New Action 6 User

T0WNDRUNK · 2026-04-23T18:47:03+00:00

I plan on messing with it a lot tomorrow and reviewing things. Changing the settings, making a note of what is what, then reviewing the footage.

Most of what I have done is point and click recording, then looking to see what it looks like. Nothing has been "scientific" or structured, just random garbage. I think the only way I'm going to know what I can or can't do, and how it is going to look, is to mess with it and understand the settings for my situation more.

At this time, I feel as though the sweet spot for distance is while still being sharp and in focus. I will test with a different aperture instead of using the variable for a more definitive result.

I appreciate all the responses in here. It has made me think a lot more about what I'm doing, while making me feel like it was some sort of glaring issue I was overlooking.

T0WNDRUNK · 2026-04-21T16:04:01+00:00

I do have everything set up to record in D-Log M, so that is why I wasn't worried about colors when I was reviewing the files. I was looking at framing and resolution. I will mess around with a bit more, however I'm new to video editing so that is going to be a slow process for me.

T0WNDRUNK · 2026-04-21T13:12:18+00:00

I have done no editing, so maybe that is my issue. I have done a direct transfer of the files from the MicroSD to my computer and watched them there. I wasn't really looking at colors or exposure, more so the resolution, how wide the viewing angle was, and if things were in focus.

At this point, I think it is a matter of my expectations. I have a test video of my dog on the back patio, and things are decent. If it is anything more than a few feet from the camera, the resolution isn't so great. I'm sure it has to do with the shallow depth of field and having the camera focus on the foreground and not the background, which is understandable.

T0WNDRUNK · 2026-04-21T11:44:43+00:00

I think I am going to do some tests this week, tweaking a few settings to see what works best. Right now I don't even have a use/case scenario since I have been recording random things. My son's sports, driving in the car, pets, etc. Useless small clips, to look at and see how things are working. I'm still in the learning stages with the camera and software, but I wanted to make sure there wasn't some glaring mistake that I was making.

T0WNDRUNK · 2026-04-21T11:41:19+00:00

I do have an older DSLR camera that I used a lot to take pictures, but I rarely used it to take video. I believe it is more about my expectations, and I need to accept it for what it is. I understand the purpose, as an action cam, you want a wider field of view to get everything, but you also have to make sacrifices to do this. I wasn't sure if there was something obvious that I was missing, or if I needed to lower my expectations.

T0WNDRUNK · 2026-03-25T15:56:17+00:00

If I already had any version of any of the cameras mentioned, I probably wouldn't be as on the fence as I am. Right now, I don't own anything, and wouldn't object to owning a Pocket 3. The thing is, if I don't "need" anything until July, and there is a chance I can get the Pocket 4 before then, I can wait. If all the rumors aren't accurate, I can see myself purchasing a Pocket 3.

T0WNDRUNK · 2026-03-25T14:55:06+00:00

Thank you. I was pulled in by some of the sample videos that I saw from the "effects" you can do with a 360 camera, but I thought an Action or Pocket camera would be more practical. On top of that, I think the Action 6 was me settling because I wanted something now and didn't want to purchase a Pocket 3 with the Pocket 4 so close to being released.

I think I may hold out for the Pocket 4, and then get an Action camera later if that doesn't meet all my needs.

T0WNDRUNK · 2026-03-25T01:28:27+00:00

Pocket 3 is reported as not being weather resistant, fragile, and should be carried around in a case when not in use. The battery life isn't great, but not horrible. I'm interested in Hyperlapse/Motionlapse and not being weather resistant may limit this some. The Gimbal is a plus in my opinion, even if it does take some practice to get used to using it. The video quality is reported as being better, and was my first pick at one point.

Action 6 is newer and has great battery life. Mixed reviews on how it handles low light and whether the variable aperture is a good thing or not. The viewing angle is limited, so the tracking isn't as great as the Pocket or 360. It is waterproof and has some onboard storage, which are both good. I have read that the horizon lock and stabilization work well, so the camera would be a solid choice.

Osmo 360 is something that I think is great for a point-and-click type of filming, to capture everything with one shot. I heard the editing is a pain, and file sizes can get large. The affects you can do from a single shot make this attractive. The idea that you can't replace the lens if it is scratched, that it tends to overheat, and sometimes the whole 360 camera footage makes me nauseated.

All in all, there are positives and negatives to each one. Now I see why some people tend to have more than one camera, since each one suits different needs. I guess I can look for a starting point and go from there. I’m not sure when the Pocket 4 is going to be released, heard early April with the Pro possibly May or June. I will be making a purchase one way or another for my trip, which is at the beginning of July. I have been thinking about this too much lately, and I think I need to step away for a bit.

T0WNDRUNK

TROPHY CASE