Last Monday was a very exciting day for me. I have been reviewing technology, along with a good mix of digital and action cameras for almost ten years. OK, so I am not a surfer or skydiver, but the flexibility that an action camera offers for mounting in awkward places, is amazing. My current GoPro has been on the outside of my BMW many times and it always results in amazing video footage.
So, back to Monday … GoPro announced some amazing new products including two new HERO5 cameras. The new HERO5 Session now offers voice activation and 4K video capture, all in its diminutive cube form factor. Alongside this, we are also being treated to a new HERO5 Black camera, which now sports a touchscreen. This flagship model is also waterproof without the need for an external housing.
As if that was not enough, the GoPro Karma drone was also announced. It folds down into a very compact package which you can carry to your destination in the “included” backpack. Taking it to the skies is straightforward too, with auto take-off and landing controlled by this neat controller with a built in screen. In contrast to my previous drone experience, this looks far superior, with no need to mess around connecting a smartphone or tablet to the controller.
To further extend the flight and recording experience, it is possible to have a friend join the action with their smartphone and control the camera, whilst you fly the Karma drone.
Not content with literally taking our video creativity to new heights, the Karma has a clever trick up its sleeve. You can remove the gimbal from the front of the drone and attach it to a hand-held unit or even to an existing mount (perhaps on the strap of your backpack). This allows you to capture super smooth footage and ground level or indeed up in the sky.
I am extremely excited about the potential the new Karma drone and GoPro HERO5 will bring and will be bringing you full reviews and ongoing videos produced with these new products. Stay tuned.
Full press release …
SAN MATEO, Calif., (September 19, 2016) – GoPro, Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRO) today unveiled new products and services that dramatically simplify the process of capturing, editing and sharing engaging content, establishing GoPro as an end-to-end storytelling solution.
GoPro’s founder and CEO, Nicholas Woodman, introduced a new line of HERO5 cameras, cloud-based software, and drone, Karma, to international press at the base of Squaw Valley, CA, near Lake Tahoe. The event was broadcast live and can be seen HERE.
“With these new products, we’re delivering on our promise to make it easy to capture and share engaging stories,” said Woodman. “HERO5’s ability to auto-upload photos and videos to a GoPro Plus account dramatically simplifies mobile, on-the-go editing, sharing and enjoyment. This is a game-changing experience that we will continue to build upon.”
Woodman adds, “We’re stoked to launch Karma and show how much more it is than a drone. Karma packs Hollywood-caliber aerial, handheld and gear-mounted image stabilization into a backpack for $799. It’s so easy to use, a beginner can have fun straight away.”
In addition to significant gains in performance and convenience, GoPro’s all-new HERO5 line of cameras can auto-upload photos and videos to GoPro Plus, a cloud-based subscription service that makes it easy to access, edit and share GoPro content anytime, anywhere using a phone or computer.
HERO5 Cameras – Cloud-Connected and Simplified.
HERO5 Black – The Best GoPro, Ever. For $399.99.
HERO5 Black is the most powerful, easy-to-use GoPro, ever. Exciting features include:
• 2-inch Touch Display + Simplified Controls
• Video Resolutions up to 4K at 30 Frames per Second
• Professional Quality 12MP Photos
• Auto-Upload of Photos and Video to Cloud when Camera is Charging*
• Voice Control with Support for 7 Languages (additional languages coming)
• Simple 1-Button Control
• Waterproof Without a Housing to 33 Feet (10m)
• Compatible with Existing GoPro Mounts, Including Karma
• Stereo Audio Recording and Advanced Wind Noise Reduction
• Professional-Grade Electronic Video Stabilization
• Distortion-Free Wide Angle Video and Photos with New Linear-ViewSetting
• RAW and WDR Photo Modes
• GPS
HERO5 Black will be available October 2nd for an MSRP of $399.99. Learn more HERE.
HERO5 Session – The Best, Only Smaller. For $299.
