GoPro pulled the wraps off of a new generation of its
line of Hero sports camera packages built around the smallest, most
powerful camera that it has ever offered: the GoPro Hero3.
The
GoPro Hero3 Black Edition is the flagship model that will retail for
AU$489. This new model features a chassis that is 30 percent smaller
and 25 percent lighter than the
outgoing Hero2 model and is only 20mm thick when removed from its plastic shell. The
plastic shell itself is also smaller (obviously) and features a new flat
lens. The case also features a double lock that ensures that the rear
plastic door isn't going anywhere once it's sealed, unless you want it
to -- even then, it's sort of tricky to deal with.
Where the
rubber meets the metaphorical road, you'll find a new lens that captures
images that are 2x sharper than the Hero2's, offers 2x better low-light
performance, and reduces distortion. (GoPro tells us that a bit of the
trademark ultrawide angle distortion has been left in the Hero3 to
maintain the "signature GoPro look.")
Behind that lens, you'll
find a new video processor that is twice as fast as the Hero2's, which
gives it the capability to capture some serious resolution. The Hero3 is
able to capture up to 4K video at up to 15 frames per second, a new
2.7K video resolution at up to 30fps, and an oddball 4:3 aspect ratio
1440p video at up to 48fps. Of course the standard HD resolutions also
make return appearances. The Hero3 Black Edition fleshes out its list of
formats with 1080p full HD at 60fps, 960p tall HD at 100fps, 720p HD at
up to 120fps, and WVGA 480p at up to 240fps. You may think that 4K
video is
overkill,
particularly at the low 15fps frame rate, but being able to capture
more-conventional HD video resolutions at ridiculously high frame rates
can make for some sweet slow-motion video.
Still photos can be
captured at 12 megapixels at up to a 30fps burst and in time-lapse
intervals ranging from 0.5 to 60 seconds.
The Hero3 uses the improved
LCD that debuted on the Hero2 and the same two-button interface for
power/mode and shutter release of every GoPro model that's come before
it, but there's a new Wi-Fi button on one side that betrays the fact
that every new GoPro Hero3 features built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Out of
the box, you get compatibility with the GoPro app for smartphones and
the GoPro Wi-Fi remote. In fact, the Black Edition even comes with that
Wi-Fi remote in the box.
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| GoPro Hero3: Black Edition |
The bank of connections and ports has been simplified. You only get
Micro-HDMI for video output, Mini-USB for charge and sync (it also works
for USB audio out and analog video out with optional adapters), a
microSD card slot (as opposed to the full-size SD cards of the previous
generations), and the proprietary BacPac connection for adding
additional hardware such as extended batteries and the new LCD Touch
BacPac. Alongside the new Hero3, GoPro is launching a new Battery BacPac
and an LCD Touch BacPac that offers brighter video, clearer sound, and
touch sensitivity over the previous generation
LCD BacPac.
In addition to the Black Edition, GoPro will also offer the
GoPro Hero3 Silver edition for AU$379, which offers the same small form
factor as the Black Edition, but loses the capability to capture 4K,
2.7K, or 1440p video. The Silver also has lower frame rate caps on the
1080p, 960p, 720p, and 480p video capture modes and a lower maximum
still photo resolution of 11 megapixels. Finally, there's the
entry-level GoPro Hero3 White Edition for AU$269, which has even lower
frame rate caps on the video modes and a maximum of 5 megapixels for its
still photos.
All Hero3 models feature a new smaller waterproof
housing to accommodate the smaller Hero3 chassis; the flat lens cover
offers better underwater image quality with lower levels of distortion.
The Silver Edition, and White Edition, along
with a new range of accessories and BacPacs, go on sale October 22., while the Black Edition goes on sale end of November 2012.
