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GoPro Hero 11 Review – Is it Worth Upgrading in 2023?

Every year this action camera company tries to change the game, but did they pull it off leading into 2023? We’ve been busy putting the new camera to the test to bring you our comprehensive GoPro Hero 11 review! We dive into the new features, what they’ve improved (and what they missed) and give our honest opinion on whether the GoPro HERO11 is worth the upgrade over previous models.

No other camera company has managed to turn a product into a lifestyle brand quite the way GoPro has, which is one of the reasons we’ve personally been using their products since 2010 (holy moly, more than 13 years now).

And while we love almost everything about the business and the gear they make, we’ll also be the first to admit that some models aren’t as revolutionary as others.

That hasn’t stopped us from personally reviewing each new series when it hits the shelves though, and this year is no different.

We put our GoPros through hell. Snowboarding, scuba diving, mountain biking and just generally pushing them to their limits through our jobs as travel content creators.

The newest camera is now out in the wild and of course we couldn’t wait to try it out.

So in our expert GoPro HERO11 Black review we dive deep into what sets this camera apart from its predecessor, how it performs in the real world and whether or not GoPro have missed the mark.

• Our Honest GoPro Hero 11 Black Review

• The Latest Features

• New Larger Sensor
• HyperView Digital Lens
• 10-Bit Colour
• HyperSmooth 5.0
• The Enduro Battery
• Easy vs Pro Controls
• New Night Effects

• Light Painting
• Star Trails
• Vehicle Light Trails

• Should You Get the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini?

• What We Don’t Like

• Is it Worth Upgrading?

• You Don’t Have a GoPro
• You Have a GoPro HERO9 or Earlier Model
• You Have a GoPro HERO10 Black

• GoPro HERO11 Black

Our Honest GoPro Hero 11 Black Review

Last year’s slogan for the GoPro Hero 10 was ‘A New Era’, and this year GoPro have opted to go with ‘Finally to 11’. Quite fitting for the 11th series in what has become a bit of a legacy.

But truthfully what really matters what they’ve done this year is better ‘the GoPro Experience’.

You see in 2023 the new camera has a range of moderate improvements, which we’ll get to shortly, but the real highlight is that everything just works, well, nicer.

There’s the new larger sensor, 10-bit colour and buttery HyperSmooth 5.0 with 360 degree horizon lock (how the hell they make it so smooth is beyond us, but we’ll take it).

These things alone mean the GoPro HERO11 Black is superior over the 10, but that’s not what makes the GoPro Experience a step above anything else they’ve done.

They’ve also introduced a new lighter version dubbed the Hero 11 Black Mini, which is almost as good as the main camera but without a few features such as LCD screens.

GoPro have really tapped into the creator market now, without forgetting their core origins for adventure athletes and general travel photographers/videographers, by endeavouring to make the entire shooting, editing and uploading workflow as seamless as possible.

Did they pull it off? Let’s find out in our GoPro HERO11 review!

SPECIAL DEAL: GoPro has an incredible special happening right now where you can save 100 off their new camera, or get a FREE Enduro battery and 32gb SD card! This special is for a limited time only for NOMADasaurus readers, so check it out while it’s available.

The Latest Features

GoPro have managed to introduce a whole bunch of new features that make the latest camera a joy to use in any scenario, while also ticking a few boxes for professionals out there.

(If you’re interested, you can also check out our detailed HERO10 review from last year.)

Here are some of the new and major features of the Hero 11 Black. It’s not a full revamp of the previous model, but the changes that are there are quite significant.

I’ll go into more detail on some of them below in our GoPro Hero 11 review.

• New larger 1/1.9″ Sensor
• 8:7 aspect ratio
• Automatic Highlight Videos
• 10-Bit Colour (finally!)
• HyperSmooth 5.0 360 Degree Horizon Lock
• 27 megapixel still images
• HyperView
• Up to 5.3k TimeWarp 3.0
• Night Effects (we love this)
• Enduro Battery
• Frame grabs – 27MP from 5.3K 8:7 video

And then all the best features that we saw on the 10, such as:

• 5.3K 60fps
• 4K 120fps
• 2.7K 240fps for 8x slo-mo
• 33 feet (10m) waterproof straight out of the box
• Voice control
• LCD full-colour front display
• LCD full-colour real screen
• 1080p Livestream and Webcam with HyperSmooth 5.0 video stabilization
• RAW Photos in all modes
• Optional modular accessories such as Max Lens Mod, Media Mod, Light Mod and Display Mod

New Larger Sensor

The biggest upgrade on the GoPro HERO11 Black is the new, larger 1/1.9″ sensor.

With this monster sensor squeezed into the tiny camera we can now shoot using a new 8:7 aspect ratio, which captures a huge perspective allowing for all kinds of crop factors in post.

In fact, it’s a 16% increase in vertical field of view over the previous camera.

GoPro know that almost everything getting shared these days is shifting to vertical aspects, like what we find on Instagram and TikTok, but native width content like on TV and YouTube isn’t going anywhere.

