The world is currently awaiting the impending release of the GoPro Hero 5 ever since the makers hinted at ground-breaking technologies being used in the device. The Hero 5 is one of the most advanced portable sports cameras that we have at the moment while GoPro claim that the pricing will be in line with that of the current-generation Hero 4.
Even though we do not have the entire spec sheet yet, GoPro is rumored to release the list later this week. GoPro was originally expected to release the record-shattering Hero 5 in October this year, but the device was delayed due to technical glitches. Experts however believe that GoPro is delaying the release in order to market the Hero 4 and the Hero+ LCD.
What’s certain at the moment is that the Hero 5 launches next year and is in line to becoming THE High-Definition extreme adventure sports camera of the year. As per current reports, the GoPro Hero 5 is capable of filming videos at 8K resolution, capture motion and 3D images. The video resolution is twice that of the Hero 4, which also requires better processing speeds.
To cope up with the requirements, GoPro has used the A10 processor on the device, which is also capable of filming videos at 4K resolution and 60fps. GoPro claims that the Hero 5 features a dual lens setup for better 3D image and video recording while major improvements have been made to the battery life of the device too, which now sports a 2,800 mAh unit.
Apart from the tech-specs, reports further claim that the Hero 5 is nearly 40% lighter and 50% smaller than its predecessor, making it the most portable GoPro so far. It can be easily fitted on helmet mounts or on any other part of the body as you like. GoPro further claim that the waterproofing capability of the device has been enhanced.
The GoPro Hero 5 is capable of performing effortlessly till 60 meters underwater. There has been an improvement of 20 meters, which is phenomenal by the present standards. GoPro has introduced the dive housing, which can now be used in place of the standard housing for easier portability.
However, GoPro is expected to suffer in terms of sales figures since most of their cameras are sole during the Public Holidays. However, since the Hero 5 won’t be here by then, it is expected to suffer high demand. However, theoretically, the amount of hype generated around the device, should be enough to get it through to the customers irrespective of the Holiday Season.
The icing on the cake is the comparatively low price of the device. However, we are no market analysts. Hence, we cannot confirm any of these reports.
However, this reasoning seems valid, considering the lack of renowned competition in the segment. If the GoPro Hero 5 is what the company says it is, the camera will be the undisputed ruler of a market segment, with zero competition.
However, numerous small-time manufacturers such as VTech and some renowned camera makers have started taking interest in the portable sports action camera segment and manufactures such as Sony are considering a foray into the market segment. However, it is too early to comment on that either.
I’ve had a Hero 3+ and now a Hero 4, i’ve loved the cameras but hate the awful barrel distortion, terrible dynamic range and lack of image stabilization, seeing as the Hero 5 will be 50% smaller than the Hero 4 and considering I couldn’t care less about 3D and seems to once again lack image stabilization I won’t be buying a Hero 5. I’ll keep my Hero 4 until a company makes a better camera with image stabilization, decent dynamic range and a medium angle lens and then i’ll buy it.
I’ve had a Hero 3+ and now a Hero 4, i’ve loved the cameras but hate the awful barrel distortion, terrible dynamic range and lack of image stabilization, seeing as the Hero 5 will be 50% smaller than the Hero 4 and considering I couldn’t care less about 3D and seems to once again lack image stabilization I won’t be buying a Hero 5. I’ll keep my Hero 4 until a company makes a better camera with image stabilization, decent dynamic range and a medium angle lens and then i’ll buy it.
I agree with Richard. The camera is plenty small as is. 3D is cool and all but not what most are looking for. I want 4k at 60 or more frames per second, image stabilization and better battery life. Also a dive housing that has video and or audio out port.
I agree with Richard. The camera is plenty small as is. 3D is cool and all but not what most are looking for. I want 4k at 60 or more frames per second, image stabilization and better battery life. Also a dive housing that has video and or audio out port.
