About GoPro. Piggy bank of impressions.
Buy, enjoy and share your experience! - so briefly you can characterize this camera.
Be tolerant of her shortcomings;
- what she can give you for this money, no one else can give, at least not yet;
- so be happy with what she can do.
I came, I saw, I conquered...
Originally released to the market in 2006, the version of Go Pro Hero a team of inventors and extreme sports enthusiasts from northern California was focused on ease of use during any kind of activity. And very soon this camera captured the attention of extreme people of all without exception degrees of recklessness.
Years passed, the development team did not stop there and 2 new brothers GoPro HD Hero and GoPro HD Hero2 were born. The first model is so outdated both morally and technologically that it has already been discontinued and therefore we will not waste time on it. With the last two, we will have something to talk about.
What is it anyway?
In short, these are compact camcorders with a bunch of accessories and mounting options for various extreme shooting conditions, designed to shoot awesome video in HD format (maximum 1920x1080). Yes, yes, it’s flying, because for all other cases even a phone is enough now. 
Complete set
To begin with, we must give credit to GoPro for the fact that they managed to improve the camera without changing its shape and size. What does it mean? And the fact that all accessories (and there are many) are compatible with any model.
The following configurations are available to the buyer:
- GoPro HD Hero2 Motorsport Edition - for us motorcycle lovers
- GoPro HD Hero2 Surf Edition - for surfing and similar water rides
- GoPro HD Hero2 Outdoor Edition - in general, for everything else
Only the basic set remains unchanged:
- camera + Li-Ion battery
- shockproof box with access to connectors and microphone
- sealed waterproof box
- USB cable
Thus, having a moto kit and purchasing the necessary accessories, you can turn it into a surf kit, and vice versa.
The GoPro HD Hero is now sold in a Naked package and, in addition to the camera and battery, only comes with a waterproof case, 1 flat surface mount, and a set of cables. 
GoPro HD Hero2 Motorsport Edition
In addition to the basic set in this set we will see: 
As you can see, the manufacturers have taken care of the mounting methods for all occasions.
Briefly about the main
Camera dimensions - 42×30×60 mm, weight - 94 g with battery.
Considering what this little girl can do, it's impressive, isn't it?
Battery
Battery life in mode 720p/60 fps - 2.5 hours.
Charging method as standard - only from the USB cable. Full charge time in this case is approximately 4 hours.
The battery is removable, but not standard and not compatible with any others. Those. if the camera is discharged on the road - then, as they say, "arrived." The problem can be solved:
- spare original battery
- an additional charger, for example, from a cigarette lighter with a USB adapter, which can also reduce charging time
- a mega battery expander from the manufacturer - which clings to the back of the back of the device and approximately doubles its life time
- 1080p (1920x1080) - 12 minutes/GB
- 960p( 1280x960) - 13 minutes/GB
- 720p (1280x720) - 16 minutes/GB
Thus, having purchased a flash card, you can "shove" into the camera:
- 4 GB: 50-60 minutes
- 8 GB: 100-130 minutes
- 16 GB: 3-4 hours
- 32 GB: 6-8 hours
Control is carried out by two buttons, and all the main information is displayed on the LCD display on the front panel. The display in the Hero2 version is more detailed and displays more information, but in both
In some cases, the display is not backlit, making it difficult to read in low visibility conditions. Button presses are duplicated by a built-in "beeper", which also signals some situations, for example, when the battery is low.
Minimalism in the controls affects the intuitiveness, and since. the camera has a bunch of possible modes of operation, at least for the first time you will have to carry instructions with you. They even say that there were cases when, instead of the desired action, users accidentally deleted the footage ...
Connecting to a computer for downloading materials does not require the installation of drivers and is compatible with Windows and MacOS operating systems - the camera is automatically detected as a multimedia device or external storage medium. It is modern and very comfortable. Recorded video file format - .MP4 (H.264)
A standard camera has neither an optical viewfinder nor a digital display for this purpose, so it's nearly impossible to judge the composition of the shots you're shooting. It remains only to intuitively guess where the camera is directed, or (guess what? - right!) To buy an additional screen - which, as in the case of an extended battery, is hung at the back. Wherein bearing capacity there is only enough room for one of them.
As you may have noticed, manufacturers have taken care of a variety of accessories.
