What Is It?
GoPro’s most feature-packed action camera to date.
Who’s It For?
Boarders of all types, skiers, bikers, drivers, divers, base jumpers; you get the picture. Basically anyone who spends time outside, and wants to share it with the world.
Design
From the front, the Hero 3 looks a hell of a lot like the old HERO2, with a larger, slightly higher-up lens. Peep it from the side, though, and you’ll see it’s way thinner and lighter, with a case that’s waterproof to 197 feet and has a more-secure locking mechanism, a Wi-Fi remote control, and several mounting options. The Hero now uses Micro SD cards (up to 64GB) instead of full-sized. There’s no built-in 3.5mm mic jack, but there is a mic adapter cable sold separately for $20.
Using It
If you’ve used a GoPro before, it’s very familiar. There are two main buttons: one on top for start/stop/record, and one on the front for navigating menus, which display on a tiny (not backlit) LCD screen. Shooting modes include Movie, Still, Timelapse, and Burst. There are a million options in the menus. There’s also a third button for turning Wi-Fi on and off.
The Best Part
Image quality. The Hero 3 is capable of truly beautiful shots. In daylight and lowlight, it is a head and shoulders above its competitors. Nothing comes close in terms of sharpness.
Tragic Flaw
Battery life. Oh man. Recording at 1080p over 30fps (with all radios off) it came in at a measly 88 minutes. By comparison, the Contour+2 came in at 120 minutes, the Sony Action Cam at 157 minutes, and the Drift 2 at 166 minutes. Yes, you can buy spare batteries and a Battery BakPak, and you’ll need them for longer shoots, but it shouldn’t be that way. Also, the battery meter uses three bars to tell you how much juice you have left. Not nearly enough info. A percentage reader would be much better.
This Is Weird…
It shoots 4K video at 15 frames per second. Basically nobody (except suuuuuuper rich people) has a 4K TV or monitor yet, so there’s nothing you can watch it on in all its glory. Sure you could crop way in and make it 1080p, but they you lose the wide angle. And the footage is gorgeous—until something moves in the frame, then it’s unbearably choppy. It’s not a flaw, it’s just a pointless feature. (If you want to to a timelapse, you can just use the timelapse feature and get 12MP 4:3 images that look great.)
Should You Buy It?
Yes. It is handily the best action camera I’ve ever used. The footage it takes is simply unparalleled. The biggest ding against it is battery life, which is important enough to cost it half a star. If you’re not doing long shoots (or if you don’t mind buying extra batteries or the Battery BakPak) this is a no-brainer.
The only thing other reason to hesitate is the price; $400 ain’t cheap, and you could get the Hero 3 Silver or White editions for $300 or $200, respectively. That said, we think the image quality is worth the $400. It’s easily one of our favorite gadgets of the year. [GoPro]
GoPro HERO3 Black Edition
Smaller, lighter and 2X more powerful, again.
The Wi-Fi enabled HERO3: Black Edition is the most advanced GoPro, ever. No expense was spared during its development, resulting in a GoPro that is 30% smaller, 25% lighter and 2x more powerful than previous models. Wearable and gear mountable, waterproof to 197′ (60m), capable of capturing ultra-wide 1440p 48fps, 1080p 60 fps and 720p 120 fps video and 12MP photos at a rate of 30 photos per second, the HERO3: Black Edition is the world’s most versatile camera. Built-in Wi-Fi, GoPro App compatibility and the included Wi-Fi Remote (normally a separate $79.99 accessory) make the HERO3: Black Edition all the more versatile, still.
GoPro HERO3 Silver Edition
Complete with built-in WiFi, new flat-lens Waterproof Housing and a host of video and photo modes, the GoPro HD Hero3 Silver Edition is an awesome option for action sports video enthusiasts!
Key Features
• Wearable, mountable design
• 60m (197ft) Flat Lens Waterproof Housing included
• 25% lighter, 30% smaller
• 1080p/30fps & 24fps, 720p/60fps
• 11MP still photo mode, 10 photos-per-second burst
• 5MP, 3 photos-per-second photo burst mode
• MicroSD card compatible, up to 64GB
• Wide-angle, aspherical lens
• New advanced camera settings: Looping Video, Continuous Photo, Manual White Balance control, Protune mode
Weighing in at 2.6 ounces, the ultra-convenient Hero3 Silver Edition helmet camera is 25% lighter and 30% smaller than the previous HD Hero2.
Featuring built-in WiFi, the Silver Edition is compatible with the GoPro App allowing for full camera control and live scene preview with your iOS or Android smart device.
With new advanced camera settings, you can manually adjust white balance, shoot photos while recording, and use the new Protune mode for raw GoPro video, great for professional edits!
Supporting Class 10 MicroSD cards up to 64GB, buy your GoPro HD Hero3 Silver Edition today!
Compatibility:
The GoPro Hero3 is compatible with all Gopro Mounts and first generation BacPacs, as well as the new second generation LCD touch screen BacPac and Battery BacPac.
