GoPro's drive to make its Hero actioncams smaller and lighter continues with the release of the new Hero3+ line. With the Black edition, adventurous videographers can capture the fun at up to 4K resolution, while the Silver model offers 1080p HD video recording at up to 60 fps.
Described by GoPro as its most advanced and easy-to-use actioncams yet, the new Hero3+ models are reported to last 30 percent longer on a single charge than previous editions. Available as Black or Silver Editions, the new models have also been treated to a better lens, improved low light performance, sharper images, and improved audio.
Hero3+ Black Edition
This model is said to be 20 percent smaller and lighter than the previous version and is capable of recording video at up to 15 fps in 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution. Knock that down to 1080p and a choice of 24, 30, 48 and 60 fps is offered. Dropping further to 720p bumps the frames per second count up to 120. With this version comes a new wide-angle mode called SuperView that's claimed to include more of your surroundings in the frame.
The actioncam has six-element aspherical glass optics with a fixed f/2.8 wide aperture, auto adjusts the frame rate for improved low-light performance, and is waterproof to a depth of 131 ft (40 m) when enclosed in the included housing. GoPro has upped the image sharpness by 33 percent, and has included a Protune mode that's said to offer cinema-like video by recording at a frame rate of 24 fps, using less compression for improved quality, and using a post-production-friendly neutral color profile.
The Hero3+ is able to capture 48 kHz resolution AAC mono audio with auto gain control, and GoPro says that the new model can handle twice as much volume as its Hero3 Black Edition ancestor without distorting the audio. Users also have the option to plug an external microphone into the included 3.5 stereo input.
In addition to video, the Hero3+ can snap 12 MP stills at bursts of up to 30 images per second, with simultaneous video and photo capture also possible.
Completing the notable specs are built-in Wi-Fi that's claimed to be four times faster than before, and a 1180 mAh Li-ion battery that lasts almost a third longer than previous editions. A mini-USB port for charging the battery and onward connection to a computer is included, there's a microSD card slot for storing captured video and images, and a micro-HDMI port for viewing content on a big screen TV or large monitor.
The Hero3+ Black Edition is available now for US$399.99
Hero3+ Silver Edition
This Wi-Fi model is 15 percent smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and is able to record up to Full HD resolution video at either 25, 30, 50 or 60 fps. It comes with the same wide-angle optics as the new Black Edition, boasts the same audio capabilities, and can start recording as soon as it's powered on. It also packs a 1180 mAh Li-ion battery. Users can also grab stills at resolutions running up to 10 MP, and at bursts of 10 images per second.
This model comes in at $299.99, and is also available now.
Product pages: Black Edition, Silver Edition