For example, 3D shooting kit GoPro 3D Hero System
The kit allows you to combine 2 cameras in single system for shooting video in the recently fashionable 3D format. For synchronization, the cameras are connected with a special cable through the Hero-bus interface, which is connected to the connectors on the rear side. 
The box not only allows you to conveniently place 2 cameras in 1 sealed box, but also respects the required distances and angles, without which 3D video cannot, in principle, turn out to be full-fledged.
Here is an example of such a video (be sure to watch in stereo glasses and in maximum quality)
Do you feel how much you now need for happiness, although 15 minutes ago you lived perfectly without it? Marketers are trying :)
The main differences between HD Hero2 and HD Hero:
| GoPro HD Hero2 | GoPro HD Hero | |
| Picture quality | 2 times clearer | clear |
| Megapixels | 11, 8, 5 MP wide angle (170º) medium (127º) |
5 MP |
| Photo modes | single 10 frames / sec cycle photo every 0.5, 1, 2, 10, 30.60 |
single 3 frames / sec cycle photo every 1, 2, 10, 30, 60 |
Video modes |
| 1080p | 1920×1080 wide angle (170º) medium (127º) narrow angle (90º) 30 fps |
1920×1080 wide angle (127º) 30 fps |
| 960p | 1280×960 wide angle (170º) 48 fps 30 frame/sec |
1280×960 FOV Wide (170º) 30 fps |
| 720p | 1280×720 wide angle (170º) 30 frame/sec 60 frame/sec |
1280×720 wide angle (170º) 30 fps 60 fps |
| WVGA | 848×480 wide angle (170º) 120 fps 60 frame/sec |
848×480 wide angle (170º) FOV 60 fps |
Control |
| User interface | text | 3-character code |
| signal LEDs | 4 | 1 |
| Inputs | Mini HDMI, Composite, USB, SD, HERO port, 3.5mm external stereo microphone input |
component, composite, USB, SD, HERO port |
| Battery life (in 720p/60 mode) |
2.5 hours | 2.5 hours | Possibilities |
| Expansion modules WiFi BacPac + WiFi Remote |
wifi remote control WiFi video viewing WiFi streaming camera control from a smartphone, tablet or computer |
WiFi remote control |
| Other GoPro BacPacs Expansion Pods | LCD BacPac™ - optional display Battery BacPac™ - battery expansion module 3D HERO®System - 3D shooting system Wi-Fi BacPac™ - Wi-Fi Module WiFi Remote - remote control |
LCD BacPac™ - additional display Battery Pack™ - battery expansion module 3D HERO® System - 3D shooting system Wi-Fi BacPac™ (limited) - limited Wi-Fi Remote - remote control |
For the sake of objectivity, it is worth adding that despite all the nano-innovativeness of the devices, no one has canceled physics and a really beautiful video is obtained only in good daylight. Otherwise, the result turns into a subject of search for noise, artifacts and other abstruse terms.
But when used correctly, the "wow" effect is guaranteed.
The article used materials from the sites www.gopro.com, www.webbikeworld.com, www.ixbt.com.
Free interpretation - www.site
Detailed comparison test HD Hero and HD Hero2 -
I first got acquainted with this unusual camera when I was snowboarding and I certainly did not intend to write an article about it. However, over time, the materials shot by this device accumulated, so it's time to get acquainted with the miniature 11-megapixel camera in more detail.
The camera at first seemed to me a simple registrar, only for people. In fact, it is, but GoPro has more opportunities, and accessories too. In fairness, we note that the price is also of a different order. So, HD Hero 2 is the newest extreme model in the GoPro line, or, as it is also called, an action camera.
You must have read about extreme compact cameras. In our reviews, we considered models such as and. For the most part, these cameras are very similar. They are enclosed in durable magnesium alloy cases, the joints are protected by rubber inserts. Cameras withstand immersion to a depth of up to ten meters, do not fail when dropped from a height of up to two meters, protected from moisture and dust. Otherwise, they are ordinary cameras, only with a special scene for underwater shooting and a powerful protective glass on the lens.
It might seem that the GoPro must have a lot in common with these cameras. It's not, HD Hero 2 is completely different. It doesn't have a screen, just a monochrome LCD, the optics are a 170 degree fisheye lens... And just two control buttons.
