The GoPro uses a CMOS sensor. There are many benefits to using a CMOS type lens sensor, lots of high end HD cameras use them.
1.Low battery drain.
2.Minimal purple smearing from direct sun on the lens.
3.Small size
One of the draw backs of this type of of sensor is that rapid vertical camera movement will cause wavy lines or "jello effect" to appear in the recorded video, this originates because CMOS sensors have Rolling Shutters. To minimize this, eliminate vibration and camera vertical movement as much as possible. This is true for any CMOS video camera not just a GoPro.
Motor Sports users will find rigid mounting to the roll bar will cause vibrations as it's bolted to the car Chassis, so you need to isolate the Cam with foam or rubber.
