GoPro Karma Drone - $799 DJI Killer? & New GoPro Hero5

GoPro has finally announced the much teased and anticipated drone - Called the Karma it offers a very portable system that includes a drone and a handheld stabilizer all in a very portable package.GoPro Promotional Video for Karmahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjNjcrQZtd8Here is what GoPro is saying about the Karma -Karma is so much more than a drone. It captures amazingly smooth GoPro footage in the air, handheld, and mounted to your favorite gear. Compact and ultra portable, the Karma Drone folds to fit into its own lightweight case. The game-style controller with an integrated touch display makes Karma easy and fun to fly. The included camera stabilizer can be removed from the drone and attached to the included Karma Grip for ultra steady professional-looking handheld and gear-mounted footage. Hollywood-caliber stabilization in a backpack you can wear during almost any activity...for $799.Preorder GoPro Karma with GoPro Hero4 Black $???Preorder GoPro Karm with GoPro Hero5 Black $1099.00 GoPro has also announced the new Hero5 GoPro model -The big changes. . .

• The cameras themselves are rugged/waterproof. No more need for the cases
• Voice activated and controlled "GoPro take a photo" GoPro start video" - understands 7 languages.
• Touchscreen
• Shoot RAW and WDR (wide dynamic range)
• Built in GPS
• Automatic Cloud backup
• Stabilization built in
• Compatible with existing cases/mounts
• Price drop!!

Excited?  $399 available in early October.Preorder from B&H Photo Sun, Oct 2 3pmAlso a new GoPro Hero Session - the little square GoPro

• Supports 4K, 2.7K, 1440p, 1080p Video
• Capture 10MP Photos at 30 fps
• Ultra Wide Angle Glass Lens
• Waterproof to 33'

Preorder the new GoPro Hero Session $299.99The GoPro Hero5 Promo videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FR4NB7_viU 

New GoPro Model & GoPro Price Drop

GoPro has announced a new model- an entry level model, the GoPro Hero+ Wi-Fi,  Priced at $199.00.We now have three Hero+ models - these are the more basic, no-frill models that ditch a version number.Hero + is $129.00 - Shop on Amazon(NEW) Hero + Wi-Fi $199 Shop on Amazon or B&H Photo - Shipping Oct 4thHero + LCD $299.00 Shop on AmazonMuch of the difference between these models is distinguishable by name with a few additional key features

Model	Hero	Hero+	Hero+ LCD
Top Video Resolution	1080p30	1080p60	1080p60
Still Photos	5MP (5fps burst)	8MP (5fps burst)	8MP (5fps burst)
Connectivity	N/A	Wi-Fi & Bluetooth	Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
LCD	N/A	N/A	Yes - Touchsensitive
Price	$129	$199	$299

Hero+ offers a basic action cam capable of 1080p at 30fps. The Hero+ Wi-fi offers 1080p at 60fps AND Wi-Fi connectivity. The Hero+ LCD provides the 1080p at 60fps, Wi-Fi connectivity AND a touch sensitive LCD on the back for easier control of the camera and easier feedback on what you are capturing.The Hero4 series is the higher end offering additional features and power including 4k video.The GoPro Hero4 session received a price drop, now selling for $299. Shop Amazon Quick Thoughts - Gopro continues to dominate the market and now offer a camera at every price point.  The number of GoPro's I have seen tourists using for selfies and general photography is regrettable. They make good action cameras but are not the best for general photography and I will be talking more about a really sweet alternative soon - the Olympus TG-860 that I used in Greece. 

GoPro Hero vs the HTC RE

Last we I wrote about the new GoPros, highlighting the fact that the new entry level GoPro, the Hero, was poised to crush the low level market of action cams.  This doesn't mean that other companies are going to give up or should give up. We mentioned this on the last podcast and now HTC has officially launched a device that looks like a small version of the military flashlight or a periscope or a weird tube of lipstick. There are just two buttons on the device: A shutter button on the outside, which you press once to take a picture and long-press for a couple seconds to take video, and a slow-motion capture toggle that you have to hold down to activate before starting the video. This sounds similar to GoPros new quick start method where you hold the power down for a few seconds and immediately start filming.  The RE is smarter (supposedly) and has ditched the power button and will sense when it is needed aka you lift it out of the bag.Selling for $200 the RE offers 16MP f/2.8 lens with 146° view.  Spec wise it certainly seems better than the $130 GoPro Hero and it offers Bluetooth Connectivity and the ability to live stream via the app. The table below gives you a few more specs and the side by side vs the new GoPro Hero which sells for $130. Specs aside I am continually impressed with the quality out of the GoPros and the footage I have seen so far out of the RE is decent but noticeably less than what you would get from the Hero. The Hero offers a huge ecosystem of accessories and mounts.  The HTC RE will have a few mounts - see below and has a standard tripod socket in the bottom as well as a micro USB charging port.  Water proof for 30 minutes, a rubberized stopper, sold separately brings the waterproof-ness up to level with the GoPro.

