If you really want to ascend to the next level of GoPro videography though, it's the Black Edition that delivers all the goods. Thanks to an advanced 12-megapixel CMOS imager and Ambarella's A7 compression chip, the Black Edition can not only record 1080p HD video at a full 60 frames per second, but also records at what GoPro calls 2.7k (2716 x 1524 pixel) at 25 frames per second, and users can even start experimenting with the next big thing, 4k video. That's a full 3820 x 2160 pixel, or four times the size of 1080p's 1920 x 1080. For now, that only works at 15 frames per second, but since there really aren't any affordable 4k TVs or monitors yet, this mode is about getting acquainted with the future rather than mainstream production. Both of these super-high resolution modes come in two flavors, standard 16:9 and an even wider 17:9 "Cin" mode.

But that's not all. The Black Edition can also record at 100 fps in 960p, 120 fps in 720p, and 240 fps in 848 x 480 WVGA, making it eminently suitable for all sorts of slow motion projects. And the Black model can do stills and shoot video simultaneously, up to a still picture every five seconds in certain modes, using the sensor acquisition size of the selected video recording mode. What's more, the Black (and maybe Silver) Edition — and this is a first for GoPros — has selectable white balance settings. That can make a huge difference, and especially underwater.

Interestingly, even the photo modes of the three editions are different. The Silver and White Edition can do 5, 8 and 11mp stills like the Hero2, through the Silver Edition can shoot ten 11mp stills in burst mode whereas the White shoots at the same rate but only at 5mp. The Black Edition lets you select from 5, 7 or 12mp.

How can the three models be so different? One reason is that the Black Edition has the new Ambarella A7 chip whereas the other two use the same Ambarella A5s chip that was in the Hero2. They also have different imagers. I am not certain, but it seems that the White Edition uses a 5mp Aptina MT9P001, the Silver Edition the same Aptina MY9F002 as the Hero2, and the Black Edition a new 12mp sensor. So three very different sets of electronics, and only hands-on will tell how well each works.

Now let's take a quick look at the respective specs:

For an idea of how serious the underwater blur issue was, see the pics below. The old standard housing used on the left, a flat lens housing on the right.

Why didn't GoPro get it right from the start? Because they designed the camera and lens to capture the GoPro signature ultrawide angle footage, but still wanted the enclosure to be as small and handy as possible. That meant the housing had a close-fitting curved lens over the camera's curved lens, with the result that the GoPro simply could not focus underwater. The fix seems simple as a flat lens in the housing cures the focus issue. But nothing is ever totally simple, and so due to the very wide shooting angles the GoPro uses, the flat lens had to be fairly large to preclude vignetting (darkish spots in the four corners). GoPro eventually came up with its own dive housing. It worked great, but covered up half of the already small status LCD.

Protune was originally announced at NAB 2012 in Las Vegas, April of 2012 see press release). GoPro said that they were embedding TechniColor's CineStyle color profile (first designed for some Canon dSLRs) in the GoPro Protune firmware upgrade for the Hero2. CineStyle is a color profile designed to preserve colors and details especially in underexposed compressed video and also result in less noise. That means a better dynamic range, better highlight detail, and better shadow detail.

Technicolor, of course, has an illustrious history with its Technicolor motion picture process that pretty much ruled Hollywood film production between the early 1920s and early 1950s, and the company remained at the very forefront of film processing, video duplication and then digital video technologies and services.

ProTune is primarily meant to improve professional workflows and make the software more compatible with other professional products and sources. It adds the 24 fps frame rate used in big screen movies. There's also better quality compression by increasing the rate from 15 to 35Mbps, for a better image and virtual elimination of artifacts. Protune video can then be processed and tweaked in GoPro's CineForm Studio (basic version is free, see here) to convert the base flat look for best possible color, sharpness, contrast, etc. The latest version of CineForm Studio automatically detects when imported footage is Protune.

We don't know yet how Protune works on the Hero3, but we did upgrade the firmware in our two Hero2s. After the firmware update there is a Protune on/off menu choice. If Protune is on, the Hero2's video modes become 1080p in 30, 25 and 24 fps; 960p in 48 fps; and 720p in 60 fps. 960p and 720p in 30 fps and the WVGA modes go away. Side by side recording in standard and Protune modes yielded a rather flat Protune version, but once in CineForm, you can really make the footage pop.

Do note that when you use Protune, you better observe GoPro's storage card speed requirement. While our Class 4 cards always worked just fine in Hero2 standard mode, they did not work reliably in Protune mode.

In terms of recording features, the White (US$199) and Silver (US$299) Editions are like updated versions of the Hero and Hero2, whereas the Black Edition (US$399) is a genuine step forward with a new imager and more advanced compression technology that allows higher frame rates and higher resolution. This, the simultaneous still and video recording, and the inclusion of a WiFi remote make the Black Edition by far the most intriguing new model and probably the best deal.

We like:

• All Hero3s look the same, but there are distinctly different models for pros and casual users.
• New flatlens housing provides perfect focus above and under water, without the dome covering half the status LCD.
• Thinner profile, and even lighter.
• Lens appears much improved.
• Includes integrated WiFi.
• Lots of mounting gear and waterproof housing still included.
• Large on/off and mode button removes ambiguity.
• Can use existing BacPacs.
• Can use all existing mounting hardware.
• Black Edition has very useful new video and still modes.
• Black (and maybe Silver) Edition has white balance settings.
• Black Edition includes WiFi remote.
• Black Edition can shoots stills and video simultaneously.

• Why change size for no compelling reason?
• Battery remains undersized and not compatible with older batteries.
• Difficult to tell from specs which model is for who.
• New form factor won't fit into any older housings.
• Lack of white balance or scene settings requires filters underwater.
• Different compression chips and imagers may make line too complex.
• Still no image stabilization.
• Addition of Protune likely confusing to many users.
• At 15fps, 4k mode really only preview of coming attractions.
• Should come with standard charger in addition to USB charging.
• Still difficult to aim without LCD.