For camera:
The packaging is a little "Space ig" and definitely a looker.
Package contents is the Cam, a USB cable (why only about 40cm long ????)
a straight and a curved adhesive holder, an underwater housing
with additional semi-open-back (better foley recordist
if it does not necessarily have to be waterproof)
Battery (without charger ???) and oodles GoPro advertising stickers.
The quality and feel of the plastic is very good. High quality raw materials which make a fairly stable impression.
The underwater housing is made of polycarbonate, very small, very stable and acc. Manufacturer's instructions to 60m pressure sealing.
Since I also happen to be more than 15 years diving I can confirm that the housing thoroughly (the price range appropriate) for appears capable.
I especially enjoyed the opening latch.
Although a little small and fiddly, but it prevents the accidental opening and thus damage or loss of Cam, reliable.
The adhesive pads on the holders of sin and 3M glue excellent (have a glued to the helmet
- Unsolvable).
A user manual, or something worthy of the name, by the way is not.
The you have to download from the website. However, this is then relatively well written and is, in my opinion,
at most a question.
The operation of the camera is not just "State of the Art"
The switch back and forth between the snaps somewhat reminiscent of the setting of quartz watches from the 80's.
The display on the front is helpful, but you have to have good eyes already seeehr.
In defense but should be said that, once understood, the menu is quite logical
and Basic settings are also not necessarily constantly changing.
Image quality:
So, it must be clear to everyone in advance that this is an "ultra-wide".
In my opinion, actually already a fisheye.
The focal length of the lens, however, is nowhere read.
I would appreciate the image according to anything between 7-10mm.
(Converted to full format. -35mm Sensor)
Crop the I do not know, unfortunately!
The aperture to have my I read somewhere with F2.8.
Whoever expected distortion-free images is here - wonder Brennweitenbedingt-.
However, this is definitely not an error of Cam and for the intended use
also absolutely correct and important.
By 170 degree viewing angle already reaches the general direction and the subject is on it.
The photo quality is equipped with 5 Mp. As expected.
I have not a test chart photographed to count lines.
And to say the least, I think about nothing!
In normal lighting conditions outside are the shots also quite reasonable and appropriate to the intended use.
Feels like I believe, however, the GoPro a little bit too much nachschärft here.
This makes the monitor viewing sense to me personally but a bit too much of the good.
The video quality and I bought it makes already fun.
The images are very liquid, I could not find artifacts.
Not even in rapid movements. The white balance is in my opinion a bit too cold. (Blue)
but to take a final say anything here can I still have to make more shots in different lighting conditions.
Basically, it is possible that in a post-processing but also Rel. Easily change.
I am after several attempts then passed from the 1080p resolution with 30 or 25 fps
switch to 720p at 50 or 60 fps. (PAL / NTSC)
The possibilities of the slow motion shots make this easy for me more sense and fun.
But that is used and depending Sport. If you do not necessarily need the last bit resolution ....... taste!
At interfaces the cam roundtrip.
A Micro USB connection (longer cable arrangements)
A Micro HDMI port
A GoPro own internal bus connection (Optional battery or display)
Now something negative. The recording quality in low light!
Yes, I'm a bit spoiled! My clips I've done with a 5D MK2.
Definitely not comparable!
But in low light the camera rushes without end.
Namely, no luminance noise, but color noise.
If it is slightly darker still, (interiors) then partially is a red mist on the recordings.
Not nice! I lack comparability with other Action Cam's but she is not well suited!
I'll take them at the earliest opportunity with times under water.
Let's see how you are proposing here.
Incidentally, the noise -Naturgemäß- with increasing temperature is stronger.
And in your case it is extremely hot! (Of course, depending on outdoor temperature).
Which brings me to the subject battery power.
The longest time I have used it at a time, was 39 minutes.
The then even with active Wifi connection
With some additional herumprobierereien, the battery was not even discharged to a 1/4.
So I would extrapolate times, the camera without Wifi somewhere between 2 and 3 hours
Use through. (It'll hochgerechnet- mind you still try)
However, the accessories market offers you the possibility aufzustecken an extra battery - very convenient!
Topic Wifi! Basically just awesome if not there .........
I use the function with my iPhone 4S or Ipad2.
The GoPro App. From the Store loaded (by the way free)
And ...... Nothing!
Until I somewhere in the -heruntergelaufenen - read manual that you to use the Wifi function
Basically, the firmware needs updating! That's weak!
With a brand new Cam firmware must necessarily advertised for a function to be changed?
Sorry, for that alone, there are deductions.
If it is then found somewhere in the depths of the homepage, but it's actually quite simple.
(In advance, please think about the SSID and the keys do)
The camera then sets its own hotspot is also immediately recognized by iPhone or iPad.
The range I've tried to 15m. Absolutely faultless.
The function is awesome.
All settings can be read on the phone display and adjust.
Start -Stoppen- everything via iPhone app.
Even a LiveView there. That's perfectly align the Cam for example on a helmet.
For more the LifeView function but is not good unfortunately.
The latency between recording and Live View is about 3-4 seconds.
Nevertheless, super convenient and because factory-integrated or free a star on it again.
So now I have written a lot, and hold simple times together:
Per
Small and light
Super robust
For Actioncam good video quality
Lots of accessories available
Great WiFi function (Start / Stop)
Full underwater capability
Cons:
No printed manual
Mandatory Firmware Update
Moderate picture quality in photos
Operation fiddly and getting used to
Accessories relatively expensive
Camera Award. (In contrast to competitors' products)
Live View with a long delay
Conclusion
Who just in photos better picture quality requires, should consider the "Silver" or even to grab "Black".
The sensor should be a lot better there. (Here, however, I have no comparisons)
The Black has also in the video area and the framerates some advantage.
(And a separate WiFi Controller) but costs almost twice as much.
The Silver costs 100 more.
This decision must each take for themselves but in the end.
Basically, the Hero 3 is a rock-solid white Actioncam the lot in practice
Can be fun.
My vote is - due to some shortcomings and opportunities for improvement
3-4 Stars.
But finally I forgive for processing and fun 4 stars.
So if you just want to shoot some cool clips under extreme conditions is well served.
If you need more, must be clear, possibly significantly spend more money to must.
I hope my "little" review has helped you in your decision a little.
Notes and tips are welcome.
Misspellings You must keep happy ..... ;-)
Rainer
