Some will want the ultra wide look that the GoPro provides others will prefer the slightly less distorted field of view from the Ghost – it’s a pretty subjective issue, and it’s worth watching a few videos shot by each camera in order to make up your mind which camp you fall into! The GoPro has a slightly wider and more fisheyed lens, but the difference is small and less noticeable than with, for example, the JVC Adixxion 2. It’s a neat function, though recording all the time in this mode will obviously eat up the battery life more quickly.Ĭomparing the video footage of the GoPro Hero 3+ Silver and the Drift Ghost-S side by side, it is hard to pick one has being objectively “better” than the other, though there are differences. The Ghost-S also features a clever “video tagging” mode – in this, the camera records continuously, overwriting its own data on a continuous loop until you hit the “tag” button (when something exciting or funny happens) – the camera then saves the current loop for posterity and goes back into continuous loop mode. These specs put it on a par with the GoPro 3+ Silver, though the GoPro’s lens has a slightly wider field of view at 170 degrees. The 12 megapixel CMOS sensor can also capture a burst of 10 still photos.
Gopro hero 3+ black 720p#
Stepping down to 720p the maximum frame rate increases to 120fps, while 240fps is available at the non-HD WVGA setting.
Gopro hero 3+ black 1080p#
As such, it is easily possible to use a variety of third party mounts as well, or instead of, Drift’s own offerings.Īs to recording modes, the Drift Ghost-S offers 1080p at 60 fps with a maximum field of view of 160 degrees – 127 and 90 degree field of view settings are also available at this resolution. However, the mount attachment on the camera is attached via a standard tripod mount point. However, for sustained use in an aquatic setting, we would always suggest a properly waterproof case – this is available from Drift Innovations, but adds around $50 to the price.Īs for mounts Drift Innovations sell a range of mounts that connect via a quick clip mechanism. For nearly all on-land action sports, this level of protection will be absolutely fine – indeed, it is notably greater than that offered by the Contour+2, which is only weatherproof. The entire unit is inherently waterproof to 3m (9 feet) without any need for a case. The Drift Ghost-S also takes JVC’s approach to waterproofing.
It should be noted though that the Ghost-S is considerably heavier than the GoPro – almost double the weight in fact. The camera is covered in a slightly rubbery, soft touch material which makes it easy to grip, even when wet. Up front there is a 160 degree wide angle lens which – borrowing a trick from the Contour range of cameras – is able to rotate through 300 degrees, allowing the footage to be made level even where the mounting point is not. The Drift Ghost-S also ships with a replacement back cover with rubber caps for these sockets for use in dry environments when you might want to pass a lead though. The back of the unit unscrews and opens up to reveal the memory card slot, battery and sockets for HDMI, USB and external microphone. The right side of the camera features a 2 inch screen to review footage, check the positioning of the camera and change the settings for the device.
So how does it measure up?Įxternally, the Drift Ghost-S takes a similar approach to JVC’s Adixxion 2. While they have been making action cameras since 2009, the Drift Ghost-S is pitched directly against the GoPro in terms of spec and price. One of these new players is Drift Innovations. With the action camera market growing significantly through 2013 and into 2014, a number of new players have entered the market and are competing for a slice of the pie which, so far, has been mainly eaten up by GoPro.