Reviewed: GoPro HERO 3

The front of the GoPro HERO 3 without its waterproof casing.

The GoPro range of cameras are compact cameras with a fish-eye lens. It may sound simple, but as one of the most effective pieces of audio-visual equipment on the market it is far from easy.

I decided to enter the fray by purchasing the HERO 3 silver edition, a summer 2014 release, over rival brands, with a competitive price and recognised brand helping me make the call.

GoPro are a testament to excellent marketing with their ‘Be A Hero’ campaign not only being catchy and recognisable, but also a call to action and an acknowledgement that I, myself, can be the subject of my own story.

Although I don’t use it as my primary camera (I have a Nikon D5300 DSLR for that), the HERO 3 is a nice complimentary camera to capture footage from an alternative perspective.

What exactly is the GoPro HERO 3

The GoPro HERO 3 is a small, compact and lightweight camera which can fit into your pocket with ease. Its fisheye lens provides dynamic shots with a personal touch and it comes with waterproof casing making it an all-action device.

It features built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, great for linking it up with other wireless devices, and the black edition offers high-resolution capture modes that aren’t found on the white or silver editions.

The HERO 3 is both smaller and lighter than older GoPros, and with its casing is extremely durable – a necessity for virtually any sports camera.

It runs on a lithium ion battery which have around 60 to 90 minutes of recording time, meaning that for any extensive shooting sessions it is a good idea to purchase extra batteries. Included in the box is a USB charger which connects directly to the camera to recharge the battery.

This video from my time in Hvar, Croatia was shot entirely using the GoPro Hero 3. You can also see it tested underwater here.

Why should I buy it?

What GoPro does well is that it differs itself from the camera market in one key way – the lens. Its fisheye lens is all about perspective and literally changes the way we look at things, giving standard shots another dimension.

If you are a filmmaker or photographer, then a GoPro HERO 3 presents the opportunity to diversify your portfolio and can be used as a hip action camera for quick pictures when a more complex camera is stored away.

But it’s not just for professionals, with an attractive £159.99 price tag, the HERO 3 is in range for most people. Whether it’s a step up in the selfie you want, or just a different way to express your creativity, this camera is a useful tool for pretty much everyone.

Although not complementary with a purchase of a camera, the range of accessories for GoPro cameras are extensive, making it one of the most versatile products on the market. Whether you want to attach it to the head of your snowboarding helmet, the dashboard of your car or the end of your selfie stick, there is something to suit most scenarios.

Any cons?

Somewhat frustratingly, the GoPro HERO 3 doesn’t have a back screen.

This particular GoPro doesn’t have a built-in screen which could provide to be an annoyance for some users who like to review shots and navigate a camera’s various settings in a timely manner.

There is an official compatible app which allows remote access to the camera via a mobile device, but the added effort sometimes isn’t worth it and a screen would be a much more convenient way to go about things.

The alternative is to buy a BacPac – a separate LED screen which plugs into the back of a GoPro, but at £65, it’s more cost-effective to just buy one of the more recent models that have a screen built-in.

There is a small display on the front, but it’s not exactly self-explanatory and only becomes clear after scouring the instruction manual carefully.

Its five-megapixel camera isn’t great either, with most smartphones on the market able to outshoot it in terms of quality.

This is something which has been addressed in newer versions, but it is also important to note that it does not affect the video quality, only still shots.

Specifications

The HERO 3 inside its waterproof casing (and, yes, this is my used one and thus shows signs of wear and tear).

·         f/2.8 6 element lens (Ultra wide angle)

·         5-megapixel camera

·         Photo, Burst Photo and Time Lapse modes

·         30 and 25 fps Medium FOV Full 1080p HD video (Also shoots 960p and 720p)

·         Built-in Wi-Fi

·         1050mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery

·         Looping video

·         Up to 15/Mbs high video bitrate capture

·         microSD Class 4 or higher supported up to 64GB

Price and where to buy

Prices start from £159.99 and can be found on both Amazon and eBay.

The verdict

You may want to go for one of the newer models, but if you’re looking to save some cash then the GoPro HERO 3 could be for you.

It’s a great pick-up for any GoPro novice, and its Wi-Fi capability means that suffering without a big LCD screen is limited.

This camera is compatible with most accessories and can help give some variety in the photography and filmmaking game.