GoPro HERO3 GoPro Camera HERO3+ Silver Bundle (Silver) Review
The GoPro HERO3+ Silver is built like a tank and shoots 120fps bursts, but its 1080p video feels a decade old. Here's who should still buy it.
Overview
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.
Performance
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.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Nearly indestructible and waterproof to 40m. You can genuinely abuse this thing. 98th
- 120fps burst mode is blisteringly fast for capturing split-second action. 81th
- The bundle with an extra battery and dual charger is a legitimately great deal. 77th
- Connectivity is top-tier (96th percentile) for quick sharing of your adventures. 74th
Cons
- Video quality is dated. 1080p is fine, but it's not competitive in 2024. 35th
- No built-in stabilization. Your footage will be shaky unless you're on a gimbal.
- The tiny 2" fixed screen is terrible for framing shots.
- Battery life is just average, even with the claimed 30% improvement.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Sensor
| Type | CMOS |
Shooting
| Burst (Mechanical) | 120 |
Video
| Max Resolution | 1080p |
Display & EVF
| Screen Size | 2 |
Build
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.3 lbs |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
Value & Pricing
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.
vs Competition
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.
| Spec | GoPro HERO3 GoPro Camera HERO3+ Silver Bundle (Silver) | Sony K-3 Sony a7 V Mirrorless Camera with 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 | Canon EOS R6 Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body | Fujifilm X-E5 FUJIFILM X-E5 Mirrorless Camera with XF 23mm f/2.8 | Nikon Z30 Nikon Z 30 DX-Format Mirrorless Camera with NIKKOR | Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Mirrorless Camera with 12-35mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | — | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | — | Mirrorless | — |
| Sensor | ?MP | 33MP APS-C | 24.2MP Full Frame | 40.2MP APS-C | 20.9MP APS-C | — |
| AF Points | — | 759 | 1000 | 425 | 209 | 315 |
| Burst FPS | 120 | 30 | 40 | 13 | 11 | 75 |
| Video | 1080p | 4K | 4K | 8K | 4K | 5K |
| IBIS | false | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 590 | 590 | 590 | 397 | 349 | 726 |
Verdict
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.