Beyond the leaks, rumors and speculation over the past month, we’ve got the official press release directly from GoPro this morning, complete with images and a great new launch video. This lineup of cameras is truly impressive and we’ll be sharing a hands-on review with you shortly as well.
GoPro Introduces HERO4 – The Most Powerful GoPro Lineup, Ever
HERO4 Black: 2x the Performance of the Previous Black Edition GoPro, now featuring 4K30, 2.7K50 and Ultra High Speed 1080p120 Frames per Second Video Capture
HERO4 Silver: Professional Quality Capture with Built-in Touch Display Convenience
SAN MATEO, CALIF. (September 29, 2014) – GoPro, Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRO), enabler of some of today’s most immersive and engaging content, today unveiled HERO4, the highest performance line of capture devices the company has ever made. HERO4 is available in two editions, HERO4 Black at MSRP $499 and HERO4 Silver at MSRP $399. GoPro’s Emmy® Award-winning imaging technology combines with enhanced ease-of-use and powerful new features such as 4K30, 2.7K50 and 1080p120 video capture (Black) and built-in touch display convenience (Silver), to make it easier than ever for consumers to self capture and share stunning, professional quality content of their favorite experiences.
HERO4 Black delivers 2x the performance of its best-selling predecessor and now captures cinema-quality 4K video at 30 frames per second (fps), 2.7K video at 50fps and 1080p video at a blistering 120fps, virtually eliminating rolling shutter in most scenarios while allowing for time-bending slow motion effects. HERO4 Black also features an entirely redesigned audio system that captures high fidelity sound with 2x the dynamic range of previous models. Additional enhancements include improved image quality, low light performance, highlight moment tagging and an improved user interface that allows for easier discoverability and access to key features and controls. The HERO4 Black is simply the highest performance GoPro yet.
HERO4 Silver delivers the same professional image quality as HERO4 Black less some of the higher performance video capture modes including 4K30, 2.7K50 and 1080p120. HERO4 Silver includes a brilliant built-in touch display for those who value convenience and ease-of-use over the no-holds-barred performance of the HERO4 Black.
The new HERO4 line will be available October 5 on GoPro.com and at select retailers worldwide.
Here’s the official GoPro Hero4 Launch Video:
HERO4 Black – 2x the performance, yet again.
The flagship HERO4 Black builds upon GoPro’s Emmy® Award-winning technology to deliver the next level of GoPro image quality, versatility and performance:
- Incredible ultra high definition 4K video at 30fps allows for life-like video capture as well the ability to extract 8.3 megapixel video stills to use as photos
- Faster* high resolution frame rates of 2.7K at 50fps and 1080p at 120fps
- 12MP magazine cover-quality photos at burst speeds of 30 photos per second
- Updated user-interface with improved discoverability and access to key camera controls
- 50% faster Wi-Fi* combined with Bluetooth® delivers enhanced GoPro App performance and improved power management
- MSRP $499
- For more information visit the HERO4 Black product page
“A common pain-point is deciding between capturing video or photos of an experience,” remarked Woodman. “Each frame of4K30 video is similar to an 8.3 megapixel photo. The result is that users can simultaneously capture eye-popping 4K30 video and impressive 8.3 megapixel photo-like video stills at 30 frames per second when using HERO4 Black. It’s one of the many wild capabilities of this impressive new device.”
HERO4 Silver – Professional quality capture. Touch-display convenience.
Hero4 Silver Music:
The HERO4 Silver sets a new precedent for convenience and ease-of-use with GoPro’s first built-in touch display:
- Brilliant built-in touch display allows for easy camera control, shot framing and playback
- Professional quality video capture at 2.7K30, 1080p60 and 720p120
- 12MP magazine cover-quality photos at burst speeds of 30 photos per second
- 50% faster Wi-Fi* combined with Bluetooth® delivers enhanced GoPro App performance and improved power management
- MSRP $399
- For more information visit the HERO4 Silver product page
The most advanced GoPro cameras yet.
HERO4 Black and Silver share powerful new features that expand what’s possible with a GoPro.
Protune™, now for photo + video.
