Hero 3+

Lee, is your glass half empty today?   

-Allen

I think his GoPro is half charged. Cuz he used it for 10 minutes.

Yeah, half empty+

Context: I'm in the market for a GoPro, so I finally dug in and found some reviews of the Hero 3 Black vs. Hero 3+ Black, and figured I'd comment here in case anyone else is facing the same or similar decision.

I'm a camera geek to some degree. For my non-submersible photography I have a decent camera with 5 lenses or so, and in addition to snapshots I shoot timelapse, long-exposure, landscape astrophotography, etc. So image quality matters to me. At the same time I don't expect this or any other compact adventure camcorder to provide the same level of image quality as the interchangeable lens system I use on land. Different tools for different jobs.

I really just want something I don't have to think about or fiddle with when I'm in the kayak - I'll save my fussy camera work for shore. I've been using cheap Fuji and Olympus waterproof cameras for my maritime needs so far.

My main point for this thread is that the characterization that the 3+ is just a battery upgrade is not accurate.

The new lens proves to be, based on the side-by-side comparisons you can find online, significantly better in some situations. I personally never loved the "fish-eye" look to the wide mode of GoPros in the past and the new lens and processing significantly improves distortion in wide mode, leading to an image that is more pleasing (to my eye, anyway). It is also sharper overall in most situations.

I'm not sold on the idea that the low-light performance is any better based on the tests I've seen, but they did adjust their low-light white balance and in a few examples it was marginally sharper at night as well. The dynamic range and detail of stills and video is improved in daylight, and whether that's due to the new lens or magic in-camera image processing I don't know or care - the result is better.

Additionally, with the housing on it is slightly smaller and lighter, the new housing has an arguably better latch, the camera has improved wifi performance if you care (I don't), and perhaps most importantly, they didn't take any good features away that I can tell. And, yes, the battery life is better.

The 4k recording, as implemented, is a gimmick, but the rest of the record modes seem solid. (What I mean is that 15fps is kind of a joke for anything but "hey check out this 4k footage I shot!")

There are a few concerning posts here and there about some long-range focus issues and other problems, but overall the relative infrequency of those reports would suggest they are QA issues and not fundamental problems with the camera design itself. I realize some have argued that's not true. In the stills and video I've found online I don't see those issues, so it is at least true that not every unit exhibits those characteristics.

Costco has the GoPro Hero 3 Silver for $230 right now. The GoPro Hero 3+ Black is $400 at Amazon and most places. The wifi remote (requisite for me) is $80 new, included in the black editions but not the silver editions.

Everyone has different value systems when evaluating gear and gadgets. For me I think it's worth it to wait another month or two and get the Hero 3+ Black. However if I wasn't as picky about trying to wring every ounce of image quality out of the camera as possible I would probably get the Costco deal and look for a second-hand remote and be happy.

Hope this helps someone!

Thanks, that's helpful and very timely as I've been mulling this over myself and plan to buy one this weekend.

Thanks for doing the homework for us!

Context: I'm in the market for a GoPro, so I finally dug in and found some reviews of the Hero 3 Black vs. Hero 3+ Black, and figured I'd comment here in case anyone else is facing the same or similar decision.

I'm a camera geek to some degree. For my non-submersible photography I have a decent camera with 5 lenses or so, and in addition to snapshots I shoot timelapse, long-exposure, landscape astrophotography, etc. So image quality matters to me. At the same time I don't expect this or any other compact adventure camcorder to provide the same level of image quality as the interchangeable lens system I use on land. Different tools for different jobs.

I really just want something I don't have to think about or fiddle with when I'm in the kayak - I'll save my fussy camera work for shore. I've been using cheap Fuji and Olympus waterproof cameras for my maritime needs so far.

My main point for this thread is that the characterization that the 3+ is just a battery upgrade is not accurate.

The new lens proves to be, based on the side-by-side comparisons you can find online, significantly better in some situations. I personally never loved the "fish-eye" look to the wide mode of GoPros in the past and the new lens and processing significantly improves distortion in wide mode, leading to an image that is more pleasing (to my eye, anyway). It is also sharper overall in most situations.

I'm not sold on the idea that the low-light performance is any better based on the tests I've seen, but they did adjust their low-light white balance and in a few examples it was marginally sharper at night as well. The dynamic range and detail of stills and video is improved in daylight, and whether that's due to the new lens or magic in-camera image processing I don't know or care - the result is better.

Additionally, with the housing on it is slightly smaller and lighter, the new housing has an arguably better latch, the camera has improved wifi performance if you care (I don't), and perhaps most importantly, they didn't take any good features away that I can tell. And, yes, the battery life is better.

