by any camera company and purchased / borrowed these cameras.
GoPro cameras existed first in 35mm still form, then several video versions before their first multi-mount “Hero” cam (non-HD) was released. Around the same time, Contour (then Vholdr) released an HD version of their own design combined with a well marketed “community” aspect, seeking to link users together via video upload/sharing. These were the two main contenders in 2008/09, but the Contour was HD and the GoPro hero was not, giving the Contour a clear lead until the Hero went HD in 2010.
Now, Contour has a new version, the Contour+, which I have compared with the GoPro Hero HD. Both of these cameras are the latest from each company. I am not a camera expert by any means, and I do not have adequate technical knowledge to delve into the processors or configurations of these cameras. My interest in them is purely in their ability to deliver the highest quality plug-and-play results in an outdoor sports environment, and in their functionality and convenience (mounts, weather resistance, durability, etc). While generally similar, the cameras have different features and strengths, which make them a clear winner for some users and a loser for others.
About Matt: Matt is one of the most cutting edge Wingsuit BASE jumpers in the world and author of
The Great Book of Base.
