GoPro

HERO3+ Black Edition - Adventure

Every time that GoPro launches a new generation of cameras, we're left confronting the age-old adage, how do you improve on perfection? Well, how about reducing housing size and weight by 20%, reducing distortion by 33%, speeding up Wi-Fi, a SuperView mode, and increasing battery life by 25%? We thought that would get your attention.

For the HERO3+ Black Edition - Adventure, GoPro reduced in size and weight of the camera by 20% in comparison to the old HERO3, and the camera weight was reduced by 25%. In fact, the HERO3+ tips the scales around 2.08 ounces. The camera body has retained the black backing treatment and the progressive user interface at the front. Additionally, the lighter housing boasts an impressive waterproofing, 131ft/40m.

As with the HERO3, the HERO3+ continues the use of what GoPro calls a six-element aspherical lens. What does this mean? Simply put, the lens has been designed to operate evenly across more light conditions than ever before. For the camera nerds: it's an f/2.8-6.0 lens. So, you'll experience sharper image quality whether it's blisteringly bright or the sun has nearly disappeared. The lens also allows Ultra-wide, Medium, and Narrow field of view modes, and you can operate the White Balance in either auto or manual modes (3000k, 5500k, 6500k, Cam Raw). Now, you're able to expect crystal clear resolution from sunrise to sunset. Possibly more important for your mounted shots, the lens has made huge gains in decreasing distortion. In fact, GoPro asserts that the new iteration of the HERO3 improves reduces distortion by 33%. And as an added perk, image sharpness has been enhanced by 33%, as well.

And speaking of resolution, the HERO3+ Black Edition boasts ultra-high resolution video modes of 4Kp15, 2.7Kp30, 1440p48, 1080p60, 960p100 and 720p120 fps. Basically, if you love slow-motion shots, the HERO3+ is a godsend. And did we mention that all of these rates can be run from Ultra-Wide mode? Awesome. And new to this model, GoPro has added its SuperView video mode to capture video with a more vivid wide angle perspective. Further along the lines of improvement, the HERO3+'s new Auto Low Light feature automatically adjusts the frame rate for an enhanced quality in low-light conditions.

For time lapse, the Hero3+ features seven lapse intervals ranging from 0.5 to 60 seconds. And like the HERO3, this model still mode shoots at 12 megapixels and up to 30 photos per second. You're able to select blasts of 3, 5, or 10 photos-per-second concurrently with any video mode. You also retain camera settings like looping video, continuous photo, and Protune Mode.

Not to be one sided in the improvement department, the HERO3+ also made dramatic gains in sound quality. By engineering a new wind-noise reduction system, the redesigned sound recording will capture all of the subtleties and profanities of your gnar. And now, you also have the option of recording your sound in Mono, 48kHz, and AAC compression w/AGC media formats. This means you don't have to eat up your cards' storage if ambient sound is only going to make a cameo in your edit.

The HERO3+ is not only Wi-Fi ready, but GoPro has gone to great lengths to increase its operations speed.but included for this package, at a $79.99 value, is the Wi-Fi Remote. Waterproof, wearable, and capable of controlling up to 50 HERO3+ cameras from a range of 600 feet, the Wi-Fi Remote will turn your entire filming strategy on its head. Not impressed? How about finally gaining access to the GoPro Application for your iOS or Android smartphone and tablet? With the remote and GoPro App in tow, you can both fully control any camera in your Wi-Fi range and view live scene previews.

As for the nitty gritty, the HERO3+ has the following inputs: Micro-HDMI Port, Composite A/V Adapter, USB, Micro SD, HERO Port, and a 3.5mm Stereo Mic Adapater. It's also compatible with newest Mac OS versions down to Mac OSX 10.5 and the latest Microsoft Windows version down to Vista 7.

The GoPro HERO3+ Black Edition - Adventure is available in one color and one size. Included in the package is the following: HERO3+ Black Edition Camera, 131ft/40m waterproof housing, a USB charging cable, Wi-Fi Remote, a rechargeable Li-ion battery, 1 vertical quick-release buckle, 1 quick-release buckle, 1 curved and 1 flat adhesive mount, and a three-way pivot arm. It does not include a memory card.

Please note that the HERO3+ Black Edition requires a MicroSD Class 10 or higher memory card. It can also support up to a 64GB capacity.