GoPro has added a new action camera to its portfolio-the GoPro HERO. Yes, just HERO. Not HERO5, HERO6, HERO7. No Session, no Black. Just HERO. And it’s cheap, debuting at an accessible price of MYR949/USD199.
The new HERO looks just like the HERO5 and HERO6. The key differences lie underneath. It doesn’t shoot 4K or super slow-mo, maxing out at 1440p @ 60fps. Still, this should be adequate for the intended audience, likely to share captures to social media and YouTube.
In terms of stills, it shoots a commendable 10MP (the HERO6 shoots 12MP) and it has several more tapered down shoot modes: 10fps burst and time lapse of 0.5s intervals.
On the plus side, it retains the 2-inch touchscreen, comes with voice control built-in, digital video stabilisation and the durable body is waterproof up to 10m.
Being essentially the same form factor as the rest of the HERO pack, there’s full compatibility with existing GoPro mounts and accessories.
The new GoPro HERO will work great with GoPro’s Quik mobile app which lets you produce QuikStories from your footage with music and effects.
GoPro said the new HERO isn’t meant to replace the existing HERO5 Session and will be sold alongside to attract a new, entry-level customer base.
Once a dominant player in the action camera market, GoPro has seen its market share nibbled away by competitors, mostly astonishingly cheap China knock-offs.
To diversify its business, it launched a drone business in 2016 with the Karma drone. The Karma didn’t quite fly and GoPro was forced to exit the market early this year.
Will a cheap camera help fend off cheap competitors? We’ll see.
Pricing and availability
The new GoPro HERO is available exclusively on Lazada starting 3 April 2018 at a price of MYR949.
