GoPro has recently updated its lineup of actioncams with new models that include improved 4K video recording or a built-in touchscreen. But which one is right for you to capture your extreme exploits (or perhaps those of your dog)? Gizmag compares the specs and features of the Black and Silver GoPro Hero+ and Hero4 cameras.
- While the large "Hero3+" or "Hero4" on the front of each camera make it quite clear which generation it is from, the distinction between Black and Silver variants is somewhat more subtle. So to make it easier to distinguish in our graphics, we've put the Black cameras on the left, and the Silver on the right.
The size and shape of GoPro cameras haven't changed much in recent years. All of these actioncams have the same nude dimensions (that's when not in a protective housing) of 41 x 59 x 21/30 mm. The two depth measurements vary depending on whether the protruding lens is taken into account.
The cameras are all compatible with the same cases, and each comes with the full standard housing (pictured) which is waterproof to 40 m (131 ft), along with a Skeleton Backdoor with open sides to access the camera ports and for better audio recording. The GoPro Hero4 Silver also ships with the touchscreen-friendly Touch Backdoor.
There's not much difference in weight between these cameras, and you're not going to notice the extra couple of grams on the end of your surfboard. However, if you already have one of the lighter models and use it with a drone, you might need to consider whether the excess weight is going to make a difference to you before upgrading.
While GoPro cameras are normally known for their wide see-everything field of view, they each feature the option of shooting in medium and narrow angles too, depending on video resolution.
In 35-mm-format terms, the Ultra Wide option comes in at approximately 15-mm equivalent, while medium is around 22-mm equivalent, and narrow equates to about 30-mm equivalent.
All of these GoPros use reasonably fast fixed F2.8 aperture ultra-wide angle lenses.
The new Hero4 cameras, and the Hero 3+ Black, feature 1/2.3-inch type 4:3 sensors with 4,000 x 3,000 pixels. This is physically smaller than what you'll see on many other digital cameras, but it's very much the standard for actioncams (where you don't want the much bigger lenses that bigger sensors require).
GoPro has not revealed what size sensor is used in the Hero 3+ Silver, but we do know that the original Hero3 Silver used a considerably smaller 1/2.7-inch type sensor.
4K video recording is the big selling point of the Hero4 Black, so it's no surprise that it stands out by being able to shoot 4K video at double the frame rate of its other 4K-capable siblings, 30/25/24 fps to their 15/12.5 fps. Thanks to a new twice-as-powerful image processor, it also beats them when it comes to shooting 2.7K footage.
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