| Fotoqualität | |
| Videoqualität | |
| Material | |
| Zubehör | |
| Preis-Leistung | |
| Average 0/5 |
The Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 action camera costs about the same as the GoPro 3 camera, but can it keep up with this quality? And what do you expect when you buy it for special functions and technical features?
That’s what you’ll find out in this report.
Technical Specifications
This is a 12 megapixel Ultra HD Action camera with waterproof underwater housing (up to 40 meters waterproof).
Videos can be recorded up to 4K at 30 frames per second. The cam has an integrated 1.75 LCD touch screen which works very well even without the supplied housing.
Resolution values
The video performance is quite clear at 4K and a frame rate of 30 frames per second. Nothing crumbles or makes an inferior impression on the shots.
But there are other resolution values available. These go up to a frame rate of an incredible 300 frames per second, which indicates a state-of-the-art and fast chipset that stands for quality.
In the menu you can set the following video resolution:
- 4k at 30fps
- 2.7k at 60 fps
- 1080p at 120fps
- 720p at 240fps
- 480p at 300fps
At a maximum bit rate of 60 Mbps.
Wobble-free images
An extensive sensor system ensures sharp, unshaky images, among other things the 3 axis image stabilisation is responsible for this. This works so well even with very unsteady camera movements that the photos remain sharp and easily recognizable. The stabilisation not only works perfectly when taking pictures, but also when shooting video up to a resolution of 1440p at 60 fps.
Garmin G-Matrix
Pretty interesting is the built-in 10 Hz HD GPS which provides data like altitude, distance and speed. By 10 Hz is meant that the GPS measures 10 times per second, which is more than enough. We have not seen this in this form on other action cameras before. This feature is especially suitable for the professionals among you.
This way you can always clearly see how much, in which speed and height you have moved during your adventure.
Further sensors can be coupled
The Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 action camera also has an ANT +- interface. With this interface, additional sensors can be connected to the device. For example, a heart rate monitor can be connected here to collect even more data. For this purpose there is for example a chest strap for heart rate measurement.
Furthermore, it is possible to control several cameras synchronously via this interface.
Compact design despite a lot of technology
The housing and the dimensions of the camera are slightly larger than those of standard ActionCams, but the Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 is still compact enough and looks elegant. The product dimensions are 57.5 x 45.9 x 31.3 mm. The underwater housing is of course slightly larger with the dimensions of 79.0 x 75.5 x 39.9 mm. Overall, the camera weighs about 87.9 g including the battery and 65.2 g without the battery.
Integrated voice control facilitates use during an adventure
A special function is the integrated voice control. You may not have time to manually control the cam in the middle of your activities, at these times you can control the action camera by voice command and for example start a video recording at the right moment. So you can capture every moment comfortably.
Cool create mode thanks to VIRB Edit
VIRB Edit can be easily downloaded to edit your videos afterwards. The functions are versatile and you can capture the most breathtaking recordings thanks to the G-Metrix data.
Finally a microphone that produces crystal clear audio tracks even in the underwater housing
This product is also well received in the community because the manufacturer has finally managed to launch an action camera that delivers clear and authentic sound even with an underwater housing. The microphone which was installed is therefore very high quality.
Storage
Photo and video files can be stored on a memory card with a storage capacity of up to 128 Gbyte. This must comply with class 10/UHS-1 microSD. We recommend that you format the memory card once before use.
Real-time transmission to a terminal device
If you have a smartphone or tablet with an iOS operating system, you can view the video in real time on your device and stream recorded video data and view still images.
Battery performance
It is equipped with a lithium ion battery, which provides a runtime of 2 hours of continuous recording when shooting at 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. Unfortunately, the battery, when fully charged, only lasts for one hour of continuous shooting at 4K and 30 fps.
However, there is the possibility to exchange the battery, spare batteries are available in the trade.
Scope of delivery
The scope of delivery is quite extensive, you have everything you would expect from a camera in this price range. The following items are included in the scope of delivery:
- 1x VIRB Ultra 30 action camera
- 1x underwater housing
- 1x lithium-ion battery
- 1x charge/sync cable
- flat & curved adhesive holders
- Adapter for standard & vertical brackets
- Several short & long screws
- Several short & long extension arms
- 1x allen key
- 1x anti-fogging kit
- 1x splash-proof height meter housing cover
- 1x quick start guide
- Gamin VIRB Sticker
Assets and drawbacks
We couldn’t really discover many disadvantages of this camera. Of course the price is quite proud and not everyone has that much budget available. This is definitely a disadvantage. But if we compare all positive and negative facts clearly, it becomes clear that a purchase is worthwhile in any case!
Advantages:
- High quality, razor sharp photo and video recording at 12 MP and up to 30 fps at 4K resolution
- Has a GPS system for extensive data acquisition
- Integrated 3-axis image stabilisation for shakeless images
- You can control the camera by voice command
- Up to 40 meter waterproof case included
- The underwater housing and microphone of the action camera are so well matched that the sound quality is very fine and clear despite the housing
- Battery life up to 2 hours
- Extensive connectivity thanks to ANT+ sensors
- Live streaming via WiFi possible
- Use of memory cards up to a size of 128 Gbyte possible
- Use of VIRB Edit possible to edit videos faster and better
Disadvantages:
- Voice control by English commands only
- Pretty expensive
- Live streaming only possible with iOS devices
Conclusion
“This thing is pretty cool”. If we were to casually toss it into the room.
Of course the price is quite steep, but think about all the great features you get here. The advantages and technical details we have described above, that’s a lot and many functions are not even provided by the popular GoPro action cameras.
The built-in microphone is, as already mentioned, the hammer, which is exactly why many people buy this camera, because there are hardly any comparable products on the market that deliver similarly good sound quality, even when the underwater housing is attached.
For divers who put a lot of quality on high quality video and audio tracks this camera is an absolute “must-have”!
Here you can buy the Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 action camera on Amazon!
