GoPro Cameras: Which one you should go for
GoPro is quite popular when it comes to action cameras. The company has introduced a lot of action cameras and is very popular among adventurers and action camera fans. While using these cameras is quite easy, you can’t expect to get the best results if you don’t have the right model. We will help you learn all about these action cams to make an educated decision when purchasing one. We will start with the entry level ones that includes only basic features and end with feature-rich, high end ones.
GoPro Hero4 Black
The Hero4 Black is currently the top camera in Hero lineup and offers smooth 4K like no other at 30fps. The recording options include 4K, 4K Superview, 2.7K, 2.7K Superview, 1440p, 1080p, 1080p Superview, 960p, 720p and WVGA. You get 12-megapixel for capturing image with attractive features like night mode, auto low-light mode, simultaneous photo and video shooting, after dark settings and more. It’s easy to make time lapse videos and super slow motion videos. To get full remote control over your camera, you can use built-in Wi-Fi + Bluetooth for connectivity and use GoPro apps from your smartphone.
Now, on the negative side, the design of this camera is not similar to other GoPro cameras and doesn’t support using old batteries. Moreover, it’s not waterproof and requires housing for recording underwater stuff. The battery life is disappointing as well and there is no zoom as well.
If the lack of built-in touchscreen is not a problem for you and you want top-notch video quality with tons of shooting options, this is the camera you are looking for. This camera is currently available for 1619 AED.
GoPro Hero4 Silver
The Hero4 Silver has something to offer for both beginners and pro action cam users. You get a built-in touch display, different after dark settings, 12-megapixel shooter for still image, built-in Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, auto low light mode, Quick capture mode, GoPro App + software support and lots of other useful features. Its video resolution option includes 4K at 30, 25, 24 fps, 4K Superview, 2.7K, 2.7K Superview, 2.7K (4:3), 1440p, 1080p, 1080p Superview, 960P, 720P, 720P Superview and WVGA.
What you don’t get in this camera is water resistance (requires housing to make it waterproof), no support for old batteries and no built-in digital image stabilization. The battery life might be disappointing for some users as well.
The conclusion here is, if you want more features than the previous GoPro cameras and a built-in touchscreen as well, this is the camera you want which will cost you 1168 AED.
GoPro Hero4 Session
Among the three high end action cameras, this one is the latest and smallest in the Hero lineup. It’s quite small in size and easy to use. Users get to capture videos at 1440p (only 30 and 25 fps), 1080p, 1080p Superview, 960p, 720p, 720p Superview and WVGA at different fps. The camera supports high bitrate videos to up to 25MB/s and it’s really easy to start recording and stop anytime. The new mic makes sure you get less windy noise with its wind-noise reduction.
However, the light and small design comes at a cost. The built-in battery is non removable and the video quality is also not up to the mark compared to other GoPro cams at this price range. For changing GoPro camera settings, it requires connecting to an iOS or Android device for changing settings.
While the video quality is not at par with other top-notch GoPro camera, it’s the portability, light-weight and small design that makes it worth considering. This action camera currently costs 1325 AED.
GoPro Hero3 White
This is a mid-range camera in the Hero lineup that offers slightly more than the previous two action cameras. Users can capture 1080p videos at 30, 25 fps, 960p videos at 30, 25 fps, 720p videos at 60, 50, 30 and 25fps and there is a WVGA video capturing mode as well. You can take it under about 131 feet water without worrying about it being damaged and there is a microSD card slot that supports up to 64GB storage. Other important features that you get in this camera are: built-in Wi-Fi, support for BacPac accessories and Ultra wide-angle glass lens.
What this camera is missing is a built-in LCD screen, Bluetooth, night mode, Superview and Narrow field of view when capturing video in 1080p. The videos captured with it are quite sharp but depends heavy on existing light which can be a problem when recording in dark places. Moreover, the use of Wi-Fi might drain your smartphone’s battery quite fast.
If you are going to capture underwater things mostly and want something more than an entry level camera, this is the camera to go for.
GoPro Hero3+ Silver
This is the best camera in Hero mid-range lineup and is capable of offering excellent video quality. It’s also similar to GoPro’s other cameras which means you get access to a large collection of mounts and accessories. The recording options are huge and includes 1440p, 1080p, 1080p Superview, 960p, 720p, 720p Superview and WVGA at different fps. It’s performance in darker places is decent and other notable features are high bitrate video support, compatibility with GoPro app and ProTune, time lapse intervals and different burst rates.
On the con part, it doesn’t include Bluetooth and auto-low light support, Bluetooth and auto image rotation. Moreover, if you are using most of the features, the battery life might disappoint you. It’s also important to get the accessories and a microSD card if you want to get the best out of it.
If you are looking for the best mid-range option and a good design, the GoPro Hero3+ Silver is your best bet. It’s currently available for 899 AED.
Hero
This is the entry level action camera in GoPro’s Hero lineup that offers decent video quality considering its price tag. It’s waterproof, supports capturing videos in 1080p resolution at 30, 25 fps, 720p at 60 and 50 fps and 720p Superview at 60 and 50 fps with its 5-megapixel camera. Its microSD card slot supports up to 64GB and there is a mini-USB port. You can experiment with its different burst rates, time lapse intervals and the camera offers ultra wide field view to give you better shots at a close range.
Now let’s check what’s missing in this entry level action camera. There is no GoPro accessory port or micro-HDMI port in this camera which means you won’t be able to add any extra LCD screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or extra battery. Moreover, the battery is built-in so it’s not possible to get extra battery life in any different way. The low light performance is not good and some of the other features you will be missing is auto image rotation, external studio mic adding support and GoPro’s ProTune software support.
If you are on a tight budget or just looking for a basic action-camera model with less features this is the camera to go for. This camera is currently available for 1099 AED at the moment.
GoPro Hero+ LCD
The Hero+LCD is the latest addition to GoPro’s entry level camera range. What makes this camera better than the previous model is its built-in touchscreen LCD. Other than the Hero 4 Silver, this is the only camera in this lineup with a built-in touchscreen. The camera is better than the basic Hero model as well and supports capturing 1080p videos at 60fps and 8-megapixel images. One more exclusive feature of this camera is in-camera video trimming that supports adding duff footage at the end or starting of your video. The camera includes built-in Wi-Fi support as well which means you can use your tablet or phone to control this camera remotely.
The negative parts of this camera is that the battery is still non removable. The LCD screen is built-in and it’s not possible to remove it from the waterproof case. Moreover, it’s still not good enough when capturing stuff in dark places.
If the lack of a LCD screen is keeping you from buying the basic Hero camera, the Hero+ LCD is what you are looking for.