I know there are a couple of threads on knock off GoPro’s which I’m off to read. This is more a general usage question. What are they like for still images as opposed to video? The reason I ask is our eldest is going to Australia on an Paleontological dig in the Norther territories this summer, then off to the great barrier reef with a local university over there. That’s about the worse environment for a camera, dusty dry desert then salt water conditions. For the last few years on digs in the US she’s just used her iPhone which has been good enough. But we’re thinking a GoPro device may be the best bet for image capturing and video. The other / additional option is a digital camera, but that also seems vulnerable.
Thoughts, experience, feedback?
TIA
I've used a GoPro fairly extensively underwater while diving. It's a couple of generations old from when they first started discriminating between the various Heros. I use the factory case with a couple of moisture-absorbing strips inside (to prevent fogging) and a red lens cover anytime I'm below about 15'. The camera is mounted to a short banana yellow handle that floats so if I drop it, it goes up instead of down. I've taken it down to around 130' if memory serves.
I've also used it on racecars in the high Colorado desert, which looks more like the Northern Territory than any other place I've ever been. This is why I bought it in the first place.
The biggest downside is the lens. It's quite wide, which limits your flexibility. Phones have the same problem as well but not quite so bad. Underwater photography is always tricky, but the nice thing about the GoPro is that it's simply not in your way when you're not using it, and it's really easy to turn on and off. Basically, it allows the camera to come along with you instead of being the primary reason you're diving.
Some samples. These are still shots, underwater. Looks like most are from 2013, I guess I'm not cutting edge here!
Here's a still shot taken from the surface. Not my usual use of the camera :)
I usually use it for video, this is a screen grab from one of the dives.
Here's a time lapse I did with a series of stills taken by a Gen1/2 (don't remember which, they're optically the same) GoPro at 720p resolution:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAalXTY9wQ8
A regular digital camera will eat E36 M3 in such a harsh environment as the barrier reef, on top of any added PITA factor (I know it's a major factor when trying to use one as an "action cam"). A sealed GoPro (or knockoff) will survive easily (although you might want to make an "Arab headdress" for the camera by taping over the upper parts of the case with white electrical tape to reduce heat), but that means running it on battery power and swapping batteries in a relatively clean environment. For the above time lapse I had it plugged into a solar cell phone charger and luckily it didn't rain.
I have an older Nikon Coolpix AW130 that is good to 30m/100ft. It takes good pics and has survived everything I have thrown at it, including epoxy fingerprints
Awesome, thanks folks. I'm thinking of a Hero 4 or 5 Black, which were the top of the range. Basically the same price as the new bottom of the range Hero 7. Both circa $200. A new Hero 7 Black at $400
mad_machine said:
I have an older Nikon Coolpix AW130 that is good to 30m/100ft. It takes good pics and has survived everything I have thrown at it, including epoxy fingerprints
I'm going to strongly second this. I have a AW120 that shoots awesome video and takes very good pictures. It's been strapped to rallycross cars, been diving in salt water and rolled around in the bottom of a boat, but still keeps trucking. It shoots better stills than my gopro and is more user friendly. It's also extremely fast. From in my pocket to taking a shot or recording video is under 3 seconds and can be accomplished with one hand. It is the perfect adventure camera.
In case you are interested.
AW120 Sample video.
Sample picture.
Both of those shot with whatever the automatic settings for the camera are. I'm not a skilled photog.
Well this coolpix has thrown a spanner in the works. The last coolpix I owned was probably 15 years ago. Things have not surprisingly changed a lot. I'm surprised at the lens specs considering it's not a pop out behind a sliding cover. That was an issue with the old ones. Sand got in and berked them up. This looks interesting.
I'm certainly interested to hear of back to back experience with a GoPro or similar. The photo and video above looks better than Keith's GoPro, but a) his was a much older model and b) many of his were underwater.
This will probably come down to which the offspring prefers. Although it was her birthday yesterday, the trip isn't until our summer, or no quite as murderously hot season down there.
thanks peeps
...aaaand now I'm googling Coolpix W100s....
Yeah, I don't have many examples of still photo use on dry land - I usually use a less waterproof camera in that case 
The underwater video of the GoPro is pretty darn good, and the ease of use is hard to beat. It just takes a dive to get used to the ideal distance from the camera. I haven't tried anything newer than that GoPro underwater because, well, I have a big enough collection of cameras already. The in-car stuff is a bit better on the AiM HD camera we use at work but it doesn't go underwater.
Video from the GoPro. Hero 4? Hero 3? I'm not sure. Whatever. This is really just an excuse to post two 500+ hp winged Miatas romping around a kart track, but I figure everyone here understands. I would embed but the forum software seems unwilling.
