Background and Identification

The GoPro HERO3 is a line of digital camcorders released in August 2012 in black, silver, and white editions. The GoPro HERO3 is 30-percent smaller and 25-percent lighter than the HERO and HERO2 cameras, so some accessories for the HD HERO Original and HERO2 are not compatible with HERO3 models. GoPro made new versions of these accessories specifically for the HERO3 models, but the new versions are usually not compatible with the older HERO camera generations.

The HERO3 Black and Silver edition cameras have less battery endurance than the HERO Original and HERO2 cameras. When operating in 720p resolution with 25/30 fps, the HERO Original and HERO2 have an advertised battery runtime of approximately three hours, while the HERO3 Silver Edition in the same settings has an advertised run time of two hours. The Black Edition has an advertised run time of one and a half hours in the same settings. The Black Edition’s “most economical” setting is 1080p/30 fps.

The HERO3 Black Edition has a 12-megapixel sensor and includes a Wi-Fi Remote. The Silver Edition uses an 11-megapixel sensor, which is the same used in the HERO2 model. The White Edition HERO3 uses a 5-megapixel sensor, which is the same used in the HD HERO Original model. The Black Edition can capture 4K UHD digital video at 15 fps, 2.7K video at 30 fps, 1440p at 48 fps, 1080p at 60 fps, 960p at 100 fps, 720p at 120 fps, and WVGA at 240 fps. The Black Edition cannot record at 25/30 fps in 720p and WVGA resolutions and can only record at very fast frame rates in those resolutions.

GoPro HERO3 models include a carrying case that is waterproof up to 131.2 feet underwater. They include the name “HERO3” printed underneath the camcorder’s sensor.

Technical Specifications

General:

• Widescreen Video Capture: Yes

• Optical Sensor Type: CMOS

• Wireless Connection: Wireless LAN

• Digital Video Format: H.264

• Image Recording Format: JPEG

• Interfaces Provided: HDMI

• Image Recording Format: JPEG

• Effective Photo Resolution: 5.0 MP

• Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 5.0 MP

• Digital Video Format: H.264

• Optical Sensor Type: CMOS

• Widescreen Video Capture: Yes

• Manufacturer: GoPro

Carrying Case:

• Underwater Depth: up to 131.2 ft

Exposure and White Balance:

• Exposure Modes: Automatic

• White Balance: Automatic

• White Balance: Automatic

• Exposure Modes: Automatic

Miscellaneous:

• Protection: Shockproof, waterproof

• Color Category: Silver

• Protection: Waterproof, shockproof

• Underwater Depth: Up to 131.2 ft

• Included Accessories: USB cable, curved adhesive mount, flat surface mount, mounting hardware, quick release buckle, underwater housing

• Underwater Use: Yes

Lens System:

• Type: F/2.8

• Lens Aperture: f/2.8

• Focus Adjustment: Focus free

• Element Qty: 6

• Features: Aspherical lens

Memory/Storage:

• Supported Memory Cards: microSD Card, microSDHC Card, microSDXC Card

• Video Capture:

  • H.264 - 1920 x 1080 - 30 fps

  • H.264 - 1280 x 960 - 30 fps

  • H.264 - 1280 x 720 - 60 fps

  • H.264 - 1280 x 720 - 30 fps

  • H.264 - 848 x 480 - 60 fps

• Memory Card Slot: MicroSD card

Additional Features:

• Additional Features: Audio recording, multi-picture burst, USB charging, Time-Lapse recording, a selectable field of view, remote control via iPhone, remote control via Android devices

• Features: Time-Lapse recording, USB charging, audio recording, multi-picture burst, remote control via Android devices, remote control via iPhone, a selectable field of view

Connections:

• Memory Card Slot: MicroSD card

Microphone:

• Microphone Operation Mode: Mono

• Microphone Features: Wind noise reduction

• Microphone Operation Mode: Mono

• Microphone Features: Wind noise reduction

Battery:

• Technology: Lithium-ion

• Battery Type: Lithium-ion - manufacturer-specific

• Details: 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 1050 mAh (included)

System Requirements for PC Connection:

• Operating System Support: Apple Mac OS X 10.5 or later, MS Windows 7, MS Windows Vista

• Peripheral Devices: USB port

Header:

• Brand: GoPro

• Product Line: GoPro HERO3

• Edition: White, Silver, Black

Video-Input:

• Type: 4K action camera

• Camcorder Type: Wearable

• Digital Video Format: H.264

• Image Recording Format: JPEG

• High-Definition Video Support: 1080p

• Interfaces Provided: HDMI

Exposure Parameters:

• Exposure Modes: Automatic

White Balance: Automatic

Optical Sensor:

• Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 5 megapixels

• Camcorder Effective Resolution (Photo Mode): 5 megapixels

• Optical Sensor Type: CMOS

• Sensor Qty: 1 CMOS

Camera Memory:

• Memory Card Slot: MicroSD card

• Supported Memory Cards: microSD Card, microSDHC Card, microSDXC Card

Camera Specifications:

• Wireless Interface: Wireless LAN

• Connectivity Features: Remote live view

Camcorder Features:

• Widescreen Video Capture: Yes

Action Camera Features:

• Camera Type: Mountable

Dimensions and Weight:

• Weight: 2.61 oz

Additional Information

• Wikipedia: GoPro

• GoPro Hero3 Black Edition Official Product Page

• TechRadar: GoPro Hero3 Black Edition Review