The 4k recording, as implemented, is a gimmick, but the rest of the record modes seem solid. (What I mean is that 15fps is kind of a joke for anything but "hey check out this 4k footage I shot!")

There are a few concerning posts here and there about some long-range focus issues and other problems, but overall the relative infrequency of those reports would suggest they are QA issues and not fundamental problems with the camera design itself. I realize some have argued that's not true. In the stills and video I've found online I don't see those issues, so it is at least true that not every unit exhibits those characteristics.

Costco has the GoPro Hero 3 Silver for $230 right now. The GoPro Hero 3+ Black is $400 at Amazon and most places. The wifi remote (requisite for me) is $80 new, included in the black editions but not the silver editions.

Everyone has different value systems when evaluating gear and gadgets. For me I think it's worth it to wait another month or two and get the Hero 3+ Black. However if I wasn't as picky about trying to wring every ounce of image quality out of the camera as possible I would probably get the Costco deal and look for a second-hand remote and be happy.

Hope this helps someone!

Nice writeup.

Are you checking out any other cameras?

-Allen

Well, I'm trying to keep an open mind, but I'll admit I've had GoPro-envy for a while now. My brother has a decent HD Kodak Playsport that I've played with. I don't feel like it is much of an upgrade to my cheap waterproof "still" cameras that I've taken video with. I've read some "GoPro Alternatives" articles with interest, though.

Any specific suggestions? I'm trying to find something waterproof and rugged enough to share with my kids for their adventures too, while getting a step up in video quality from the simple waterproof cameras I've been using. For some of the things I want to do a remote control is a must. And I really like the timelapse feature on the GoPro (I know it just takes a series of stills; that's fine, that's what I'm used to dealing with).

Thanks, that's helpful and very timely as I've been mulling this over myself and plan to buy one this weekend.

Thanks for doing the homework for us!

I'll be curious to hear what you choose and what your experience is with it, if you care to share. Have fun!

Please do share...... I am ready to get one myself if I ever stop working 6 days a week

I just noticed a Best Buy add for a GoPro White listed at $199.

I got some Intova's sent to me that I'll be checking out this weekend.  Many of these cameras use the same chipset (from Ambarella) so the features are very similar.  The following is speculation on my part ... I'm guessing that with GoPro being the 800 pound gorilla, they get access to firmware upgrades (features) before the smaller players.  What is going to separate the other players will be things like image sensor and optics.  I'd like to spend some time checking out the offerings from Sony.  They have the know how in image sensors and optics to push higher quality.

-Allen

FYI - Fred Meyer has $30 off coupon in the paper today good through tomorrow 11/9 for any home electronics purchase of $150+ *Plus they have a free $25 gift card offer if you buy the GoPro Hero3+ Black. So, not a bad deal IMO.

$399 -$30 -$25 = $344

Would you rather have waited another year to have a new GoPro 3+ than have the GoPro 3 (as is) available last year?

I don't think holding back battery performance makes sense at only 30% improvement, even from a "marketing scheme" perspective.  Likely they had component upgrades only available this year that enabled these improvements.

-Allen

Hey guys. I have a GoPro Hero 3. You are right that the battery life sucks...I mean really really sucks. It is true that the Hero 3+ does get 25-30% more juice out of its battery. However, this apparently has little to do with the hardware or software in the camera they actually upgraded the battery. If you look at your "old" Hero3 batteries you will see that they are rated for 1050 mAh. However, if you look at the new batteries that come with the new Hero3+ they 1180 mAh batteries.(http://gopro.com/camera-accessories/rechargeable-battery)

My advice to those looking to buy a GoPro just buy a Hero 3 and spend an extra $20 or $40 and buy one or two of the upgraded batteries. If you already have a GoPro 3 buy the new batteries. It makes a real difference.

I got some Intova's sent to me that I'll be checking out this weekend.  Many of these cameras use the same chipset (from Ambarella) so the features are very similar.  The following is speculation on my part ... I'm guessing that with GoPro being the 800 pound gorilla, they get access to firmware upgrades (features) before the smaller players.  What is going to separate the other players will be things like image sensor and optics.  I'd like to spend some time checking out the offerings from Sony.  They have the know how in image sensors and optics to push higher quality.

-Allen

Well I'll be curious to hear what you think. I'll read more on the Intova lineup.

The 4k recording, as implemented, is a gimmick, but the rest of the record modes seem solid. (What I mean is that 15fps is kind of a joke for anything but "hey check out this 4k footage I shot!")

Ambarella's latest chip, announced at the beginning of the year, supports 4K at 30 fps.  It also does 720p at 240 fps.  Imagine the slomo you can do with that!  I'd expect to see this stuff in the next gen of GoPro's.

-Allen

When are TV's with 4K resolution going to become the next big thing?  Next year?