Just wondering which action camera would people recommend for disney world...I was thinking either the Gopro Hero 9 or the Insta360 one R (with the 360 mod)? or maybe another camera?
I was also thinking about a DJI pocket 2 o, but that's not waterproof. Could still be worth it?
Any advice is appreciated.
Last time we were in
Disneyland (2016) was the first time I did a lot of video and I used a Sony X3000 action cam in a waterproof housing (but I drilled a hole in the front for the microphone to pick up sound). It did an excellent job although its low light performance was...less than ideal. I still use the X3000 on my dirtbike helmet because its optical/sensor stabilization works better under the tree canopy than my newer action cam, the Hero 7. But if I were to go to Disneyland now, I'd take the Hero 7 because in good light, its stabilization is even better than the X3000 plus it can shoot at 4K @ 60fps which gives me flexibility for zooming/panning/slo-mo in post processing since I output to a 1080 file. But low light would be worse than the Sony due to the fact that the GoPros rely partly on having a sharp image in order to apply digital stabilization.
So yeah, if those post processing features are useful to you then I'd recommend a Hero 7 or higher. I'd definitely pair it with a short handle, even a floatie handle (approx 10" long designed for keeping the camera afloat in the water) works well. This gives you a very secure grip (although ALWAYS use a lanyard on your wrist) for recording on rides.
I also have an Insta360 X2 which I'd definitely like to bring, too. However, its value will be limited if I can't use it with a selfie stick (the typical selfie sticks used with 360 cameras are banned in the park). If you don't already have one then I wouldn't buy one for Disneyland. The action camera will suffice plus it will easily withstand the rigors of frequent but casual use. With a 360 camera, you really need to ensure the lenses are clean before recording and they are VERY delicate and easy to scratch because 1) they're bulbous and 2) they're on both sides of the body. I have clear lens guards on mine but they reduce image quality a bit. A 360 camera also entails additional work flow, too, (assuming you want to reframe shots vs. just viewing unedited 360 clips) so you really need to be into it to make use of it.
Depends on how you plan to use those videos. Are you interested in something to share with your family after the vacation is over or do you run a blog or plan to post it online? Will you edit the raw footage or just show it as is? You will then need editing software to make modifications. Video requires a LOT of time/planning/execution. How much of your vacation do you plan to spend taking videos vs. enjoying time with your family?
I agree that good video requires work and, particularly, a lot of pre-planning. However, I've found that you can make a pretty decent video without detracting from the Disney experience. The amazing stabilization, wide field of view, and deep depth of field typical of action cameras make them much more of a carefree tool to use for recording in Disneyland than a smartphone. I never had to ask people to pose or repeat a motion; I just shot as we went along. I also had pre-planned shots I wanted to capture and again, I did them as we went along. No one had to stop and wait for me, and we all had a great time. At least that's been my experience. And yes, a good video will also require very disciplined culling and editing afterwards.
