GoPro cameras are the most versatile and best action cameras on the market today. These cameras allow you to capture amazing video of almost any type of action activity. Are you looking around trying the find the best GoPro camera for your rc quadcopter?
Well, you’ve come to right place. We’ve put together this resource – an all-inclusive guide to help you find the best action camera that will fit your needs and most importantly fit your budget. Our GoPro Camera comparison guide will put all of the information about these cameras at your fingertips.
| Model | Photo Quality | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoPro Hero3: White Edition – (131’/ 40m Waterproof Housing) | 5 MP / 1080p | $ | 4.3 |
| Go Pro HERO3: White Edition – (197’/ 60m Waterproof Housing) | 5 MP / 1080p | $$ | 3.9 |
| Go Pro HERO3: Silver Edition | 11 MP / 1080p | $$ | 3.7 |
| Go Pro HERO3: Black Edition | 12 MP / 4K Cinema | $$$ | 3.7 |
| GoPro HERO3+: Silver Edition | 11 MP / 1080p | $$ | 4.4 |
| Go Pro HERO3+: Black Edition | 12 MP / 4K Cinema | $$$ | 4.2 |
Included in the matrix are 4 columns:
- Picture – (click to view more details or to purchase)
- GoPro Camera Model
- Price – approximate prices on Amazon.com. The prices can change from time to time based on seller, special sales, availability, etc. But in general terms, the pricing range is: $ = under $100, $$ = $200 to $299, $$$ = $300 to $399, $$$$ = $400+
- Rating – this is the combined user rating on Amazon.com. A rating that is provided by someone who has used the product can be extremely informative and helpful in making a buying decision.
Best GoPro Camera Reviews
1. GoPro Hero3 White Edition
The Go Pro Hero3 White Edition is the entry level version of the Go Pro portable action cameras. The Hero3 white model doesn’t have as many features and functions as the other models; however, it is a solid camera for placing on a rc quadcopter.
Video Mode
The Hero3 white edition camera has the capability of HD video recording at 30 fps at 1080p, 30 fps at 960p and 60 fps at 720p. The white edition also comes with an ultrawide angle, f/2.8, 6-element lens which lets you take aerial shots with reduced distortion.
Digital Still Images
The Hero3 white edition camera comes with a 5 megapixel resolution for crystal clear images. It also features a burst mode that can take pictures at up to 3 fps and includes time lapse at .5, 2, 5, 10, 30, and 60 second intervals to help you capture fast moving targets.
Audio
With the advanced technology for wind/noise reduction system, the audio performance for this camera is greatly enhanced. This technology provides solid audio quality.
WiFi
This camera comes with built-in Wi-Fi compatibility with the GoPro App for use with a smartphone and/or a tablet for live video preview and remote control. The built-in wifi enables remote control of up to 50 compatible cameras via a Wi-Fi remote, which must be purchased separate from the camera.
Battery
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is compatible with the LCD Touch BacPac and the second generation Battery Bacpac. It is also backward compatible with all older generation bacpacs to provide reliable power to the camera.
Camera Housing
The rugged housing around this camera gives it an excellent waterproof design. There are two types of waterproof housing available for either up to 131 feet or up to 196.9 feet, so you can capture sharp images above and below water.
The housing is also compatible with most GoPro mounts which makes it convenient to attach the Hero3 camera to wherever you can for hands-free shooting.
Ports
There is a micro HDMI output for digital transfer of media. In addition, there is a USB port that provides easy access for charging the battery for long-lasting use.
Summary
GoPro Hero3 White Edition camera is an excellent choice for those on a budget. This model comes with many of the same features as the higher priced models.
2. GoPro HERO3 Silver Edition
The Go Pro Hero3 Silver Edition is the mid-level version of the Go Pro action sport cameras. The Hero3 Silver model doesn’t have as many features and functions as the Hero 3 Black edition; however, it is a feature-rich camera that will work perfectly on your quadcopter.
Video Mode
This camera has the capability of HD video recording at 30 fps at 1080p, 48 fps at 960p and 60 fps at 720p. The Silver edition also comes with an ultrawide angle, f/2.8, 6-element aspherical lens which lets you capture great aerial images.
The Protune video mode is a feature not found on the white edition. Protune offers cinema-quality video capture for professional productions.
Video Format
There are 2 video formats for the Hero3 white model: H.264 codec and .mp4 file format
Digital Still Images
The Hero3 Silver edition camera comes with a 5 megapixel high resolution which is the same as the white model. It also features a burst mode that can take pictures at up to 3 fps and includes time lapse at .5, 2, 5, 10, 30, and 60 second intervals to help you capture fast moving targets.
Audio
With the advanced technology for wind/noise reduction system, the audio performance for this camera is greatly enhanced. This technology provides solid audio quality.
Wi-Fi
The Hero3 Silver edition comes with built-in Wi-Fi compatibility with the GoPro App for use with a smartphone and/or a tablet for live video preview and remote control. The built-in wifi enables remote control of up to 50 compatible cameras via a Wi-Fi remote, which must be purchased separate from the camera.