Appearance
The camera is like a miniature brick, it is significantly smaller than any consumer camera. The model turned out this way for several reasons. Usually self-shooting during extreme sports is very distracting. Even when snorkeling is relaxed, you will notice how uncomfortable it is to do this when an underwater camera is in one of your hands.
When snowboarding or skiing, shooting is even more difficult - the hands are either busy or included in the balance. In each case, working with a compact camera during extreme sports is fraught with a great risk to the health of the owner.
The point of GoPro and other action cameras is precisely this: not to bind the owner's movements, not to occupy his hands, and in general not to remind you of yourself in any way until the moment you get to the computer. And also - turn on easily and quickly, even if your IQ has become lower than the temperature on the thermometer due to strong excitement.
The HD Hero 2 camera supports BacPac accessories. It can be an additional battery, a Wi-Fi module, or even a removable LCD screen. The camera came to us for review along with a removable display. The latter is connected very simply, like a module. The screen resolution is about 230,000 pixels, but the viewing angles are frankly weak, especially for such a small camera, which is supposed to be used everywhere, but not at eye level.
With a display accessory, the camera can be used as a regular soap dish. Small dimensions allow you to shoot discreetly in places where the camera can attract additional attention. Thanks to the fisheye optics, everything gets into the frame.
However, as a tool for quickly reviewing materials, working with settings and convenient sighting, the BacPac LCD display is more than suitable. The screen also has a speaker and volume control.
On the other hand, handheld shooting of both stills and clips guarantees powerful shaking. As a result - an unpleasant video (requires processing in the editor) and a large percentage of blurry pictures. In our practice, the camera did not set the shutter speed to more than 1/4 second.
Perhaps one of key features GoPro systems are its flexibility. Thanks to a bunch of accessories, the device can be mounted on all possible surfaces: with a rubber pad-sticker on a flexible surface, mounting on a pipe, on a helmet, on a hand, on a head, on a body, on a ventilated helmet.
The company recently announced a new 3D video shooting kit. Two cameras are synchronized with each other through a special module in a special case, which allows you to achieve a stereo effect.
The built-in battery of the camera allows you to record 2.5-3 hours of video. With the BacPac LCD installed, the camera can shoot for up to an hour. For long and serious shoots, it is recommended to take another battery - the accessory BacPac.
Perhaps the easiest option is to fix the device and shoot non-stop. Only in this way you will not miss all the interesting moments. The other side of the coin is that there will be sooo many videos and most of them will go to the trash.
The body of the camera is made of polycarbonate plastic on a metal frame. Even without protection, the device can withstand heavy loads, without problems withstand drops and uncomfortable conditions like rain and dust. However, subjecting the camera to such tests without protection does not make sense. Any HD Hero 2 package includes a special transparent case that protects against aggressive environments. It allows you to dive to a depth of 60 meters, protects against shock and getting wet. The protective case also has a universal contact for attaching to all accessories.
There are several options for completing the device - for those who are fond of cycling, for underwater filming, for winter views sports and so on. By and large, all the differences are in the set of universal mounts.
There is also a suction cup for mounting on glass, and a rubber band for wearing on the head.
In addition, there are plastic pads that are easy to stick, for example, on a helmet, special ties on the chest.
In the protective housing, the camera is fixed with a special screw. The camera can be fully controlled through the box, metal buttons with a spring mechanism are designed for this.
The plastic of the HD Hero 2 itself has a light rubber coating, which allows you to put the device at an angle on different surfaces. Thanks to this coating, the camera is firmly fixed inside the protective case. The switch buttons also have a rubber coating. As you can see, it will peel off. There is a slot for memory cards, there is an HDMI connector.
On the front of the camera is a monochromatic information display, lens, indicator lamp and mode switch and navigation key.
The HD Hero 2 has a 170-degree fisheye lens. The viewing angle can be less - 127 and 90 degrees. In practice, this is similar to digital zoom, but without loss of quality. The fact is that an 11-megapixel 1 / 2.3 "CMOS-matrix (the same as in any compact camera) is more than enough to shoot Full HD video. Photos with reduced viewing angle simply decrease in resolution, for example, to 5 megapixels at a viewing angle of 90 degrees.
The monochrome screen collects all service information about the operation of the camera. It shows the battery charge, resolution and number of shots until the memory card is full, information about the current viewing angle of the device.