The improvement to go with more resolution is the wrong way for GoPro. The market is not requesting 8K. But it’s more about longer battery life, image stabilization and 60 frames for 4K. If then the cam will be smaller than the current Hero 4, I would buy it.
The improvement to go with more resolution is the wrong way for GoPro. The market is not requesting 8K. But it’s more about longer battery life, image stabilization and 60 frames for 4K. If then the cam will be smaller than the current Hero 4, I would buy it.
It is not physically possible to fit an 8K sensor in a camera half the size of the hero 4, plus gopro will do everything they can to keep the hero 5 the same size and style as the hero 4 and 3 because their new drone will be able to house the hero 3,4 and 5. I think that gopro will release a hero 5 silver which will take 4K video at 30fps but with an LCD touchscreen built in, and a hero 5 black which won’t have a touch screen but will do 4K @60fps, 1080p @240fps and 720p @480fps. These specs follow the same pattern gopro’s hero 3-3+-4 have been developing.
It is not physically possible to fit an 8K sensor in a camera half the size of the hero 4, plus gopro will do everything they can to keep the hero 5 the same size and style as the hero 4 and 3 because their new drone will be able to house the hero 3,4 and 5. I think that gopro will release a hero 5 silver which will take 4K video at 30fps but with an LCD touchscreen built in, and a hero 5 black which won’t have a touch screen but will do 4K @60fps, 1080p @240fps and 720p @480fps. These specs follow the same pattern gopro’s hero 3-3+-4 have been developing.
IMHO, GoPro would do well to address the diving community with new model which would also perfectly function on dry land, since both recreation and pro divers would like to record what they do.
So for the same money, the camera could’ve been built into the sealed casing capable of at least -100 meters depth (which would not be hard to make, following proper form factor and getting rid of push-pin commands, replaced by reed switches inside and magnet command slides on the outside).
This would do away with a box-within-a-box, remove several risky water ingress points (push-pins / sealings), simplifying maintenance, adding to ruggedness of the unit, and reducing production costs.
This would also require the rounding up of the system with similarly built lights (optional buy, of course), as there would hardly be sufficient light in depths under 50 meters at noon, not to speak of color. I presume the new model 5 casing is finally sealed by a proper o-ring in place of the funny rubber thingy that was used on previous casings! It makes a lot of difference to have dynamic sealing principle instead.
The GoPro Session has a built-in battery – wrong! The batteries should be replaceable, charged outside of the casing (for safety, warming, and better camera usability – not having to wait while the battery charges).
Well, GoPro does not listen to outsider advice anyway, even less willing to communicate with people about their needs or suggestions. So, I have no high hopes about implementations and simplification of their products. We’ll just have to wait and see. 🙂
IMHO, GoPro would do well to address the diving community with new model which would also perfectly function on dry land, since both recreation and pro divers would like to record what they do.
So for the same money, the camera could’ve been built into the sealed casing capable of at least -100 meters depth (which would not be hard to make, following proper form factor and getting rid of push-pin commands, replaced by reed switches inside and magnet command slides on the outside).
This would do away with a box-within-a-box, remove several risky water ingress points (push-pins / sealings), simplifying maintenance, adding to ruggedness of the unit, and reducing production costs.
This would also require the rounding up of the system with similarly built lights (optional buy, of course), as there would hardly be sufficient light in depths under 50 meters at noon, not to speak of color. I presume the new model 5 casing is finally sealed by a proper o-ring in place of the funny rubber thingy that was used on previous casings! It makes a lot of difference to have dynamic sealing principle instead.
The GoPro Session has a built-in battery – wrong! The batteries should be replaceable, charged outside of the casing (for safety, warming, and better camera usability – not having to wait while the battery charges).
Well, GoPro does not listen to outsider advice anyway, even less willing to communicate with people about their needs or suggestions. So, I have no high hopes about implementations and simplification of their products. We’ll just have to wait and see. 🙂