Review

GoPro HERO3

The GoPro HERO3 is the latest edition in the GoPro range — GoPro have established themselves as the video camera for adventurers. Recently GoPro partnered with Red Bull for Felix Baumgartner's jump from the edge of the atmosphere, so GoPros are truly used by the best!

The Wi-Fi enabled HERO3: Black Edition is the most advanced GoPro, ever. When you compare it to other models it's not just a slight upgrade in specs but a whole leap forward. The HERO3 is 30% smaller, 25% lighter and 2x more powerful than previous models. As shown by Felix Baumgartner's jump, they are wearable and gear mountable (often seen mounted to a helmet when cycling or kayaking), waterproof to 197' (60m), capable of capturing ultra-wide 1440p 48fps, 1080p 60fps and 720p 120fps video and 12MP photos at a rate of 30 photos per second.

Key Features

GoPro HERO3 editions: Black, Silver and White

The HERO3 launched in October 2012 in three editions, which is why searches for "GoPro 3", "GoPro HERO 3" and "Go Pro HERO3" can mean quite different cameras:

All three share the same smaller body and waterproof housing. GoPro replaced the range with the HERO3+ a year later, with a slimmer housing and improved battery life.

Is a GoPro HERO3 still worth buying?

A secondhand HERO3 is a cheap way into action video, but it is now well over a decade old: current GoPro apps no longer fully support it, batteries will have aged, and it has no image stabilisation. For hiking, cycling or kayaking footage today, a current GoPro with built-in stabilisation gives far smoother results. If you do buy a HERO3, check the edition printed on the front, and budget for spare batteries.

What's in the box?

Check price on Amazon UK (current-generation GoPro HERO10 Black)