So as you may know, I bought the GoPro Hero HD a few days ago, and I've been having a play with it and here is my review.
Description
The GoPro is a camera which can be mounted onto any surface on whic a mount can be stuck onto. The GoPro comes with a range of mounts discussed below. It shoots in Full HD and can be watched on your TV or uploaded to your computer. It is main uses are for biking, motorsports, surfing and more.
Shooting Resolutions
Firstly a talk about the features. The camera can shoot in multiple resolution settings, 1080, 960, 720, 720 (60fps) and standard definition 420 (60fps).
The 60fps modes allow for a smoother video. but with a slight loss of resolution. It also allows you to half the video speed to get a smooth slow-motion effect.
Wide Angle
In 720 and lower modes the field of view is 170º for an ultra wide angle video.
Were as the 1080 mode has a 127º shot, which is still wide angle, just not as much as other modes.
Casing and Audio
The camera comes with a water proof casing which is water proof up to 60m, so you can get some great underwater shots while not worrying if the camera is going to be ok.
The camera as a great built-in microphone, which is surprising good quality knowing its inside a water tight casing. A non water proof rear door is included so that if you know your not going for a dip, then replace the door and the sound quality is improved.
Storage
The camera doesn't come with an SD card, but before you go rooting through your draws, you need to make sure you have an SDHC card, which basically just means High Capacity. At 1080p it is quoted that you can get over 4hours of footage on a 32GB SDHC card or 96minutes per GB.
Camera Modes
Don't want to record videos all the time? Well the GoPro comes with a photo features which include, Single shot, photo every 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 secs, 3 photo burst & self-timer. The camera is 5MP and produces some great wide angle shots.
Power
Power lasts up to 2.5hours with the 1100mAh battery which is included, and can be charged using the USB cable included, or with a adapter which isn't included.
Cables
As mentioned above, the camera comes with a USB cable to connect the camera to the computer, also it comes with a component cable to watch your HD videos on your TV and your standard composite cable to watch standard definition videos and for sound.
Mounts
The essential part of the camera is the mounts. The camera comes with multiple sticky back mounts, curved and flat so you can stick the camera to multiple surfaces. Then quick release clips can be clipped into the mounts for different angles etc.
If you don't like the idea of sticking something to something expensive, like a car. Then the Motorsports version comes with a suction cup mount which sounds kinda flimsy but this mount is so secure its unbelievable. This mount has been tested on Nascar and up to speeds of 200kph so this thing will not be coming off when applied correctly. Either way I'm still going to tie some string round mine
In the helmet package, you get a helmet mount instead of the suction cup mount, this doesn't look the most secure mount, but I'm assured that it rarely moves. If your not happy with the mounting then a sticky mount can be used as mentioned above.
Also in the helmet package is the head mount. Basically just a head torch but with a mount for the camera instead of the torch.
GoPro have also developed a chest mount, a NVG mount for your military helmet that we all own, a handle bar mount which I bought today, roll bar mount and more.
Optional Accessories
GoPro have also developed bigger battery packs, and an LCD back, so that you can view your footage after you shoot it, or just simply ensure your camera is in the correct place.
A skeleton casing can be bought which is not water proof, but allows you to get at all the connections without taking the camera out of the casing.
There are more accessories but aren't really important enough to talk about
The lastest thing is the 3D system which is infact very simple. They have basically developed a mount which will hold two cameras side by side to get the stereoscopic view for 3D. Software is included to convert your video so you can get top quality 3D action shots.
[Price[/b]
The camera is quite pricey but well worth the money. It retails at $299.99, but if your willing to haggle, then you can get it much cheaper than that. Also you can pick up some bargins on the web.
Score
Camera = 9/10 (Great usability, inbuilt menu is not great and no easy way to see where the camera is pointing without spending money)
Accessories = 8/10 (Good quality mounts, kinda hard to get the angle you want, and better mounts are out there)
Footage = 9/10 (Quality is great for the size of the camera, but an expensive professional camera could be better)
Price = 7.5/10 (It is pricey, but well worth the money)
Overall = 9/10 (Great Camera, best one of its type on the market)
Description
The GoPro is a camera which can be mounted onto any surface on whic a mount can be stuck onto. The GoPro comes with a range of mounts discussed below. It shoots in Full HD and can be watched on your TV or uploaded to your computer. It is main uses are for biking, motorsports, surfing and more.