You do need to turn up the volume.
In reply to Adrian_Thompson :
Here's my take on the two cameras. Nikon AW120 vs GoPro Hero 3 Black.
I bought my Nikon to replace my GoPro for a beat around durable camera. I did so for a couple of reasons.
First off. Battery life. The Nikon will run for a long time on a charge. If you forget and leave it on, it goes into a stand by mode to conserve energy. I can shoot picture and video for days without charging it. The GoPro would require a battery change.
Second. User friendly. The Nikon is a point and shoot. Nikon has been building them for a long time. They have the ergonomics down pat. Push one button it snaps a still. Push another, it shoots HD video. Simple as that. No scrolling through menus. No guessing what mode it's in. It's just easy.
Third is speed. My GoPro from off, takes probably 10+ seconds to power up and shoot a picture or video. That's assuming it's in the correct mode to shoot whatever it is I'm wanting. If you don't turn it off, the battery dies. The Nikon, from standby, I can pull it out and push the button to take a picture and it power up instantly and shoots. It shoots whichever button I push. Video or stills, instantly. Even from off, it's one of the fastest cameras I've every used. I hate missing a shot because the camera is still powering up and when you are tromping through the woods, or paddling a kayak, camera speed can make or break that shot you wanted.
Last, is one handed operation. Yes I know you shouldn't shoot pictures and drive. But on occasion I do. Once you memorize the button location, you don't even have to look at the camera. Just pull it out and take the shot.
Also helpful when you don't want to lose you paddle.
As an add, there is no such thing as Nikon face.
GoPro face is a thing for a reason.
In reply to Toyman01 :
Awesome notes there Toyman. Thanks.
For what your eldest will be using it for, I'd look at something like a Nikon 1J with a protective case.
It will shoot video, but the still pictures are better and without distortion.
Easy to use and you can get different lenses for them.
https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-Camera-System-10-30mm/dp/B005OGQZ0Y/ref=sr_1_75?crid=1FRMI8AW9C0P&keywords=nikon+1+j1+camera&qid=1551995374&s=gateway&sprefix=nikon+1+j1+camera%2Caps%2C231&sr=8-75
add a waterproof case:
https://www.ebay.com/i/142845047987
and it should survive things quite well.
They are fairly small and easy to handle, do macro, burst shots, HDR, video, etc. and better yet? No distortion due to fisheye lens.
I'd still probably get a Chinese "Action Cam" from somewhere like Amazon, Groupon, Wish, etc. as a backup with a handful of memory cards for both cameras. Many of the knock-offs work as well or better than the Go-Pros and come with various accessories like water proof housings, straps, etc.
Another thought if you want a cheaper version. I gave all my kids the Fuji FinePix waterproof cameras for Christmas a couple of years ago. They are good to 65' of depth. I don't have a lot of experiance with them but the kids like them and use them fairly often. They are about half the price of the Nikon cameras.
Fujifilm FinePix XP130 Amazon Link.
Do the Go pros or clones let you do stop action , say 5-10 shots a minute instead of full video ?
Might be good for overall view of the dig
In reply to californiamilleghia :
Yes the GoPro will do time lapse and a time lapse of a dig would be pretty cool.
That is an option the Nikon doesn't have.
I bought a GoPro hero 4 when I started autocrossing. I've done about 18 events, and I think I've managed to successfully get video of about 5 total runs. You do the math. Total piece of junk!
Excellent point on the time laps. If it weren't for that the CoolPix would certainly be a winner. I'll let the kid decide what she which way she wants to go. Thanks for the awesome feedback everyone.
Once in a lifetime trip ,
I vote for both , and maybe both plus one , getting 2 action cameras with extra batteries , plus the Coolpix,
They can all be used after the trip by your family .
Then check Slickdeals for memory chips.....
And make sure you get the correct speed for the memory chips , the cheapest ones may not be good for HD video.
I am playing with a Hero 6 Black for mountain biking at a local indoor place.
It would be a PITA to use as a video camera. I have a cheap & small video camera and the screen is 3 times the size of the gopro screen. it is not something that you can really use in place of a video camera unless you have no plans to keep anything in the field of view.
It does sync up to my iphone and allow me to see what it is shooting, but that is not piratical for use as a non-action cam.
Also, it does still take time to get it set up to record. it isn't quick like a normal camera.
Just some thoughts - an option may be to buy a cheap video camera knowing that it will get used up during the trip or buy an real nice one knowing that you can sell it to recoup some money after the trip.
