Hi everyone! Since I’ve gotten pretty good at travel photography, many people ask which cameras, namely GoPro, I use and recommend, so I decided to list them all here along with my thoughts on them and some resources if you’re interested! I’ve also included some photos that I took with each type so that you can see the difference.
Just a little transparent disclosure: I did hyperlink the product photos to Amazon because if you end up getting something on there through my site, I get a teeny percentage which goes towards my travel funds! 😀
Please feel free to ask me any questions in comment area below about the cameras I’ve listed or how to use them!
Most of my photos are taken with a GoPro, and you can tell which ones are by the fish-eye or aerial angle… and also because I’m typically stretching one of my arms behind me to hold the pole out, and have the other in front of me to preview and take the photo using GoPro’s iPhone app. The quality is amazing, they’re beyond easy to use, and they create some really cool angles, plus, they’re almost-destruction proof. Here’s the ones I use:
The latest and greatest GoPro model that now goes even deeper under water, shoots clearer photos and videos, and features a 240 fpm which allows you to shoot slow motion footage! This model also features a zoom feature for photos!
There’s also this cool new Voice Command feature! I don’t really use it because I feel a bit silly, and because I use my phone as a remote anyway, but for action shots, you could yell “GoPro start recording!” and it would!
The quality is slightly better than the Hero 4 Black, and it also has the option to shoot photos in Linear mode (the 4 doesn’t).
The quality of photos and videos that the GoPro Hero 4 Black takes is INSANE. It’s their highest quality camera, which means it’s also the most expensive, but in my opinion it’s worth the investment if you really want to get into action/adventure travel photography!
I don’t have the one with the built-in LCD screen (that’s only on the GoPro Hero 4 Silver), but since I use the GoPro app (all GoPro cameras have built in Wifi that you can connect to your phone at any time) to preview the photo before and after I take it anyway, I don’t really need it, and personally think it would drain the battery anyway.
This version does seem to drain the battery faster than the others, so I’d definitely suggest getting spare batteries, but NOTE!!! The GoPro batteries are lithium which means you CANNOT PACK THEM IN CHECKED LUGGAGE or TSA will throw them away, so make sure to put all of them in your carry-on! #travelproblems
I don’t have or use a GoPro Hero 4 Silver, but I’ve included it in case you’re interested in the built-in LCD screen. I already mentioned that it doesn’t matter to me because I use the GoPro app on my phone anyway, but I also tend to put myself in the photo, which means I wouldn’t be able to see the screen anyway unless I was previewing the photo afterwards.
If you plan on taking GoPro photos not of yourself, the screen could be useful so that you know what you’re aiming at, but my biggest concern with the screen is how fast it will drain your battery.
In all honesty, I bought my GoPro Hero 3 Silver from a pawn shop in Hollywood because mine broke and I really needed one for my trip to Cuba, but it lasted me a solid year of travel photography in over twenty countries! The quality of the photos and videos is still really good, especially for the cheaper price, but of course not as sharp as the GoPro Hero 4 Black.
The GoPro Hero SESSION is the cute little black cube camera that doesn’t require any housing because it’s supposed to be water and destruction proof. They say it’s “GoPro, Simplified”, and I agree because of the one-button control feature, which means instead of turning it on, you simply hit the button once to start filming, and hold it down for a few seconds to start taking photo bursts (AKA one photo every 0.5, 1, 2, 5 etc. seconds).
I use my GoPro SESSION as a back up because the quality isn’t as good as my other two, but I also use it if I’m doing something that I know has the possibility of breaking one of my other GoPros.
NOTE: The GoPro SESSION IS waterproof WITHOUT housing, BUT! Only to 10 meters (33 feet). I love my GoPros but I was very sad when I went diving down to a ship wreck 60 feet under water, and discovered that the button on my GoPro Session was suctioned down and I couldn’t get any footage.
From time to time I’ll use something other than a GoPro if I have a specific reason to, so here are the other cameras that I use, and examples of when I use them!
