It wasn’t expected. The release always takes place in the fall, so once I saw a big announcement on the Instagram page, I knew something was up. I figured it had to be a game changer, something so amazing that they couldn’t wait to release it to the public. I had high hopes and I was ready to invest my money in something new. But then I saw it, and at that moment I realized that GoPro might’ve just ruined their spotless reputation.
GoPro has been redefining the camera industry since their release of a Digital Hero in 2006. By 2007, sales reached $3.4 million. The draw to the cameras was high quality imaging for high action sports. The name drew customers intrigued by the idea of documenting themselves doing something adventurous, whether it be surfing or mountain biking, and having professional footage at an affordable price. GoPro’s only option was to grow, and after a successful eight years I never thought they’d be coming down. But, the other day, I found myself to be mistaken. The brand new GoPro HERO4 Session seems like a sorry excuse for a GoPro, in my view.
Before the Session, the HERO4 came in two different versions, HERO4 Black and HERO4 Silver. The silver edition featured a LED screen on the back of the camera so you could view your footage while you were still out shooting. This was a major improvement because of the functionality of the screen. When I was out surfing with an older model GoPro, I would shoot one-hour worth of footage and not realize there was a watermark on the lens until I got home. All of my clips would be ruined, and I couldn’t use any to edit. With the improved HERO4 Silver, I could check my footage in between waves and make sure I got some quality shots.
The new HERO4 Session is being marketed as the “smallest, lightest, most convenient camera yet." This may seem extremely cool and high-tech, but it makes me more nervous to bring it into the water with me. If a wave hits it the wrong way and knocks it out of my fingers, that’s $399 dollars down the drain. Although they have created a float attachment for the new camera, once it is attached, the camera becomes the same size as HERO4 Silver, without the added features that the Silver edition has.
When comparing the battery life, the HERO4 Session only has a five minute longer battery life than the HERO4 Silver (shooting in 1440p, 30 fps without WiFi). The HERO4 Silver still trumps the battery life category in the end though since there is an option of connecting a Battery BacPac that doubles the amount of battery, a feature that the Session lacks. When speaking to a local surf shop manager and buyer, I found that he too was unimpressed with the new camera.
“You get more features from the HERO4 Silver, the LED back was a game changer and they lost that in the Session. I think the HERO4 was already small enough and if the Session is so small it should be cheaper. I compare the Session to an iPod shuffle,” surf shop hard goods buyer Jimmy West said.
By the looks of an all around lower quality camera, I am sad to say that GoPro has not reached my expectations. In reality, if this camera was cheaper than the others, I would be jumping on the deal and I’m sure other consumers would be too. I haven’t lost all faith in GoPro just yet though. If my predictions are correct, expect another model to come out this holiday season and redefine the industry, once again.
