GoPro as a still camera.

[coolcheech]

How is it? I know it's 5MPs.

I shoot with a 40D, but lugging that around isn't always an option. I saw a good deal on a SD1400IS as a pocket cam, but just as I was about to buy I remembered that I'm planning on buying a gopro (or something similar) for this winter, and I didn't buy it. My thinking is for quick snapshots I can keep the gopro in my pocket all the time.

Is this a bad idea?

Thanks.

[kidwoo]

Not a bad idea if you just want fully automated settings pics.

I tried to do a timelapse using the timer on mine when I first got it. Not great but not exactly terrible either.

[grubbers]

if you want halfway decent shots, i'd probably stick with a cheap point and shoot. at least with that you have some control over the settings. if it's at all bright out, expect the image from the gopro to be a bit washed out. although i do quite frequently like the pictures i get with a gopro, mostly because they are kind of funky looking in one way or another. it kind of reminds me of shooting with a holga, except that it's digital and has a fisheye lense.

[freshuanaise]

Agree with above, I like most the shots but they are all 170 degree wide shots with a stationary depth of field and no manual functions.
I find closeup photos to be the best, things wash out in exposure and detail as soon as you get more than 25ft away from lens.
Timelapse is cool, longest is 5sec intervals.

[pogs4ever]

i like having the go-pro for the odd shot where i want a really wide angle, (keeps me from buying a 10-20mm on my dslr)

other than that, i wouldn't use it for anything else if i had a normal P&S (landscape, people, action) there is a lot of lag between when you push the button and when it takes the picture.

here are some shots i got over the summer using it as a P&S




i also kind of like the 'disposable camera feel' with no viewfinder and no screen for review, so you never know what picture you got till you pop it in the computer, kind of fun, but could be really frustrating if you were set on getting a shot.

[The AD]

I really like that gondola shot!

[rush1975]

Gopro takes great photos, especially if you like fisheye type pics. The reference to a Holga is spot on sometimes you get some pics that just have a unique look/color to them. In still mode it dose have quite a bit of shutter lag but you'll figure that out quickly.

[single]

im pretty sure these are gopro shots

photocredit to christopher carter of precipiste pictures... http://precipistemedia.blogspot.com/

[cmor]

GoPro Shot from last year:

[Altmanator]

I'm pretty dang impressed with these shots coming from the GoPro. Nice work all.