This was my attempt at getting some professional travel photography shots since it’s an actual camera and whatnot, but I usually end up only using it for high res food and hotel images, or videos without that much action. It’s not as advanced as a DSLR, but it still takes really good high resolution photos. If you’re just starting out with travel photography and on a budget, or just need a good camera for high res blog photos, I’d recommend this Nikon.
It still sounds a little silly to say that I use my iPhone for some of my travel photography, but the camera on the new iPhone 6 actually does work extremely well. I use my iPhone camera instead of my GoPro when something is a bit too far away to look good with GoPro’s wide angle lens, or when the lighting isn’t good since the iPhone 6 will automatically adjust to lighting (and use flash) and the GoPro won’t.
I also get a lot of questions about the pole or “selfie stick” that I use to get my shots. I know “selfie sticks” can seem pretentious and obnoxious, but I like to say that I exhibit “proper use of a selfie stick” since I use it for angles rather than photos of my face. Anyway, I usually just buy random ones off Amazon, some suck, others don’t, and there’s also a few other accessories you don’t see that I use, but are very helpful for travel photography.
It took me a solid year to get people to stop teasing me about using a “selfie stick”, but now my Instagram seems to have shut people up about it. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t use a “selfie stick” to take actual selfies. I use it to get cool angles and aerial shots, and somewhat include myself in the photo.
I’d recommend the one from Sandmarc, as it’s high quality and specifically made for GoPro.
Mono poles can also double as a camera stand if you prop it up. Sometimes I stick it in my purse, or have even built a pile of sand and beer bottles around it to make it stand up without me holding it!
For more tips on how to take the best solo travel pictures alone check out: 10 Selfie Tips for When You Travel Solo
For video content creators, this accessory is a must! It’s called the Spivo Stick, and it has a 180 degree rotating mount at the end of it that allows to you switch from “selfie-view” to point-of-view with the simple press of a button on its handle! This ends up making some awesome perspective footage, and minimizes filming and editing times!
Still wondering how it works and what the footage turns out like? Take a peak at the awesome video I created with it below!
Even if your’e not planning on doing an extended trip, or aren’t super into travel photography, it’s still a good idea to get spare GoPro batteries since they don’t last insanely long, and it sucks if you miss a shot because your GoPro died.
As I mentioned before…DO NOT put ANY of your batteries (including the one INSIDE of the camera) in luggage you check on a flight. Lithium batteries are considered hazardous in hot temperatures (yes, that means it gets really hot in the luggage compartment of planes), so TSA will confiscate them if they find them in checked bags!
You do not want to get to somewhere epic and realize your GoPro battery AND spare batteries aren’t charged! Using this dual-charger port only takes up one precious outlet space, and will have your batteries and GoPro remote charged in no time!
This particular model from Sandmarc is unique because it has space for a Hero 5 battery, Hero 4/3/2 battery, and also a special port for the remote!
Never deal with random GoPro screws (or missing ones for that matter), or wondering where in the heck you put your waterproof housing! This nifty GoPro and accessory carry case from Sandmarc keeps everything well organized, and is convenient to carry!
You simply put all of your accessories in the designated slots, and you can even attach your mono pole with your GoPro on it! Then you simply roll it up, and go!
If you plan on taking your GoPro scuba diving or even snorkeling, you NEED to get a red filter! You may have never heard of it before, but it’s what will prevent your photos from looking all the same color blue. This one from Sandmarc is high quality and works really well.
This isn’t something you can just edit on your photos later either if you don’t use one. Trust me, your photos will look like what you actually saw in real life if you use the red filter!
Memory cards are one of those things that are just really annoying to remember that you need one, and even more annoying when you run out of space on one. I feel like I’m constantly on the brink of “MEMORY FULL” so I just went ahead and got an SD Card with a ton of memory on it (64GB), and one of the brands that’s recommended by GoPro called SanDisk.
