UPDATE Nov 9, 2016: GoPro has just announced that it is recalling ALL Karma units sold so far (approx. 2500 units) because of a risk of power failure during flight. More information can be found HERE. This has got to be a bit of a blow for the company which was already facing stiff competition from DJI's new Mavic drone.
There's been lots of speculation and hype over the past few months, and now it's finally here - GoPro has entered the drone market, and it looks like they've not come to play around!
The drone itself looks like it will do a fine job of capturing stunning aerial images, but what's even more interesting is that it is part of a bigger system that allows you to produce images in other, hand-held settings too. By making the gimbal removable and providing a separate grip that can be used hand-held or mounted (gimbal POV chestmount WOOHOO!), GoPro allows you to leverage your investment to make use of your equipment even when it's not airborne. At $1099 MSRP including the new GoPro Hero 5 camera and a remote control that features a built-in screen, the bundle is extremely competitively priced (the main opponent, DJI's Phantom 4, will set you back a similar amount, but that does not include the handheld grip and it requires a smartphone to be connected to the remote).
And the best part is, the drone folds down and the whole system (including remote control and grip) will fit in a very slim case (or optional backpack) that looks like it will be easy to take anywhere. Just the kind of trouble us mountain bikers might be looking to get into...
In addition to Karma, GoPro is also releasing two brand new cameras, the Hero 5 and the Hero Session 5. Along with the expected general improvements ("better" "more powerful" etc), there are also other, more significant features being introduced: a color touch screen (on Hero 5) with in-camera editing capabilities, voice control, electronic image stabilization, and a waterproof design which does not require the use of a housing.
At a time when the competition in the action camera market is heating up, these improvements look like they should allow GoPro to keep its edge - they are certainly more than just window dressing.
PRESS RELEASE:
SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GoPro, Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRO) today unveiled new products and services that dramatically simplify the process of capturing, editing and sharing engaging content, establishing GoPro as an end-to-end storytelling solution.
GoPro's founder and CEO, Nicholas Woodman, introduced a new line of HERO5 cameras, cloud-based software, and drone, Karma, to international press at the base of Squaw Valley, CA, near Lake Tahoe. The event was broadcast live and can be seen HERE.
"With these new products, we're delivering on our promise to make it easy to capture and share engaging stories," said Woodman. "HERO5's ability to auto-upload photos and videos to a GoPro Plus account dramatically simplifies mobile, on-the-go editing, sharing and enjoyment. This is a game-changing experience that we will continue to build upon."
Woodman adds, "We're stoked to launch Karma and show how much more it is than a drone. Karma packs Hollywood-caliber aerial, handheld and gear-mounted image stabilization into a backpack for $799. It's so easy to use, a beginner can have fun straight away."
In addition to significant gains in performance and convenience, GoPro's all-new HERO5 line of cameras can auto-upload photos and videos to GoPro Plus, a cloud-based subscription service that makes it easy to access, edit and share GoPro content anytime, anywhere using a phone or computer.
HERO5 Cameras – Cloud-Connected and Simplified.
HERO5 Black is the most powerful, easy-to-use GoPro, ever. Exciting features include:
- 2-inch Touch Display + Simplified Controls
- Video Resolutions up to 4K at 30 Frames per Second
- Professional Quality 12MP Photos
- Auto-Upload of Photos and Video to Cloud when Camera is Charging*
- Voice Control with Support for 7 Languages (additional languages coming)
- Simple 1-Button Control
- Waterproof Without a Housing to 33 Feet (10m)
- Compatible with Existing GoPro Mounts, Including Karma
- Stereo Audio Recording and Advanced Wind Noise Reduction
- Professional-Grade Electronic Video Stabilization
- Distortion-Free Wide Angle Video and Photos with New Linear-View Setting
- RAW and WDR Photo Modes
- GPS
HERO5 Black will be available October 2nd for an MSRP of $399.99. Learn more HERE.
HERO5 Session – The Best, Only Smaller. For $299.
HERO5 Session shares the same small design and brilliant convenience of the original HERO Session camera, but benefits from significant performance upgrades:
- Video Resolutions up to 4K at 30 Frames per Second
- Professional Quality 10MP Photos
- Auto-Upload of Photos and Video to Cloud when Camera is Charging*
- Voice Control with Support for 7 Languages (additional languages coming)
- Simple 1-Button Control
- Waterproof Without a Housing to 33 Feet (10m)
- Compatible with Existing GoPro, Mounts Including Karma
- Professional-Grade Electronic Video Stabilization
- Distortion-Free Wide Angle Video and Photos with new Linear-View Setting
HERO5 Session will be available October 2nd for an MSRP of $299.99. Learn more HERE.
KARMA – Much More Than a Drone.
Karma features a compact, fits-in-a-small-backpack design and includes an image-stabilization grip that can be handheld or mounted to vehicles, gear and more. Karma makes it easy for anyone to capture amazingly smooth, stabilized video during almost any activity.
Karma features a painless out-of-the-box experience unlike any other drone in the market:
Compact and foldable, the entire system fits into the included backpack that's so comfortable to wear during any activity, users will forget they've got it on.
A game-style controller features an integrated touch display, making it fun, fast and easy to fly without the need for a separate phone or tablet to see what your drone sees.
The 3-axis camera stabilizer can be removed from the drone and attached to the included Karma Grip for capturing ultra-smooth handheld and gear-mounted footage.
Karma will be available October 23rd in the following bundles:
- Karma without a GoPro camera for $799.99 MSRP
- Karma bundled with HERO5 Black for $1099.99 MSRP
- Karma bundled with HERO5 Session for $999.99 MSRP (available in early 2017)
Learn more about Karma HERE.
GoPro Plus – Game-Changing Convenience.
Offloading and enjoying footage from a GoPro is now as easy as plugging it in to charge. When a HERO5 camera is charging, it can auto-upload photos and videos to GoPro Plus, a cloud-based subscription service that makes it easy to access, edit and share GoPro content anytime, anywhere. Editing and sharing has never been easier with this game-changing experience.
- A GoPro Plus subscription also unlocks additional premium benefits:
- Access to an Expansive Library of Music Soundtracks for Editing
- 20% off Mounts and Accessories at GoPro.com
- Exclusive Access to GoPro Apparel
- Premium Support
GoPro Plus supports all camera models* and costs $4.99 per month after a free trial. It will be available in the United States on October 2nd and in additional markets beginning January, 2017.
Learn more HERE.
Quik App – Mobile and Desktop Editing Made Awesome.
Editing and sharing content is easy thanks to the Quik app for mobile and desktop. As the name implies, Quik enables users to quickly produce high-quality videos that are fun to create and easy to share.
Using Quik for desktop is simple. Import your videos, pick your favorite moments, choose a soundtrack from a library of songs, and Quik will automatically edit your video to the beat of the music.
The Quik Mobile App – with more than 17 million downloads -- is a fast, easy way to create awesome videos. In just seconds, Quik analyzes your photos and video clips to find the best moments, adds beautiful transitions and effects, and syncs everything to the beat of the music.
Learn more about Quik for mobile and desktop HERE.
Additional New Products
GoPro is also launching several new accessories later this year:
Quik Key, a key-chain, micro-USB card reader that plugs into your phone to quickly transfer photos and videos from your GoPro.
REMO, a voice-activated remote that extends the voice control range of HERO5 cameras while providing one-button remote control.
Learn more about GoPro's new mounts and accessories HERE.
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