San Mateo, Calif. — GoPro released Tuesday new iterations of its popular GoPro Hero3 action video camera, called the Hero3+.
GoPro’s latest go-anywhere FullHD video and still camera, which takes point-of-view shots, now adds improvements in low-light image quality performance over the Hero3, which launched in 2012.
In its top-of-the-line Hero3+ Black Edition carries a $400 suggested retail, and is both lighter and 20 percent smaller than the previous version. It is also available in a “Surf” bundle configuration for the same price.
The new Hero3+ Black Edition camera features 30 percent longer battery life per charge, four times faster playback over Wi-Fi connections with smartphones and tablets, and includes an automatic low-light mode that changes the frame rate to adjust to dimmer lighting conditions and improve image quality.
Other improvements consist of a sharper lens with less distortion, a new SuperView video mode to expand wide-angle shots further, and improved sound quality, including better wind screening.
The GoPro Hero3+ Silver package ($300) has a faster processor, is 15 percent smaller, and boasts faster Wi-Fi performance. It adds support for 1080/60p and 720/120p video.
To support the cameras, GoPro also announced the addition of a general-purpose camera clamp, a chest harness for children, and a new clip system for belts and similar anchors.
GoPro has also introduced the GoPro Studio 2.0 video software for Windows and OS X, which features templates to easily create professional-looking videos with background music.
