GoPro built a name for themselves around one particular type of product, and they seem to know how to develop those well – action cameras for filming your sports activities need to fulfill a certain set of criteria, and GoPro’s models have been delivering those features consistently so far. How much of an improvement is the Hero 4, however, and is it really the best solution on the market for sports cameras at the moment, or are buyers better off looking at the company’s previous offerings?
The physical design of the device has remained more or less unchanged, with some small alterations to the front panel compared to the Hero 3. The size of the Hero 4 is the same, although it weighs slightly more, adding about 10 grams to the weight of its predecessor. This might not seem like much, but even miniscule weight differences can potentially upset the balance in a device mounted in this manner.
GoPro have been sticking to the same type of lens for all of their cameras so far, and the Hero 4 is no exception. However, even though the new camera is capable of shooting at the same resolution as the Hero 3, it is a significant improvement in the framerate department, finally capable of recording at a solid 30 frames per second. One of the most common complaints about the GoPro Hero 3 was related to its low 15 FPS framerate, but it seems that this is no longer going to be a problem, starting with the Hero 4.
Bluetooth is seeing less and less use in devices nowadays, and it seems strange that GoPro have decided to specifically add support for it in the Hero 4, but for good or bad, it’s there. The device still supports Wi-Fi connectivity like its predecessor, and with the same protocol support.
One aspect in which the Hero 3 seems to beat its successor is the battery life. Apparently, the battery of the new device has been slightly downgraded in terms of capacity, which, combined with its more powerful hardware, means that users should expect a lower battery life. According to reports by users who have compared the two devices, the difference in operation time is actually quite noticeable.
Overall, it would seem that the GoPro Hero 4 is a solid entry into the wearable camera market, and a good continuation of the brand’s traditions. However, the shorter battery life means that users may have to look into portable chargers to use on their longer trips. The Hero 4 will still offer plenty of shooting time, but extended scenes will now require slightly more preparation.