TonyM
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2013
- Messages
- 5,417
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- Country
- United Kingdom
- Dash Cam
- A139, M1S
GitUp sent me their new F1 and G3 Duo cameras to test and review. Whilst I have created separate discussion threads for the F1 and G3, I decided it might be interesting to see how they compare side by side.
Obviously they are rather different shapes, and as such are aimed towards different markets. The G3 is a GoPro style action camera with an upright stance, a touch screen and comes with a waterproof case that can attach to all sorts of mounting options. The F1 adopts a form factor similar to the Mobius and Foxeer Legend cameras, with a small frontal area and top-mounted controls that is well-suited to FPV and Radio Controlled video recording. A waterproof case for the F1 is being considered. Despite their differences, they share many common features: photo, video, time lapse video, high speed video, image stabilisation, FPV, video+photo.
For dashcam use, both cameras can auto-record when external power is applied via mini USB. They offer loop recording. The G3 screen can be rotated if the camera is hanging upside-down from a window mount. Currently, the G3 has a specific car-dvr metering mode, but not the F1. Both cameras have replaceable internal batteries - a future version of the F1 is being developed to support a supercapacitor.
The G3 has a 1/2.3" 12MP 4:3 Sony IMX117 sensor. Videos and photos can be recorded in 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, with a maximum video resolution of 2160p (2880x2160) at 24fps
The F1 has a 1/2.5" 8MP 16:9 Sony IMX317 sensor, with a maximum video resolution of 4K (3840x2160) at 30fps
In this video comparison I have used both cameras in a variety of settings:
- Time lapse video sequence into the rising sun
- Hand-held scenic video
- Mounted on an RC truck driving on the beach
- Day and night as a dashcam
The video consists of a variety of footage taken at 30fps and 60fps, from 1080p and 1440p up to 4K. I decided on using 1080p 60fps for the compilation so there is no upscaling and no dropped frames, although there are double frames in the 30fps sections.
My summary thoughts on the two cameras:
G3
- Better suited to hand-held photo and video. Obviously the screen aids composition of the scene.
- Having a waterproof case and compatibility with gopro-style mounts permits a wide range of uses. Good for action and travel photo & video.
- Looks conspicuous when used as a dashcam.
- Off-centre lens plus upright stance are not ideal for RC/FPV use, although many similar action cameras are used in this way (My toy RC truck certainly did not do well with the off-centre weight distribution - I had the lens aligned with the centre of the truck)
- Better performer in low light - more accurate metering and less video noise
- Effective video stabilisation at 1080p60
F1
- Better suited to mounting on something, where the orientation and composition can be setup in advance using the smartphone app to preview the video over W-Fi.
- Excels in good light. Struggles a bit with video grain in low light and at night.
- Good metering and dynamic range. Default sharpening and saturation are a bit high.
- 4K continuous recording possible without overheating
- Flat base, small front area and practical mounting cradle offer good options for mounting the F1 on a bike, in use as a dashcam, or attached to an RC drone / plane / car.
- Similarly effective video stabilisation at 1080p60
So, no real surprises here. Both cameras do well for their target markets and deliver high quality photo and video. They are capable of a wide range of applications, but the physical format more than anything else determines how practical and usable they are in any given situation.
Longer versions of the time lapse sequences are available below in the original resolutions:
G3 1440p 30fps
F1 4K 30fps
Obviously they are rather different shapes, and as such are aimed towards different markets. The G3 is a GoPro style action camera with an upright stance, a touch screen and comes with a waterproof case that can attach to all sorts of mounting options. The F1 adopts a form factor similar to the Mobius and Foxeer Legend cameras, with a small frontal area and top-mounted controls that is well-suited to FPV and Radio Controlled video recording. A waterproof case for the F1 is being considered. Despite their differences, they share many common features: photo, video, time lapse video, high speed video, image stabilisation, FPV, video+photo.
For dashcam use, both cameras can auto-record when external power is applied via mini USB. They offer loop recording. The G3 screen can be rotated if the camera is hanging upside-down from a window mount. Currently, the G3 has a specific car-dvr metering mode, but not the F1. Both cameras have replaceable internal batteries - a future version of the F1 is being developed to support a supercapacitor.
The G3 has a 1/2.3" 12MP 4:3 Sony IMX117 sensor. Videos and photos can be recorded in 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, with a maximum video resolution of 2160p (2880x2160) at 24fps
The F1 has a 1/2.5" 8MP 16:9 Sony IMX317 sensor, with a maximum video resolution of 4K (3840x2160) at 30fps
In this video comparison I have used both cameras in a variety of settings:
- Time lapse video sequence into the rising sun
- Hand-held scenic video
- Mounted on an RC truck driving on the beach
- Day and night as a dashcam
The video consists of a variety of footage taken at 30fps and 60fps, from 1080p and 1440p up to 4K. I decided on using 1080p 60fps for the compilation so there is no upscaling and no dropped frames, although there are double frames in the 30fps sections.
My summary thoughts on the two cameras:
G3
- Better suited to hand-held photo and video. Obviously the screen aids composition of the scene.
- Having a waterproof case and compatibility with gopro-style mounts permits a wide range of uses. Good for action and travel photo & video.
- Looks conspicuous when used as a dashcam.
- Off-centre lens plus upright stance are not ideal for RC/FPV use, although many similar action cameras are used in this way (My toy RC truck certainly did not do well with the off-centre weight distribution - I had the lens aligned with the centre of the truck)
- Better performer in low light - more accurate metering and less video noise
- Effective video stabilisation at 1080p60
F1
- Better suited to mounting on something, where the orientation and composition can be setup in advance using the smartphone app to preview the video over W-Fi.
- Excels in good light. Struggles a bit with video grain in low light and at night.
- Good metering and dynamic range. Default sharpening and saturation are a bit high.
- 4K continuous recording possible without overheating
- Flat base, small front area and practical mounting cradle offer good options for mounting the F1 on a bike, in use as a dashcam, or attached to an RC drone / plane / car.
- Similarly effective video stabilisation at 1080p60
So, no real surprises here. Both cameras do well for their target markets and deliver high quality photo and video. They are capable of a wide range of applications, but the physical format more than anything else determines how practical and usable they are in any given situation.
Longer versions of the time lapse sequences are available below in the original resolutions:
G3 1440p 30fps
F1 4K 30fps