GoPro aims high with new Hero 6 Black and Fusion 360-degree video cameras

GoPro has this week unveiled two brand new cameras, an updated Hero 6 Black which shoots 4K footage at 60 frames per second, and finally launched its 360-degree video camera.

Hero 6 Black - £499.99

The new Hero 6 uses the same waterproof casing design as the previous Hero 5, but the video image quality has been significantly ramped up due to a new GP1 processor. Adding 4K is nothing new; previous Hero cameras have offered this high-quality shooting more previously, but the increase in frame rate is a big improvement, offering smoother video and the ability to produce slow-motion footage.

Slow-motion is a big appeal with the new Hero 6 thanks to higher frame rates now possible. It offers a maximum frame rate of 120 in 2.7K and 240 fps in 1080p, which would allow video creators to produce a smooth slow-motion video. So now you can relive those most exciting moments in glorious slow-motion detail.

Image quality is not only improved thanks to the higher 4K frame rate and digital stabilisation but also better dynamic shooting in low light and night-time conditions.

Also improved in the new Hero 6 is better image stabilisation, so your recordings should be a little less shaky. Like the previous Hero 5, the new Hero 6 is waterproof without a special casing down to 10m (33ft), has GPS, a 2in LDC touchscreen - which lets you touch-to-zoom - voice controls and instant-editing options with faster Wi-Fi.

All of the updates mean a big price increase. The new Hero 6 Black is priced at £499.99. Here are all the features of the new camera:

• Powered by GoPro’s Custom-Designed GP1 Processor
• 4K60 and 1080p240 Video
• QuikStories Enabled, GoPro App Compatible
• Most Advanced Stabilization of any HERO camera
• All-New Touch Zoom
• 3x Faster Offload Speeds via 5GHz Wi-Fi
• Waterproof to 33 Feet (10m)
• Compatible with Karma and Existing GoPro Mounts
• Improved Dynamic Range and Low-Light Performance
• RAW and HDR Photo Modes
• Voice Control in 10 Languages
• GPS, Accelerometer and Gyroscope
• WiFi + Bluetooth
• ​

Fusion 360-degree camera £699.99

Also new is the Fusion, a 360-degree camera, the US company’s first such video and photo camera. There was previously the Omni, a video rig that used six cameras and stitched the footage together, but the Fusion is aimed to be a more affordable user-friendly version for the masses.

The Fusion houses two lenses on either side of the case and can shoot 360-degree footage in 5.2K at 30 frames per second, and 3K at 60 fps. It’s waterproof to 5m (16ft), allows voice commands and has digital image stabilisation which is boldly claimed to be as good as using a mechanical gimbal.

The new Fusion will be priced £699.99 and goes head-to-head with the Garmin Virb 360 which costs £649.99. 

GoPro also issued a software update for its Karma drone that allows it to automatically follow the person with the controller.

Here are the details of the new Fusion:

• 5.2K30 and 3K60 Spherical Video
• 18MP Spherical Photo
• GoPro App Compatible
• OverCapture Allows for Traditional Video Creation from 360 Footage
• Advanced Stabilization
• 360 Audio
• Waterproof to 16ft (5m)
• Time Lapse Video + Photo, Night Lapse and Burst Modes
• Works with Most GoPro Mounts
• Includes Fusion Grip Mount
• Voice Control in 10 Languages
• GPS, Accelerometer, Gyroscope and Compass
• WiFi + Bluetooth​

GoPro hasn’t shocked the world with these updates, most of the details were leaked on the internet previously, but the US company will be hoping the new cameras revive its fortunes after it made a $373 million loss in 2016. 

See the new cameras at https://gopro.com/