GoPro comparison video

Anyone curious about the difference between the 3 latest versions of GoPro camera? Nothing proven here, but still thought you might find it interesting.

GoPro HD Hero3 Black vs. Silver vs. Hero2 Visual Comparison

Bonus flick starring surf legend Kelly Slater.

I see a slight difference visually between the Hero 2 and the Hero 3 Black. I noticed the biggest difference in the wind test.
That second video was awesome. That 30 + camera contraption was SICK.


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Having spent most of my adult life designing video and audio chips for consumer electronics devices ...

Those comparisons only tell 1/2 the story.  These are just pure resolution differences.  What is not shown is any sort of encoding difference.  More objectionable artifacts show up under higher motion.  Most encoders do fine with relatively static video, which these are.  Show me some more dynamic video.

Not to worry though, the Silver and White use the Ambarella A5S chip while the Black user their next generation A7 chip.  Of course at CES last week, they announced the A9 chip.  I worked with many of the Ambarella guys over 10 years ago.  They're a sharp bunch and produce some of the best video out there.

-Allen

Which one is the best bang for the buck?

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Which one is the best bang for the buck?

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Depends.  What is it that you really want to do?  If you're doing regular videography and just want to string some clips together at a decent resolution, the the silver with support up to 1080p30 is just fine.

If you're interested in slo-mo type effects, get the one with the highest frame rate.  The black supports 720p120 vs the 720p60 of the silver.  Note that we're stepping down to 720p resolution.  You really want to get up to 60+ fps for decent slomo.  The black does 1080p60, but I'd take the 720p120 over it just for the slow mo.  The black also does "4K video" (Super HD).  But ... it's only at 15 fps.  I can't think of a reason why I'd kick it up to those resolutions only to cripple it with a too slow of a frame rate.

-Allen

What do I really want to do? Hmmmm    take some vid of me getting pounded in the surf somewhere.    Isn't the Black only $20 more? Gotta have that remote & hope it can be tethered well too. Audio sure sounds better than the 2.

$120 more over the silver.  I had the original hero and watching the snowboarding videos I took are night and day. The Hero 3 is so crisp and the picture doesn't pixelate when im cruzing down the slopes. 

the picture doesn't pixelate when im cruzing down the slopes.

That is a prime example of advances in encoding quality, not necessarily increases in resolution.

-Allen

$120 more over the silver.

Silver    $300     Black $400
Remote $80+    includes remote
          =$380           -$380
                              =$20.00 more than a Silver & Remote

very good point Salty.
T2

$120 more over the silver.

Silver    $300     Black $400
Remote $80+    includes remote
          =$380           -$380
                              =$20.00 more than a Silver & Remote

In thats the case I would just go for the black.   Dont forget to add in the cost for a Micro SD card.