Competition winning GoPro losing:

http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/04/technology/gopro-cameras-stock/index.html?iid=ob_article_footer&iid=obnetwork

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I read on some of the photography websites that Olympus has targeted this segment and that GoPro is going to try to maintain profitability and viability by moving "upmarket".

We shall see what happens. I have an ancient ancient GoPro that I think was the same model used by the Wright Brothers.

I know Olympus makes solid gear. I have some of their micro four thirds cameras and lenses.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/6451740776/gopro-to-discontinue-three-cameras-and-exit-entry-level-market

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GoPro to discontinue three cameras and exit entry-level market
Published Feb 5, 2016

This week, GoPro announced it will discontinue three of its six available action cameras and abandon the entry-level market. This follows the company’s preliminary fourth quarter results revealed last month. GoPro had stated at the time that poor holiday sales would likely result in low quarterly revenue, and that it would layoff 7% of its workforce as a result.

In a conference call this week, GoPro’s founder and CEO Nick Woodman said the company’s recent misfortunes aren’t due to increased competition. 'Growth slowed in the second half of the year,' said Woodman, 'and we recognize the need to develop software solutions that make it easier for our customers to offload, access and edit their GoPro content.'

GoPro is banking on the improved software reversing its sales numbers, but it isn’t clear what other plans may be in place. Woodman said the company will be 'delivering this new experience in 2016, period.' In the meantime, though, GoPro anticipates its first quarter sales will be below analysts' $300 million expectation, falling between $160 and $180 million.

GoPro will stop selling its HERO+ LCD, HERO+ and HERO entry-level cameras in April, making the $200 HERO4 Session its least expensive model.

Via: Financial Times

I think my model GoPro is visible on the strut:

I think they still set the bar for video quality. They're victims of overvaluation in a market that's rapidly saturating with copycats.

Zzz wrote:I think they still set the bar for video quality. They're victims of overvaluation in a market that's rapidly saturating with copycats.

Yeah, the double whammy of copycats and, I think more importantly, the market is actually pretty small and everyone that wants an action cam has one at this point. So now they are selling replacements and trying to convince people they need more than one. Since they are oozing tens of millions it's going to be painful until Canon, Nikon or Sony buys them out of bankruptcy.

rw2 wrote:

Zzz wrote:I think they still set the bar for video quality. They're victims of overvaluation in a market that's rapidly saturating with copycats.

Yeah, the double whammy of copycats and, I think more importantly, the market is actually pretty small and everyone that wants an action cam has one at this point. So now they are selling replacements and trying to convince people they need more than one. Since they are oozing tens of millions it's going to be painful until Canon, Nikon or Sony buys them out of bankruptcy.

I think it also has to do with people getting hero-perspective fatigued. The vast majority of the footage captured by these cameras really isn’t very interesting.

A lack of size and depth reference combined with wide angle distortion conspire to make some scenes more dramatic, but MOST scenes less dramatic than they appeared in person, and the single camera-angle is just somnolent. Three minutes of the same camera view requires a really, really interesting subject matter…preferably naked.

Short of a crash I don’t think I’ve ever seen helmet footage that was even a little interesting. Same with kayaking footage…just doesn’t look good from that perspective unless extreme measures are taken in the mounting of the camera, and even then you can only watch so much of it without getting board.

Finally, shooting and editing a video is both an art form and a lot of work, and perusing ooh-tube is akin to walking through the art display at a small county fair. Everyone has to start somewhere and there’s not a thing wrong with doing something just because it brings you enjoyment, but you can only sell so many paint sets before people figure out that no matter how easy their paint set is to use, the pictures are dull.

There have been some fantastic scenes caught with gopro’s and they can be a valuable tool, but I think people are wearing out on the format. I’m amazed they’ve lasted as long as they have, honestly.

@ Hammer

+1

I still have four of the made at the end by Cisco HD FLIP Video Cams. Work just fine for many of my short limited applications. SImple as a hammer to operate, uploads are a snap, and the self loading software is ultra basic and reliable. Like a hammer.

http://images.pcworld.com/news/graphics/213082-hgg10_flipultrahd_601_original.jpg

Sounds like the market has a "Love - Hate" relationship with the GoPro Camera line. Definitely was the coolest during it's initial introduction. Sadly, (for investors) most people are ready to try other technologies.

Good posts...Thanks!

Sell all those used Go-Pros to the police for body-cams, with a direct live video stream to the internet.

Might be very telling to see both sides of the story when someone gets shot or arrested or gets a speeding ticket.

I'm guessing that the lawsuits against local governments would go down dramatically, respect for our cops and what they have to deal with would go up, and the incidence of bad or "rude" police behavior would go down.

EZFlap wrote:Sell all those used Go-Pros to the police for body-cams, with a direct live video stream to the internet.

Might be very telling to see both sides of the story when someone gets shot or arrested or gets a speeding ticket.

I'm guessing that the lawsuits against local governments would go down dramatically, respect for our cops and what they have to deal with would go up, and the incidence of bad or "rude" police behavior would go down.

The "Local" policemen in Hawaii are pretty cool. The saying here is "Lucky you live Hawaii".

Los Angeles... anything can happen. I agree with more oversight exposing corruption in any public business.

Hammer wrote:I think it also has to do with people getting hero-perspective fatigued. The vast majority of the footage captured by these cameras really isn’t very interesting.

A lack of size and depth reference combined with wide angle distortion conspire to make some scenes more dramatic, but MOST scenes less dramatic than they appeared in person, and the single camera-angle is just somnolent. Three minutes of the same camera view requires a really, really interesting subject matter…preferably naked.

