Russell O’Neill captivated the audience at Thames Valley’s November event in Reading with a compelling talk on GoPro’s new Hero5 family of small cameras.
GoPro is trying to meet the creative needs of programme-makers by simplifying its cameras and accessories. Single-button operation enables recording in two seconds and an improved case design waterproofs the camera to a depth of 10 metres, even without additional housing.
Built-in processing smooths out fish-eye distortion, resulting in landscape shots with straight horizons and, close-up, faces without exaggerated noses. Voice activation, using simple spoken commands, triggers recording, and a wrist strap provides remote operation in noisy environments. A variety of innovative clamps, mounts and tripods add to the flexibility of the camera.
The GoPro sales manager gave an impressive demonstration of his company’s new stabilising technology with a video showing two cameras mounted side by side on the handlebars of a mountain bike – one with stabilisation, one without. With the bike careering down a treacherous, rugged path, the steadiness of the stabilised image was convincing.
The development of GoPro’s drone is nearing completion and a model is expected to launch in the coming months, added O’Neill.
A selection of the Hero5 family of cameras was available at the event for the RTS audience to investigate.
