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GoPro Max is the company’s second take on a 360 camera
If you're looking for a new GoPro, you are probably eyeing up the Hero 8 (read our full review here). But there's a new camera in town, and it's possibly just as interesting (maybe more so) than the latest flagship — even for regular users. Despite the Max ($499) being a spiritual successor to the Fusion 360/VR camera, the pitch is that anything the Hero 8 can do, the Max can do, and often better. Don't let the twin lenses fool you, this is a GoPro for everyone, according to the company.
GoPro Hero 8 Black review: Minor redesign, major pay-off
Typically, each year's flagship GoPro touts a marquee feature. In the past, that's included 4K/30fps video (Hero 4), built-in waterproofing (Hero 5) and really good stabilization (Hero 7). The new Hero 8 Black ($399) does not have a single showstopping feature. Instead, it brings several updates, each of which is good on its own, but together, I think they add up to the sort of big step forward that fans of the brand have been waiting for. There's actually quite a lot to get through, so we'll dive right into what's new.
GoPro Plus now offers unlimited uncompressed video storage
When GoPro launched Plus -- it's subscription service for cloud storage -- it was a modest offering. For $5 a month, you could store a bunch of your photos and videos online, access a library of music to use in your edits, and a get a 20 percent discount on accessories. Early last year, the company added a new benefit -- a no questions asked camera replacement scheme and bumped photo storage to unlimited. Today, the company extends that unlimited feature to video, and importantly at native resolution (i.e. 4K videos won't be compressed at all).
GoPro has now sold more than 30 million Hero action cams
GoPro has been dealing with significant business challenges in recent months, but the camera maker has managed to keep its chin above water. The company today revealed it has surpassed 30 million sales of its Hero action video camera since the first HD model came out nine years ago. Its Hero5 Black model -- an affordable all-rounder for outdoorsy types -- has sold four million units and gains the honor of becoming GoPro's best- selling camera.
GoPro's Hero6 camera may feature 4K 60 FPS recording
GoPro is inching toward profitability, and its new Hero6 Black might finally bring the action-cam maker into the black. Spotted by a Photo Rumors reader, the camera will apparently capture 4K 60 FPS video (the Hero5 was 4K 30 FPS) from its 12 megapixel sensor. That's according to a photo of what looks like final retail packaging. Other than that, there are about as many new details as there were when CEO Nick Woodman confirmed the Hero6's existence in February.
GoPro bets its near future on the Hero6 and Fusion cameras
Ever since becoming a publicly traded company in 2014, GoPro hasn't had the most positive financial results. The camera maker has been struggling to be profitable, as shown by its past few quarterly earning reports, but its future isn't completely bleak. Today, GoPro exceeded Wall Street expectations, thanks to $296.5 million in revenue during Q2 2017, versus the roughly $270 million the market anticipated -- it's also a huge jump over the $220.8 from the same quarter last year. That said, GoPro still isn't profitable, since it reported yet another revenue loss. This time however, it was $30.5 million, which is much less than the 91.8 second-quarter loss in 2016. In other words, at least it's moving in the right direction.
GoPro videos can now show native speed and motion data
When GoPro introduced the Hero5 Black, it came with a long overdue feature found on many other action cameras: GPS. The problem was, beyond tagging where your photos and videos were shot, it didn't really add much. That changes today with the introduction of "gauges." As the name suggests, you can add widgets on top of your action videos that show how fast you're going, your GPS path, current height/elevation and G-Force. And while the feature is available starting today (you'll need to download the latest version of GoPro's Quik for desktop), videos you already shot with GPS activated can also make use of the gauges.
GoPro's new Hero5 seems to raise the bar for action cameras
Today was a busy day for GoPro. In addition to revealing its much-anticipated first drone, known as the Karma, the company introduced two new action cameras. Both the Hero5 Black and Hero5 Session are a major upgrade over their predecessors, with voice control and native waterproofing chief among the standout features. But let's start with the flagship Hero5 Black. It now comes with a 2-inch touchscreen, GPS and a sensor that takes up to 12-megapixel images. Like the Hero4, the Hero5 shoots 4K at 30 frames per second -- raise your hand if you wish it handled 60 fps.
This is GoPro's $799, foldable Karma drone
We knew it was coming, but after being delayed earlier this year, GoPro has finally unveiled its Karma drone. The new quadcopter is sleek, compact and foldable, designed to fit in most any backpack. To drive home that point, CEO and Founder Nick Woodman had it on stage all along in plain sight at the company's launch event today in Nevada. Karma also has a gaming-like controller with a built-in touchscreen for controlling the device. Additionally, living up to Woodman's "more than just a drone" claim, Karma's 3-axis stabilizer has a trick up its sleeve -- it slides out from the drone and attaches to an included handheld "Karma Grip" so you can record smooth shots on the ground, too.
GoPro's Hero5 cameras are cloud-connected and natively waterproof
It's no secret that GoPro had a new flagship action camera in the works, but you never know how rumors may pan out. Today, the company officially announced the Hero5 Black, featuring a 2-inch touch display, 12-megapixel photos (including RAW support) and, as leaks suggested, built-in GPS. What's more, GoPro's Hero has voice control (seven languages at launch, more later) and is waterproof without the housing to 33 feet (10 meters). There's also electronic image stabilization, which is a first for the Hero line. Like the previous model, it shoots 4K at up to 30 fps, as well as 1080p at 120 fps max.
