GoPro launches sub $200 action camera

GoPro Hero+ (AFP)

The new Hero+ model ditches a number of costly features in order to offer more budding adventurers a piece of the action.

For $199.99 the Hero+ packs wi-fi and Bluetooth, is waterproof and, thanks to sticking with the same form factor as other GoPros, compatible with a growing list of mounts, cases and other accessories.

And while the camera can stream directly to a smartphone via an app it won't be doing so in 4K; the new model maxes out at a full 1080p HD. However, it can shoot at 60 frame a second at this resolution and is able to capture 8-megapixel still images too.

"Whether mounted to a weather balloon floating 100,000 feet above the earth to capture a sunrise across the stratosphere or in the hands of a child recording their backyard tree house adventures, HERO+ is built to capture your imagination wherever it takes you," said Nicholas Woodman, GoPro's founder and CEO. "Even as we continue to raise the bar for our highest performing cameras like HERO4 Black, Silver and Session, we remain committed to developing simplified products like HERO+ that make GoPro life-capture accessible to everyone."

The new model will go on sale on October 4.