GoPro now selling Karma drone to revive slumping sales

GoPro is betting on drones to save the company. Nearly a year after first teasing a drone with a video released online, GoPro is finally selling its Karma drone for $799. The company is banking on ease of use and a mid-tier price. While market leader DJI sells some drones for a similar price, the Shenzhen-based company's more full-featured products can run well over $1,000.

One of the bigger selling points of the Karma drone is portability. The UAV is foldable to help it fit easily into its carrying case, which doubles as a backpack. GoPro is also emphasizing a minimalist design. The clamshell controller does not have many buttons and opens with a screen on the top and two joysticks with a few buttons on the bottom.

Given GoPro's history, it is probably no surprise that the company is also focusing on the photography angle of the drone. The maker is likewise launching two cameras with Karma: the Hero 5 Black and the Hero 5 Session, which cost $399 and $299, respectively. These cameras can be purchased with Karma for a discount of $100. This makes the bundled price $1,099 with a Hero 5 Black and $999 with a Hero 5 Session.

Karma includes the stabilizer and harness to attach these cameras to the drone. It also comes with a Karma Grip, which can be used for handheld video, and has a custom place within the carrying case. While GoPro is not offering the most premium drone on the mark or the most budget-friendly, the company has clearly thought through what consumers should have for a basic starter bundle if those users are focused on recording videos, as is the case with so many people using drones these days.

Some consumers will find the Karma drone lacking. The more active users who do not want to rely on other people to record them might want look at other products, as GoPro does not list any automated tracking features in the Karma. This was something DJI hyped up when it announced the Phantom 4, which also has obstacle avoidance. The Phantom 4, however, starts at $1,200. GoPro is looking to reach more people and, in the process, turn the company's fortunes around after its sales and stock price have plummeted this year. More and more, photographers are appreciating what drones have to offer, so this could be a smart bet for a company better known for its cameras.