Camera in action
The camera records movies with sound. There is even a special warning about this on the lid: so that the wind noise on high speed did not cut the ears, at speeds up to 160 km/h it is recommended to use a back cover with slots (skeleton cover), above 160 km/h - place the camera in a fully sealed container.
The microphones are located on the top and bottom of the device. It should be noted that the sound quality is low. Perhaps, for the most part, this is not required, anyway, during editing, most of the scenes are replaced by peppy music. However, if sound recording is relevant to you, then you can use the microphone jack. It is located on the right side of the camera body.
There is also a connector for connecting to speakers. Between them is a connector for connecting a USB cable. Through USB, footage is downloaded from the camera, and the device itself is also charged.
The protective case has a dense rubber insert between the parts, it easily snaps into place even when wearing gloves.
As we noted, you can change the shooting mode, turn on / off the camera and start shooting even when the HD Hero 2 is in a protective case.
Working with the camera is convenient, even if it is mounted on your helmet or fixed in an uncomfortable position. Turning on, the device beeps 3 times, turning off - 7 times. All navigation is accompanied by sound signals. During recording, the LED on the front of the case flashes red.
Such minimalism in the controls leaves an ambiguous impression. On the one hand, it is extremely easy to control the camera - even in extreme conditions, you can quickly start recording without being distracted from the process. On the other hand, working with settings takes more time: it may take up to 10 button presses to change the resolution, and 50-60 button presses to set the date.
By the way, forget about the settings. The only thing that can be set from them is the type of exposure metering. Exposure, white balance and shutter speed are determined by the camera itself. In good light, the white balance works adequately, even with an abundance of snow in the mountains, the colors are correct. With artificial moderate lighting, the colors become muted, with artificial good - yellowish. When shooting during sunset hours, the HD Hero 2 is prone to underexposure and the white balance shifts to warmer tones.
The camera allows you to shoot Full HD video at 30 fps, 960p video at 48 fps, HD 720p at 60 fps. Also, at 848×480 resolution, you can shoot at up to 120 fps and, if desired, get dynamic scenes slowed down by 4 times. It is impossible to imagine the camera in question without this function.
There are several photo shooting modes. These are regular single-frame shooting, up to one minute self-timer shooting, interval shooting, and high-speed continuous shooting.
The shooting interval can be set from 1/2 to 5 seconds. The quality of the photos is sufficient for editing small timelapse videos, especially if these are bright sunset scenes, some kind of high-altitude shooting or passing a track in the mountains. Night videos will be very noisy, with muted colors.
Continuous shooting at a rate of 10 fps allows you to capture the details of particularly vivid dynamics. The only limiting factor is the speed of the memory card. The faster it is, the sooner the device will unload the contents of the buffer and the sooner it will be ready for the next shooting. GoPro recommends using cards no slower than Class 10, we join.
Photos and videos
Mid October American company GoPro has dealt a decisive blow to the competition by launching three models of action cameras at once - compact digital camcorders designed specifically for hobbyists. active rest and extreme sports. I got to test the average camera of the new line - GoPro HD Hero 3 Silver Edition, positioned as a direct replacement for the second generation Go Pro HD. What is really different about the new camera, and is it worth buying? Read my special test!
GoPro cameras have gone through a lot of evolutions in almost ten years. If in 2004 the first GoPro camera took only photos on 35 mm film, then current models record high-quality digital video in Full HD. Introduced in October 2011, the HD Hero 2 created a lot of buzz, cementing GoPro's image as the leading action cam maker. Why?
Compared to the previous model, HD Hero 2 provides the ability to record high-definition (HD) video in the following formats: 1920×1080(30 fps), 1280×960 (48 or 30 fps), 1280×720 (30 or 60 fps), 848×480 (60 or 120 fps). The quality of photos has grown due to the 11-megapixel matrix. The ability to choose the viewing angle and the optimal shooting mode, as well as the power of the protective case and a wide range of different accessories, made the HD Hero 2 an instant hit not only for athletes, but also for videographers filming a wide variety of scenes (from weddings to reports from the mouth of a crocodile).
A year has passed and GoPro introduced new series HD cameras of the third generation. There are now three models in the lineup, and the Hero 3 Silver Edition I'm testing sits right in the middle. The retail price of this model is similar to that at which the HD Hero 2 was sold before the new product appeared, and the GoPro company itself does not hide the fact that the Silver is a direct replacement for the "kopeck piece". What has changed in the new camera?