If you’re planning on practicing your travel photography somewhere that involves water, I’d recommend getting a floaty and anti-fog inserts. Tons of people accidentally drop their GoPro in bodies of water, and those little things sink straight to the bottom unless you have the removable floaty on them.
This brand comes with adhesives to stick the floaty to your GoPro, and also anti-fog inserts to keep your lens clear. Unfortunately there isn’t a magical solution to keeping water spots/droplets off of the outside of your GoPro case, but the best tips I have for that is licking the screen, or trying your luck with a tiny bit of RainX, or even baby shampoo.
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Interesting List,
one of the GoPros should be worth checking out.
Cheers,
Sebastian
Thanks, glad you like the list! Which Go Pro are you thinking of going with?
Finally took the plunge and ordered the GoPro Hero 6 using your link! Thanks for all your helpful posts, Alyssa. Now off to order the many GoPro accessories...
P.S. You have Hero 5 listed twice above. :)
Alyssa, do you have the Gopro Plus app on your phone? I just got a Gopro Hero 5 Black and am trying to figure everything out. A couple of vidoes say that there is an app called Gopro Capture, but I can't find it. All I can find is the Gopro Plus app and it appears that it has a monthly fee. Linda
Hi Linda! So, GoPro updated their app recently and now it's just called "GoPro" again instead of Capture. GoPro Plus is their cloud system, but there should be the regular GoPro app...let me know if you can't find it!
Great review and photos! I like it that you also included your shots instead of just posting the review itself :)
What selfie stick do you use for your go pro?
Going to Thailand next month and looking for one. I have a Go Pro Hero 4.
Here's the selfie stick I use: https://www.sandmarc.com/collections/gopro-hero-6-accessories/products/gopro-stick?rfsn=614547.9fc04
Hope this helps!
Hi can i know what apps do u use to edit all those amazing photos u took with gopro? thanks!
Hi Lydia! I use Snapseed! Going to be making a tutorial on which settings I adjust soon!
Hey Alyssa, is snapseed a phone app? or PC?
Phone app!
Thanks for this post babe! I've been following your 'behind the scenes' at the GoPro Convention on SNAP, and it really makes me want to buy one! The Hero 5 is a little bit too expensive for me, but your post helped me decide I should buy the Hero 4 Black! :)
Hello! First off, so glad I stumbled onto your blog. It's been super helpful for my upciming travles. Second, when traveling with a gopro, can you upload everything to a blog via smartphone or do you need to tote your laptop around as well? My wife and I will be backpacking and trying to keep it as light as possible. Thanks!
Thanks Amie! I know you can download the GoPro photos directly to your phone via the app, but it depends on which blog platform you use to upload photos to it from your phone... I always format all of my blog posts on my laptop so I travel with my MacBook Air, but if you are able to upload directly from your phone to your site, then yes, a GoPro will work for that :)
Excellent post! Love all your tips! Just wondering, those photos with you from afar, how do you take those when you are alone? Like the one you took with your iPhone at the Taj Mahal? Did you bring a tripod with you? I normally travel with my husband but I tell ya he's crap at taking photos and I ended up taking photos by myself! Haha..not that great but at least I have the background to showcase where I am! Your photos are awesome! Love all of it! x
Hahaha I feel ya on the not getting good pics when other people take them! The Taj Mahal I had someone take just with my iPhone, but whether it's my phone or GoPro, if I have someone hold it, I position it first, and I take the photo of the frame to show them the picture I want. If I have someone hold my GoPro to take a picture of me (or if I prop the pole up in my purse), I use the GoPro app on my phone to adjust myself into the frame! :)
Excellent post! Love all your tips! Just wondering, those photos with you from afar, how do you take those if you are alone? Did you bring a tripod with you and use self timer? I normally travel with my husband but I tell ya he's crap at taking photos and I ended up learning to take photos by myself with self timer on and it actually looks better! Lol
Yes I usually take a tripod and connect my phone to my camera so I can frame the shot and take the photo remotely. Hope this helps!