GoPro HD HERO2 Review
The new GoPro HD hero2 is a real treat for people who have used the original hero cameras! It is smaller in size, lighter in weight and has a variety of mounting options. What more could I ask for? It also has some really great features as compared to the previous version. The menu is so much easier to use and navigate. It also gives you a lot more information while you are filming. A really nice thing about its screen is that you get to see the battery life, resolution, record time, mode and remaining recording time on the SD card at the same time. This makes this camera very simple and easy to use. Another thing that I liked about this camera was that it had LED’s on the top, bottom and front as well. Apart from this it also has a higher resolution for still images, a more informative display and a 10 photo burst mode.
- This camera also produces a louder beeping sound. This way you know that the waterproofing is on! You also get to have a vast array of mounting options; therefore you can easily mount this camera as you want to without any problems. One thing that I like about this camera is that it uses a SD card. Firstly this provides you with tons of options which make it easy to use and secondly this reduces the cost of the camera. It also has a USB port and you can use it for adding extra power to the camera in case of really long shoots. Another great feature of this camera is that it has affordable replacement housing and parts.
- I particularly like the slo-mo and super-slo-mo features of this camera. Plus you can always speed them up while using a video editing software. If you are a sports person then you would love this camera. You can get a vented helmet mount for this camera, which is about ½ the price of the suction cup mount, and you can use it for different motorsports. It is an anti-shake/ anti-vibration camera which is one of its best features ever! It will cancel out 99% of the vibrations from rough ski-runs or motor vehicles. Therefore the motion is clearer and is less blur in the videos.
Even though it has so many positive aspects, it still has some drawback as well. I didn’t really like the battery life of the camera. It can last for about one and a half hour after being charged. This can be a bit bothersome if you want to use the camera for a longer period of time. Another thing that particularly bothered me was that while recording this camera gets very hot. This freaked me out initially. It also has some software issues which results in occasional lock ups and bad pictures! Other than these things the camera works fine. At least it is better than the previous version, which makes it worth its price. Therefore if you are a hero user than you should definitely go for this version and you will feel the difference after using it!
Pros
- Video is sharper.
- Auto White balance is much better in low light.
- The Running LED light on the back side is a good feature
- Motion is clearer and less motion blur due to faster shutter speed
- Auto Exposure is more accurate.
- Improved dynamic range
- LCD is easier to use.
- The waterproof case is amazing and inexpensive to buy extra.
Cons
- Battery does not last as long as the original HD (lasts for 1.5 hours)
- Gets very hot while recording
- It has software issues which results in occasional lock ups and bad pictures
- Does not have an underwater lens or case option that fixes the underwater blur issue directly
- The speed of the shutter is very slow
- Audio is still not good as the Original HD Hero.
“Excellent For The Adventuring Types”
Pros
Durable Great quality Excellent and easy to use controls.Cons
Some accessories feel cheap Camera can easily become fogged due to build nature.Summary
I recently acquired the GoPro HD Hero 2 because I heard from a lot of friends that this is a great outdoor recording camera. I am the adventuring type and I am usually out and about. After using the camera on a recent adventure to South East Asia, I am completely pleased with the results.
The camera comes with a very tough case that can be hooked on nearly anything, whether its your head, chest, your waist or your car, you can mount it up on anything. The best feature about the camera is its high quality recording, which it does so well.
I was able to record videos in high quality without any problem with the camera, and because I visited the northern areas mostly, I had it mounted on my head. After I realized that my memory card was running out of space, I easily converted the video quality from 1080p to 720p, which gave me extra hours to record my trip.
The GoPro HD Hero 2 is an excellent outdoors camera mainly because of its sturdy build and hardcore nature. I remember once I was carrying a camera which fell from my hands and it broke off instantly, with this camera, I was rest assured that even if it was to fall, it would not break. It is even water proof so you can easily capture special moments even when its raining.
The GoPro HD Hero 2 is a must have for those who go out a lot to extreme places. I would definitely recommend it to the similar types.
“Improves on its predecessors yet lacks something”
Pros
Great picture quality Can easily record 1080p and 720p videos Lots of still images optionsCons
Quite heavy Mounting kit is not easy to use You cannot change the camera angles on the go easilySummary
The GoPro HD Hero2 is the sequel to the popular GoPro HD Hero outdoor camera. This recording camera improves to a certain extent, yet it lacks some of the bits that I expected it to have. These small bits are crucial for any adventuring type and can easily become a reason for not buying it.
First of all, you must be aware that the camera, though small and durable in size, is actually quite heavy for its size, especially with the mounting kit. I figured that during my trip down south, I had a lot of trouble carrying the weight over my head. I couldn’t hold it for too long as my neck and shoulders started aching after an hour or so. If you have strong shoulders, then it shouldn’t be a problem.
Another problem with the camera is in its mounting kit. The mounting kit isn’t suitable for everyone. What I mean to say is that you will most likely have trouble adjusting it to your size because the kits are generally designed and not specifically covers all sizes. You may have a lot of trouble adjusting the camera angles when you are on the go, which is sad because while you spend time adjusting the camera angle, a lot of action can easily be missed.
GoPro has certainly improved some features like advanced video capturing features and exceptional picture quality. However its heavy size and mounting kit can bring a lot of disadvantage to your mobility, so before you buy it, make sure you are ready to bear the extra burden it brings with it.