- Home
- Bike
- Bike Electronics & Lighting
- Helmet Cameras
- GoPro HERO3 Black Edition - Adventure
GoPro HERO3 Black Edition - Adventure
You've already sold your Hero2 in preparation; you've read all of the literature that you could get your hands on; you've waited patiently with bated breath, and now the next generation of GoPro is finally here. The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition - Adventure has arrived, and we assure you that it's worth the wait.
Just looking at the external appearance of the GoPro Hero3 Black Edition, the difference in iterations couldn't be more night and day. The camera has been reduced in size by 30%, and the camera weight was reduced by 25%. In fact, the Hero3 tips the scales at an alarmingly low 2.6 ounces. The camera body has received a black backing treatment, and the front now boasts a more accessible and progressive user interface. And GoPro didn't simply stop redesigning at the camera body, the new external housing not only bolsters the durability of the body, but it's also fully-waterproof at depths up to 197' (60m).
Now, let's get into the guts of the Hero3. The lens makes use of a new flat design with a waterproof housing. It's what GoPro calls a six-element aspherical lens. What does this mean? Simply put, the lens has been designed to operate evenly across more light conditions than ever before. For the camera nerds; it's an f/2.8 -6.0 lens. So, you'll experience sharper image quality whether it's blisteringly bright or the sun has nearly disappeared. And in low-light conditions, specifically, you can expect twice the light performance in comparison to the Hero2. The new lens also allows Ultra-wide, Medium, and Narrow field of view modes, and you can operate the White Balance in either auto or manual modes (3000k, 5500k, 6500k, Cam Raw). Now, you can expect crystal clear resolution from sunrise to sunset. Possibly more important for your mounted shots, the lens has made huge gains in decreasing distortion, so you can say goodbye to frame-warble when the Earth is berating your rig.
And speaking of resolution, the Hero3 Black Edition boasts ultra-high resolution video modes of 2.7kp-24 and 4kp-12. The frame rate is twice as powerful as the Hero2, capturing at 4k Cinema 12fps, 2.7k Cinema 30fps, 1440p 48fps, 1080p 60fps, and 720p 120fps. Basically, if you love slow-motion shots, the Hero3 is a godsend. And did we mention that all of these rates can be run from Ultra-Wide mode? Awesome. For time lapse, GoPro also stepped up the Hero3's game by increasing the available intervals. You can select from seven lapse intervals ranging from 0.5 to 60 seconds. The still camera also lays waste to prior Hero iterations. For the Hero3, still mode shoots at 12 megapixels and up to 30 photos per second. You can select blasts of 3, 5, or 10 photos-per-second concurrently with any video mode. Also new to the Hero3, GoPro included advanced camera settings like looping video, continuous photo, and Protune Mode.
Not to be one sided in the improvement department, the Hero3 also made dramatic gains in sound quality. By engineering a new wind-noise reduction system, the redesigned sound recording will capture all of the subtleties and profanities of your gnar. And now, you also have the option of recording your sound in Mono, 48kHz, and AAC compression w/AGC media formats. This means you don't have to eat up your cards' storage if ambient sound is only going to make a cameo in your edit.
We hate to admit it, but we've been holding out on you. The Hero3 is not only Wi-Fi ready, but newly included for the Black Edition package, at a $79.99 value, is the Wi-Fi Remote. Waterproof, wearable, and capable of controlling up to 50 Hero3 cameras from a range of 600 feet, the Wi-Fi Remote will turn your entire filming strategy on its head. Not impressed? How about finally gaining access to the GoPro Application for your iOS or Android smartphone and tablet? With the remote and GoPro App in tow, you can both fully control any camera in your Wi-Fi range and view live scene previews.
As for the knitty gritty, the Hero3 has the following inputs: Micro-HDMI Port, Composite A/V Adapter, USB, Micro SD, HERO Port, and a 3.5mm Stereo Mic Adapater. It's also compatible with newest Mac OS versions down to Mac OSX 10.5 and the latest Microsoft Windows version down to Vista 7.
Simply, the Hero3 Black Edition is everything that you've been wanting and waiting for.
The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition - Adventure is available in one color and one size. Included in the package is the following: Hero3 Black Edition Camera, 197'/60m waterproof housing, Wi-Fi Remote, assorted mounting hardware, rechargeable Li-ion battery, 1 quick-release buckle, 1 J-Hook buckle, 1 curved and 1 flat adhesive mount, and 3-way pivot arm. It does not include a memory card.
Please note that the Hero3 Black Edition requires a MicroSD Class 10 or higher memory card. It can also support up to a 64GB capacity.
Bottom Line: Movie quality that fits in your pocket.
Leave your mark on The Wall.
GoPro HERO2 vs HERO3 Lens Water Shedding
By: Jeff Guest
March 26, 2013
I've noticed that lots of people have had concerns about whether to buy a HERO3 or to just stick with their HERO2. They are concerned about battery life, software issues, and water clinging more easily to the HERO3's flat lens as opposed to the HERO2's bubble lens. Here is a video showing what happens when the water contacts the flat lens to give you a nice visual of what happens to water on the flat lens.
Hyrum, it only come with 1 Flat adhesive and 1 Curved adhesive mount and a 1 quick release buckle and 1 J-Hook buckle. You will need to buy any other mounts individually, but don't let that sway you from getting this awesome camera! I am sooooo happy with mine!
By: Jeff Guest
December 7, 2012
Powder Tree Run with my HERO3 Black!
By: Jeff Guest
January 2, 2013
This was filmed at The Canyons Resort in Park City, UT with the HERO3 Black Edition camera at 1080p at 60fps mounted on my GoScope.
Low Light Time Laps Test on my Drive Home
By: Jeff Guest
December 7, 2012
I got my new HERO 3 Black Edition today and HAD to try it out on the way home to test it's legendary low light advancements I've been hearing about, and I've got to say they were better than I expected! The light outside was darker than it looks in this time laps. I shot this on the Time Laps photo mode taking 1 12mp photo every 5 seconds and then sped each photo up to 0.1 second in iMovie. I recommend everyone get this camera as it is a HUGE improvement on the HERO2!
Change me.
Tech Specs:
- Aperature:
- 2.8 - 6 F
- Resolution:
- 4 K
- Megapixels:
- 12
- Memory Card Type:
- MicroSD Class 10 or higher
- Video Size:
- 3840 x 2160, 16 : 9
- Video Formats:
- H.264 codec, mp4
- Frame Rates:
- 4k Cinema 12fps, 2.7 Cinema 30fps, 1440p 48fps, 1080p 60fps, 960p 100fps, 720p 120fps
- Battery Type:
- Li-ion
- Manual Exposure:
- yes
- Manual Focus:
- no
- Flash:
- no
- Mic Type:
- built-in, external mic jack (3.5mm)
- Operating System:
- OSX 10.5 and later, Windows Vista 7 and later
- PC Connection:
- yes, USB port
- Weight:
- 2.6 oz
- Recommended Use:
- recording anything
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- 1 year





Comment on Jair's review >