HERO5 Session shares the same small design and brilliant convenience of the original HERO Session camera, but benefits from significant performance upgrades:
• Video Resolutions up to 4K at 30 Frames per Second
• Professional Quality 10MP Photos
• Auto-Upload of Photos and Video to Cloud when Camera is Charging*
• Voice Control with Support for 7 Languages (additional languages coming)
• Simple 1-Button Control
• Waterproof Without a Housing to 33 Feet (10m)
• Compatible with Existing GoPro, Mounts Including Karma
• Professional-Grade Electronic Video Stabilization
• Distortion-Free Wide Angle Video and Photos with new Linear-View Setting
HERO5 Session will be available October 2nd for an MSRP of $299.99. Learn more HERE.
KARMA – Much More Than a Drone.
Karma features a compact, fits-in-a-small-backpack design and includes an image-stabilization grip that can be handheld or mounted to vehicles, gear and more. Karma makes it easy for anyone to capture amazingly smooth, stabilized video during almost any activity.
Karma features a painless out-of-the-box experience unlike any other drone in the market:
• Compact and foldable, the entire system fits into the included backpack that’s so comfortable to wear during any activity, users will forget they’ve got it on.
• A game-style controller features an integrated touch display, making it fun, fast and easy to fly without the need for a separate phone or tablet to see what your drone sees.
• The 3-axis camera stabilizer can be removed from the drone and attached to the included Karma Grip for capturing ultra-smooth handheld and gear-mounted footage.
Karma will be available October 23rd in the following bundles:
• Karma without a GoPro camera for $799.99 MSRP
• Karma bundled with HERO5 Black for $1099.99 MSRP
• Karma bundled with HERO5 Session for $999.99 MSRP (available in early 2017)
Learn more about Karma HERE.
GoPro Plus and Quik Apps – Access, Edit and Share Anytime, Anywhere.
GoPro Plus – Game-Changing Convenience.
Offloading and enjoying footage from a GoPro is now as easy as plugging it in to charge. When a HERO5 camera is charging, it can auto-upload photos and videos to GoPro Plus, a cloud-based subscription service that makes it easy to access, edit and share GoPro content anytime, anywhere. Editing and sharing has never been easier with this game-changing experience.
A GoPro Plus subscription also unlocks additional premium benefits:
• Access to an Expansive Library of Music Soundtracks for Editing
• 20% off Mounts and Accessories at GoPro.com
• Exclusive Access to GoPro Apparel
• Premium Support
GoPro Plus supports all camera models* and costs $4.99 per month after a free trial. It will be available in the United States on October 2nd and in additional markets beginningJanuary, 2017. Learn more HERE.
Quik App – Mobile and Desktop Editing Made Awesome.
Editing and sharing content is easy thanks to the Quik app for mobile and desktop. As the name implies, Quik enables users to quickly produce high-quality videos that are fun to create and easy to share.
Using Quik for desktop is simple. Import your videos, pick your favorite moments, choose a soundtrack from a library of songs, and Quik will automatically edit your video to the beat of the music.
The Quik Mobile App – with more than 17 million downloads -- is a fast, easy way to create awesome videos. In just seconds, Quik analyzes your photos and video clips to find the best moments, adds beautiful transitions and effects, and syncs everything to the beat of the music.
Learn more about Quik for mobile and desktop HERE.
Additional New Products
GoPro is also launching several new accessories later this year:
• Quik Key, a key-chain, micro-USB card reader that plugs into your phone to quickly transfer photos and videos from your GoPro.
• REMO, a voice-activated remote that extends the voice control range of HERO5 cameras while providing one-button remote control.
Learn more about GoPro’s new mounts and accessories HERE.
About GoPro, Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRO)
GoPro, Inc. is transforming the way people visually capture and share their lives. What began as an idea to help athletes self-document themselves engaged in their sport, GoPro has become a standard for how people capture themselves engaged in their interests, whatever they may be. From extreme to mainstream, professional to consumer, GoPro enables the world to capture and share its passion in the form of immersive and engaging content.
GoPro, HERO, Karma, and Session, and their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of GoPro Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For more information, visit www.gopro.com or connect with GoPro on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, and GoPro's The Inside Line.
*GoPro Plus is a subscription service available in select territories. Visit gopro.com/plus for info and availability. Only HERO5 Cameras support auto-uploading to the cloud while charging. Other GoPro camera models can upload to GoPro Plus via the Quik App for desktop.