{"id":2487,"date":"2018-03-19T10:01:37","date_gmt":"2018-03-19T06:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/?p=2487"},"modified":"2019-04-06T20:49:09","modified_gmt":"2019-04-06T16:49:09","slug":"garmin-virb-ultra-30-action-camera-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/garmin-virb-ultra-30-action-camera-review","title":{"rendered":"Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 Action Camera Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Welcome to my Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 Review!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fact that GoPro has been a dominant force in the market of flagship action cameras leads one to assume that there are only two categories in the market today:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cameras which are manufactured by GoPro, and those that are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, with their superior quality, impeccable performance and amazing reliability, GoPro\u2019s line of products have been the norm for serious photographers as well as amateur enthusiasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>However&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>companies like Garmin continue to float in the fray, desperately trying to break through by matching GoPro with their specifications and offering their products at a cheaper price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Garmin Virb Ultra 30, for instance, seems to be a serious contender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Its intuitive, touchscreen controls, 3-axis electronic image stabilization, and G-Metrix sensor data made it stand out among its peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since its release, GoPro has invested more on its products and have come up with the <a href=\"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/gopro-hero-6-vs-hero-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hero 5 and the Hero 6 Black<\/a>. This triggered a price drop on Garmin\u2019s part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>But&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Garmin camera is similar in design to the GoPro models, but it is not waterproof without a casing, unlike the Hero 6 Black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With regards to video and image quality, the GoPro model fares better with the new GP1 processor allowing resolutions at higher frame rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In low light conditions, however, the Virb Ultra 30 delivers crisper stills than the Hero 6 Black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>And&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from being a trusted brand, GoPro attracts its customers by offering more editing options than its competitors in the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While that may act as a deal breaker for a few Virb Ultra 30 enthusiasts, it should not be a problem if you are simply a beginner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The improvements on <a href=\"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/gopro-hero-6-black-review-in-depth-analysis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hero 6 Black<\/a> do appear extremely lucrative at the outset, especially considering the fact that both the devices are similarly priced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to help you decide, we have taken a detailed look into the features of the Garmin Virb Ultra 30 in the following paragraphs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Let&#8217;s Jump to the Review!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=B01HP4PMG0&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=actigadgrevi-20\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"155\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Product:<\/strong> Garmin VIRB Ultra 30<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My Rating:<\/strong> 9\/10<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Warranty:<\/strong> Yes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Price:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2pmRXB1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Check<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-white-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2TY1NFH\" style=\"background-color:#f70004\"><strong>Check Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Specifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Physical Dimensions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Unit size (WxHxD): 2.3\u201d x 1.8\u201d x 1.2\u201d (57.5 x 45.9 x 31.3 mm); 3.1\u201d x 3.0\u201d x 1.6\u201d (79.0 x 75.5 x 39.9 mm), with case<\/li><li>Display size: 1.75\u201d (44.5 mm) diagonal<\/li><li>Unit weight: 3.1 oz (87.9 grams), with battery; 2.3 oz (65.2 grams), without battery<\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.garmin.com\/en-US\/legal\/waterrating\">Water resistant<\/a>: yes, to 40 meters with included waterproof case<\/li><li>Memory (requires Class-10\/UHS-1 microSD\u2122 card): Up to 128 GB microSD card (not included)<\/li><li>Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion (1250mAh)<\/li><li>Battery life: Up to 2 hours 15 minutes at 1080p\/30fps; up to 1 hour, 15 minutes at 4K\/30fps<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Video<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Performance: 4K\/30fps; 2.7K\/60fps; 1080p\/120fps; 720p\/240fps and 480p\/300fps<\/li><li>High sensitivity microphone: yes, excellent even when inside case<\/li><li>Image stabilization: 3-axis (up to 1080p\/60fps)<\/li><li>Manual camera control: yes, with live preview<\/li><li>Maximum bitrate: 60 Mbps<\/li><li>Expansive view (extremely large field of view): yes<\/li><li>Video highlights: Automatic and manual<\/li><li>Automatic video creation: yes, via desktop app<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Photo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Resolution: 12 megapixels, 8 megapixels<\/li><li>Burst frames: Up to 60fps<\/li><li>Manual camera control: yes, with live preview<\/li><li>Night shots: yes<\/li><li>High Dynamic Range (HDR): yes (automatic)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Virb Ultra 30 looks more like the Hero series from GoPro