Also a very good point. I have been using a blend of cameras for a long time now and when I do use a gopro it is almost always in medium or narrow mode rather than wide. Said another way, I'm using it for the size and disposability (while I've never lost one, they are absolutely the cameras that I don't hesitate to put in harms way) rather than the fish-eye view that made them so notable initially.

Though there are exceptions:

Destroyed a GoPro surfing Inskip PT, QLD. Forgot to change to water proof case. The SD was OK.

<break>

rw2:

Love it. First time I have seen it done!

That's a cool pic. My luck I'd stick it right in my prop. And probably have the pictures to prove it.

UtahMaule wrote:That's a cool pic. My luck I'd stick it right in my prop. And probably have the pictures to prove it.

As someone who's stood up on the bed and stuck his head into the ceiling fan multiple times (with scars to prove it) I must agree.

Hammer, while I tend to agree with some of what you wrote, you cannot discount the narcissist. People love to watch themselves do their thing. I'm among them. That's why I like putting the camera inside the cockpit pointed at myself.

Dashcams, smartphones, whatever-- this video can of worms has been opened. I don't think most users have any aspirations of being artists or filmmakers but they do enjoy creating for the sake of creating, and that's good.

GoPro's stock price issues are certainly a result of an increasingly competitive space, but they're a juggernaut with the most powerful name recognition in a sea of electronics brands. They may suffer the "Kleenex" syndrome though while their brand loses meaning as it joins the lexicon as a common noun.

Zzz wrote:
Dashcams, smartphones, whatever-- this video can of worms has been opened. I don't think most users have any aspirations of being artists or filmmakers but they do enjoy creating for the sake of creating, and that's good.

I agree. While it is occasionally cool to watch some of the videos out there I get the most enjoyment of the ones I've made for myself. To be able to look back on trips with the family or adventures with friends is what it's all about for me.

With all of the ever expanding technology that's becoming available everyday it's hard not to imagine this market being uber saturated. Aggressive business smarts are needed to stay out front! I can imagine that the next wave of videos is going to be of the 360 degree view variety.

CW

Zzz wrote:

UtahMaule wrote:...
Hammer, while I tend to agree with some of what you wrote, you cannot discount the narcissist. People love to watch themselves do their thing. ...

I agree...it's just that navel gazing is one of those things of dubious health that everyone does but nobody wants to talk about...sort of like biting your toenails. I guess todays generation is more comfortable with it, but it makes me feel a bit stupid.

I used to have a camera mounted on the bottom of my plane, and I really enjoyed watching my landings from that perspective. It's a good teaching tool. Most kayak clinics have a underwater camera to help people learn how to roll, and it often helps.

I took the camera off my plane when my uncle saw some footage and said "Why, I think that's just as good as what they show on the local Public Access channel." He was being genuine, which is probably why it stung so much...

Cameras/videos/pictures are another tool for me. Helps me figure out where I was and where I'm going.

The more meta data tags the better.

Carry on men...

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Hammer wrote : I took the camera off my plane when my uncle saw some footage and said "Why, I think that's just as good as what they show on the local Public Access channel." He was being genuine, which is probably why it stung so much...

The sort of begs the question, " how good is good enough " and for many instances the capabilities in regular devices is indeed "plenty good enough".


Granted, for apps like high end footage for a website like BCP, sure, one can easily justify high end optics and video bodies. For most people, all you need is decent resolution, don't wobble too much, and decent audio and you have nailed it. The experience Hammer had with his Uncle is very similar to what I come across.

So, I think the GoPro phenomenon was somewhat like the flip camera movement. I think another factor is that so many people are now using their iPhones for still/video cameras. Granted, action cameras are a bit of a niche. For GoPro I think their simplicity and ergonomics were strong selling points. New action camera entries by Olympus, Nikon, Sony will easily skim many of the high end users, and cheap imitation units from generic manufacturers will skim off the low end. Investors see this, and the stock price reflects it.

I am not convinced GoPro's strategy to move upscale will be their salvation. I am not sure whether they will simply settle in and continue with a small slice of the market, or go the way of the Flip. I will also be very interested to see how well the Garmin models perform in the market in the next few years. Their close performance integration into avionics is a benefit.

A few interesting links for the latest 2016 Models announced at CES:

http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/9/10742974/nikon-gopro-action-cameras-360-video-ces-2016

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The best news about this increased competition is it's a huge deal for consumers. Action cameras, both traditional and spherical, have already become pretty affordable, topping out at $500 and dipping as low as $129. Cheaper cameras and better quality will mean more people will be playing around with them — which is especially important for spherical videos considering no one has quite figured out the best way to shoot them, or the best subjects to film.

Just a few weeks ago, the action camera market was the same old story. GoPro reigned, Sony played prince, and the rest were left to scramble for scraps. Nikon's new camera wont be released until later this year, but it's already shifted that dynamic tremendously.

For Nikon Fans:

For Sony Fans:


For Olympus Fans:
I say stay tuned. If you are in no rush, then wait for their entry. I think they are going to have a super product.


@ Hammer:

Super 8mm anyone ?? I have my Canon 1014XL and Nikon R8 here somewhere. Oh yeah..underneath the E6B and my HP35 calculator....

GoPro already missed out on the professional filmmaker market. The gap was filled by Black Magic Micro and before that Codex. These are $1000+ camera bodies with global shutters and lens mounts designed for low profile action work. But that market is not what makes a billion dollar company.

Cameras are like fishing equipment. I know guys in Micronesia who "Bare hand" tuna on 300lbs monofilament using a wooden 2x4 as a fishing reel. Then we have guys in Kona who arrive in a private jet and fish in their fully crewed 70ft sport fisher. The fish tastes the same.

Note: Southern Pacific is better fishing! It's where you are not (so much) the camera!