2X Sharper Professional Glass Lens than the GoPro HD Hero Camera
10 Photos Per Second Burst
Video: HD Resolutions: 1080P 30 FPS, 960P 30 and 48 FPS, 720P 30 and 60 FPS
Photo Resolution : 11MP, 8MP, 5 MP
Wi-Fi BacPac + Wi-Fi Remote Compatible: Long range remote control of multiple cameras, Wi-Fi Video Preview + Playback on Smartphone/and Medium 127o FOVVIDEO
From the Manufacturer
GoPro HD2 GoPro cameras are used by more professional athletes, sports filmmakers and core enthusiasts than any other camera in the world. The HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition is the most advanced GoPro camera yet. Wearable and gear mountable, waterproof to 197′ (60m), capable of capturing professional full 170º wide angle 1080p video and 11 megapixel photos at a rate of 10 photos per second, the HD HERO2 is the world’s most versatile camera. Whether your goal is to capture a great day out with friends or you’re gunning for the cover of a magazine, the HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition can help you nail it and look like a HERO.
2X MORE POWERFUL IN EVERY WAY:
What's in the Box
Simple Language-Based User Interface
2X Sharper Professional Glass Lens
2x Faster Image Processor
11MP Sensor
Full Wide 170º, Medium 127º, Narrow 90º FOV (Field of View) in 1080p and 720p
Professional Low Light Performance
11MP, 8MP and 5MP Photos with Full 170º and Medium 127º FOV
10 Photos Per Second Burst
1 Photo Every 0.5 Seconds Time-Lapse Mode
Natural and High Wind Audio Modes
3.5mm Stereo External Microphone Input
Wi-Fi BacPac + Wi-Fi Remote Compatible
Long range remote control of multiple cameras
Wi-Fi Video Preview + Playback on Smartphone / Tablet / Computer
Quick Summary:Hero2 is clearly better than the original HD Hero in many areas. The price difference is justifiable although $300 was bit too much for my wallet. I am still happy with the purchase. If you are choosing between Original HD Hero and Hero2, I would get Hero2 for better low light performance. I would not use this camera for photos like point and shoot cameras unless there is lots of light and steady mount to take time-lapse photos.(Update 2/21/2012) I started seeing some disappointments from reviews regarding underwater focus and photo quality issues. The underwater focus issue is pretty disappointing, but there are many quality solutions from other vendors as little as $22. GoPro is almost ready to release the new diving case. IMHO, GoPro2 with a flat lens option produces amazing underwater result. I first thought $300 was too much for such plasticky cheap looking camera, but the performance is there as long as you know its quirks. I have not found any better solutions under $500 to shoot wide angle underwater video. For underwater macro video and photo, a point and shoot camera with an underwater case works better. If you are thinking about replacing your point and shoot camera with GoPro, you might not like this camera. This is pretty much the best wearable/mountable action/helmet camera that has different purpose than Point and shoot cameras. I use DSLR, Mirrorless (CSC), Point and shoot, and Action/Helmet (GoPro) cameras all for different purposes. If you shoot more photos and do not wear a camera on you, Panasonic TS3, TS4, and Nikon AW100 suit your need although they can not do time lapse (except TS4).Pros Over the Original HD Hero:* (Update 2/20/2012) Addictively fun camera to use once I understood the quirks.* low light. Especially at 60fps in low light, I see huge difference.* Video is sharper. I am not sure about 2X though.* Auto White balance is much better in low light.* The Running LED light on the back side. I do not care about the top and bottom ones.* Motion is clearer and less motion blur due to faster shutter speed I think.* Auto Exposure is more accurate.* Improved dynamic range. I see good detail in shadow areas.* Config LCD is easier to use.* 120fps!* I can use the same protective cases and mounts on Hero2.* And other neat features like 10fps photos and more.Pros Over Other Action Cameras like Contour HD series, Tachyon HD series, Bullet HD series, Midland XTC series, and Oregon Scientific ATC-9K* (Update 2/21/2012) The waterproof case is amazing and inexpensive to buy extra. I had to drill a hole in one of the cases for mic jack. When I checked the hole, the wall was very thick and strong. I am extremely confident to take the camera anywhere!* Most action cameras use microSD card which is little more expensive and easy to lose. GoPro sticks with Full SD card. That is great!