Battle of the Cubes

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Polaroid Cube+

If you an avid photographer on the go, or just an enthusiast, who craves an ultra-portable camera, the cube is for you. But which one? Two popular cubes are the Polaroid Cube launched in 2014, and a Wifi-enabled Cube+ that Polaroid launched this summer. GoPro also jumped into the cube market unveiling the GoPro Session in July. The Polaroid Cube+ lists for $149.00, and the GoPro Session enters the market at a whopping $399.99.

GoPro Session
GoPro Session

Price aside, which cube is the better for the end user? First, ignore the name Polaroid. The name is owned by a holding corporation that can put its logo on any of its products. However, it does not mean it is not a quality product. At 1.3 inches square, it is an ultra-portable action camera. The new cube can also connect with smartphones via the Polaroid Cube+ app for IOS and Android. The Cube+ is available in three colors and boasts several upgrades over its predecessor. The Wifi-enabled Cube+ shoots HD 1440p video with image stabilization, has a 124 degree lens, takes 8MP pictures, records up to 107 minutes of video and can house a 128GB MicroSD card.

The new addition to the GoPro family boast similar specs, but with several enhanced features. The Wifienabled Session shoots in three video modes: 1440p30, 1080p60 and 720p100. It can also capture 8MP photos, time lapse photos, and Burst photos at 10 frames per second. An upgrade over the Cube+ is its waterproof housing that will let you dive up to 10 meters and still shoot video and photos. It also boasts dual mics, 120 minutes of battery life, and is compatible with all GoPro mounts. It is slightly larger than the Cube+, measuring at 1.5 inches square. It also has a small display to view battery life and status. However, you do need to use your phone app to adjust the video and camera settings.

Both cameras shoot great video, and in field tests, the video quality and picture quality are comparable. The Cube+ has a magnetic design that can be a useful on the go feature, and if you already have a GoPro with mounts, you can use them to mount your Session. The Session does have a brighter LED light to indicate when you are recording, but the Cube+ light is bright enough to let you know you are shooting.

So which one should you choose? If money is a concern, you can’t beat the Polaroid Cube+, for a Wifi-enabled device. However, if you want customer support, frequent software updates, and great support, the extra money for the GoPro Session might be your first choice. Already owning several GoPro Hero4s, gadgets and mounts, the Session is a no-brainer. However, for the price, the Polaroid Cube+ is a great entry-level cube camera.