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

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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 -screenshot-2016-09-19-10-20-29screenshot-2016-09-19-15-12-20The 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 GoProscreenshot-2016-09-19-15-15-49

  • 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 

GoPro Hero 3+ First Thoughts

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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.

20131004-IMG_676020131004-IMG_6761 

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.

 20131004-IMG_6763Recommended microSD Cards for the GoPro Hero3 or 3+ Black Edition

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

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