* There are other action cameras that are on par with the original HD, but this Hero2 is one step ahead of other competitors. There are no better action cameras in terms of video quality than Hero2 as of 11/10/2011.* As far as I have seen videos of other products, Hero2 handles the best in high contrast scene and low light.* Rolling shutter issue seems well controlled compared to other cameras.Temporary Cons (Gopro says a new firmware will fix the following items):* No support for 127º and 90º FOV at 720P even though that was specified.* 3D is not supported yet. (Update 2/20/2012: 3D has been supported via firmware update)Cons:* (Update 2/20/2012) While recording or not recording for about 1 hour, the camera body gets super hot. I can understand when recording, but if I am not recording, it should not get that hot and drain battery. I have to make sure I turn it off when I am not recording. I now use automatic shut-off.* (Update 2/20/2012) Using the external mic jack with nice powered mics still gets too low volume. I can increase volume level in post-process by adding 10db-15db to get better sound quality than the internal mic though.* (Update 2/20/2012) It is very addictive. I bought all sorts of accessories for it that ended up costing more than some nice DSLR cameras.* Flimsy battery cover.* Built quality is good, but for $300, they can do better IMO.* No in-camera exposure adjustments like Contour HD.* Config LCD is better than the original, but it is still hard to adjust.* No underwater lens or case option that fixes the underwater blur issue directly from Gopro. There are 3rd party options available, but they are not perfect. They are either too big or have vignetting at 170º. If GoPro is putting underwater footage on their boxes and the promo-videos, they should provide some kind of underwater solution.* 120fps is great, but you need lots of light. Well I guess we knew that.* As we know, this is not an indoor camera. Even though video is pretty good indoor, photos are pretty noisy and blurry due to use of slow shutter speed. For time-lapse movies, slow shutter and motion blur are welcome though.* Audio is still the same OK quality as the Original HD Hero. There is a stereo mic jack, but to use it, we have to buy another special case that has a opening on the side.* Price. There are no other action/wearable cameras better than Gopro HD Hero2 at this time, so the price can be justified. However, when I look at Panasonic TS3 at $260 with metal body, GPS, and all the other features, huh... this is a pretty expensive plastic camera that has only two buttons from China. I am sure the profit margin on this camera is huge!Wish list:* Standard 1/4" 20tpi thread on the body would be nice.* Different color bodies. It is not a big deal, but I would like it in black or camu for hunting and fishing.* Electric or Software Image Stabilization: I see other cheaper video cameras have this feature. Any action cameras without it disparately need image stabilized, so viewers do not get motion sickness.* A small Built-in LCD for liveview and playback would be nice. The LCD Backpac makes the camera too thick.* Would like to know how to shoot and edit a video like the Hero2 promotional video!Workarounds:* (Update 2/20/2012) Unfortunately, GoPro has not released their underwater housing to solve the blur issue (ETA in April). There are quality workarounds from other vendors. The best option is "blurfix". The second best IMO is "eyeofmine flat lens housing". The cheapest solution is "mako flat lens".* (Update 2/20/2012) Sometimes GoPro2 takes very dark and underexposed images (almost black) in time lapse mode. I found that the use of 1 second or faster interval can cause the issue even in slight low light condition. If you give GoPro 2 at least two second interval, GoPro2 has enough time to process and use 1/2 sec shutter speed to get some what right exposure.* (Update 2/20/2012) Not so good indoor photo quality is due to use of 1/2 sec shutter speed almost all time in low light condition. Since I know that now, I do not use the camera handheld indoor. I always make sure I mount on something for steady shots.Non-scientific Test:I compared the original GoPro HD Hero@1080P/127º and Hero2@1080P/170º against Nikon D7000@1080P with 8mm Fisheye lens@F3.5 in low light condition. Original GoPro could not capture most of the low light scene. GoPro Hero2 got it fine, but it was bit noisier than D7000. Assuming D7000 has jerky motion at 24fps, overall I liked Hero2's color rendition better than D7000.