Camera Body
The first change is obvious and striking - Hero 3 received a new, more compact and lightweight body.
The width and height of the body remained the same, but Hero 3 has become almost twice as thin as its predecessor.
The "faceted" body of the "treshka" is much more comfortable in the hand, and the rubberized inserts around the perimeter are much nicer to the touch than the smooth plastic on the Hero 2.
The size and material of the control buttons have changed - now they are not rubber "pins", but full-fledged wide buttons.
They are much more convenient to use than before.
The camera is controlled by two buttons - exactly the same as the previous model, but one new button appeared on the side, which is responsible for initializing the Wi-Fi module.
The connectors are now covered with a removable plug, which is easy enough to lose.
The set of connectors itself has also changed - now instead of three video connectors (HDMI and two jacks for video and audio), there is only one Micro-HDMI. Next to it is a standard mini-USB connector. To use an external microphone, you now have to buy an adapter that plugs into the USB connector.
On reverse side there is a connector for accessories - a battery pack or an LCD screen.
These accessories from Hero 2 fit without a problem.
The camera battery has become more compact. The battery cover also decreased proportionally, and received a new latch.
The lithium-ion battery capacity is 1050 mAh, which is 50 mAh less than the Hero 2, but the Hero 3's battery life without using the Wi-Fi module is the same - about two and a half hours.
Another change is that instead of a standard SD card, the Hero 3 uses a baby Micro SD.
The maximum capacity of the card is 64 GB, against 32 in the previous version. Cards must be class 4 or higher, but if you want to shoot continuously, you must use cards of class 10 or higher.
Optics
All third-generation Hero models received new 6-element aspherical optics. The new lens makes the picture clearer and gives less distortion at the edges of the frame. Of course, distortions are still noticeable, because the camera's viewing angle is 170 degrees, but the picture looks much more natural.
Hardware
Technically, the new model has characteristics similar to Hero 2. It is based on the A5s platform developed by Ambarella, one of the world leaders in the production of video processing systems. The ARM11 processor is clocked at 528MHz and compresses H.264 video on the fly. The 11-megapixel matrix is similar to the HD2 - the sensor size is still the same 1/2.3", light sensitivity is .84 V/lux-sec.
WiFi module
The key difference between Hero 3 and Hero 2 is the presence of a built-in Wi-Fi module, which allows you to fully control the camera using a proprietary remote control ... or a tablet or smartphone on the iOS or Android platform. To connect the camera with a smartphone, just download and install free app, then turn on wifi camera and connect your device to the grid that appears.
After that, just launch the application, click "connect" - and you get full access to camera control, as well as the ability to view a preview of the image that the camera sees, almost live. Why do I say "practically"? The fact is that the image is broadcast with small but noticeable delays that must be taken into account. The delay between pressing the shutter button and triggering the camera is about half a second.
The practical value of this "chip" can hardly be overestimated - because now you have the opportunity to install the camera anywhere, and at the same time control what is in the frame using your smartphone or tablet, achieving the perfect composition. Without a doubt, this innovation is able to attract new users to GoPro - not only extreme maniacs, but ordinary lovers of advanced gadgets.
Important: Before using a new Hero cameras 3 you need to make sure you have the latest firmware version installed. The box with the camera even included a special card with a corresponding appeal - to immediately update the software. This is probably due to the fact that the camera was sent to production even before the appearance of applications for iOS and Android, and this part of the firmware was later changed. With old firmwareWi-
fionly worked for meAndroid.
iPhone andiPaddidn't see the camera. But after flashing the camera through the GoPro website, in the menu WiFi settings the Phone & Tablet item appeared, which is necessary for pairing with mobile devices, and the camera began to work with all mobile devices as expected.
Soft
Despite the hardware base shared with Hero 2, Hero 3 has more advanced software, which by default provides the buyer with more options for recording video and photos.
Firstly, now you can shoot at 24/25 fps at all major resolutions. Second, there's a new Protune mode in the camera menu, developed with the guys at CineForm, the company whose codec was used in the post-production of Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire.
By activating the Protune mode, you not only get the ability to manually select the white balance (Auto, Manual, 3000K, 5500K, 6500K, and Cam Raw), but above all, capture a video stream of 35 megabytes per second, which brings the Go Pro Hero 3 closer to professional cameras.