Battery
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is compatible with the LCD Touch BacPac and the second generation Battery Bacpac. It is also backward compatible with all older generation bacpacs to provide reliable power to the camera.
Camera Housing
The rugged housing around this camera gives it a waterproof design up to 131 feet or 197 feet, so you can capture sharp images above and below water.
The housing is also compatible with most GoPro mounts which makes it convenient to attach the Hero3 camera to wherever you can for hands-free shooting.
Ports
There is a micro HDMI output for digital transfer of media. In addition, there is a USB port that provides easy access for charging the battery for long-lasting use.
Summary
Go Pro Hero3 Silver Edition camera is a great buy for action sports camcorder. This model comes with many of the same features as the higher priced models.
3. GoPro HERO3 Black Edition
The Black Edition is the most expensive version of the Go Pro Hero3 series. The Hero3 Black model has many more features and functions than the Hero3 white and silver editions. The Hero 3 Black edition comes with ultra-high-resolution capture modes at a very high frames rate with gives you excellent video editing capabilities. This camera is another perfect choice for putting on your quadcopter.
Video Mode
The Black Edition has the newest, fastest processor of the Hero3 series. This camera has the capability of HD video recording at 60 fps at 1080p, 48 fps at 1440p and 4K Cinema at 12 fps and 2.7K Cinema at 30 fps. The Protune video mode is a feature not found on the white edition. Protune offers cinema-quality video capture for professional productions.
Digital Still Images
The Hero3 black edition can take still photos at up to 12MP, with 7MP and 5MP modes available, in four different modes: single-shot, time-lapse, burst, and continuous. Time-lapse intervals can be set increments ranging from every half-second to a shot every 60 seconds. Burst modes range from 3fps for one second to 30fps for a 3-second burst, snapping off 90 shots with one button press.
Audio
With the advanced technology for wind/noise reduction system, the audio performance for this camera is greatly enhanced. This technology provides excellent audio quality.
Wi-Fi
The Hero3 Black edition comes with built-in Wi-Fi button that activates and deactivates the wireless connectivity with the GoPro App for use with a smartphone and/or a tablet for live video preview and remote control. The built-in wifi enables remote control of up to 50 compatible cameras via a Wi-Fi remote. The Wi-Fi Remote comes standard with the Black edition.
Battery
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is compatible with the LCD Touch BacPac and the second generation Battery Bacpac. It is also backward compatible with all older generation bacpacs to provide reliable power to the camera.
Camera Housing
The Hero3 series comes with a clear plastic shell that received an update to match the smaller Hero3 chassis. The thin Hero3 shell offers three waterproof buttons that pass your inputs through to the power/mode select button, the shutter release, and the new Wi-Fi button.
Ports
There is a micro HDMI output for digital transfer of media. In addition, there is a USB port that provides easy access for charging the battery for long-lasting use.
Summary
Go Pro Hero3 Black Edition camera is a great buy for action sports camcorder. This model is the flagship model of the Hero3 series.
4. GoPro HERO3+ Silver Edition
The Hero3+ Silver Edition is another upgrade in the GoPro line of action sports camera. The Hero3+ Silver Edition is approximately 20% smaller and 15% lighter than the previous GoPro Hero3 series model. This camera is also twice as powerful as the Hero3 Silver edition and it also features a faster built-in Wi-Fi than the Hero3 model. The upgraded Hero3+ Silver edition camera makes taking and sharing your action shots incredibly easy. This is a great light-weight video camera to install on your favorite quadcopter.
The Hero3+ Silver Edition is targeted as a consumer-friendly camera and costs approximately $100 less than the Hero3+ Black Edition which is considered a professional grade camera by the GoPro company. The $100 price reduction is due mostly to the fact that the $80 Wi-Fi remote that comes with the Black Edition but not the Silver.
Video Mode
The Hero3+ camera captures video in a wide range of video resolutions including Full HD video of 60 fps at 1080p and 120 fps at 720p. The GoPro cameras provide a large number of modes and frame rates for you to choose from.
Digital Still Images
For digital still images, the Hero3+ Silver Edition can capture images with up to 10 MP resolution at up to 10 fps. The Time Lapse mode lets you capture a series of photos at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 second intervals.
Wi-Fi
The Hero3+ comes with an improved, more powerful Wi-Fi which provides up to 4x faster playback and transfer speeds to other connected devices. The built-in wifi enables remote control of up to 50 compatible cameras via a Wi-Fi remote, which must be purchased separate from the camera.
Battery
The Hero3+ Silver Edition camera comes with a 1180 mAh battery which lasts 30% longer than the original Hero3 Silver edition.
Summary
The GoPro Hero3+ Silver Edition camera is an excellent choice for people wanting to capture action sports. This Hero3+ model is not a significant upgrade over the previous Hero3 Silver model. If you already have a Hero3 Silver Edition camera, you may want hang on to it and wait until the next upgrade.
If you are looking to purchase a GoPro camera, then Hero3+ Silver Edition is the model that you want to purchase. It comes with all the features needed for the average consumer.
