Vine vs. Instagram: Who’s Winning the Social Video Shootout?
06.26.13 · Heather New
At your next airshow, why merely Tweet and tell when you can video and show? Twitter’s Vine, with its easily shared 6-second videos, has been around about a year, while Facebook’s Instagram videos debuted just last week. So which one to use? Will Vine continue to climb? Is Instagram instadoomed? Here’s a look at the two side-by-side.
SHOOTING
Vine is ultra simple, right down to the interface. When you shoot, there are only three things on screen: the video itself, a button to switch between front- and rear-facing cameras, and a timeline. It’s just as simple to record: tap and hold anywhere on the screen to record for up to 6 seconds – you can even rapid-fire tap for a stop-motion look.
Instagram is quite similar, including tap-and-hold shooting. The big difference: Instagram has a button you must hit, whereas Vine is tap anywhere. That leads to another important distinction: Instagram lets you adjust your focus by tapping on the screen (hence why you can’t tap there to record).
You can’t adjust focus with Vine, which is unfortunate because that comes in handy shooting in low light or attempting depth of field. Another Instagram exclusive: you can delete the last clip in your timeline (a clip is each time you press and hold the record button). So, in case you mess up, no need to worry.
SHARING & EXPORTING
When you’re finished shooting, both apps provide a preview of what you just shot, allow you to add a caption, location, hashtags, tag people and post to other social media. In addition, Instagram lets you select a frame from your video to use as a cover shot.
Once you post the video, both let you save it to your camera roll for easy viewing anytime. Vine allows you to post to Vine, Twitter and Facebook, whereas Instagram also allows Foursquare, Tumblr and email. On the other hand, Vine doesn’t force you to share. You can just save the video to your camera roll. Instagram does not provide this option.
The filters made Instagram what it is. Happy to note, they’re available for video as well. Out of the gate you get 13 video filters with more to come, I’m sure. Filters allow you to alter the colors and saturation of your video to give it different vibes. I love it.
DISCOVERY AND VIEWING
On both Vine and Instagram, videos automatically play as you come across them – although Instagram lets you disable that feature. You can like and comment per usual, but Vine’s videos auto loop, whereas Instagram’s play once and stop. Vine is video only – as you look through your stream it is obviously all video. Instagram was built on photography, so now your stream is a combination with no way to separate stills from video – at least for now.
OVERALL
Here’s my take. I want Vine to win. Instagram videos do not loop – a major bummer to me because the looping allows for some fun creativity. Also, I think 15 seconds is way too long. Six seconds from Vine is quick, easy, perfect.
However, I think Instagram will prevail, and rightfully so when you break it all down. More people already use Instagram. Instagram released its video capability on both iOS and Android on the same day. Vine didn’t come to Android until months after its release.
You don’t have to shoot the full 15 seconds in Instagram. You can record less and still post. I hope more people do. Instagram videos can be linked to more locations, and in the age of social media that is huge. Finally, Instagram allows to focus and use filters. My heart’s with Vine. Alas, I will probably switch to Instagram.
Aviation Videos
Just to give you an idea of the sorts of things you might do, here are a couple of examples. And remember, if you bounce the landing, Instagram will let you delete that clip.
