GoPro
Type: Action camera manufacturer Founded: 2002 (by Nick Woodman, San Mateo, California) Key products: HERO series action cameras, 3D HERO System, CineForm codec
Overview
GoPro is an American consumer electronics company that revolutionized underwater video by making high-quality action cameras accessible and affordable. While not a traditional underwater photography company, GoPro’s waterproof HERO cameras (rated to 60m/197ft in standard housing) became the most widely used underwater video devices in the world by the early 2010s, fundamentally changing who could shoot underwater footage.
The company’s impact on the Wetpixel community was significant but complex. Serious underwater photographers initially dismissed the tiny fixed-lens cameras, but by 2012-2013, GoPro’s video quality, ecosystem of accessories (flat ports, filters, housings from third parties), and sheer ubiquity made them impossible to ignore. GoPro drove the democratization of underwater video in the same way the Canon Digital Rebel had democratized underwater stills photography in 2003.
GoPro’s dominance effectively killed competitor Contour, and Sony’s Action Cam entered the market in response. Third-party manufacturers including Backscatter, UK-Germany, ReCSea, Hugyfot, and others developed housings, dome ports, and filter systems specifically for GoPro cameras.
Product timeline
- 2010-09: GoPro HD HERO underwater shark footage featured on Wetpixel — early UW usage coverage. ([1])
- 2010-12: ULCS releases mounting options for GoPro — third-party ecosystem begins. ([2])
- 2011-01: 3D expansion kit for GoPro HERO cameras released — stereo 3D underwater video becomes accessible. ([3])
- 2011-02: BacPac LCD screen launches — adds monitoring capability for underwater use. ([4])
- 2011-03: GoPro HERO HD + LCD BacPac review published on Wetpixel. ([5])
- 2011-04: GoPro acquires CineForm — gains professional video codec technology. ([6])
- 2011-04: First review of GoPro HERO HD 3D system published. ([7])
- 2011-07: UK-Germany releases dedicated underwater housing for GoPro HERO. ([8])
- 2011-08: BlurFix filter adapter released — enables color correction filters for UW use. ([9])
- 2011-10: HERO2 announced — 11MP, 1080p/30, 120fps slow-motion at 720p. ([10])
- 2011-10: 48-camera GoPro array used for bullet-time surf film — demonstrates creative potential. ([11])
- 2012-05: GoPro underwater housing round-up published — multiple third-party options reviewed. ([12])
- 2012-05: Backscatter announces filter solution for GoPro — professional UW color correction. ([13])
- 2012-09: GoPro HERO2 POV cam review published on Wetpixel. ([14])
- 2012-10: HERO3 unveiled — 4K video at 15fps, 1080p/60, Wi-Fi built in. ([15])
- 2012-10: Snake River Prototyping dome port for GoPro reviewed — split shots become possible. ([16])
- 2013-01: Hugyfot announces housing for GoPro — professional housing manufacturer enters action cam market. ([17])
- 2013-03: Light & Motion announces fluorescence filter for GoPro. ([18])
- 2013-10: HERO3+ released — improved low-light performance, sharper lens, SuperView mode. ([19])
References
- [20] — editorial
- [21] — editorial
- [22] — editorial
- [23] — editorial
- [24] — editorial
- [25] — editorial
- [26] — editorial
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Sep 19, 2010: Gopro Underwater Shark Experiment ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 18, 2010: Ulcs Releases Gopro Mounting Options ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2011: 3d Expansion Kit For Gopro Hero Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2011: Gopro Launches The Bacpac Lcd Screen ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 22, 2011: Review Gopro Hero Hd Lcd Bacpac Monitor ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 1, 2011: Gopro Acquires Cineform ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 7, 2011: First Review Of The Gopro Hero Hd 3d System ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 8, 2011: Uk Germany Releases Housing For Gopro Hero ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 2, 2011: Blurfix Adapter Released For Gopro Hero ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 24, 2011: Gopro Announces Hd Hero2 Cam ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 11, 2011: 48 Camera Gopro Array Used For Surf Film ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 14, 2012: Gopro Underwater Housing Round Up ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 16, 2012: Backscatter Announces Filter Solution For Gopro ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2012: Review Gopro Hero2 Pov Cam ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 17, 2012: Gopro Unveils The Hero3 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2012: Review Snake River Prototyping Dome For Gopro ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2013: Hugyfot Housing For Gopro ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 7, 2013: Light Motion Announces Fluorescence Filter For Gopro ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2013: Gopro Releases The Hero3 ↩
- GoPro shark experiment (article) ↩
- GoPro acquires CineForm (article) ↩
- HERO2 announcement (article) ↩
- HERO2 review (article) ↩
- HERO3 unveil (article) ↩
- GoPro UW housing round-up (article) ↩
- Backscatter GoPro filters (article) ↩