Technopark

Maybe you have noticed skiers and cyclists these days wearing miniature gadgets that look like cameras or lenses mounted on their helmets or handlebars. Perhaps you have wondered what they are and what they are used for.

Those cameras you see are referred to by many names. Helmet cams, wearable cameras, lipstick cameras, bullet camera, action sports cameras, pov cameras, are all popular terms used to describe these point of view cameras which fans.

Whatever cameras have similar features that are especially useful for recording sports.

The most important feature is a wide lens with angles of view much wider than a typical video camera lens.

Most regular video cameras come with a 60 to 75 degree field of view at their widest setting. Point of view cameras come with much wider viewing angles. These so called helmet cams come with at least a 90 degree field of view and go up to around 170 degrees. distortion. wide angles make the scene appear more immersive and “in the action” to the viewer. The sense of speed is also much more pronounced, especially when the point of view camera is attached to a bike or motor vehicles like a racing car, motorcycle or ATV. Sports racing tv channels typically use point of view cams mounted inside and outside cars to capture racing action.

Any camera that is made for sports need to be built tougher than consumer conditions. more abuse than a typical consumer vidcam.

While regular video cameras are typically made for hand holding, point of view sports cameras are designed for hands free operation. Skiers, cyclists, racers and other sports enthusiasts need both hands on their equipment so these cams are designed to be mounted to helmets or other gear. Special suction cups and velcro mounts come with the cameras so they can be attached to all sorts of gear.

Many consumer video cameras still discs. to minimize weight and bulk. Recording onto memory cards also makes it easier to transfer captured video to your PC or Mac for uploading or editing.

So the next time you see a cyclist with a miniature camera lens on his helmet, he’s not a secret agent spying on you, he’s just trying to record his crazy downhill run with a new type of camera.

Mike Brooks is an action sports videographer. His favorite cameras are the vio pov, and vholdr helmet cam.

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