- For those who prefer to take manual control of their GoPro to maximize versatility and performance, we’ve expanded our professionally minded Protune mode to include Color, Sharpness, ISO Limit, and Exposure controls for both photo and video capture.
New settings for after dark.
- Whether you’re shooting the Milky Way or a campfire hangout, Night Photo and Night Lapse allow you to capture stunning images of ultra low-light scenes with customizable exposure settings of up to 30 seconds.
Mark your best moments.
- HiLight Tag enables you to mark key moments with the push of an on-camera button while recording, making it easy to find, playback and share your favorite clips in GoPro Studio or with the GoPro App. You can also HiLight Tag using the mobile GoPro App or the new Smart Remote accessory.
QuikCapture speed and convenience.
- QuikCapture makes it easy to power on and record with the press of a single button. When enabled, a single press starts video capture, while a press and hold engages Time Lapse photo capture.
High-performance audio.
- A totally re-designed internal audio system combines with a state of the art microphone to capture clean, high fidelity sound with 2x the dynamic range of previous models.
Introducing the HERO – The perfect entry-level GoPro.
GoPro is also proud to debut HERO, the perfect entry-level GoPro. Designed with simplicity in mind and built directly into a rugged, waterproof housing, HERO captures high-quality 1080p video at 30fps and 720p video at 60fps. HERO captures the same immersive, eye-popping footage that’s made GoPro one of the best-selling cameras in the world—all in a simplified package that’s accessible to everyone with an MSRP of $129. For more information visit the HERO product page on GoPro.com.
New Mounts and Accessories that Help You Capture and Share Your World
October 5th also marks the availability of these new GoPro mounts and accessories:
- Smart Remote – Control your GoPro from up to 600’ (183m) away with the wearable and waterproof remote. Conveniently mark key moments as they happen with the Smart Remote’s HiLight Tag button when paired with a HERO4 Black or HERO4 Silver.
- The Handler – A compact floating handgrip. Lightweight, ergonomic and durable, The Handler is perfect for handheld shooting during any activity.
- New BacPac accessories – A new and improved Battery BacPac provides almost twice the battery power over the camera’s internal battery alone. And a new LCD BacPac provides improved touch and swipe performance when used with HERO4 Black.
GoPro App and GoPro Studio
GoPro announced several updates to its popular GoPro Studio desktop editing software and mobile GoPro App.
GoPro Studio makes it easy to import GoPro footage from your camera to your computer to create professional-quality videos. GoPro Studio features GoPro Edit Templates, template versions of some of GoPro’s most popular videos. All you have to do is replace the original GoPro video clips with your own favorite clips and the editing style that has made GoPro famous becomes your own. GoPro Studio now supports the HERO4’s HiLight Tag feature, making it easy for GoPro Studio to identify your videos’ best moments thereby allowing for faster and more convenient editing. Also new to GoPro Studio is Flux™, a powerful ultra slow motion and speed ramping tool that enables the dramatic time-shifting effects GoPro has become so well known for. Want to highlight a particularly awesome moment in one of your edits? Flux that thing and share it with the world.
The GoPro App for mobile not only gives you instant access to the GoPro Channel and all of the incredible content that has made it the number one brand channel on YouTube, it also gives you full control of HERO4 Black and Silver and allows for quick and easy changes to any mode or setting. Expanded GoPro App support for HERO4 also includes support for HiLight Tagging while recording, as well as searching for tags during playback. As always, the GoPro App also allows for shot preview, playback and sharing of your favorite photos and videos via email, text, Facebook, Twitter and more.
GoPro is committed to inventing innovative tools that make it easy for people to self-capture and share engaging and immersive experiences with others.
There will still be two versions of the Hero3s available as well. The Hero3+ Silver and the Hero3 White:
I will be following up this news release with a hands-on review of the entire lineup of GoPro Hero4 Black, Silver and Hero cameras shortly. Stay tuned…
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Jeff Foster is a published author of several how-to books and training videos in the motion graphics, animation and video production industries and is an award-winning video producer and artist. Visit his web site to learn more about his training methods, tips & tricks at PixelPainter.com