Liquid Image EGO Review (2 part review)
Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 8:24AM Here is part one of a two part review of the Liquid Image EGO 1080p sport camera. (Part 2 here)
Over the next two weeks I will spend more time using the camera and then post the final part of the review, together with some downloadable sample.
This is the first time I've split a video review in this manner. I did this because I wanted to give myself more time to perform all the tests that a camera like this warrants, as well as discover any quirks and idiosyncrasies it may exhibit.
If there is anything specific that you want to see in part 2, please put details in the comments and I'll see what I can do.
I bought this camera from Amazon, it cost me approx £120.
PDF Manual on the Liquid Image Site (not much other info there though).
Here is a gallery of all the set-up menus from the Actionconnect app.
Update 27 August 2012
I took the Ego out on the bike yesterday and got some really nice looking video. I'm very impressed with this camera. I'm currently working on my review of the bike and then on the final part of the Ego review...but if you want to see something from the Ego now - you can download a clip using This link. This clip was shot in 1080p30 with a 90º FOV and the plastic protective shield was on. The clip has been trimmed for length using MPEG streamclip (but not re-encoded).
Reader Comments (65)
It's on my site Mat, again thank you for your help !!!
I did go out today and bought a brand new tablet, a Samsung Tab2.
When I went to the GooglePlay store to install the ActionConnect app, the store deemed the Tab2 not compatible, would Android 4.0.3 be too much for it ?
Fingers crossed for updates :-)))
cheers, Leo.
hey there,
got one more request.
i really would like to see some video taken with not that much light. I'm not talking about a night video but something in bad light conditions!
thx a lot ! you are doing a great job!
regards
Got my red ego today from Amazon. Works like a charm.
Some first day comments. Operation with buttons only is stiff.Need to check every time if recording started.
Great quality material.
example of 720 , 60fps link with ego
https://plus.google.com/u/0/116590443392082367419/posts/1R9yhK4t7g8
Sam,
Low light test has been done today. I've all the footage I need now...it just needs editing together (I say Just, it's probably about 12 hours work).
Thx a lot!
I really appreciate it!
regards
Great review as usual. Looks like this camera will be above average.
Great first video. I'm looking forward to part 2 to see what your overall view is. Not sure if this was asked, but will the Go Pro Adhesive mounts work with the Ego ? I can't seem to find any additional mounts currently for sale for the Ego from Liquid Image. How did you mount it to your motorcycle in the test video, as I would like to do something similar.
The mounting brackets look incredibly similar to the brackets for the GoPro, of which I have a variety of mounts for already. It would be incredibly fortuitous (and shocking) if they in fact compatible. Do you know if this is true?
Hi. I bought this camera for a reason it's perhaps not designed for....I'm a short documentary maker about sustainable living and take 3-10min video clips out in the 'field' - this may mean while covered in mud building an earth-oven or covered in cow shit reviewing milking techniques. I got the Ego because I thought it would be incredibly useful to have such a small, no-bother camera. I don't need high-quality video as all my edited stuff goes to youtube so can't be big files anyway.
So far I have been totally happy with not having a viewfinder/display screen and like the hand-held convenience. (people also dont seem to be as bothered by being filmed from such a discrete piece of equipment so I get more realistic, vibrant interviews. However, I am absolutely gutted about the fish-eye effect that seems to pervade everything. I am not particularly technical so I am hoping maybe there is a setting to change or something. Otherwise this would write the camera off for me completely. I read several reviews of this camera before making the decision to buy and I didn't see one mention of the fish-eye quality. I'm feeling a bit like a dumb-blonde having bought something I don't totally understand.
Help would be much appreciated if any one knows if the fish-eye can be changed. Regards, Emma.
Got the Ego as a Christmas present; I had put it on my list largely as a result of your thorough review. I haven't used it yet, at least not the way I want to (on a motorcycle, when the snow clears out in a few months).
Someone asked above if you can charge it and record at the same time. It looks like the answer is "no," because the Power / Mode button doesn't seem operational when plugged into a USB slot.
I noted that the instructions make no mention (and certainly don't show a picture) of actually inserting a micro SDHC card -- they only tell you to make sure it's inserted properly. Bit of a disappointment. I looked inside, to see which side the electrical contacts are, and managed to get it right. The instructions also don't tell you that when charging via the included USB cable the light blinks red, and then it turns a solid green when charging is complete.
By the way, my included firmware is 2.2.1.2. This, for an Ego purchased in the U.S., in December. The Action Connect is iPhone version 3.0.0, and looks a little different from the older version you show: it adds an "Info" button (for Action Connect, not the Ego).
In this part 1 of 2 video, you note that you hold down what you called the "power" button, for a bit, to start the Ego's Wi-Fi. Actually, you meant what the manual calls the "Shutter / Select / Wifi Start & Shutdown button"; the "Power / Mode button" is the other one. If you or someone else has already noted this, sorry for the duplication.
The test I did so far was to have the Ego record my monitor, sitting on my desk, while I was re-watching your part 1 video Came out very nicely.
Thanks again for your time and effort.