More than a twofold decrease in compression (normal stream - 15 Mb / s) has a positive effect on image quality - at the output you get a less contrast and less saturated image, which, however, contains less noise and more details in the shadows and bright areas of the frame, which makes this mode indispensable for shooting with subsequent video editing.
To be fair, the Protune mode is also included in the updated firmware for the Hero 2 camera, which can be downloaded from the official GoPro website. Prior to this release, Protune had only been tested by a lucky few, such as survivalist Bear Grylls and operators of the Discovery TV channel.
Hero 3 also has another new mode of operation - Video Looping, which allows you to repeat the recorded fragment as many times as necessary.
Protective case
The Hero 3 camera has received a new protective housing that has two main differences from the previous model (besides the obviously changed size).
Side view
The new flat outer lens provides a huge advantage when shooting underwater, as I personally saw during my time.
The flat lens does not interfere with focusing, and Hero 3 can take pictures underwater professional quality. True, in comparison with the prototype, the case of the "treshka" received a reduced optical port, which favorably affected the appearance.
The case is still waterproof and can be used at depths up to 60 meters.
The second important difference of the new case is the changed latch mechanism, which has now become a little more miniature and more reliable. Opening the case by accident is now absolutely impossible (although I never had this on the previous version).
In addition to the listed key points, the case has got a third button - to control the Wi-Fi mode.
The body mount is completely identical to the previous model, so all fasteners fit without problems. The compact form factor of the new body allows it to be tilted to large angles relative to the mount, expanding the range of shooting possibilities.
Shooting
To check the quality of the shooting, I went to the field - more precisely, to the motocross track. Both cameras were mounted on the helmet of a motorcyclist.
Rider Aleksey dashed desperately along the frozen track, taking photos and videos for this test from two cameras at the same time.
What did you manage to find out? Indeed, both cameras produce a similar picture with the same FPS and resolution, but in the case of Hero 3 we have more natural colors, less distortion at the edges of the frame and slightly more image clarity.
The difference in auto white balance is striking in both photos and videos. Obviously, the more natural picture from the Hero 3 will require less post-processing, which means more time to ride!
Go Pro HD Hero 2 Video 1
Go Pro HD Hero 3 Silver Edition Video 1
Go Pro HD Hero 2 Video 2
Go Pro HD Hero 3 Silver Edition Video 2
In low light conditions, both cameras again shoot almost the same, but here the Hero 3 pulls ahead a bit.
Go Pro HD Hero 2 Night Scene
Go Pro HD Hero 3 Silver Edition Night Scene
It is worth noting that activating the Protune mode would have significantly reduced the amount of noise when shooting at night, but I did not use this mode for the correct comparison.
The guys from GoPro claim that they have also worked on sound processing - this is very similar to the truth, in any case, it seemed to me that the new camera records sound better, especially for low frequencies.
As for photography, the set of settings here is completely identical to the previous version of the camera. As with HD2, with Hero 3 Silver you can choose between 11MP, 8MP, 5 MP resolutions, FOV (170º, 127º), Single shot (Single), Burst of 10 photos per second (Photo Burst), Interval shooting (Time-Lapse), Semi-automatic timer (Self-Timer). For interval shooting every 0.5 seconds, an SD card of at least class 10 is required.
Here are some sample photos taken with GoPro Hero 3 (11MP mode)
Conclusion
Despite the fact that the basis of the GoPro Hero 3 Silver Edition camera is a thoroughly redesigned "kopeck piece", the new camera is much more interesting than its predecessor in every respect. New optics, compact body and light weight make it easy to get high-quality photo and video material. Software Protune allows you to expand the range of professional use of new items. Picture from new camera looks better, and that goes for both video and photos. An important advantage of the Hero 3 is the presence of a built-in Wi-Fi module, which turns the Hero 3 Silver edition from the best action camera in its class into an exciting gadget that can attract many new fans to the GoPro banner.
The author expresses his gratitude to the Zoomlab photo studio and personally to Ruslan Milyukov, as well as to the MOTORACE X-Team | KTM-shop, Velomirshop.ru store and GoPro Russia for help in creating this material.
Text and photo Artem Achkasov. Any use of this material is possible only with the indication of the author and an active link to the page
The GoPro HD Hero2 is an extreme camera with a rugged body that mounts almost anywhere: on the head; in the chest area; on a surfboard; by car; and even in a hot air balloon.