Due to the cameras being smaller than the Hero2, these will now need the new generation of Wrist, Skeleton and 3D Housings.
GoPro HERO3 White Edition
Introducing the brand new GoPro Hero3 White Edition, from the latest range of GoPro helmet cameras and accessories.
Key Features
• Wearable, mountable design
• 60m (197ft) Flat Lens Waterproof Housing included
• 25% lighter, 30% smaller
• 1080p/30fps, 720p/60fps
• 5MP still photo mode
• 5MP, 3 photos-per-second photo burst mode
• MicroSD card compatible, up to 64GB
• Wide-angle lens
• Accessories and Mounts included
The lightweight Hero3 White Edition features built-in WiFi compatible with the GoPro App, allowing for live video preview and remote control on smartphones and tablets.
Also compatible with the GoPro WiFi remote (not included), you can control up to 50 WiFi enabled GoPro’s at a time within a range of 600 feet.
Weighing in at 2.6 ounces, the Hero3 White Edition is 25% lighter and 30% smaller than the original HD Hero camera.
Included with the camera comes the brand new flat-lens Waterproof Housing, with a depth rating of 60m. Ready for action right out the box, whether you are diving, surfing, skiing, skating or racing.
The Hero3 features a redesigned audio system, making the head-cam as adept in capturing the subtler, natural sounds as it is in capturing the immersive sounds of action sports.
GoPro’s stellar wind-noise reduction has been further improved for the crispest quality of crashing waves, roaring engines and shuddering suspension.
Shoot in 1080p/30fps, 960p/30fps, 720/60fps and WVGA/60fps video modes, and shoot 5MP still images with a 3 photos-per-second photo burst, and variable time-lapse modes.
GoPro HERO3 Silver Edition
Complete with built-in WiFi, new flat-lens Waterproof Housing and a host of video and photo modes, the GoPro HD Hero3 Silver Edition is an awesome option for action sports video enthusiasts!
Key Features
• Wearable, mountable design
• 60m (197ft) Flat Lens Waterproof Housing included
• 25% lighter, 30% smaller
• 1080p/30fps & 24fps, 720p/60fps
• 11MP still photo mode, 10 photos-per-second burst
• 5MP, 3 photos-per-second photo burst mode
• MicroSD card compatible, up to 64GB
• Wide-angle, aspherical lens
• New advanced camera settings: Looping Video, Continuous Photo, Manual White Balance control, Protune mode
Weighing in at 2.6 ounces, the ultra-convenient Hero3 Silver Edition helmet camera is 25% lighter and 30% smaller than the previous HD Hero2.
Featuring built-in WiFi, the Silver Edition is compatible with the GoPro App allowing for full camera control and live scene preview with your iOS or Android smart device.
With new advanced camera settings, you can manually adjust white balance, shoot photos while recording, and use the new Protune mode for raw GoPro video, great for professional edits!
Supporting Class 10 MicroSD cards up to 64GB, buy your GoPro HD Hero3 Silver Edition today!
Compatibility:
The GoPro Hero3 is compatible with all Gopro Mounts and first generation BacPacs, as well as the new second generation LCD touch screen BacPac and Battery BacPac.
Due to the cameras being smaller than the Hero2, these will now need the new generation of Wrist, Skeleton and 3D Housings.
GoPro HERO3 White Edition
Introducing the brand new GoPro Hero3 White Edition, from the latest range of GoPro helmet cameras and accessories.
Key Features
• Wearable, mountable design
• 60m (197ft) Flat Lens Waterproof Housing included
• 25% lighter, 30% smaller
• 1080p/30fps, 720p/60fps
• 5MP still photo mode
• 5MP, 3 photos-per-second photo burst mode
• MicroSD card compatible, up to 64GB
• Wide-angle lens
• Accessories and Mounts included
The lightweight Hero3 White Edition features built-in WiFi compatible with the GoPro App, allowing for live video preview and remote control on smartphones and tablets.
Also compatible with the GoPro WiFi remote (not included), you can control up to 50 WiFi enabled GoPro’s at a time within a range of 600 feet.
Weighing in at 2.6 ounces, the Hero3 White Edition is 25% lighter and 30% smaller than the original HD Hero camera.
Included with the camera comes the brand new flat-lens Waterproof Housing, with a depth rating of 60m. Ready for action right out the box, whether you are diving, surfing, skiing, skating or racing.
The Hero3 features a redesigned audio system, making the head-cam as adept in capturing the subtler, natural sounds as it is in capturing the immersive sounds of action sports.
GoPro’s stellar wind-noise reduction has been further improved for the crispest quality of crashing waves, roaring engines and shuddering suspension.
Shoot in 1080p/30fps, 960p/30fps, 720/60fps and WVGA/60fps video modes, and shoot 5MP still images with a 3 photos-per-second photo burst, and variable time-lapse modes.
