The GoPro Session Is Lean, Mean, and Ready for Action
Who needs 4K when you can stash an all-in-one GoPro in your pocket?
Credit:
GoPro
Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Not one to shy away from anything "radical," action cam manufacturer GoPro introduced a new member to its lineup: the GoPro Session. Boxy and small, this isn't a top-flight device, but rather, one that is so easy to use you can just set it and forget it.
Coming in at about 50% the size of an already-tiny GoPro Hero 4 Black, the Session is quite a bit smaller than the other GoPros out there. The Session has a waterproof unibody design—meaning no need for a case. This cuts the size and weight down, though it means there's less room for things like a removable battery.
The Session comes with a ball-joint mount, great for articulation.
The Session uses a microSD card slot and a microUSB port hidden behind a weather-sealed door at the side of the device, but you can also pair it with your smartphone or remote via WiFi. This is almost a necessity, since changing features will generally require the use of a smart device like an iPhone or Android phone.
{{amazon name="Smatree® SmaCase G160 - Medium Gopro Case for Gopro Hero 4/3+/3/2/1", asin="B00IRZMYN6", align="right"}} Once you've got your settings sorted out, the Session couldn't be easier to use: tapping the main button will start or stop recording, and the Session turns off when not in use to save on battery life. Holding the button down for three seconds will trigger a time-lapse mode using pre-determined settings.
The draw of this camera is undoubtedly the form factor, and not the capabilities. In that regard, the Session falls a little behind the Hero 4 Silver, at least in terms of available framerates and resolutions. However, the big ones are there: the Session is capable of recording 1440p/30p video, 1080p at 60 frames per second, and 720p video at 100 frames per second.
If you are ready to pick one up for yourself you won't have long to wait, as the Session hits shelves July 12 for $399.99. The Session will ship in one of two packages, the standard package—with the basic accessories—and the surf package, which comes with a surfboard mount.
Related Video
{{brightcove '4170904179001'}}
