There’s been a pretty steady stream of news from GoPro this year, first with the LCD and battery BacPacs, and now with a whole new camera, the Hero2.
The Hero2 is a pretty major upgrade, with twice the processing power and a 11 megapixel sensor (that’s twice the image detail for photos). The Hero2 also supports the new Wi-Fi BacPac and Wi-Fi Remote products that will be released later this winter and add support for video remote control from smartphones and computers.
“GoPro created a new category of camera with the HD HERO back in 2009, and it’s gone on to become one of the best selling video cameras in the world,” says Nicholas Woodman, GoPro’s founder and CEO. “With these big shoes to fill, we invested massively in engineering the HD HERO2 to be one of the greatest, most versatile cameras of all time. We think we’ve achieved our goal and we’re very excited to see the content our customers around the world capture and share with their powerful new GoPros.”
Two of the features that most interest me are the newly upgraded burst and time-lapse modes. The Hero2 can now capture 10 stills in it’s one-second burst mode – on par with professional grade digital cameras. The automatic time-lapse photos can also now do .5 second timing between photos, allowing you to more easily capture the action in a still.
I’m also really happy to hear that GoPro redesigned the HD HERO2’s user interface for dead simple ease-of-use. According to GoPro, the “HD HERO2 features a totally new, straightforward language-based user interface that eliminates the need for instructions.” After using a Hero for more than a year, I still kept a piece of the instructions in my jacket in case I needed to make an adjustment; so needless to say, I’m stoked for this change.
We look forward to putting the new Hero2 to the test on snow soon.
GoPro® Launches HD HERO2® Camera – Announces Wi-Fi Remote Control and Video Streaming
2x More Powerful in Every Way, The HD HERO2 Democratizes Professional Image Capture and Broadcast with Support for Remote Control and Live Video Streaming from Virtually Anywhere to the Web
HALF MOON BAY, CA (October 24, 2011) – GoPro today announced the release of its new HD HERO2® camera. Twice as powerful as GoPro’s original HD HERO camera, the HD HERO2 enables consumers and professionals to capture and broadcast their lives’ most exciting moments in professional quality 1080p HD video and 11 megapixel photos. The new HD HERO2 is now available at Our Online Store, specialty retailers around the world, and at Best Buy for MSRP US$299.99.
Arguably the most versatile camera in the world thanks to its innovative mounting system, renowned durability and small form factor, the HD HERO2 surpasses its predecessor with several technology upgrades. The HD HERO2?s new processor delivers twice the processing power, taking full advantage of a new high performance 11 megapixel sensor that delivers more than twice the image detail along with professional low light performance. A totally redesigned wide-angle lens was required to take full advantage of the HD HERO2?s increased image-processing, resulting in a lens that’s twice as sharp as the previous model. And with the arrival of GoPro’s new Wi-Fi BacPac™ and Wi-Fi Remote products slated for release this winter, the HD HERO2 will enable video remote control via the Wi-Fi Remote, smartphones and devices, tablets and computers as well as enabling live GoPro video broadcast from anywhere there is Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot.
Famous for its globally best-selling HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras, GoPro spared no expense developing the HD HERO2.
“GoPro created a new category of camera with the HD HERO back in 2009, and it’s gone on to become one of the best selling video cameras in the world,” says Nicholas Woodman, GoPro’s founder and CEO. “With these big shoes to fill, we invested massively in engineering the HD HERO2 to be one of the greatest, most versatile cameras of all time. We think we’ve achieved our goal and we’re very excited to see the content our customers around the world capture and share with their powerful new GoPros.”
2x as Powerful in Every Way:
The HD HERO2 benefits from a complete redesign that results in dramatically enhanced image quality and ease-of-use:
List of HD HERO2 Feature Enhancements:
Professional 11MP Sensor
2x Faster Image Processor
2x Sharper Glass Lens
Professional Low Light Performance
Full 170º, Medium 127º, Narrow 90º FOV in 1080p and 720p Video
120 fps WVGA, 60 fps 720p, 48 fps 960p, 30 fps 1080p Video
Full 170º and Medium 127º FOV Photos
10 11MP Photos Per Second Burst
1 11MP Photo Every 0.5 Sec Timelapse Mode
3.5mm External Stereo Microphone Input
Simple Language-based User Interface
Compatible with Wi-Fi BacPac™ and Wi-Fi Remote™
Long Range Remote Control of up to 50 GoPro Cameras per Wifi Remote
Wi-Fi Video/Photo Preview, Playback and Control via GoPro App
Live Streaming Video and Photos to the Web
Read more about the HD HERO2, Wi-Fi BacPac and Wi-Fi Remote products.
Upgraded Professional Photo Quality and Features
The HD HERO2’s photo capture performance has also been significantly upgraded. In addition to much improved low light performance, the HD HERO2 can capture up to ten 11 megapixel photos in a one second burst mode as well as automatic time-lapse photos with quick .5 second timing between photos. This dramatically increases the success-rate when attempting to capture magazine cover quality photos during fast action sports and activities.
Simplified User Interface
GoPro also placed a priority on redesigning the HD HERO2’s user interface for dead simple ease-of-use. The HD HERO2 features a totally new, straightforward language-based user interface that eliminates the need for instructions.
“The HD HERO2 is much, much easier to use than the original HD HERO. If you know how to use a traditional camera, you can use the HD HERO2 straight out of the box without instructions. This makes the HD HERO2 very powerful as an everyday, easy to use consumer camera while retaining all of the features, modes and performance that has made GoPro the best selling small form factor HD camera to Hollywood,” said GoPro’s Director of Product Definition, Rudy Samuels.
Specialized Right Down to the Packaging
The HD HERO2 sells in three bundled-accessory configurations, each containing the necessary mounts for particular genres of use or activity. The HD HERO2 is backwards compatible with all existing GoPro mounts and accessories.
Click each product name for a complete list of included mounts and accessories:
HD HERO2 Outdoor Edition – $299.99
HD HERO2 Motorsports Edition – $299.99
HD HERO2 Surf Edition – $299.99
The original 1080p HD HERO camera is now available for MSRP US$199.99 – $239.99 (USD) (previously $259.99 – $299.99) through GoPro.com and GoPro’s worldwide authorized dealer network. The Wi-Fi BacPac and Wi-Fi Remote are also compatible with the original HD HERO camera, but functionality is limited to remote control only. Video and photo streaming is not supported.
About GoPro
Based in Half Moon Bay, California, GoPro makes the world’s most versatile cameras, enabling people to capture and share their lives’ most exciting moments in professional quality HD video and photos. GoPro’s HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras are used collectively by more consumers, professional athletes, and video production professionals than any other camera in the world. GoPro’s products are sold in over 60 countries via specialty sports retailers, Best Buy, and at gopro.com.
