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New GoPro Cameras Make for the Perfect Travel Companion

Sept. 20, 2016
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3 min read
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New GoPro Cameras Make for the Perfect Travel Companion
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GoPro action cameras have often been the trademark sidekick of travelers and adventurers alike — TPG even used one to document a recent first-class flight on Cathay Pacific. Whether you wanna film your walk down the streets of a European city, or strap the camera to your head and go kayaking, you can shoot nearly anything with a GoPro. This week, the company announced two major new products in its lineup, the Hero 5 Black and the Hero 5 Session.

Although the new cameras are updates of previous models, the tech — both inside and out — has greatly improved. Both new models now shoot high-resolution 4K video, and the higher-end Hero 5 Black can take 12-megapixel photos, while the more basic Hero 5 Session can take 10-megapixel photos. Both models now also support voice commands, meaning you can say “GoPro, start recording” or “GoPro, take a photo” and the camera will do as you say.

While the Hero 5 Black is a more premium model compared to the Session, the primary difference between the two models remains their size. While both are small and easily mountable, the Black features a 2-inch touchscreen display, while the Session is simply a small cube with a lens and some buttons.

The GoPro Session 5 is one of the smallest action cameras in the world.

Also new to the cameras is built-in waterproofing. Previously, GoPro cameras required a plastic housing piece installed separately over the camera before you could bring it into the water, but these new models are waterproof up to 33 feet. In addition, GoPro is including a GPS chip in the Hero 5 that allows you to track the shooting location, letting you view on a map all the places you’ve shot amazing footage.

Finally, and arguably the most useful feature to some, is a new cloud service being introduced alongside the new cameras called GoPro Plus. The service, which costs $5 a month, automatically uploads all your photos and video from your GoPro to the cloud whenever you’re connected to Wi-Fi, which can then be accessed from any device. A feature like this could come in handy if you’re on a trip and don’t want to bring your laptop, but worry about the possibility of losing your camera (and photos/video) along the way.

Both the Hero 5 Black and the Hero 5 Session go on sale October 2 for $399 and $299, respectively. Since these new GoPro cameras don't come cheap, consider using a credit card with purchase protection to give you peace of mind. Remember, too, that you can earn bonus miles when you make purchases through online airline shopping portals.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.