A battle between GoPro vs DSLR may not seem a fair competition, but hold on! As we all know that size doesn’t always matter at performance and output! When it comes to video capturing, especially for sports capture or shooting a bigger landscape, we all know how magical a GoPro can become. The compact size and smaller footprint don’t keep the videographers, even the professionals from getting a GoPro.
However, when you’re doing photography and meet professionals along the way, you won’t find a single photographer without a DSLR! What makes the difference that can help you determine whether you should go for a GoPro or a DSLR? If you’re planning to get a new machine lately and are confused between the GoPro and DSLR, I’m here to break it down. Stick to the article to know everything about GoPro and DSLR, what they offer, and where they come short.
What is a GoPro Camera?
The GoPro is the most popular name when it comes to the action camera segment. It’s very popular as the most versatile action camera in the world, capable of putting you in confusion with top-class professional cameras. The GoPro is capable of high-resolution imaging, Wide-angle photo, and video capture, timelapse, hyper-lapse, and so on. You can use a GoPro underwater and capture your diving without getting your camera damaged.
What is a DSLR camera?
The DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera is by far the most popular type of camera that every professional photographer in the world has. The camera would have a single lens that grabs the light from the imaging source and passes it to an imaging sensor. The imaging sensor gets the lights from the source directly through the lens or the reflector above the housing. You can tweak the lens for a controlled light source and determine how the imaging sensor would process the image.
GoPro vs DSLR: What Are The Differences
Here are the things you must know about both types of cameras to decide which one you’re getting the next time:
Image Quality
GoPro
The image quality of a camera depends on the size of the imaging sensor. A GoPro has half the size of the DSLR imaging sensor, which means you’ll get half the size of a DSLR image from a GoPro. With a GoPro, the ISO, lens customization is limited when you compare it to a DSLR. Despite the odds, a GoPro is virtually well capable of balancing them according to the scene and delivering a sharp and detailed image. However, that doesn’t mean that you’ll get the maximum customization over the light, ISO, and other measures like a DSLR.
DSLR
A DSLR is hands down far better than a GoPro when it comes to the image quality because of the bigger imaging sensor. The extra-large and interchangeable lenses make the DSLR perform even better because you decide how good an image you want to capture. Although it takes a few more learning curves to learn how to capture a great image with a DSLR, it will serve you the best if the image quality is your goal. If you have to print your images in large canvases, getting a DSLR doesn’t need GoPro competition.
Video Formats
GoPro
A GoPro is all about the video because it’s an action camera in the first place. The GoPro video formats are pretty impressive and better than a DSLR, especially taking the size into account. GoPros comes with a much-optimized video capability and does a great job at taking videos at a very high resolution. You can record 1080p, 720p, 2K, and 4K videos at 60 or 120 FPS with a GoPro.
DSLR
When it comes to recording high-res videos, DSLRs are not as good as the GoPros because they are not Video-centric yet. DSLRs are just getting into the video market, and you have to pay a hefty price for a DSLR that can record videos at 4K resolution. On top of that, taking videos doesn’t always mean that you’re capturing it indoors where there is not shaking, bumps and lumps. Unlike the GoPro, a DSLR is way behind the race when it comes to action videography. If you’re getting it for moving around while capturing high-res videos, a DSLR wouldn’t be a good choice.
Video Stabilization
GoPro
GoPro is an action camera, and it’s all about capturing videos and photos while you’re on the move. You can capture high-res videos and photos using a GoPro while running, swimming, hiking, and still having a stable capture. When you’re jumping off a cliff and won’t capture the moment, a GoPro can be the best thing to do.
DSLR
A DSLR is no good when it comes to capturing a video or photo on the move and still getting a stable capture. You must use a tripod or stabilizing gimbal to keep a DSLR stable at capturing your moments. If you have to jump or run around and capture the moment, a DSLR isn’t the thing I would suggest you get.
Size & Weight
GoPro
If you have to travel, run, or mount a camera, its size and weight matter the most. A GoPro is the ideal choice when you have to keep on moving, doing jumps and sports, and hold on the camera without any hassle. The palm-sized camera will stick to your helmet or the stick without making you struggle with the weight.
DSLR
If the size of the camera is the thing you’re concerned about, getting a DSLR won’t be any good. A DSLR will come with a bigger footprint that can be a hectic job to handle. You will need a separate backpack for the camera rig, which is okay only if you’re up to professional photography.
Versatility and Ease Of Use
GoPro
Get one thing straight, if you’re looking for a camera that you can throw inside your backpack and start shooting at any moment, get a GoPro. You can use it underwater, get high resolution captures without a good knowledge about cinematography or color composition.
DSLR
A DSLR is for those who need more capability of manipulating the elements that make a photograph great. If you’re planning to take professional photos and videos or want to make cinemas, a DSLR is what you want. However, you must learn how to operate a DSLR properly and know about color and light composition to take a great photo or video with a DSLR.
GoPro vs DSLR: What Is Right For Me?
When it comes to selecting the right type of Camera between the GoPro vs DSLR, knowing about them becomes eminent. You must decide what purpose the camera will serve; then you can decide which camera to go for. If you’re getting the camera primarily for sports videography and underwater actions, hands down the GoPro will do the job.
On the other hand, if you’re a photographer and getting the camera for professional photography, get a DSLR. You cannot even think about professional photography without a DSLR in your camera rig. The popularity and the necessity of the DSLR are eminent because of the versatile customizability of light, color, exposure, and everything that contributes to great photography.
Final Thought
Selecting the best camera between GoPro vs DSLR isn’t easy, especially if you need everything in one device. The obvious question arises when choosing a camera is the quality of the image because that’s what a camera does! Digital cameras are now also working as video cameras instead of camcorders.
It’s worth considering the video format and quality of the camera as well. Getting a GoPro can be a significant solution as an all-in-one device because it captures great videos and has decent picture quality. However, A DSLR is a must if you are planning to do professional photography. It’s worth noting that if you want high-res videos, the price would be much higher, and the lenses would also come expensive.
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