The HERO3+ is the same size as the HERO3 and uses GoPro’s standard mounting system, but the casing is far smaller than on previous models and has a simplified closure. The new soft-touch buttons are a huge improvement too. Smaller mic ports in better positions give a clearer sound, the lens is higher quality and the buttons have a more positive action.
Even more filming settings – 1,440 pixels at 48 frames per second, 1,080p at 60fps, 960p at 100fps and 720p at 120fps – mean you can capture smoother and more detailed footage than ever, whether in real time or slow motion, though the large files can be taxing on your computer’s processor when you come to download them. There’s even a 4 kilopixel mode that offers a resolution four times higher than the Full HD 1,080p setting and helps future-proof the HERO3+.
Photo resolution has been upped to 12 megapixels, with impressive detail and colour. Whether you’re after still or moving images, the camera’s performance in low light is distinctly better than anything else we’ve tried, with the auto low light setting adjusting the frame rate to enhance details. There’s a new Superview feature too that offers even wider images, though distortion can be seen at the sides.
Battery life is improved slightly, images now transfer much faster via Wi-Fi and users of the smartphone app get a quicker live preview, making it a better option than the remote control with its limited battery life.
This video shows how the footage of the HERO3+ compares to the HERO3.
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