Shooting Resolutions
Firstly a talk about the features. The camera can shoot in multiple resolution settings, 1080, 960, 720, 720 (60fps) and standard definition 420 (60fps).
The 60fps modes allow for a smoother video. but with a slight loss of resolution. It also allows you to half the video speed to get a smooth slow-motion effect.
Wide Angle
In 720 and lower modes the field of view is 170º for an ultra wide angle video.
Were as the 1080 mode has a 127º shot, which is still wide angle, just not as much as other modes.
Casing and Audio
The camera comes with a water proof casing which is water proof up to 60m, so you can get some great underwater shots while not worrying if the camera is going to be ok.
The camera as a great built-in microphone, which is surprising good quality knowing its inside a water tight casing. A non water proof rear door is included so that if you know your not going for a dip, then replace the door and the sound quality is improved.
Storage
The camera doesn't come with an SD card, but before you go rooting through your draws, you need to make sure you have an SDHC card, which basically just means High Capacity. At 1080p it is quoted that you can get over 4hours of footage on a 32GB SDHC card or 96minutes per GB.
Camera Modes
Don't want to record videos all the time? Well the GoPro comes with a photo features which include, Single shot, photo every 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 secs, 3 photo burst & self-timer. The camera is 5MP and produces some great wide angle shots.
Power
Power lasts up to 2.5hours with the 1100mAh battery which is included, and can be charged using the USB cable included, or with a adapter which isn't included.
Cables
As mentioned above, the camera comes with a USB cable to connect the camera to the computer, also it comes with a component cable to watch your HD videos on your TV and your standard composite cable to watch standard definition videos and for sound.
Mounts
The essential part of the camera is the mounts. The camera comes with multiple sticky back mounts, curved and flat so you can stick the camera to multiple surfaces. Then quick release clips can be clipped into the mounts for different angles etc.
If you don't like the idea of sticking something to something expensive, like a car. Then the Motorsports version comes with a suction cup mount which sounds kinda flimsy but this mount is so secure its unbelievable. This mount has been tested on Nascar and up to speeds of 200kph so this thing will not be coming off when applied correctly. Either way I'm still going to tie some string round mine
In the helmet package, you get a helmet mount instead of the suction cup mount, this doesn't look the most secure mount, but I'm assured that it rarely moves. If your not happy with the mounting then a sticky mount can be used as mentioned above.
Also in the helmet package is the head mount. Basically just a head torch but with a mount for the camera instead of the torch.
GoPro have also developed a chest mount, a NVG mount for your military helmet that we all own, a handle bar mount which I bought today, roll bar mount and more.
Optional Accessories
GoPro have also developed bigger battery packs, and an LCD back, so that you can view your footage after you shoot it, or just simply ensure your camera is in the correct place.
A skeleton casing can be bought which is not water proof, but allows you to get at all the connections without taking the camera out of the casing.
There are more accessories but aren't really important enough to talk about
The lastest thing is the 3D system which is infact very simple. They have basically developed a mount which will hold two cameras side by side to get the stereoscopic view for 3D. Software is included to convert your video so you can get top quality 3D action shots.
[Price[/b]
The camera is quite pricey but well worth the money. It retails at $299.99, but if your willing to haggle, then you can get it much cheaper than that. Also you can pick up some bargins on the web.
Score
Camera = 9/10 (Great usability, inbuilt menu is not great and no easy way to see where the camera is pointing without spending money)
Accessories = 8/10 (Good quality mounts, kinda hard to get the angle you want, and better mounts are out there)
Footage = 9/10 (Quality is great for the size of the camera, but an expensive professional camera could be better)
Price = 7.5/10 (It is pricey, but well worth the money)
Overall = 9/10 (Great Camera, best one of its type on the market)
