GoPro HERO + Review

Let's be real, the GoPro HERO3+ Silver isn't a camera. It's a tiny, indestructible action pod. If you're looking for a vlogging camera or a travel shooter, look elsewhere. This thing is built for one job: getting wild footage from places other cameras can't go. The 15% smaller body and 40m waterproof rating mean you can strap it to a helmet, a bike, or your dog without a second thought. That's the one thing to know. It's a specialist, not a generalist.

What surprised me is how the performance splits. The burst shooting is insane, landing in the 98th percentile. That 120fps mechanical burst is perfect for capturing the exact moment you wipe out on a mountain bike. But then you look at the video quality, which is only in the 31st percentile. The 1080p60 and 720p120 modes are fun, but they're a decade behind the 4K standard. It's a classic case of being amazing at its specific, high-speed niche while lagging in overall video fidelity.

At $499 for the bundle, the value is solid if you're in its target audience. You're paying for ruggedness and high-speed capture, not cutting-edge image quality. If that's what you need, it's worth it. If you want pretty video, it's not.

This isn't competing with the Sony a7R IV or Canon R6 II. Those are proper cameras. Its real competition is other action cams and older models. Compared to a modern GoPro, its video is worse. Compared to a used GoPro HERO8, you're trading video quality for a better bundle and that killer burst speed. The Fujifilm X-S20 is a much better all-arounder for travel, but you'd never take it surfing.

Buy the HERO3+ Silver Bundle if your primary activities involve water, mud, high speeds, or high risk, and you prioritize capturing the moment over cinematic quality. It's a tool, not a toy. For everyone else—especially vloggers or travelers wanting one good camera—this is an easy skip. Look at a used modern action cam or a mirrorless like the Sony a6400 instead.