September 27, 2014

4 He’s a Jolly Good Go Pro

Specs and Photos for Go Pro HD Hero 4 Released!

It’s here! The long awaited and new Go Pro HD Hero 4! Da-Naaaaa! Perhaps this is what should have been with us sooner but ended up being the Go Pro HD Hero 3+? Anyway, here it is.

Go Pro HD Hero 4

It appears there might be a buying frenzy when the official announcement is made next month. Go Pro have released the specs of this latest addition early and it's looking good. Perhaps a little predictable with 4k but unpredictable with manual controls!!

I currently own the 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Go Pros and love them all. All I wanted from this next edition was 4k at 30fps to match output from the Panasonic GH4 and I got it.

4K is still in its infancy as barely anyone has a 4K TV yet. However, as I mention in this article on one of the benefits of 4K video, there is more to 4K than just a bigger picture.

Black Edition Go Pro HD Hero 4 gets 4k at 30fps. Silver Edition gets touchscreen included but neither has both!

  • The Silver Edition of the Go Pro HD Hero 4 will get a built in (built into the already tiny frame that is) touchscreen at the rear. But only 15fps 4K video.
  • The Black Edition gets a mighty 30fps for 4K video but no rear touchscreen…boo!

So which do you buy? Check out the specs for each below and then give yourself a few weeks thinking time before deciding.

Go Pro HD Hero 4 - Silver Edition Specs

Go Pro HD Hero 4
  • Touchscreen Display (very nice)
  • 4K at up to 15fps (boo)
  • 2.7K at 30fps
  • 1440p at 48fps
  • 1080p at 60fps
  • 960p at 100fps
  • 720p at 120fps
  • 12MP Photos at 30fps (nice)
  • Manual controls to be confirmed (probably will be)
Go Pro HD Hero 4 Silver Rear
Go Pro HD Hero 4 Silver Rear Side
Go Pro HD Hero 4 Silver Specs

Go Pro HD Hero 4 - Black Edition Specs

Go Pro HD Hero 4 Black Edition
  • 4K at up to 30fps (excellent!)
  • 2.7K at 50fps (nice)
  • 1440p at 80fps
  • 1080p at 120fps (very nice)
  • 960p 120fps
  • 720p 120fps (no 240fps…boo)
  • Ultra Wide, Medium, and Narrow Settings for Lens
  • Manual controls for ISO, Exposure, Color (NICE!!!!)
  • Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth
  • Take 12 megapixel photos at 30 frames per second (nice)
  • Mark key moments in footage for later (cool)
  • Improved audio with 2x dynamic range (thank you)
  • Waterproof to 40m
  • QuikCapture allowing camera to be fired up and start filming with one button (like)
  • Compatible with all Go Pro mounts and accessories (and so it should be)
Go Pro HD Hero 4 Black Front
Go Pro HD Hero 4 Black Specs

For me, 4K at 30fps is excellent and manual controls even better!

If you have shot with any Go Pro in the past, you will know that auto exposure is a real pain. Ride your bike through a dark tunnel and you have a nasty exposure transition. Especially when you leave a dark tunnel into bright light and you get complete burnout.

This will solve that once and for all

1080p at 120fps is also extremely cool. You will be able to slow down your HD footage by 5 times when rendering out at 24p. Superb. I love slow motion and 1080p is going to be around for a lot longer yet despite 4K video appearing in many cameras now.

It appears, at the moment, that there are no real downers to these cameras especially as all the old accessories will fit. That is, apart from the fact that neither has both a rear touchscreen and 4K at 30fps . Well done for not getting greedy "Apple style" with all new connections etc.

It’s on my shopping list so watch out for a full review in the near future. Comments, likes and shares always welcome below…will you be buying one?

Huge thanks to Petapixel for info and pics.

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