GoPro Hero4 vs Garmin VIRB XE

So I was just about to purchase myself a GoPro 4 Silver edition when I came across this announcement of Garmins new "action cam." Although it doesn't release until summer 2015, was looking for opinions based on specs of which you would choose and your personal experience with GoPro.


GARMIN: http://virb.garmin.com/en-US/virb-xe

VIRB X
$299

Dimensions:
Unit size (WxHxD): 3.0” x 1.6” x 1.4” (77.0 x 40.6 x 36.8 mm)
Display size: 1” (25.4 mm) diagonal; 128 x 128
Unit weight: 5.35 oz (151.7 grams)

Video:
Image sensor: 12.4 MP, 1/2.3" CMOS
File Type: .mp4
1080p HD video: 30, 25 fps
960p HD video: 30, 25 fps
720p HD video: 60, 50, 30, 25 fps
480p (slow motion): 120 fps
Still photo resolution: 12 MP and 7 MP
Photo burst: 12MP at 10 fps
Photo time lapse: custom up to 120 second intervals

Audio:
Internal microphone: Yes
External microphone: Optional rugged power cable or Bluetooth® audio

Connectivity:
Bluetooth: Yes (4.0)
ANT+® compatible: Yes (remote and sensors)
Interface: USB 2.0
HDMI output: No
Wi-Fi streaming: Yes (802.11 bgn)

Miscellaneous:
GPS: Yes
Temperature range: From -20° to 45°C (from -4° to 113°F) (operating); from 0° to 45°C (from 32° to 113°F) (charging); from -40° to 85°C (from -40° to 185°F) (storage)
Memory: microSD™ card (up to 128 GB); card not included
Accelerometer: Yes
Altimeter: No
Waterproof to 50 meters without a dive case
Image stabilization: Yes
Lens distortion correction: Yes

Battery:
Battery type: Rechargeable 980mAh Li-polymer
Battery capacity: 980 mAh
Battery life: 1080p (30fps), up to 2 hours

VIRB XE
$399

Same specs except video and enhanced image stabilization...

Video:
Image sensor: 12.4 MP, 1/2.3" CMOS
File Type: .mp4
1080p HD video: 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24 fps
960p HD video: 100, 60, 50 fps
720p HD video: 120, 100, 60, 50, 30, 25 fps
480p (slow motion): 240 fps
Still photo resolution: 12 MP and 7 MP
Photo burst: 12MP at 30 fps
Photo time lapse: custom up to 120 second intervals

Image stabilization: Yes (gyro-enhanced)

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GoPro: http://shop.gopro.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-GoPro-Site/default/Landing-Hero4

Hero 4 Silver
$399


Weight:
Camera: 2.9oz (84g)
Camera with housing: 5.2oz (147g)
Video Mode

Video Resolutions/FPS:
4K 15, 12.5
2.7K 30, 25, 24
1440p 48, 30, 25, 24
1080p 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24
1080p SuperView 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24
960p 100, 60, 50
720p 120, 60, 50, 30, 25
720p SuperView 100, 60, 50
WVGA 240

Automatically creates video from frames captured at set intervals. Available only in 4K and 2.7K 4:3 resolutions. (2.7K 4:3 is available only for Time Lapse Video.)
Time Lapse Video Intervals
0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60 seconds
Video + Photo

Record video and capture Time Lapse photos at the same time. Available intervals are 5, 10, 30 and 60 seconds.
Video Resolution/FPS
1440p 24
1080p 30, 25, 24
720p 60, 50, 30, 25

Record a continuous video loop that overwrites itself until you press the shutter button to stop it and save.
Advanced Video Capture Settings

Auto Low Light mode automatically adjusts frame rates according to lighting conditions for enhanced low-light performance. Frame rates are adjusted in medium- and low-light conditions. Playback occurs at the selected resolution and frame rate.
Photo Mode

Photo Resolutions
12MP
7MP
5MP

Hold down the shutter button to continuously capture a series of photos until shutter button is released.
Continuous Interval

3 photos/1 second (Default)
5 photos/1 second
10 photos/1 second

Night Photo
Capture a single photo with a customizable exposure time of up to 30 seconds.
Shutter

Time Lapse
Automatically capture a series of photos at timed intervals.
Time Lapse Photo Intervals
0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60 seconds

Night Lapse
Capture a series of photos at specific intervals and exposure times.
Night Lapse Photo Intervals
15, 20, 30 and 60 seconds
2, 5, 30 and 60 minutes
Shutter

Protune™
Protune unlocks the camera's full potential, delivering minimally compressed, cinema-caliber video optimized for professional productions, and advanced manual controls for photos and video. Flex your creativity with customizable settings for Color, ISO Limit, White Balance, Sharpness and Exposure—and enjoy the greatest degree of manual control available in a GoPro camera.
Captures images with less compression, giving content creators higher quality for professional productions.
Protune enables manual control of White Balance, Color, ISO Limit, Sharpness, Shutter and Exposure Value Compensation for advanced control and customization of your videos and photos.
Protune is available for all video and photo resolutions.
Protune Settings

Hero 4 Black
$499

Adds 4k video resolution and double the FPS

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Seems as though the Garmin offers some pretty awesome features with built in sensors and video overlay plus optional external sensors. Also, with rugged waterproof design with no shell offers better audio capture, but the GoPro still seems to outperform in terms of video resolution and FPS which is what really matters in the end.

 

I'd still go with the GoPro for $100 with those fps and specs. Just my .02