NEW 2022 GOPRO ACCESSORIES GUIDE. BEGINNER TO ADVANCED

So rather than having to choose whether you shoot in landscape or portrait mode, you can use the 8:7 aspect ratio on the larger sensor which gives plenty of room for cropping later without losing any image quality.

This also introduces the bigger 27MP screen grabs, and a new immersive digital lens called HyperView, which is perfect for those POV (point-of-view) action thots.

This, matched with the revolutionary GP2 processor introduced on the HERO10, makes the new GoPro HERO11 Black a versatile, diverse and high quality powerhouse.

HyperView Digital Lens

Using the entire 8:7 ratio on the new sensor, we can now use HyperView, which GoPro claims adds an ‘ultra-immersive’ video that best suits action POV, big selfies and large spaces in tight areas. Think architecture.

There’s also an update in the pipeline that will allow users to jump into the GoPro Quik app and change between all the digital lens options after the fact. So you can leave it on one setting and not be kicking yourself later.

10-Bit Colour

This is one of those upgrades that gets professional creators extra excited. But that doesn’t mean it’s beyond the average user either.

GoPro have finally jumped over to true 10-bit colour processing. What does that mean exactly?

10-bit colour has over 1 billion shades of colour in its data.

8-bit, which is what the old GoPro (and most video cameras that don’t cost the same as a house deposit) has, processes about 16.7 million colours.

That enormous improvement means that the colours you see in your videos are more like what you see with your own eyes, with more vivid details, less colour banding and smoother gradients.

Think of it like high dynamic range content.

This colour upgrade works on all video settings, including TimeWarp and Time Lapse, and also spills out across photos.

HyperSmooth 5.0

We’re going to let you in on a little secret.

HyperSmooth, which was first introduced on the GoPro HERO7, is why we vlog on GoPros instead of our very expensive Sony cameras.

HyperSmooth essentially removes the need to use a gimbal, and once you’ve seen it in action you’ll wonder why anybody deals with shaky footage anymore.

If GoPro did absolutely zero improvements to this feature on the GoPro Hero 11 Black edition, nobody would mind because it’s already so good.

But nope, they had to go and upgrade to HyperSmooth 5.0, which is even better. You can literally go trail running and the footage looks like it was shot in a car rolling down a highway.

HyperSmooth 5.0 now works in all digital lenses, and includes a feature called Linear Horizon Lock.

This uses the processor to determine what level the horizon is on, and then keeps your shot in that position, even if you rotate your camera a full 360°.

One of the very first rules you learn in composition is to always keep your horizon straight, and now you never have to worry about it.

There’s also an all-new ‘AutoBoost’, which acts like a dynamic adjustment in real-time if the camera detects extra shaky activities.

Click here to read more about how to take better GoPro photos in our ultimate guide.

The Enduro Battery

GoPro quietly released the Enduro Battery in 2022, but now it comes standard with the GoPro HERO11, and we’re all for it!

It’s a more powerful battery in the same size that offers 38% more battery life and better performance in cold conditions.

Easy vs Pro Controls

When GoPro first introduced video presets it was a Godsend. We literally use them multiple times every single shoot and they save us so much time and headaches.

However for the average user, it can be a bit overkill. Most people don’t need to regularly bounce between 4k 30fps wide to 4k 120fps linear then to 4k 60fps Superview between shots.

Most users also have the same 2-3 things they use over and over again. Perhaps one video mode, one photo mode and one TimeWarp mode.

For those who don’t want to overburden themselves with buttons and settings on the fly, GoPro has heard you and now introduced ‘Easy Controls’.

Pick what you want – photo, video or TimeWarp – and GoPro will select the best settings for the situation. Kind of like using Auto on a modern digital camera.

Almost every trip we go on around the world we have people come up to us with a brand new GoPro and ask if we can help them with their settings. We get it – if you’re not a pro, camera settings are extremely confusing,

Now you can just switch over to ‘Easy Controls’ and never worry again.

New Night Effects

We love love love night photography. We’ve written extensively about astrophotography, long exposures and how to use light to paint onto a scene.

However this is a pretty advanced form of photography, and it can take a lot of trial and error to dial in the right settings.

Watch out world, because here’s one of the new features we’re most excited about in this GoPro HERO11 Black review – Night Effects!

There are three all-new time lapse presets which are designed to make capturing night scenes ridiculously easy.

These are all automatically done for you, meaning you can FOCUS on creating art without the worry of heavy post production.

Light Painting

Use long exposure photos to create brush stroke effects with moving light, such as waving a head lamp or fireworks.

Star Trails

The earth rotates around the sun (sorry flat-earthers), so when you take consecutive photos of the stars you’ll notice they are slowly moving across the sky.

Star Trail mode turns that rotation into incredible star trails in one click. To give you context, for us to do this manually takes many hours of shooting, editing, stacking and blending in Photoshop (as well as a crazy powerful and expensive laptop) to achieve the same effect.

