Just three months after its blockbuster IPO, GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) announced one of the most important product launches in its history: The GoPro Hero4 series.
Ever since practically inventing the wearable action camera market, GoPro has dominated it. The Hero4 is just the latest model in a very successful line of these devices, but the dynamics of this latest launch are much different than prior launches.
Not only is GPRO now being scrutinized as a publicly traded company (rather than a sometimes quirky high tech start-up), it’s also facing real competition.
Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) — which has a long history of digital camera excellence (previous GoPro Hero models even used Sony image sensors) — is in hot pursuit of the Hero 4 with its own 4K action camera. Leading drone manufacturer SZ DJI Technology is now pushing its own cameras in place of GoPro mounts for its popular Phantom drones. Even Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) could be a threat after reports in January that it had been granted a wearable action camera patent.
Does the GoPro Hero 4 series have what’s needed to fend off the competition and maintain GPRO’s domination of the action camera market? Read our Hero4 review to find out:
GoPro Hero4 Review: Getting Better While Remaining the Same is a Tricky Balancing Act
When most consumer electronics manufacturers release a new version of an existing product, they don’t just upgrade the features, they usually refresh the look as well. That alone helps to drive demand for the new release. Car manufacturers do the same thing.
GPRO is in a tough situation here. One of the big appeals of its action cameras is the ecosystem of accessories, mounts and fixtures that have popped up. Along the way it’s become the de facto standard camera for prosumer drones, with manufacturers standardizing their camera mounts for the devices.
If GPRO changed the look of the GoPro Hero4, backward compatibility would’ve become a concern and existing customers might show more reluctance to buy the new model.
But GoPro played it safe and as a result, the GoPro Hero4 is visually almost indistinguishable from the previous generation Hero3. Look at the cameras in the two series head-on and only the “Hero4” logo differentiates the new releases.
GoPro Hero4 Review: The Best Gets Better
The Hero4 cameras (Hero4 Silver and Hero4 Black) are GoPro’s flagship products and even though they look awfully familiar, they offer a big step up from previous generation models.
Performance is the mantra with the GoPro Hero4.
Both models get a 50% Wi-Fi speed boost, night shooting mode, single press power on/shooting and improved sound capture. The Hero4 Black gets 4K video speed doubled from the previous 15 frames per second maximum to 30 frames per second. And the Hero4 Silver gets a new touchscreen rear panel.
Both GoPro Hero4 cameras continue to be at the top of their class in terms of specs, third party support and even usability. GPRO even offers free video editing software for polished results.
As an example of how GPRO’s user experience has been refined over the years, consider the comparison Gizmodo did between the Hero4 Black and Sony’s new 4K action cam. Changing the video mode, then the frame rate — something these camera owners might do on a regular basis — took six clicks on the GoPro Hero4, and 17 clicks on the Sony.
Sorry, Sony, GoPro takes the cake in the “ease of use” category. (That’s important in this business, by the way.)
GoPro Hero4 Review: Specs
GoPro publishes complete technical specs for the GoPro Hero4 cameras, including details on camera modes, resolutions and frame rates. Here are basic specs for the two new Hero4 action cameras:
GoPro Hero4 Black
- 4K video at up to 30 fps
- 2.7k video at up to 60 fps
- 12MP photos at up to 30 fps burst
- Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and Protune
- Waterproof to 131 feet
- $499
- 1080p HD video at up to 60 fps
- 12MP photos at up to 30 fps burst
- Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and Protune
- Built-in touch display panel
- Waterproof to 131 feet
- $399
GoPro Hero4 Review: Conclusion
While competitors like Sony may be waking up to the growing size of the action camera market, GPRO is well-positioned to defend its turf.
The new GoPro Hero4 cameras are solid upgrades with new features like the Hero4 Silver’s touchscreen display and boosted performance like the Hero4 Black’s greatly improved 4K video capabilities.
Spec-wise, these action cameras are positioned to take full advantage of consumer appetite for highly detailed footage –whether it’s shot from a skier’s helmet or an aerial drone.
At the same time, the Hero4’s ease of use is boosted, making competing products seem almost arcane in comparison. And GPRO has kept prices competitive, so consumers don’t have to make the choice of paying more.
Although the upgrades to the Hero4 cameras may not be the most aesthetically innovative in the world, by keeping things outwardly the same (apart from the rear display on the Hero4 Silver), GPRO ensures third party accessory makers continue their support. If someone were to buy a GoPro Hero4 to replace their Hero3, the only accessory they would have to replace would be batteries — those aren’t compatible.
In other words, the GoPro Hero4 is exactly what GPRO needed to defend and grow its market.
As of this writing, Robert Martin did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
