Smaller package, same big price

[Ed Roo]

GoPro Shrinks the Camera Again: Hero4 Session Review - WSJ

GoPro Inc., the popular maker of tiny video cameras, is making them even tinier.

How tiny? The new GoPro Hero4 Session is the size of an ice cube, about half that of previous GoPros. It can fit into the spokes of a bike, hang onto the end of a fishing pole or turn a toddler into a documentary filmmaker.

The Session goes on sale July 12, and GoPro gave me one to try over the past week. It isn’t the best-quality camera GoPro has ever made, but it’s so small and simple, I’m likely to keep using it.

Just brace for the sticker shock: $400. That’s the same price as an Apple Watch, not to mention last year’s Hero4 Silver, which has a touch screen and better picture quality.

[Matt Sharp]

They are going to put a lot of people off with the 2-hour non-removable battery.

[Dylan Couper]

Matt... they won't be mad about the battery because they'll still be busy being mad over the $400 price tag. :)

[Robert Benda]

Yeah, I don't quite get what this camera is for, really. One person speculated this is the camera they'll be putting on their own UAV.

For now, all I can think of is the pitch:

"Our all NEW GoPro! For people who thought the others were too bulky and heavy!"

This new guy is about 2/3rds as wide (1.5 inches instead of 2.3), same height... and cuts off about a pound of weight. Now, I'm out of shape, but a 20 ounce camera was never really my problem. I think I'd still rather get a Silver or do what I did and grab a Black model factory refurb for the same price.

[Jon Fairhurst]

"Adding lightness" will be helpful for extreme sports. If you're snowboarding with a camera on your helmet, every ounce counts. Also, lowering the mass will help reduce shake for any given stiffness of the camera mount.

And yeah, a couple hours won't get you through a long day of narrative or documentary shooting, but it will get you those runs down the hill or that killer lap on the track. You don't need two hours of footage from your POV camera to edit a three minute YouTube skateboard piece.

My guess is that if you asked extreme sports people if they'd rather have a smaller lighter camera or more battery life that "lightness" would win hands down.

[Jack Zhang]

No way to set the camera except via WiFi and no HDMI port.

At that price, I at least expect an HDMI port. (ESPECIALLY for drone use)

But don't worry, SJCAM is already ripping them (and Polaroid) off for $110.

[Brian Drysdale]

Size restricts the features you can fit. Quite possibly, when the R & D costs are covered, the price will drop, but it does seem to be a niche product.

[Peer Landa]

Originally Posted by Dylan Couper

Matt... they won't be mad about the battery because they'll still be busy being mad over the $400 price tag

And they won't be mad about the $400 price tag because they'll still be busy being mad that it's only 1080p.

-- peer

[Paul Anderegg]

A Qi charging function would seem like a good addition. :)

Paul

[John Wiley]

Originally Posted by Robert Benda

Now, I'm out of shape, but a 20 ounce camera was never really my problem. .

It will make a big difference for surfers who routinely clench it between their teeth for a POV angle.

The smaller size makes it safer to wear with a leash too - during a wipeout, the standard versions can do quite a bit of damage if they swing around or spring back on any sort of leash they are attached too. That's why most people prefer to use the floaty-back and retrieve the camera if they drop it, rather than have it attached to them via a leash which can be dangerous.

[Peter Ferling]

Size matters, and small is what matters when you consider the market that GoPro is aiming for. Majority rules, even if that means a few of us are put off.

I use HERO 3's for production in tight spaces when fixing components in and under big rigs. I can already see a few instances where this new device will benefit, especially when you have to consider how much smaller the external mounting hardware will be, (I've already ran into a few spots that required drastic measures to get a HERO 3 to fit). I bet that a well chewed stick of gum is all that's needed for mounting. :)