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Movie quality that fits in your pocket.

You've already sold your Hero2 in preparation; you've read all of the literature that you could get your hands on; you've waited patiently with bated breath, and now the next generation of GoPro is finally here. The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition - Adventure has arrived, and we assure you that it's worth the wait.

Just looking at the external appearance of the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition, the difference in iterations couldn't be more night and day. The camera has been reduced in size by 30%, and the camera weight was reduced by 25%. In fact, the Hero3 tips the scales at an alarmingly low 2.6 ounces. The camera body has received a black backing treatment, and the front now boasts a more accessible and progressive user interface. And GoPro didn't simply stop redesigning at the camera body, the new external housing not only bolsters the durability of the body, but it's also fully-waterproof at depths up to 197' (60m).

Now, let's get into the guts of the Hero3. The lens makes use of a new flat design with a waterproof housing. It's 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. And in low-light conditions, specifically, you can expect twice the light performance in comparison to the Hero2. The new 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 can expect crystal clear resolution from sunrise to sunset. Possibly more important for your mounted shots, the lens has made huge gains in decreasing distortion, so you can say goodbye to frame-warble when the Earth is berating your rig.

And speaking of resolution, the Hero3 Black Edition boasts ultra-high resolution video modes of 2.7kp-24 and 4kp-12. The frame rate is twice as powerful as the Hero2, capturing at 4k Cinema 12fps, 2.7k Cinema 30fps, 1440p 48fps, 1080p 60fps, and 720p 120fps. 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. For time lapse, GoPro also stepped up the Hero3's game by increasing the available intervals. You can select from seven lapse intervals ranging from 0.5 to 60 seconds. The still camera also lays waste to prior Hero iterations. For the Hero3, still mode shoots at 12 megapixels and up to 30 photos per second. You can select blasts of 3, 5, or 10 photos-per-second concurrently with any video mode. Also new to the Hero3, GoPro included advanced 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.

We hate to admit it, but we've been holding out on you. The Hero3 is not only Wi-Fi ready, but newly included for the Black Edition 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 knitty 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.

Simply, the Hero3 Black Edition is everything that you've been wanting and waiting for.

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, 197'/60m waterproof housing, Wi-Fi Remote, assorted mounting hardware, rechargeable Li-ion battery, 1 quick-release buckle, 1 J-Hook buckle, 1 curved and 1 flat adhesive mount, and 3-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.

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Here's what others have to say...

5 5

Chris Aidan

Member since 

I have used the previous generation gopro's and the contour cameras, the Gopro 3 black is great. I love the addition of the iPhone app to make sure your filming angle is good and the new resolution is unbelievable.

The only downside to these cameras is that everyone just uses it as a POV, there are far to many trail videos from the first person perspective, I am keeping my hopes up that people will start mixing POV and stationary clips in their videos.

All in all the gopro is the go anywhere, take with you action camera.

5 5

Zac O'Brien

Member since 

I currently have a GoPro 1 and was is Jamaica scuba diving with a guy that has the Black 3 and let me use it. LOVED IT! He has the LCD screen which I think is a must!! It is 79.00 for the ability to have a normal camera now. The new flat lense improves the picture.

2 5

Dan Ransom

Member since 
Groups:

3 different cameras, and all 3 had different bugs. One had random issues with completely overexposed images in timelapse mode, another would lock up when used with the wireless app, and the third would completely brick randomly, requiring complete removal of the battery. Picked them up very early in the product cycle, so hope the firmware upgrades will fix the issues. Too unreliable at this point.

Video is impressive when it works, and the exposure ramping in the timelapse mode has huge potential.

5 5

Matt Stark

Member since 

I love my Hero3. The only thing I don't like is how it proves that the stuff I do really doesn't look as cool as I thought it did...
I use mine for skiing and fly fishing. When I'm skiing I use 720p 60fps mounted on a chest harness. I used to wear it on my helmet but I don't like the angle on the snow, especially when the lighting is bad. The chest harness gives a little better perspective and its easier to mess around with the camera when I'm on the lift instead of taking off my helmet ever time. When I fly fish I use 1080 mounted to an old chopped up ski pole that I attach to my backpack or float tube. I'v capture some pretty cool fish footage when I'm stringing them in. I haven't had any battery life problems as long as I keep the wifi off and I haven't had any SD card failures yet either. I use the 32gb micro sd.

5 5

Alex

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

Battery can be better, but you can buy extra batteries with more capacity with wall charger (made it Japan). I love this cam! Awesome quality of photos and videos

GoPro Hero3: Black Edition
2 5

iofp468936

Member since 

2 Sent 2 returned. First had problems with the way it showed the thumbnail which made the gopro android app useless because thats what its showing and probably the reason for the delay. Gopro support stated it was a problem and said I had to pay to ship it to them and then would have it back after 10+ days of them having the device. I just decided to send back to backcountry since they sent me a new device immediately. Second device just hangs all the time when using the remote or even when not. I have to pull the battery to get it to work. Sometimes you had to wait awhile for that to even work. So now I am sending back this one. Wish I would have just kept my GoPro Hero HD that I sold to buy this one. At least it worked as expected. I need this sports camera to just work when I need it, not fumbling around having to take it off and pull batteries and such.

Jeff Guest

Member since 
Groups:
Posted on

I've noticed that lots of people have had concerns about whether to buy a HERO3 or to just stick with their HERO2. They are concerned about battery life, software issues, and water clinging more easily to the HERO3's flat lens as opposed to the HERO2's bubble lens. Here is a video showing what happens when the water contacts the flat lens to give you a nice visual of what happens to water on the flat lens.

Jeff Guest

Member since 
Groups:
Posted on

I've noticed that lots of people have had concerns about whether to buy a HERO3 or to just stick with their HERO2. They are concerned about battery life, software issues, and water clinging more easily to the HERO3's flat lens as opposed to the HERO2's bubble lens. Here is a video showing what happens when the water contacts the flat lens to give you a nice visual of what happens to water on the flat lens.

4 5

Jason Andersen

Member since 
  • Gender: Male
  • Familiarity: I've used it several times

The video is amazing! The battery life could be better. But if you turn the wifi off when your not using it works much better. I bought the sandisk 64gb micro sd with it. Which failed second time out. Never buying another sandisk product. I'd go with the PNY 32gb micro it works great! All in all great light weight Camera.

So far so good
5 5

Jeremy Jensen

Member since 

This thing is pretty awesome. Multiple frame rates, good pic quality, solid mounts. Takes some pretty amazing video from all sorts of unique perspectives.

Peter Koch

Member since 
Responded on

what software did you use for the slow motion?

Can the hero 3 send wifi from under water...

phil

Member since 
Posted on

Can the hero 3 send wifi from under water and if so what are the specks?

Alex

Member since 
Responded on

Yes it can, but on a short distance. Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBuPEyZ9uF8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3JjU9oLwGc

4 5

Jorge

Member since 

Works as advertised some of the recording modes are overkill for novices like me. At this price level the WiFi remote should at least come with a wrist strapand additional mounts. The battery life sucks on the black edition compared to the white and silver! Be prepared to spend more than $400.00. Got 2 batteries car/wall charger for $25.00 and those last longer than the OEM's. Purchased a velcro watch strap from Target for about $8.00. Also need the head strap and additional mounts another $40.00. Protective camera case to carry everything together $30.00.The camera is great just be patient and take your time to learn how to use it and the editing software you end up using. Four stars only because I shouldn't have to spend so much more for battery life or basic accessories when you are buying the top of the line product.

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