The camera itself is a simple gray box stuffed with technological “cutes” for fast video processing. The 1/2.3-inch 11MP sensor is capable of capturing video at resolutions from 720p in HD quality (1280x720 pixels) at 30 or 60fps to 1080p (1920x1089) at 30fps in NTSC quality. The camera also records in PAL format from 25 to 100 frames per second.
If you lower the resolution to WVGA (848×480 pixels), you can record up to 120 fps (best for slow motion highest quality). A domed lens with f/2.8 aperture and up to 170-degree field of view contributes to extreme shooting in any conditions.
Navigation of the camera is very easy thanks to the buttons on the body, which are equipped with springs, eliminating actions such as accidentally turning off the camera, thanks to human factor. There is a button on the front panel for navigating through settings and switching shooting modes. And on top is a button for, directly, the main function - shooting.
While the GoPro HD Hero2: Outdoor Edition does not have manual controls for adjusting the exposure, the camera adapts easily to any lighting situation thanks to the ability to turn on spot metering (for example, when you shoot external world from inside a dark car).
With this feature, you can attach the camera to your bike and choose a route through the tunnel in sunny weather. When you view the finished video material, you will undoubtedly be pleasantly surprised. Despite the extreme conditions, the video will contain a minimum amount of noise with a very high quality picture.
The waterproof case allows you to surf with this camera. The only negative: sea drops that willy-nilly fell on the lens.
However, without a special waterproof housing (for a fee) called Dive Housing, you will not be able to make high-quality underwater shooting. This is due to the fact that the box is equipped with a special lens protection, without which the camera can only shoot over the waves.
Camera weight: 222g including dedicated helmet mount (weighs two eggs). Agree - this is normal. Although from the outside you will look a little strange)
If you think that you absolutely do not need a liquid crystal display (and it comes as an additional component), then you can save money and the weight of the camera itself.
The LCD screen connects to the back of the camera, which is also used if you want to connect another GoPro HD Hero2 for 3D shooting. Other connections are located on the side of the camera, including a USB port, a mini HDMI port, a composite video port, and a stereo microphone input.
The camera has four LED indicators, one on each side of the perimeter.
Verdict
If you like to take risks, then you should seriously consider purchasing action camera GoPro HD Hero2: Outdoor Edition. Rest assured, it won't let you down when it comes to high quality HD video footage!
★★★★★ Rating: 5 out of 5
Pros: -The quality of the footage. It's gorgeous.
-Excellent holds strong blows (with the exception of the lens). Hit a couple of times, and quite seriously, not even scratches.
- Cheap accessories. If something is still broken/fell off/lost, you can easily buy the missing/broken parts. For quite a divine price by the way.
- Convenient fastenings.
-Excellent keeps moisture even not in a waterproof case. Got caught in heavy rain, continued to work.
-Wide-angle shooting. Real fisheye practically.
-Pretty cheap memory cards for this camera.
-Size. Fits in the palm of your hand, the size of Matchbox, as thick as two.
Cons: - Poor sound quality.
-Working hours. Filmed in quality 720 60 fps, sat down after 2.5 hours. Well, okay, you can buy an additional battery.
-Be vigilant, very often (at least for me) the battery was discharged when the camera was turned off. I do not know what it is connected with.
-no screen. Although, again, you can buy in addition for five pieces. Maybe this is for the better, because with the screen the strength would have decreased.
- Lots of noise in low light.
- Pretty fragile lens on the box. Scratched a little, as a result, when shooting, there is some kind of "blurring" in the place of the scratch. Will have to change.
-Sometimes it gets hot. But even with strong overheating, it cannot break, because when a certain temperature is reached, it turns off.
-Another weakness rather in the box than in the camera itself - the place where the strap is attached to the platform on which the camera is mounted. It breaks at the seam when applying some effort, there is a very real possibility of losing the camera. However, everything is quite easy to repair if you know how to hold a needle and thread in your hands.
Comment: On this moment one of the best (if not the best) action cam. Only Pentax Optio WG-2 can compete with it. Bought six months ago, happy as an elephant.
PS: I do not advise taking this model. Hero 3 was announced in October, so you'd better wait for it to come out and get it. Will be on sale sometime in December.
