Australian technology news, reviews, and guides to help you
Australian technology news, reviews, and guides to help you

GoPro goes drones with “Karma”

Drones may be the next way your pizza or package gets delivered, but until more stores are actually using them, they’re ideal for aerial photo- and videography, and that’s a market you can bet GoPro wants in on.

This week, GoPro is showing off cameras, but it’s also adding something that’s a bit like an accessory to go with the new cameras it decided to show off to the world.

Not just a few new mounts, no, GoPro has what Leonardo da Vinci would call a “flying machine”, as the company unveils its first drone, calling it instead “Karma”.

Designed to fit in a backpack, Karma is GoPro’s first foray into the world of air-based remote cameras, using a relatively compact design with a foldable wing and propeller system to make it possible to take the Karma with you, and then take out for some video work and fun.

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GoPro’s Karma includes a 3-axis camera stabilizer built into the design, and while it can come with a GoPro camera, it will also be able to be purchased without a camera attached, ideal if you have a camera you wish to use instead.

Whichever variant you go for, the Karma will include a gaming style controller with a touch display built-in, making for an element of control that doesn’t require a smartphone or tablet, and yet still reveals what the drone is seeing.

“We’re stoked to launch Karma and show how much more it is than a drone,” said Nicholas Woodman, Founder and CEO of GoPro.

“Karma packs Hollywood-caliber aerial, handheld and gear-mounted image stabilisation into a backpack for AUD $1,195.95. It’s so easy to use, a beginner can have fun straight away,” he said.

While the outright price is a little over a grand in Australia, that’s for a model without the camera. If you don’t have something to use or are keen to get the Karma drone with a new camera, you’ll find it with the also just announced GoPro Hero 5 Black for $1649.95, with availability on all of these from October 24.

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