Watch live as GoPro unveils its Karma drone
Earlier this month, GoPro teased that it would soon be introducing its highly anticipated Karma drone. And today, the company is hosting an event in Squaw Valley, California, where it will be showing it to the world for the first time. Of course, we're here to bring you the information as it happens, but you can keep up with the action via the livestream below. This is a GoPro event after all, so there's a chance we'll also get to meet the rumored Hero5 during the keynote. Don't go too far, because the event starts at 9AM PT/12PM ET.
Sony's flagship Action Cam arrives in the US later this month
Sony introduced its new Action Cam, the FDR-X300R, last week at IFA 2016. Back then, though, the company only shared details about pricing and availability for Europe. But now we know when it will come to the US. As a refresher, compared to the previous generation, the main highlight of this shooter is the addition of optical image stabilization. Sony says that was the most requested feature by users of its Action Cam line, noting that it's the same technology found on its Handycam camcorders.
Garmin debuts action camera with voice control and 4K video
If you've been looking to buy an action camera, Garmin's latest one might be worth considering. The Virb Ultra 30 is feature-packed, with things like an LCD touchscreen, 4K video at up to 30 fps, 3-axis image stabilization and livestreaming to YouTube. Most notably though, this new shooter supports voice commands, letting you control it via phrases such as, "Okay Garmin, start recording." Similar to the Virb and Virb XE action cams, the Virb Ultra 30 also comes with GPS and other sensors that show you how far, fast and high your movements are. When you combine all of that, you get a strong alternative to products including GoPro's Hero4. Like what you see? It's available today for $500/£450.
DJI's new Osmo+ camera adds a zoom lens
DJI's Osmo is already one of the better action camera / stabilizer (or gimbal) combos out there, but a new model is already on its way. Less than a year after the Osmo was released, DJI is introducing the Osmo+, a $649 camera and gimbal combo that improves on the original in one obvious but significant way: zoom.
LG's GoPro rival can stream direct to YouTube
LG has made an action camera that can live stream to YouTube (or anywhere else) without a phone or WiFi. The LG Action CAM LTE (clearly, hours spent on the name) has onboard 4G to beam video direct to the web. The camera itself looks like an elongated GoPro Hero4 Session (and, weirdly, that frame and quick release pictured look like they actually are from the Hero range). Unlike GoPro cameras, though, LG's Action CAM has built-in GPS and motion sensors -- much like the Garmin, or TomTom action cameras. This means you'll be able to record where your footage was taken, gather metrics or easily find video highlights later.
Edit your GoPro videos on your TV with Sugarlock
Right now, if you want to share GoPro videos (or any video sitting on a memory card, and not your phone), then it usually involves a PC and some effort -- or at least some time exporting and uploading it. Sugarlock describes itself as an "action cam dock," but it's perhaps better (if less sexily) described as a dedicated video editing box you plug into your TV. The aim of which is to help you sift through your footage easily, find the best parts, and export them as sharable clips, without any of the baggage of most editing software.
Kodak's 4K action cam shoots VR-ready videos (in a pair)
Spherical videos have been on Facebook and YouTube for a while now, but they're little more than a novelty. The medium should take on new meaning this year, however, once high-end VR headsets are on the market, which is why Kodak is introducing a 4K action camera today. A successor to the SP360, it's a petite cube with a 12.4-megapixel sensor and a dome-ish lens boasting a 235-degree field of view. It's designed for VR filmmakers and records in two modes -- "global," which captures an almost spherical image 360-degrees horizontally and 235-degrees vertically, or "front," which offers a more traditional wide-angle panorama in 16:9.
360fly puts 4K video cams on helmets
If you don't want to MacGyver an action helmet, you might like 360fly's new products. The company has launched not only a 360-degree action cam that can take 4K videos at CES, but also four Bell- and Giro-branded bicycle, motorcyle and snow helmets that already have the camera mounted on top. The device can capture up to 30 fps videos and tag them with GPS info, has built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and two hours of battery life. Just like its predecessor, it can be controlled by an accompanying mobile app.
Sony's flagship Handycam camcorder mixes 4K with a 20x zoom
Last year, Sony took over the full-frame mirrorless camera market, thanks to high-end models such as the A7R II and A7S II. Today at CES 2016, the company's switching gears and refreshing its line of camcorders and action cameras. The latest flagship Handycam is the FDR-AX53 packs 4K video capabilities, along with a newly minted 20x optical zoom Zeiss lens and Sony's Balanced Optical SteadyShot (five-axis image stabilization) -- which will ensure whatever footage you capture isn't shaky. There's also multi-direction structure microphone for better audio and 120fps support for slow-motion movies. The FDR-AX53 is expected to be available in March for $999.
EE's tiny 4G lifelogging Capture Cam goes on sale
Not content with offering a variety of smartphones and tablets, EE has expanded its accessory portfolio with a range of broadband devices and action cameras. We've already met the Action Cam -- basically a GoPro with 4G streaming capability -- but the carrier also recently debuted another, smaller, connected camera: the Capture Cam. It's taken almost a month, but today the pocket-sized snapper has finally gone on sale, just in time for Christmas.