Ivan Zvyagintsev enjoys GoPro HD HERO2 a few months
Is the review helpful? Yes 42No 1
★★★★★ Rating: 5 out of 5
Advantages: Polycarbonate body (shooting in any conditions + underwater shooting)
-Wide angle with zoom capability
-Very good shooting in low light conditions. Very!
-Simplified management. "Shooting start at power on" function
-Possibility of increasing functionality due to a large number of additional accessories.
Cons: -no screen
-Poor sound quality (although it is possible to connect an external microphone)
Comment: I have not yet found any competitors in terms of image quality! I will add that you cannot shoot underwater with a whale box - the image will be blurry, out of focus. For shooting underwater, you need the Dive Housing, which has a flat lens, then the image quality will be the same as on land)
Dimoon35 has been using GoPro HD HERO2 for several months
Is the review helpful? Yes 27No 4
★★★★★ Rating: 5 out of 5
Pros: Small. Although larger than the GoPro 3, the significant increase in size and weight is only felt when using the camera with BacPac accessories. Further, for such sizes, the quality of the video is just wonderful. Quite an adequate price if taken from the USA. Possibility to connect a display/second battery/WiFi unit. A huge variety of mounts and accessories, incl. from third party manufacturers. Glass lens of the box, resistant to scratches during transportation. A sufficient number of modes, although all work only on cars. Ability to connect an external microphone 3.5 mm.
Cons: Not best material for a clip (fastening latch). The tendril of the clip can easily break without any load, which, however, happened to me. Spherical lens, underwater image out of focus. Corrected with flat lens box, sold separately. Also, the moment of fogging of the camera during the transition from cold to warm is not taken into account. Corrected by Antifog inserts, sold separately. There are no caps for the lens, but you can buy from third-party manufacturers. Well, the main drawback of ALL GoPros, not only the second one, is the software. It is very raw at GoPro. Repeatedly read messages about camera failures during flashing. Well, without any reason to do this and not worth it.
Comment: The GoPro 3+ is already out, but this one still never ceases to amaze me. There are rumors saying "it sucks in low light, photos in the dark are terrible", etc. My opinion: not for this purpose it is created. I didn’t purchase a display because I don’t see the point in it, it’s easier to buy a WiFi BacPac (I plan to purchase one), turn on a live broadcast and use a smartphone. I took the camera from the USA, thanks to which I saved a lot. Submerged under water for 10 meters, not a hint of a leak. In this regard, she performed excellently. Produce it and accessories in China, but quite high quality, to save money. Don't worry about assembly. In general, I am very pleased with the camera as well as its mounts. I have been using it almost since the start of its sales, I only reflashed it twice (if you do everything exactly according to the instructions, or better according to the video instructions, there should be no problems), there were no problems with this. In general, this is one of the most ingenious inventions of mankind, which is worth buying. Well, at the time of writing this comment, you need to purchase GoPro 3+.
Oznobikhin Egor has been using GoPro HD HERO2 for over a year
Is the review helpful? Yes 13No 0
★★★★ ☆ Rating: 4 out of 5
You can take this model, but it's better to wait for Hero3
Pros: The picture quality is just amazing. Day and night. Night shooting, as I understand it, this is generally a sore spot for all DVRs, but not in this case! Wide viewing angle. 170 degrees, almost fisheye. A strong body, it happened that it dropped, on asphalt and on concrete - nothing, at least something. Universal mount - you can on the glass in the car, you can on the steering wheel of a motorcycle, you can even on a helmet. You just need to stock up on the appropriate accessories. And here is the plus that they are on sale and at quite divine prices. It is considered officially waterproof, it worked quietly several times in heavy rain, and according to the manufacturer, you can even dive with it up to 60 meters. Those. you are buying not just a car recorder, but a multifunctional device that can be used not only in a car. Dimensions are almost the size of a matchbox, does not attract unnecessary attention. Management is minimalist, he starts shooting just when the power is turned on. Can be used just like a camera.
Disadvantages: Here with the sound let us down. With the ideal picture quality, the sound is not written very well. Although there is a jack for connecting an external microphone if it is so critical. Since the device is essentially for extreme people, there is no screen. On the one hand, there is a disadvantage and inconvenience - you cannot quickly view the footage, on the other hand, you need to understand what device you are buying and using it for its intended purpose. If you need to quickly study the footage, then another model is more suitable for you. Sometimes it gets hot. But this does not matter, since there is a circuit breaker in case of a really critical overheating.
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