- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
GoPro HD Hero 2
- 11 MP
- f/2.8
- 1/2.5" CMOS
- 0"
Released October, 2011
Rated 80% by by A.-Moore (Oct, 2012)I thought the quality looked amazing and I needed high quality video and the ability to get images was a plus for me for school projects.
Conclusion Check out the GoPro HD Hero 2
First reviewed August, 2012
Features Key features of the GoPro HD Hero 2
11 MP
1/2.5"
Rated 100% by by Matt-H--M (May, 2011)As a profession I happen to make videos, and I can say with great appreciation that this camera is very capable of dynamic shots that you wouldn't expect.
wide angle lens
HD Hero 2 by John-W-Calderon (Jan, 2013)Although the camera doesn't have the LED display, I was able to take pics by placing the lens over one of my eyes and simply snapping what I was directly looking at-the wide angle lens ensured I got the shot.
HD Hero 2 by A.-Moore (Oct, 2012)Maybe since the lens is larger and maybe absorbs more light the quality looks extremely clear, but I wasnt thinking the Gopro hero2 would look less than that.
aperture size
HD Hero 2 by John-W-Calderon (Jan, 2013)I pretty much carried the camera everywhere I went, and got pretty good pics (no zoom but we used our cellphone cameras for those kind of shots), as well as great video without having to carry a bulky camcorder.
HD Hero 2 by A.-Moore (Oct, 2012)I made sure the lens was spotless and clean and it was only used outdoors in beautiful sunny weather.
body size
98 x 58 x 34 mm
146 x 123 x 82 mm
152 x 116 x 76 mm
Performance Real world tests of GoPro HD Hero 2
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
8 mm -
HD video -
3.5mm -
f/2.8 -
Create slow motion video -
HD video -
Keep shooting in rain or snow -
85.25% -
98 g
cons
-
0" -
None -
11 MP -
Rely on the viewfinder to preview photos -
No automatic stitching -
No automatic 3D -
No automatic HDR -
No geotagging included -
34 mm -
1/3245 s
Reviews Word on the street
 |   Rated by 15 users at amazon.com Rated 80% by by A.-Moore (Oct, 2012) Rated 100% by by jfeld (Oct, 2010) Rated 80% by by A.-Moore (Oct, 2012) |
|---|---|
Video
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 80% by by A.-Moore (Oct, 2012)I wanted something small, safer and more secure, which it is but again I wasnt happy with the video quality.
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 80% by by A.-Moore (Oct, 2012)Its only 6mp and the video quality it gets is amazing.
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 100% by by Matt-H--M (May, 2011)I have 2 GoPro cameras that I initially bought for surfing/general water HD video.
Quality
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 80% by by A.-Moore (Oct, 2012)I think im just to comfortable with other video quality I have worked with and I was hoping to high on this, or it may of been a faulty camera.
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 80% by by A.-Moore (Oct, 2012)A few times I did take it on a bike ride and such but again, I made sure that there was no way of issues and still I was not satisfied with the video quality.
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 100% by by jfeld (Oct, 2010)Pros= video quality, ease of use,audio cons= the attachment to a surfboard is permanent, once you stick that thing on there.
Durability
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 100% by by Matt-H--M (May, 2011)The waterproof case has been perfect, and the mounting brackets are all super solid.
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 80% by by A.-Moore (Oct, 2012)I didnt get to use it in any situation with water, since there is nothing I need underwater for materials for school, so I dont know how well the waterproof case really works.
Lens
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 80% by by John-W-Calderon (Jan, 2013)The only two things I had to buy on top of this bundle was the flat lens dive housing (you can get this at most sporting goods stores now) and a floating wrist lanyard.
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 80% by by John-W-Calderon (Jan, 2013)I'm also looking for a color correction filter to put on the dive housing lens so I can get more colorful shots underwater; I'm also looking into the lighting rig for the camera, both for diving and for shooting night vids.
Waterproof
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 40% by by lhosko (Aug, 2011)I suggest buying a Go Pro from a bricks and mortar store, which is something I hate doing (extra costs and time wasting commission driven sales staff), alternatively buy a waterproof casing for a camera you already own, which in my case would have been a much better option.
GoPro HD Hero 2 | Rated 40% by by lhosko (Aug, 2011)The Go Pro video footage is good for a sub $300 camera, very good for a sub $300 waterproof camera, all other features are bellow average (sound, ease of use, battery life, overheating).
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Canon EOS 5D Mark III Largest sensor Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs GoPro HD Hero 2 |
 | 2 | Canon EOS 7D 3-way tie: OK viewfinder coverage Canon EOS 7D vs GoPro HD Hero 2 |
 | 3 | Nikon D800 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark Nikon D800 vs GoPro HD Hero 2 |
 | 4 | Nikon D3100 3-way tie: Can autofocus while shooting video Nikon D3100 vs GoPro HD Hero 2 |
 | 5 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 Has a flip out screen Sony Alpha NEX-5 vs GoPro HD Hero 2 |
 | 7 | GoPro HERO3 Black Edition Quite wide angle lens HERO3 Black Edition vs HD Hero 2 |
 | 8 | Casio QV-R200 Smallest Casio QV-R200 vs GoPro HD Hero 2 |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Unanswered Questions
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October 28, 2012
Which camera for snorkelling?
I'm looking for a back up camera for my dslr that I can use for snorkelling and any where my dslr shouldn't go. I'd like clear, sharp images and am not so much interested in video.
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Answers October 19, 2012
Web podcasts & videos, music videos, photos in low light, & waterproof
Shooting live concerts/performances and usually doing audio separately for optimum quality at low cost. we webcast/live stream our shows and will be shooting music videos soon. what do you i...
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Answers 