than its predecessors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a tiny box design weighing just below 90g. Garmin has kept the look simple and stylish with red and black finishes along with the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.garmin.com\" target=\"_blank\">Garmin<\/a> branding on the front and back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, the design is so similar to GoPro cameras that you can even use GoPro mounts for this camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the interesting features in this model is the integrated touchscreen that allows you to change settings even through the waterproof case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This used to be a significant advantage a year ago when the camera was released, but once the Hero 5 and 6 flooded the market, Garmin was no longer the one offering such a feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Garmin-virb-ultra-30-top-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"Garmin virb ultra 30 top\" class=\"wp-image-2972\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The physical controls are laid out in a simple but effective manner. A dedicated video switch turns the camera on and begins recording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is also a power button at the top along with a button to connect the camera to your smartphone via Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The video switch is an extremely useful feature that lets you know whether the device is turned on even when you cannot see the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Garmin-virb-ultra-30_1-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"Garmin virb ultra 30 ports\" class=\"wp-image-2974\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you hold the device with the screen facing you, you will find the micro-HDMI and the micro-USB ports to your left and a switch to your right that opens up the battery cover at the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The waterproof case ensures you can safely use your camera up to a depth of 40 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Garmin-virb-ultra-30-waterproof-case-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"Garmin virb ultra 30 waterproof case\" class=\"wp-image-2973\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Navigation and Controls<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The touchscreen display lies at the rear, making it easy for you to swipe away at the settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The touch input is fast and precise, just like the <a href=\"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/gopro-hero-6-black-review-in-depth-analysis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Hero 6 Black (opens in a new tab)\">Hero 6 Black<\/a>. The panel is smaller than the GoPro device, but it does a decent job anyway with good brightness levels and clear pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, the interface is clearer than the GoPro model, and the larger menu options make it easier to avoid accidentally pressing the wrong options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The preview screen throws up six options to select from \u2013 video, photo, playback, presets, wireless, and display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is of course in addition to the cursory back button and the settings icon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Garmin has also meticulously added a couple of quick settings too \u2013 swiping from the left helps you access the video and photo settings while swiping down from the top leads you to connectivity settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, if the touchscreen bores you, the voice control feature is there for the taking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You are probably familiar with the \u201cOkay Google\u201d catchphrase. The Virb Ultra 30 takes a leaf out of that book and has set the voice command preface to be \u201cOkay Garmin\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Voice control lets you begin a recording, take an image, and even tag a still in a video while recording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, it will not work under noisy conditions, but that\u2019s understandable. Unlike GoPro, Garmin does not allow its users to use voice commands for photo bursts or timelapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AlS0b9pc6pE\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s a video that explains things:<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Video and Photo Quality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Video<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The most lucrative feature of the Garmin Virb Ultra 30 is its capability to shoot 4K videos at 30 fps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is slightly inferior to the GoPro Hero 6 Black which can record 4k at 60 fps, but you need to keep in mind that the Garmin device was launched months before its competitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recording through half the frame rate equivalent should not be a problem unless you are looking to play around with slow-motion editing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Virb Ultra 30 records crisp and color-rich videos at 4k, 2.7k, 1080p and 720p.