This GoPRO camera is an awesome little piece of imaging technology!
If you're in the market for a rugged camera to record your activities then I recommend this, it's also water proof!

First off, I love the packaging. The actual piece that the camera is connected to within the packaging is fake but it looks so real and to top it off, that is exactly what it looks like when you put it all together with the real pieces. TAKE NOTE that even though I said the connection was the camera to the base of what is holding the camera in, keep that screw because it comes in handful for when you have the use the accessories. Thought I’d point that out because I am a big fan of creative packaging. Actually, that is a huge part of why I buy things when I do go shopping. Horrible idea, I know, but don’t hate.

This camera is unbelievably small yet provides stellar image quality. When I first took a few videos, I was concerned that it was going to look horrible. With the Hero4, it has the screen on the back so you can see what you are recording and in that screen, it doesn’t look nearly as amazing as it does once you see it on a PC so don’t let that fool you once you first start shooting. Also note that the screen is super small so you can’t really see the quality it puts out immediately.

There is a clear case that is wrapped around the actual camera. That case is to help protect the camera when it’s under water and of course helps keep it clean and scratch/damage free on the lens and screen. As it is crazy small, I’m sure it could break in an instant if dropped without the case – that was probably one of my biggest concerns holding this camera without the case. The case comes off easily by pulling the black lever at the top and snaps back on quickly and easily. It comes with two additional backings for it which I didn’t realize until day 3. Would have made my life a lot easier if I didn’t have to keep taking the camera out every time I wanted to go through the videos with the touch screen….that you can’t touch when you have certain backings on it.

There are a lot of accessories you can get with this camera including the head strap. I did receive the tripod which is super useful and gives a cool look when you want to do a selfie but I still have to divulge in the other accessories. I want the head strap, then I can head out mining.

I’m not the “techy” kind of person who could tell you all the specs of this camera. I don’t know it all and even if I did, I probably wouldn’t know what it all means. All I know is that it works….and it’s pretty cool. There are a few pros and cons about this cute little contraption.

Pros:

* Gives great image quality for outdoors photos
* The software that works with this camera (which is available free for PC/Mac & via their App) has some pretty awesome capabilities to make sure you come out with a cool video.
* The night lapse is so cool!
* Wide angle glass lens makes for some pretty cool looking videos. You also have a few other options including normal view but I usually stick with the wide angle.
* It’s waterproof!
* It fastens and holds to almost anything if you have the right accessory (at an extra cost).
* The preview screen on the back is VERY helpful….especially because I like to see what I’m recording at the time.

Cons:

* Battery life sucks. I get maybe an hour of video recording and that’s if I’m capturing something constantly and not stopping and going though out the day. But maybe I just got a dud?
* It’s really hard to get use to when it comes to changing the settings etc at first. Once you get the hang of it, you’re good to go.

Two things I loved about this camera were the fact that it’s waterproof (up to 131 feet) which is awesome if I ever get to go on vacation again ever. I’d use this thing 24 /7 while I’m snorkeling all over the Cayman Islands! Secondly, how small it was. It basically fit anywhere I needed it to go, plain and simple.

For the size of the camera, it packs a punch for what it can do and of course the quality it provides. I would highly recommend this camera for those who are very active….or even just a bit. Let’s remember….I’m a boring mom but I did take a lot of videos with this and with the weak battery life, it was a bit frustrating that I’s have to charge it again after a few 20 minute uses. I was able to set this up a few times for a longer period though, without shutting it on and off. I did this a few times while traveling from one city to another during the day and then in the evening as well as a video of my sisters backyard with the clouds blowing by.

When converting the videos to something you could share and play online, it was actually pretty quick. For me to convert a 35 minute video into a 1.5 minute video, it took a total of 15 minutes….maybe.

The camera can actually do a lot of cool stuff but I would suggest it be more for those who area active as I mentioned above. Stick to a regular video camera for everyday life if you don’t want anything cool….or if you only shoot every once in a while but for the cool, adventurous type, definitely invest in a GoPro. It’s well worth your money. Also, check out their Facebook page at GoPro Facbeook.

As a photographer, I’m always looking out for the newest and coolest photography gadgets. Thankfully I now have my GoPro so I don’t have to lug around a huge camera and I can get some truly amazing videos from this.