GoPro Hero 5 and Karma Drone - FIRST LOOK

Great news motovloggers, wannabe motovloggers, and everyone else out there who enjoys capturing their two-wheel escapades: GoPro has debuted their latest Hero cameras and Karma drone, and they’re improved for even the most casual GoPro user. Here’s a first look at all the changes.

Instead of two Heros, there is only one, the GoPro Hero 5. It shoots in 4K up to 30 frames per second, and 2k up to 60 frames per second, has image stabilization, and a touchscreen interface. This package combines the best aspects of the Hero 4 Black and Silver.

Additional enhancements include waterproofing standard, geo-tagging, voice control, and a price drop to $399.

The Hero 5 Session also receives a resolution bump to full 4k and voice commands, but goes without a touchscreen due to its size, and gets a price bump to $299.99.

In addition to the new cameras, GoPro announced its new cloud-based service called GoPro Plus. With a subscription, the device will automatically upload videos to the cloud. From there, you’ll be able to access them on any device you have the app installed in, and also edit your footage using their Quik and Splice editing apps.

This will make editing-on-the-go much easier, and is a great backup for your footage at $5/month.

GoPro finally released its drone, Karma, as well. The selling feature here is versatility over outright specs, though. For one, it folds, making it easier to carry than the DJI phantom. It also has a removable stabilizer, which means you don’t need the camera attached to the drone at all times, and you have a killer accessory to get smoother footage.

It also has pre-programmed take-off and landing for inexperienced pilots, just like the DJI Phantom, but allegedly easier controls.

The Karma goes without a follow feature, but is also less expensive at $800 without a camera.

If you always wanted to try your hand at recording your rides, but were put off by the cost and complexity of most accessories, these new GoPro offerings will help lower the bar for you from a cost, usability, and convenience standpoint.

As for how they compare to the rest of the competition, we’ll have to put them in a comparison test.

The rate and number of recorded content is always going up, as does the appetite for said video content in the motorcycling space, so it’s awesome to see easier-to-use tools that more people will be able to use.

No one likes fumbling with their camera at the top of a run, myself included, and these cameras should lessen setup time for more riding time.