2015 POV Camera Shootout, Cameras, Garmin, POV Camera, Video Camera, Virb Elite - January 14, 2015

2015 POV Camera Shootout: Garmin Virb Elite

With a 1.4-inch color LCD display and intuitive controls, the Virb is one of the easiest POV cameras to use.

With a 1.4-inch color LCD display and intuitive controls, the Virb is easy to use.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of the 2015 Mtbr/RoadBikeReview POV Camera Shootout. We’ll also be publishing reviews of the Drift Ghost-S, GoPro HERO4 Silver, iON Air Pro 3 Wi-Fi, Shimano Sport Camera, and the Sony Action Cam Mini. These reviews will be followed by our final rankings, plus video samples from all six cameras. Read all POV Camera Shootout articles here. To download full resolution video files from all the tests, go HERE.

The Lowdown: Garmin Virb Elite

The Garmin Virb is a two-in-one solution for Strava users or anyone who wants to track mileage, time, speed and other applicable ride metrics — and shoot video. It merges a Garmin Edge GPS unit with an easy-to-use, affordable POV camera. While the Virb isn’t the smallest, lightest or best performing camera in this shootout, for $270 you get both a GPS unit and a POV camera. That’s pretty sweet.

With a 1.4-inch color LCD display and intuitive controls, the Virb is simple to operate. It has up to 3 hours of battery life and is waterproof to 3.3 feet without a separate waterproof case. Performance wise, the Virb isn’t the best camera in our test. It only records 30 FPS in full HD and its fastest frame rate is 60 FPS (at 960 or 720p). The video quality is also lacking. It’s very contrasty and oversaturated, resulting in footage that feels a bit surreal. Not everyone needs cinema quality video, though. For riders who want to track their adventures and have a POV camera, the Garmin Virb makes a lot of sense – especially for the money.

Stat Box

Max Resolution: 1920 x 1080 full HD	Waterproof: 3.3 feet
Max Full HD Frame Rate: 30 FPS	Battery Life: Up to 3 hours
Max HD Frame Rate: 60 FPS at 960 or 720p	Built-in Wi-Fi: Yes
Time Lapse Controls: Yes	GPS: Yes – with ANT+ connectivity
Still Photo Resolution: 16 megapixels	Weight: 203g / 7.16 oz with battery and cradle
Max. Still Photo Burst: 10 FPS	MSRP: $269.99
Image Stabilization: Electronic	Rating: 3 Chilies-out-of-5

Pluses	Minuses
Easy to use	Bigger and heavier than other cameras in test
Great battery life	Poor video quality
Self-contained – no waterproof housing needed	Poor audio quality
Combines Garmin Edge and POV camera into one device