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	GoPro Hero	HTC RE	Polaroid Cube
Resolutions	1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps	1080p at 30fps or 720p at 120fps	1080p 30fps or 720p 30fps
MP	5MP and 5fps burst	16MP	6MP
Connectivity	No Connectivity	Bluetooth Connectivity	No Connectivity
Headline Feature	Waterproof to 141' Compatible with all GoPro accessories	time-lapse(customizable from the app), 8GB Micro SD installed (128GB max), speaker.	Tiny cube with a magnet mount built into the bottom
Price	$499	$200	Now $349- going out of stock
BUY	B&H photo video | Amazon	HTC RE Site	Amazon

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  Recommended GoPro Accessories - Watch my video on the best bag for your GoPro stuff

GoPro 4 and the Hero- Crushing the Action Cam Market

GoPro announced updated action cams yesterday.  The Hero 4 Black, Hero 4 Silver and the Hero.  Most people are talking about the new Hero 4 Black that allows 4k recording at 30fps but the real news here is the pricing on the new, numberless model, Hero - just $129.  The action cam market is quite crowded, though you might think there is only GoPro, and up until now one of GoPros weak points was price, with previous models starting at $299. The Hero at just $129 opens up the door for interested buyers who couldn't quite justify the price when they weren't sure the could even justify a need for a camera like this.  Polaroid made news recently with their cute little Cube (we chatted about it on Episode 27 of Photo Mish Mash) and at $99 it looked like a good deal, now that the Hero is here it seems to me to be worth spending $40 more.  Why?Polaroid Cube $99 - Buy from B&H

• 1.4 inches square (35mm)
• 1.6 ounces (45.4g)
• 124° View
• 1080p 30fps or 720p 30fps
• 6MP Stills
• Dust/shock resistant (not waterproof)
• Video files split into 5 minute chunks
• 32GB Micro SD card limit
• Colors - Black, Blue and
• Cute Mounts available and magnet on bottom for stacking or attaching to metal surfaces

Video quality I have seen is OK - certainly not spectacular.Go Pro Hero $129 - Buy from B&H

• 3.9 ounces (this includes waterproof/shockproof housing)
• 171° View
• 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps
• 5MP stills
• Time lapse mode - (every 0.5 seconds)
• Burst Mode - (5 photos/second)
• 32GB Micro SD Card Limit
• Standard GoPro size fits all goPro accessories and mounts

The specs are very similar between the two cameras but the fact that you get a completely waterproof camera(inside the housing it comes with) and the additional modes- like time lapse- makes the GoPro Hero worth the extra money.The updated Hero 4 Black and Hero 4 Silver specs (compared to last year's 3+ Black)

	GoPro Hero 4 Black	GoPro Hero 4 Silver	GoPro Hero 3+ Black
Resolutions	4K 30fps, 2.7K 50fps and 1080p120fps video	1080p60 and 720p120 video	4k 15FPS 2.7K 30fps and 1080p 60
MP	12MP and capable of 30 fps bursts	12MP and capable of 30 fps bursts	12MP and capable of 30 fps bursts
Connectivity	Wifi and Bluetooth Connectivity	Wifi and Bluetooth Connectivity	WiFI Connectivity
Headline Feature	Improved Processor and IQ	Built in touch display
Price	$499	$399	Now $349- going out of stock
BUY	B&H photo video | Amazon	B&H photo video | Amazon	B&H photo video

Recommended GoPro Accessories - Watch my video on the best bag for your GoPro stuff  

GoPro Hero 3+ First Thoughts

A GoPro has been on my wish list forever and with the recent update to line I used that as an excuse to buy, along with the fact that I am currently reviewing the competitor model from Garmin, the VIRB.  I will have full reviews of both as well as a comparison of the two- quick thoughts. GoPro offers a huge ecosystem and sweet video quality. Virb offers really slick integration with a variety of ANT+ adapters letting you overlay info on the video, wouldn't we all like to see athlete's heart rates as the fly down the mountain side?  You also get a built in screen with the Virb - nice for quick composing of shots/footage.

Early thoughts about the new GoPro Hero3+

• It is small, tiny really!
• It doesn't come with a Micro SD Card? Not sure how I missed that, see list below for recommended Micro SDcards.
• The user interface on the camera is not the best, thankfully the WiFi works well and in seconds I was connected to my GoPro, I renamed its wireless littlehero ;) and was controlling the camera with a nice live stream.
• So many mount options and many of them are affordable.  See my list that I have ordered below.

 

Early Thoughts on the Garmin VIRB

• It is heavy and feels SOLID. Only waterproof to a meter, separate WP housing not included. I worry about the convex lens that sticks out - seems it screams for scratching.
• The user interface is lovely and navigating it is dreamy
• Mounts are hard to find and/or more expensive - to be fair it is a much newer product with smaller ecosystem
• The integration with various Garmin GPS sensors and ANT+ devices is awesome and I have just barely scratched the surface - lots more thoughts soon.

 Recommended microSD Cards for the GoPro Hero3 or 3+ Black Edition

• SanDisk Extreme 32GB microSDHC - This is the one I snagged
• SanDisk Extreme 64GB microSDXC
• Lexar 32GB SDHC 600x
• Lexar 64GB SDXC 300x
• Samsung 64GB SDXC

IMPORTANT- I have hard that when you use the SanDisk cards GoPro firmware limits the bitrate to avoid issues because of the super slow SanDisk Ultra cards.  Basically those cards suck(I haven't tested the Micro SD version of the Ultra cards but I have an SD version and it is the only card I have seen repeatedly fail during video) and as a result GoPro limits the speed for all SanDisk cards. It is difficult to wade through anecdotal evidence but I am forming a consensus that the Samsung 64GB SDXC card is going to give you some of the best results.  Now - all the cards listed above will work fine this really only becomes an issue when you want to use the higher bitrate ProTune mode.Mounts I have bought for the Go Pro

• Minoura Handlebar Camera Mount
• GoPro Tripod Mount - w/ this flash hotshoe adapter I can mount on my DSLR, on a tripod(or small tripod), at the end of a long monopod or on my suction cup mount.
• Go Pro Head strap thing - Honestly I don't know that I will have a ton of use for this but for $9 bucks sure.

What else should I order?  Leave a comment below with your favorite GoPro Accessory.Buy The GoPro | Buy the Virb