Contour +2 Action Camera Released

Image quality is important, but the biggest problem with both Contour and GoPro is the lack of image stabilization. The new Sony helmet cam has it. I await the reviews.

I have had nearly every contour from the GPS up to the +. They have all performed really well for me. The GPS model did have to be replaced, but it really wasn’t a problem, they sent a new one right away. I never had any card problems, even on battery drain out. I use them on aircraft (and my bikes), in places I cannot access in flight, so they get turned on prior to takeoff and run until they run out of juice. Never had a problem yet. The form factor is the best for any high drag situation.

I think the Sony has some cool specs, but it is still vaporware on their website as of September. No idea of when they will ship, no hint, nothing. I always looked to Sony for top of the line stuff, but as of late they cannot make anything that works well, or with anything else. They always have to have several layers of proprietary memory cards, cables and power supplies. I hope they can do better this time. However, I may die of old age before this camera actually comes to the market, its now about 4 months since the announcement and no camera. I can get this one today from REI.

I wait to be convinced about any action cam image stab system. You have to understand how they work. You need to have a bigger sensor that can use a crop of the image. It takes the image and uses the surrounding pixels to center the image as it vibrates off center. so if you think about it, it can only correct very small vibrations, not what happens on a typical action situation, or the sensor would have to be huge. If you want real stab, you need a physical gyro that stabilizes the camera. I’ve used them, they cost a fortune and are big, about the size of an orange.