GoPro HD HERO2 Review | 96 Data compared

The GoPro HD Hero2 maintains the exact same rugged, polycarbonate form factor and backward accessory compatibility as its predecessor, but it introduces a major and much-needed interface overhaul. The tiny monochromatic LCD screen now features larger, bolder icons and intuitive text-based setting identifiers like "1080-30" instead of confusing codes, making it vastly easier to navigate without a manual. Hardware upgrades include a sharper glass lens, four red recording LEDs, labeled ports for mini-USB and 2.5mm mic inputs, and a new HDMI output. Performance-wise, the camera captures full 1080p HD video at 30 fps, up to 120 fps in 480p for slow-motion effects, and upgrades still photography to 11 megapixels with a new 10-photos-per-second Photo Burst Mode. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons for users considering the action camera. On the positive side, its unparalleled durability, underwater waterproofing up to 197 feet with the included housing, and the absolute freedom to deeply customize all video and time-lapse settings directly on the device give it a massive edge over rivals like Contour. On the negative side, first-time users may still...

The GoPro HD Hero 2 is a durable, minimal action camera that brings significant internal upgrades to a trusted design, making it an excellent choice for adventure sports enthusiasts. It retains the identical robust outer dimensions of its predecessor, allowing it to remain compatible with existing mounts and waterproof housing down to 60 metres. Key improvements include a larger 11-megapixel sensor that dramatically boosts colour saturation, low-light performance, and exposure adjustment speeds compared to the original model. It delivers ultra-wide 170-degree coverage at full 1080p resolution, sharper image processing, a 10fps photo burst mode, a half-second time-lapse option, and a vastly improved text-and-icon-based display menu. Furthermore, the introduction of external status lights on multiple sides ensures users know exactly when the camera is actively recording. However, the camera still suffers from notable limitations, particularly regarding audio capture and battery endurance. The standard waterproof housing muffles sound severely, and while the camera features a new 3.5mm external microphone port, it is completely inaccessible unless the camera is taken out of its protective case, leaving it vulnerable to moisture and impacts. Image...

The GoPro HD Hero2 Outdoor Edition ($299.99) is a durable POV action camera that delivers substantial performance upgrades over its predecessor, making it highly effective for snowsports. Its standout features include a rugged, waterproof housing rated up to 60 metres, a simplified natural language menu for easier field configuration, and louder operational beeps alongside four recording LEDs. In terms of image quality, the camera shines in bright conditions, offering improved sharpness, natural skin tones, and excellent white balance that prevents blown-out highlights. Additionally, its photography mode is notably upgraded, allowing users to take 11MP or 5MP photos and utilize an impressive 10-frame-per-second photo burst mode. Despite these upgrades, the camera retains significant drawbacks, most notably its internal microphone audio, which is described as unusable garbage due to being trapped inside the waterproof case. While an external 3.5mm microphone jack is provided, utilizing it requires drilling into the casing or buying a specialized housing, which completely sacrifices the camera's waterproof capabilities. Video performance also drops to a decidedly average level in low-light conditions, and the camera is susceptible to producing jerky,...

The GoPro HD Hero2 maintains its classic, highly practical box design while delivering exceptional outdoor picture quality and improved low-light performance with reduced grain. Designed for outdoor and extreme sports, this versatile action camcorder features highly flexible mounting options, multiple tally-lights to signal recording status, and a modular architecture that accepts expandable accessories like an optional LCD monitor or Wi-Fi adapter. On the technical side, it expands user creativity with new shooting modes, including a standout WVGA mode capable of recording at 100fps (120fps in NTSC) for fluid 74% slow-motion footage, alongside three distinct field-of-view choices (wide, medium, and narrow) and an impressive 11-megapixel burst still mode. The review highlights several pros and cons for prospective buyers. Key advantages include its robust and reliable build, superb daytime picture quality with vibrant colours, the inclusion of a high-quality all-digital HDMI output, and a dedicated 3.5mm microphone input for external audio capture. On the downside, the camera suffers from fiddly menus and buttons, average battery life, a tinny built-in microphone that is highly susceptible to handling noise, and a lack of built-in...

The GoPro HD Hero2 delivers significant enhancements over its predecessor, making it a highly capable action camera for point-of-view (POV) shooting. Testers noted superior image quality with richer, sharper colours and vastly improved performance in challenging low-light or hazy environments. Key upgrades include an upgraded 11-megapixel camera capable of shooting rapid 10-frame-per-second action sequences, an external microphone jack, and a high-resolution LCD screen that simplifies menu navigation. Additionally, it retains the original model's retail price of $300 and fits existing housings and mounts, offering exceptional overall value. Despite these upgrades, the camera retains some of the physical drawbacks of the original design. Its boxy shape remains bulky and unappealing, particularly when used as a side-mount on a helmet. It also lags behind competitors like the Contour+ in advanced technical features; it lacks built-in GPS capabilities, requires an additional, separately sold adapter for smartphone viewing or streaming, and lacks PC-based settings configuration.

