
GoPro Killer? HTC's Re Personal Camera Isn't What You Think It Is
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- HTC's new 'Re" camera is a somewhat oddly shaped device that looks something like a miniaturized Boy Scout flashlight. It's a nice device that takes good photos and videos. But I'm not sure why anyone who uses a smartphone needs one.
Re will never, ever be mistaken for a GoPro (GPRO) - Get Report action camera. The Re is much, much smaller (3.81 by 1.04 inches) and weighs a scant 2.31 ounces. It has a CMOS sensor capable of delivering up to 16 megapixel of 4:3 aspect ratio photos and 1920 by 1080 high-definition videos or 12 megapixels at 16:9. Storage is handled via an 8 GB microSD card that hides in a slot in the camera's base. You can substitute up to a 128 GB card if you like. A fully charged 840 mAh Lithium-ion battery is said to provide as much as 40 minutes (actually it's more like 30 minutes in real terms) of HD video.
There are only two buttons to control the device. The shutter button is on the back on the elbow. Press it once and Re takes a still photo. Hold it down and Re begins shooting a video. The other button, on the front under the lens, is for turning the slow-motion video function on and off. There are also little lights on the front to tell you when Re is shooting or charging. Plus, there's a microphone to capture sound near the top and a speaker near the bottom to reproduce camera shutter sounds.
The little shooter also has a gyroscope inside to automatically flip the image if it senses you're holding the camera upside down; a small, screw-in tripod socket and a microUSB charging port. Re is said to be waterproof for up to a 30-minute encounter with one meter of water. That time limit can be extended to 120 minutes and three meters of with an optional protection pack.
Re's method of connectivity to your smartphone or tablet is via Wi-Fi and a special app. You could bypass using the nifty app (available from the Google (GOOG) - Get Report Android and Apple (AAPL) - Get Report iOS stores) by transferring your photos/videos using a microSD storage card. But, by doing so you'll miss the ability to remotely change settings or use your Re as a streaming video device. You'll also be at a loss when it comes to updating the camera's software when necessary.
All of this is meaningless if Re isn't capable of taking good quality photos and videos. Luckily it is. Notice I said good photos and videos. Not great. Some of our test photos were blurry. Some were very blurry. Re is somewhat difficult to hold steady because it's so small and lightweight. The automatic stabilization system provided minimal relief from having unsteady hands. Some photos were slightly overexposed especially in bright outdoor scenarios. And a maximum 40-minute battery life proved to be skimpy at times.
That said, Re is no better or worse than the cameras built inside many of today's rop-of-the-line smartphones including Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Motorola's Nexus 6, LG's G3 and even HTC's own One handset. Yes, you'll prefer using Re over a smartphone in specific "action" situations such as attached to your bicycle's handlebars or lashed to your arm, leg, belt or a pet. Those are the instances in which you wouldn't want to jeopardize the integrity of your expensive smartphone.
But, in the end, is that peace-of-mind worth 200 bucks?
I'm not sure it is. GoPro cameras can be larger and more complex. They usually cost more and do more. But at the other end of the spectrum is the new GoPro Hero 5 that retails for only $129 and the even cheaper Polaroid Cube selling for $99. The lower end of the personal action camera field is becoming more crowded every day and HTC has some stiff competition.
The super-portable Re camera lists for $199.99 but you can find it discounted down to $175 from a number of online vendors. It comes in a bunch of cool colors. Accessories include an optional AC charging stand ($40), a car charger ($30), a suction mount ($30) a bicycle/bar mount and a seat belt clip-on ($20 each).
Overall Score: 7.5/10
-- Written by Gary Krakow in New York.
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Gary Krakow is TheStreet's Senior Technology Correspondent
This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned.









