GoPro Hero3: Black Edition

The Hero3 offers stunningly detailed video footage

 

Capable of shooting HD footage where most video cameras fear to tread, the GoPro Hero3 is simply superb

If strapping a video camera to your head and jumping off things is your idea of fun, chances are you’ve already heard of GoPro. Its wearable action camera, the Hero, has reached its third generation, and it’s been souped up with new features. 

The Hero3: Black Edition is GoPro’s top-of-the-range model. While the White and Silver Editions make do with 1080p recordings at 30fps, this shoots 4K video at up to 15fps, alongside a dizzying array of other formats. 

The Hero3 is smaller than the Hero2, and its rubberised casing feels less plasticky. As before, a rechargeable battery clips into the rear, and it’s rated to last for 1hr 30mins of 30fps 1080p video recording. A microSD slot on the side is accompanied by mini-USB and micro-HDMI connections. 

Three buttons and a tiny mono LCD make it easy to fl ick through the vast array of video, photo, time-lapse and burst options, while 802.11n wireless connectivity allows you to do the same via the bundled Wi-Fi remote, or free iOS and Android apps (which allow for monitoring of live footage, too).

The Hero3 is incredibly fl exible. The bundled transparent housing is waterproof to 60m, and a pair of fl at and curved sticky pads makes it easy to mount it to almost anything. Aftermarket mounts are available for attaching the camera to chest straps, helmets, handlebars and more, and there’s a huge range of accessories available, too. 

Video quality is better than ever. The 4K footage is little more than a novelty due to the low frame rate, but the Hero3 produces stunning results at 2.7K and below. There’s very little noise, even in low light, and the amount of detail is staggering. 

GoPro has outdone itself with the Hero3: Black Edition. It packs huge potential into a tiny package that will survive the kind of rough and tumble that would spell doom for traditional camcorders or DSLRs. Casual users will be better off with the cheaper White or Silver Editions, but if you want the best-quality action camera around, save your pennies and plump for this one.

❱❱ PRICE £299(£359incVAT)

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