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electronic Image Stabilization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Further, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axis.com\/en-ae\/technologies\/axis-electronic-image-stabilization\">electronic image stabilization (EIS)<\/a> ensures you get a smooth recording even on bumpy terrain. The EIS, however, does not work in 4k or 2.7k resolutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, 4k is restricted to the \u2018wide\u2019 field of view, and you cannot enable the lens distortion correction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the contrary, 1080p offers two narrower fields of view, and lens correction also does an admirable job in removing the fisheye effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Bitrate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Garmin also provides several advanced settings like different sharpness levels, a high bitrate mode that records at 60 megabits per second, and an option for a flat color profile that maintains greater dynamic range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It also allows you the freedom to change the exposure and ISO limits according to your need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s a video by Garmin showing the quality of the Ultra 30 videos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hMZmE7P9pfQ\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Quality Still Photos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like the Hero 6 Black, Garmin Virb Ultra 30 offers 12 MP still photos, although with cooler and more accurate colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The difference between the cameras is particularly appreciable in low light conditions where the latter outscores the GoPro model, courtesy of its bright and crisp images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sensors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Virb Ultra 30 boasts of an <strong>accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, barometer, and a GPS<\/strong> that provide relevant information regarding speed, position, g-force, hill grade, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can even add additional premium sensors such as temperature and heart rate for a fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most noteworthy feature, however, is the <strong>G-Metrix<\/strong>. The device constantly writes G-Metrix data to a sidecar file while shooting a video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"322\" src=\"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Garmin-virb-ultra-30-G-Metrix-Data-1024x322.jpg\" alt=\"Garmin virb ultra 30 G-Metrix Data\" class=\"wp-image-2976\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This file is seamlessly imported along with the video to your smartphone or PC app, thereby allowing you to stay abreast of all the data you will ever need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Apps and Editing Features<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Garmin\u2019s mobile app is useful to remotely control the camera when you are unable to reach it. The app requires Wi-Fi to pair your smartphone with your camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The preview screen looks simple and unfussy, and tapping the gear icon on the bottom left opens up the scrolling menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All camera settings are available, along with the Locate Camera button that triggers the camera to emit a set of tones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Broadcast button is a handy upgrade that allows you to live stream your recording on YouTube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Battery Performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Virb Ultra 30 sports a removable <strong>1250 mAh battery<\/strong> that can last up to <strong>2 hours and 15 minutes<\/strong> if you are shooting at 1080p at 30 fps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doubling the frame rate decreases the battery time by nearly 45 minutes (with GPS turned off).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is significantly less than the recent GoPro models. It, therefore, makes sense to carry along an extra battery if you are planning to record for a full day with this device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The battery compartment also contains the microSD memory card slot which takes cards up to 128 GB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mounts and Accessories<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While GoPro continues to lead the market handsomely in this regard, Garmin is looking to catch up with over 30 accessories available for the Virb Ultra 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The device comes with a waterproof case, but you may be better off by spending an additional $40 for a cage with a protective lens for your camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, if you have owned a GoPro previously, you may use those mounts with your Garmin device too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"808\" src=\"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Garmin-virb-ultra-30-in-the-box-1024x808.jpg\" alt=\"Garmin virb ultra 30 accessories\" class=\"wp-image-2977\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>To Conclude<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 is a feature-rich, hassle-free action camera that deserves a shot if you haven\u2019t yet played with G-Metrix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For its price, the Virb Ultra 30 is in a good position. I really liked the video and photo quality, the fact that it has image stabilization and of course the different features it includes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But apart from that, it does not have anything more to offer than the recent GoPro models that come at pretty much the same price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-white-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2TY1NFH\" style=\"background-color:#f70004\"><strong>Check Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I hope you enjoyed my Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 review \ud83d\ude42<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you have any questions then please feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below and I will answer you as soon as I can.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to my Garmin VIRB Ultra 30 Review! The fact that GoPro has been a dominant force in the market of flagship action cameras leads one to assume that there are only two categories in the market today: Cameras which&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/garmin-virb-ultra-30-action-camera-review\">Continue Reading &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"wppr_data":{"cwp_meta_box_check":"No"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2487"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2487"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2487\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/actiongadgetsreviews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}