Despite Contour offering some stiff competition of recent time, think of an action cam, and the name GoPro probably comes to mind. The company is trying to cement that reputation with the Hero3, which claims to be smaller, lighter and record better quality footage than its predecessor. More »
GoPro just revealed its new flagship action camcorder, the Hero3, and we managed to get our mitts on one this evening. First things first, the Hero3 is tiny, particularly when considering that it shoots 4K video (albeit at a paltry 12fps), a resolution usually reserved for much larger, cinematic cameras. Having handled its competition recently — the Action Cam from Sony and the Contour+2 — we can say that the Hero3 feels smaller and lighter than both of them. It’s about the size of a couple of matchboxes stacked together and is quite lightweight, yet still feels sturdy. The textured plastic exterior is finger friendly, and the big round power / mode and record buttons give a reassuring snick with every press. The WiFi remote that comes with the Hero3 Black Edition is similarly solid in its construction, though we wish it had the same textured skin as the camera instead of its smooth exterior. We didn’t get to use the Hero3 for its stated purpose just yet, but we’ll be filming with the thing tomorrow, so stay tuned for all the POV footage. In the meantime, feel free to enjoy a tour of GoPro’s new diminutive hardware and check out its first sample video after the break.
Gallery: GoPro Hero3 and WiFi remote hands-on
Continue reading GoPro Hero3 action camera hands-on
Filed under: Cameras
GoPro Hero3 action camera hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 02:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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At a San Francisco launch event GoPro has just revealed the next addition to its line of action cameras, the Hero3. The Hero3 claims specs that are 30 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than its predecessor, with a resolution that’s up to 4x higher and it has WiFi included. The top of the line Black Edition (pictured above) is capable of capturing video at up to 4K res — if you’re willing to drop the framerate down to 15fps — however thanks to a processor it says is 2x faster, it has also doubled frame rates at lower resolutions. That means 1080p60, 1440p48 and 720p120 modes are supported for your super slow and still-HD capture needs. The Silver Edition maxes out at 11MP stills and 1080p30 video, while the White Edition drops down to 5MP stills. All three versions include WiFi (no BacPac necessary for remote control via the just-released-on-iOS app) however the Black edition includes a remote that can control up to 50 cameras at once with a 600ft range and is waterproof to 10 feet deep. It will also be available as a $79 accessory for the lesser versions.
As far as pricing, the Black Edition is $399, the Silver is $299 and the White $199. Pre-orders are scheduled to start at 12:01AM PT (3:01AM ET), and there’s a handy counter on the GoPro site if you otherwise might forget. The variety of models and ubiquitous WiFi may help fight off competition at the pricing low end like the new ContourROAM2, among others. Naturally we were in the house and will have hands-on pics and impressions soon, check the gallery for pics of the box and detailed specs.
Update: Our hands-on is live! Check out how tiny the Hero3 really is right here.
Gallery: GoPro Hero3
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Filed under: Cameras
GoPro’s new Hero3 is lighter, faster, higher res and has WiFi, comes in three flavors starting at $199 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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GoPro owners have had a long wait, but the company’s iOS remote app (Android “coming soon”) is finally available and ready to work for those possessing both an HD Hero2 camera and WiFi BacPac accessory. While the hardware will cost you the app itself is free, and adds capabilities including remote control of all of the camera’s settings, monitoring of battery life and storage space, date / time sync with your mobile device, live remote preview so you can see what you’re shooting in real time and also access to GoPro’s Photo of the Day / Video of the Day channels. Along with the app, GoPro is releasing the Protune firmware update that will let cameras record at a higher 35Mbps bitrate, 24fps and adjust the video for a different cinematic look.
Still, it is a v1 release and while our reader Khena reports it’s stable, it does have some rough edges. Currently you can’t access or view any recordings already stored on the camera or control more than one camera, although GoPro says those features are coming, while other gripes include delay between the camera and the app’s “live” viewfinder that can be as much as five seconds and the inability to preview the ProTune settings while recording. That’s a bit frustrating after the wait for the app to arrive, but in an action camera market suddenly teeming with competition, they may be enough to keep GoPro fans from switching to another any time soon. Check out a quick tutorial video and press release after the break, or hit the link below to grab the app from iTunes (make sure your camera and BacPac are updated to the latest software first.)
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Filed under: Cameras
GoPro iOS app is finally available, adds live viewfinder and remote controls for action cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 06:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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I’ve heard of cameras being rugged, but surviving a 12,500-foot drop is quite impressive. A skydiver apparently lost his GoPro camera on the way down and it managed to survive the fall, in fact, well enough to record its owner’s landing a few minutes later.
Lucas Damm was skydiving in Canada with some friends, and was using his GoPro camera to catch all of the action. It was mounted on his helmet in a protective case, but was knocked out when he clipped it on the plane’s door while leaving. It spun wildly and fell to the ground, but landed upright and into the right direction to catch the skydiver’s landing.
Lucas noticed that the camera was missing only after he had landed. However, one of his friends noticed a shiny object and they discovered the still-functioning GoPro. It may sound like a fake or a publicity stunt for GoPro, but Lucas swears that it’s legit.
[via DVice]
Sure, you’ve been tempted to strap your iPhone to that ski helmet for a homemade action cam solution, but ultimately, you respect Apple’s warranty, as limited as it may be. Mophie’s new Outride ruggedized case equips your fragile smartphone with a ruggedized shell, protecting the device while also serving as a helmet / bicycle / flat-surface mount. The thick plastic case includes a raised lens module, and is available in both water-resistant and above ground flavors. That first version is still undergoing testing, according to Mophie reps, so we don’t know just how far it can dunk with letting down its guard to condensation, but we do know that it will retail for $149. A land-only version will also be available for $129, and unlike the sealed model, your iPhone’s display will still be exposed, giving you full access to the device. Both cases include a dedicated shutter release, which works in camera mode, letting you snap away under the sea. They also ship with a trio of mounts for your helmet, handle bars or a flat surface. Catch a closer look at Outride in the gallery below.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Peripherals, Wearables
Mophie Outride ruggedized action case for iPhone hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We’ve been known to strap on a few GoPro cameras in our day, but our efforts are merely amateur in comparison to this guy, who we can only presume is about to perform a stunt so extreme that no less than seven GoPro cams (and a DSLR) are required to capture it.
Don: “GoPro Hero.”
Darren: “Amateurs gonna hate.”
Billy: “I see your 3D and raise you another 5D. 8D is where it’s at.”
Jon: “I’m so liveblogging this. And Instagramming this. And…”
Brian: “Someone take a picture of my weird helmet thing! What do you mean you don’t have a camera?”
Brad: “Hey bullies! I’m now twice the four-eyes you thought I was in high school. What have you done with your life?”
Edgar: “From now on, you shall call me GoProusa.”
Tim: “Anybody have an SD card I can borrow?”
Mat: *BATTERY LOW*
Jamie: “Patent pending…”
Christopher: “A&E Presents Helmet Hoarders: The GoPro Edition“
Sharif: “HQ, are you seeing this?!”
Myriam: “Go-Go-Gadget GoPro!”
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Caption Contest: GoPro gone wrong originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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You’re going to watch this video and your jaw will drop. In fact, you’ll probably think it’s fake. Or CGI, at least. But nope, it’s completely real. A group of guys went fishing and dropped a GoPro Hero 2 camera inside a custom-made torpedo to record the ocean underneath them. What the camera recorded was the most amazing footage of dolphins you’ll ever see. More »
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