GoPro Hero 3: Black Edition, the Action Shot Can Do Camcorder...

GoPro , makers of the can do Hero camcorders have this week unveiled their latest creation, the GoPro Hero 3 family of action video cameras. Able to go places that normal camcorders would fear to tread the GoPro with their multitude of housings and adapter plates are the action shot camcorder of choice.

The new third generation GoPro is available in three models and price points. The lesser two models are budget version roughly equivalent in power and features to the second generation GoPro at the bargain basement price of $199 and $299 USD.

The Black Edition takes the seat at the head of the family, the new king of the action shot. Say hello to my little friend, the GoPro Hero 3: Black Edition. At $399 USD the Black Edition packs a whole lot of technology into a tiny box.

The GoPro special party trick is mounting, able to be attached to almost any object the GoPro can capture the ultimate first person action shots. The new generation GoPro will make mounting easier than ever before, being 30% smaller and the weighing 25% less it is positively tiny, letting the Hero 3 fit in even more awkward positions.

The GoPro in many ways has always been the camera that would answer yes to every request. Like an insane chimera of a stunt man and camera man, the GoPro has at some stage been attached to everything and placed in unbelievably dangerous situations. Need the shot from an aircrafts undercarriage while landing, yes says the GoPro. How about a shot from the front forks of a superbike during the race, GoPro can do it.

Simplicity In Design
The GoPro Hero’s have often been seen as specialty shot camera’s, here at Highpants we take the opposite perspective, they simply don’t try to do everything. Instead Hero’s do only a few things but extremely well, capturing the impossible shot for example.

There are no interchangeable lenses here, nor is there a zoom or panoramic shot function. The GoPro camera’s were always different like that. Refusing to play the jam in as many functions as possible game that other manufactures enjoy so much.

The lens and sensor have received the most attention in this update, resulting in an impressive improvement in the resolution and clarity of the video captured. The previous generation Hero were already capable of incredible results so this is no easy task.

Black Edition Specs.
The new 12MP back illuminated sensor doubles low light sensitivity, making the night time time-lapse an even more impressive show. The already excellent picture and time-lapse modes are now joined by continuous shooting mode that captures 12MP stills at a steady 3, 5 or 10 photos per second.

The new sensor has also allowed improved video modes, with the stunning 4k-15fps mode bringing Ultra HD (3840×2048) within easy reach. Slow motion has been the GoPro signature move, a move that no other consumer video camera has come close too. The new slo-mo modes include 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, 960p@100fps and 1440p@48fps. The cinematic modes include 2.7k@30fps and 4k@15fps.Burst mode capture has also been improved with the Black Edition capable of 30 frames per second capture during burst mode.

Glass is the essential ingredient for any camera, accordingly GoPro have gone to town on the lens for the third generation Hero. The new wide-angle 6-element ashperical lens keeps the image sharp and clear, according to GoPro the lens is equivalent to a 35mm DSLR lens. While no zoom functions are offered the wide angle lens has 3 modes with varying field of view; Ultra-Wide, Normal and Narrow. The waterproof flat-lens housing has been redesigned to deliver stunning image sharpness above and below water.

Accessories
The BacPac is a must have add on, adding a clip on touchscreen LCD to the back of the Hero 3. The larger screen makes reviewing shots and accessing options quicker than ever before. The menu system and options of the Hero’s is still best described as functional but the Bac Pac does help.

The built in WiFi and the remote control now allows the camera to be left in place while the remote changes settings and triggers capture or record. A multitude of cases and attachment plates are available for each generation of Hero, the GoPro’s have literally been to all four corners of the globe while attached to various objects; from helmets and limbs to wings and wheels, along with everything in-between.

Conclusion
The GoPro Hero 3 is by no means the normal every day family camcorder, its features are designed for a completely different set of situations.

If results stand for anything GoPro have one incredible camera on their hands. The video’s that have already resulted (see above video) are incredibly detailed and sharp while the slow-motion and time-lapse functions are producing even more stunning results than previous generations. Hale the new king of the action shot, The GoPro Hero: Black Edition.

Reference: GoPro

Photo Modes

12, 7, 5MP resolutions
Burst: 30 photos per second
Continuous Photo: 3 photos per second, 5 photos per second, 10 photos per second
Time-lapse: 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 second intervals
Simultaneous Photo + Video:
12MP + 1440p24 fps
8MP + 1080p30 fps 8
8MP + 720p60 fps

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