GoPro has established itself as one of the leading brands in the action camera market, which as any enthusiast will know, is a fully justified achievement for the range of cameras that pack style, features and functionality by the truck load.
GoPro first hit the scene back in 2005, when it launched its first model, the Helmet Hero. This was soon followed by the Helmet Hero Wide, another standard definition model with the addition of a 170º wide angle lens - a common feature in today's market, but highly innovative at the time.
In late 2009 came the GoPro HD Hero, a model that made history by claiming its place as the first full HD 1080p helmet camera on the market, and continues to make headlines today. The GoPro HD Hero's success is arguably down to its adaptability. Be it on snow, dirt or water, the Helmet Hero, Motorsport Hero and Surf Hero have every eventuality covered.
The latest addition to the GoPro family comes in the form of the GoPro HD2 and it's the most advanced GoPro camera, yet.
On first inspection, you could be fooled in to thinking that there's not great deal of difference between the old and new GoPro models, with both weighing in at 168g and both packing full 1080p resolution and a 170 degree wide angle lens. But take a look under the bonnet and you'll soon see what makes the HD2 camera stand out from it's predecessor.
The HD2's new processor delivers twice the processing power as the HD, which as well as making it twice as fast, allows you to capture 11 megapixel photos at a rate of 10 photos per second, more than doubling that of the GoPro HD. In addition to this, low light performance has been improved considerably.
To take advantage of all that new processing power, the HD2 has been equipped with a new a glass lens that's twice as sharp as the previous model. The new user interface has also had a complete overhaul, making the camera easy to use and eliminates the need for instructions.
One of the most hyped additions to the GoPro HD2 is future compatibility with the imminent arrival of GoPro's new Wi-Fi BacPac and Wi-Fi Remote, which will allow you to control the camera wirelessly and stream content live to the web, from just about anywhere.
Much like the HD, the HD2 comes in three variations. These are the Outdoor Edition, Motorsports Edition and the soon to be launched Surf Edition, each including the necessary mounts to get you up and running. In addition, the GoPro HD2 is also compatible with all existing GoPro mounts and accessories, which is good news if you're upgrading from an older GoPro model.
Naturally, HD2 comes with a slightly heavier price tag than the GoPro HD, but for a camera that packs twice the power while maintaining a sleek, lightweight design, it's more than worth the investment.