The GoPro HD HERO2 represents a major upgrade over the original model, driven primarily by a larger, twice-as-fast image processor (6.45x4.6 size) that delivers sharper video and photos. Key advancements include a significantly modified, intuitive menu system with clear icons, and expanded photo capabilities that shoot 11, 8, or 5-megapixel stills at a rapid rate of 10 photos per second. Video flexibility is enhanced by selectable field-of-view angles (170° wide, 127° medium, and 90° narrow), smooth 60FPS slow-motion capture, and the inclusion of a mini-HDMI port alongside a 3.5mm stereo external microphone input. Additionally, the camera excels in low-light environments and features an improved polycarbonate underwater housing rated down to 180 feet that reduces lens distortion. Despite these significant pros, the reviewer highlights a few distinct limitations. The camera's internal microphone remains inadequate for serious editing, making the use of an external mic highly recommended. During extended operation, the HERO2 generates noticeable heat and gets quite warm, though a built-in safety feature prevents damage by automatically shutting the camera down if it exceeds roughly 115°. Handholding the incredibly lightweight camera...

The GoPro HD Hero 2 is a portable action camera that delivers remarkable image quality, robustness, and versatility across diverse applications like motorsports, skiing, and casual events. Key strengths highlighted in the review include a sharp f/2.8 professional glass lens, multiple field-of-view settings (170°, 127°, and 90°), and versatile video capabilities, particularly its 720p resolution at 60fps and a high-speed 120fps standard definition mode that produces smooth slow-motion footage. Additionally, it upgrades the audio system by introducing a 3.5mm external stereo microphone input, features a reliable 10-frames-per-second photo burst mode, and comes packaged with a tough, waterproof housing rated for depths up to 60 metres. However, the camera exhibits notable drawbacks, including weak low-light video performance compared to dedicated camcorders and a complete lack of a built-in flash or illumination for photography. Its internal built-in microphone provides mediocre audio quality on its own, making the purchase of an external microphone highly recommended. Exposure control can also prove tricky on overcast days, where spot metering can easily underexpose the ground if the lens is angled too high toward the sky. Finally,...

The GoPro HD Hero2 targets professional online video producers by upgrading its action-camera lineup with an improved CMOS sensor, enhanced glass, and professional-grade applications. Its pros include a lightweight, ultra-compact design that easily captures high-quality HD footage from challenging angles—such as basketball "dunk cams" and quadcopter aerial shots—for a fraction of the cost of traditional crane setups. Additionally, the highly versatile Wi-Fi BacPac accessory expands utility by enabling remote control via smartphones, tablets, or a wearable wrist remote, alongside the ability to broadcast live streams directly over the internet. However, the camera does carry a few notable cons regarding its market perception and setup limitations. Historically, the brand has been overlooked for serious professional applications because its massive popularity among amateur sports enthusiasts pigeonholed it strictly as a consumer hobbyist device. Furthermore, advanced features like wrist-controlled live streaming and multi-device remote control are not built into the core camera body; they require users to purchase the separate, external Wi-Fi BacPac accessory to achieve full wireless functionality.

The GoPro Hero HD 2 is lauded as a highly portable, "bomb-proof" travel camera featuring a waterproof housing, a 170-degree field of view, and versatile, high-quality video capabilities. The camera, which boasts rapid continuous shooting and various time-lapse modes, supports an extensive, albeit mostly separate, ecosystem of mounting accessories. Great Conversely, the review notes the device suffers from poor built-in audio, though it allows for an external microphone, and lacks an integrated screen for immediate playback. Despite these drawbacks and the added cost of accessories, it remains a rugged, capable, and highly portable action camera for travelers.

The GoPro HD Hero2 is a rugged, wearable "adventure-cam" priced at $299 that stands out for its unique, go-anywhere functionality rather than pristine cinematic quality. Designed for hands-free operation, it records Full HD 1080p video and captures up to 11-megapixel still images. Unlike its main competitor, the Contour+, it includes a free protective armor casing that allows it to dive up to 197 feet underwater. Available in Outdoor, Motorsports, and Surf editions, the camera package bundles specialized mounts like helmet straps and adhesive bases right in the box. Furthermore, its impressive battery life of 2 hours and 19 minutes outlasts rival models. On the performance front, the Hero2 delivers distinct pros and cons. Its primary strengths include excellent low-light sensitivity—requiring far less illumination to capture a bright image than competitors—as well as deep, punchy color accuracy and a versatile array of resolutions and frame rates, including a 120fps slow-motion mode. Onboard settings adjustments are also highly convenient because they can be changed on the fly using a physical two-button menu interface and a tiny front LCD screen. However, the camera...