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SILVERLIGHT

PHOTO & VIDEO

CO.

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Long-term reviews of budget photo & video gear.

KIT PLAN RECOMMENDATION:

GoPro HERO4 Black

This image is 100% REAL, and no A.I. (or Photoshop compositing) were used to make it, and I know because I took it myself.

Quality?

LIGHT USE OK

Yes

MEDIUM USE OK

Yes

HEAVY USE OK

?

Portable?

POCKET

Yes

CAMERA BAG

Yes

BACKPACK

Yes

Affordable?

AVERAGE NEW PRICE

$ 179

*Indicates SALE price.

AVERAGE USED PRICE

$50

**Indicates BUY NOW price.

Common?

ON AMAZON

No

ON EBAY

Yes

Easy To Use?

SKILL LEVEL

MEDIUM

OVERVIEW:
This is the HERO4 Black which was supposed to be the top-of-the-line model, but it does NOT have a rear screen (but the HERO4 Silver does)...and because of that I don't like it. It was good for using on a drone (when drones used to allow that) or maybe as another blind camera angle (but hard to compose without seeing the shot). There was a way to connect it to your phone (to see the image) but that is too many steps for my workflow. Also, this version only has fisheye modes (no linear modes) and I don't like the unreal fisheye look.

MAIN POINTS:
PART 1: IS IT PORTABLE?
PART 2: IS IT AFFORDABLE?
PART 3: IS IT COMMON?
PART 4: HOW’S THE QUALITY?
PART 5: IS IT EASY TO USE?
PART 6: NEEDS ADD-ONS?
PART 7: WHERE DO I BUY?

PART 1: IS IT PORTABLE?
Yes, it's super tiny. This version doesn't charge VIA USB though, so carrying the charger with you makes it a little less portable (an option is just to carry more batteries).

PART 2: IS IT AFFORDABLE?
Yes, by now it's quite old and doesn't sell for more than $50 US. Also, don't be fooled by the high price on Amazon, it's only expensive because they are low on their stock. Buy it on eBay instead.

PART 3: IS IT COMMON?
Yes, it's very common (on the used market).

PART 4: HOW’S THE QUALITY?
The image quality is good for an older, smaller sensor (partially because GoPro has such a good codec).

PART 5: IS IT EASY TO USE?
No, it's not easy to use, because it doesn't have a screen (you're supposed to be able to connect it to your phone to see the image, but that's not convenient).

PART 6: NEEDS ADD-ONS?
It does need a waterproof case (and often it's included) but after this version, the GoPro didn't need an extra enclosure to be waterproof (though I think you can get one for diving deeper).

PART 7: WHERE DO I BUY?
This version of the GoPro is all over the used market (eBay, OfferUp, etc.) but probably because nobody wants an action camera without a screen!

RECOMMENDATION:
Buy the HERO4 Silver instead (that is one of my favorite action cameras for the money, and that one has a screen, and linear lens/non-fisheye mode).

These reviews are just my opinion and are focused on my Q.P.A.C.E. packing method, so they're not comprehensive. I wrote these mostly to help me remember what items worked for my KIT PLANS (and which didn't). If I said anything negative I apologize, as these products still may work well for you in your situation, but they were not Q.P.A.C.E (Quality, Portable, Affordable, Common, Easy-to-Use) enough for my budget filmmaking KIT PLANS.

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All content created on a budget in Seattle

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