Vehicle Light Trails

Set your GoPro up on a bridge over a highway or in the median strip of a busy street, click the button and watch the headlights of cars burn themselves into your shot.

Trust us, it looks awesome.

GoPro Quik App

While not a new feature and not directly related to the HERO11, we can’t really do our GoPro 11 review without talking about the app that goes along with it.

The GoPro Quik app is one of those apps that just seems to have a never-ending list of tools and functionalities, and somehow it makes them all good.

You can control your camera using your smartphone as a remote.

You can import your footage wirelessly.

You can edit your photos and videos with one click of a button.

In fact you can even make full-on YouTube or Instagram/TikTok videos right in the app.

And if you sign up for the GoPro Quik Subscription, the app will auto-upload your footage to the Cloud so you can clear the SD card and keep shooting without losing your footage.

There’s also rumours or a new feature coming soon where GoPro will use AI technology to make highlight reels of your footage in the Cloud. Who needs a video editor, huh?

The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini

Do you remember when GoPro brought out the Session, a miniature version of the already ridiculously small GoPro?

It was marketed as a more portable, simple camera for entry-level creators with less features and power.

Well now the team at GoPro have reintroduced something similar with the GoPro 11 Black Mini.

It’s basically a slightly watered-down version of the GoPro Hero 11 Black camera, without the LCD screens and instead having dual mounting fingers at the bottom and back of the body.

It’s aimed for new-to-GoPro users, people who mount their cameras to their helmets and anyone who finds the current GoPro model too large.

Of course this means it’s a little bit cheaper too, which is always a big plus.

Should You Get the GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini?

This isn’t a GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini review, but we’ll let you know our thoughts here anyway.

Unless you fall into one of these categories:

• You always leave your GoPro on your helmet
• You never use an LCD screen
• Budget is tight

Don’t worry about buying the HERO11 Mini, and instead spend a little bit more money and get the full Hero 11 Black.

Why? Well not having an LCD screen sucks. You can’t frame your shots properly (unless you’re using your phone as a live view) and you can’t review your footage on the fly.

You can use the little screen on top to check your camera settings, but these need to be customised using the GoPro Quik app rather than on the fly.

Maybe our opinion will change down the road, but for now we believe it’s 100% worth just getting the full-size camera.

The ‘Mods’ – Media, Max Lens, Display and Light Mod

When GoPro introduced their Mods it was one of those ‘seems cool, but I’ll never use it’ kind of products. At least to us anyway.

Well that’s all changed now. We recently bought the Media Mod for the HERO10, and now using it on the HERO11, and are so much happier with the audio improvements.

GoPro has always been known for the plethora of epic GoPro accessories (check out our favourites in that post) you can use with them, such as mounts to put your camera on just about anything.

GoPro HERO 10 vs 9 vs 8 vs 7! | VERSUS

The Mods are a bit more high-level than the standard mounts you get, but for any serious content creator they really do add a whole new element to how we capture scenes.

The HERO11 is the same size as the previous two cameras, and so the mods that fit them also fit the new camera which is fantastic.

The Media Mod adds a bi-directional microphone, cold shoe mounts, USB C output and a 3.5mm microphone jack, and is now our go-to setup for vlogging.

The Max Lens Mod makes the camera lens ultra-wide natively, which is better than the digital version of HyperView.

The Light Mod illuminates your face when shooting in low light, or can be used for light painting.

And the Display Mod adds a screen, but unless you need something bigger than the front-facing one, it’s a bit redundant now.

If you’re going to buy just one Mod to go with the GoPro HERO11 Black, get the Media Mod.

Is the Camera Any Good In the Real World?

Alright, we get it. Tech specs are cool and all, but you want to know if the camera actually work in the real world?

Yes the feature upgrades are decent, and you’re already considering whether or not it’s worth getting the 11.

But stats on paper don’t mean anything if the camera actually performs like a wet towel.

Never fear, friends. We have your back and have been super busy throwing the camera into all kinds of situations as part of our review of the GoPro HERO11 Black.

The initial setup of the camera was very quick and easy. Turn it on, pick your language, connect it to the GoPro Quik app on your phone, do an update and away you go.

Then it’s time to actually use the damn thing.

The LCD touch screen is very fast and responsive, and when we did a side-by-sude comparison with the HERO10 we didn’t notice a big difference compared to the old camera.

Compared to the 9 though, it was night and day, and we’re so glad that they’ve finally figured out a solid touch screen that just works.

We then immediately switched to the new 8:7 aspect ratio and started shooting some 5.3k video.

It’s hard to tell on the little screen, but we could see a lot more of the scene. It was only when we imported the footage into Adobe Premiere Pro though that we could really see just how much more vertical room we had to play with.

Seeing as content is all about vertical Instagram Reels and TikToks, this is very useful feature.

HyperSmooth 5.0? Yea it’s crazy good. I took the camera for a run down the beach and it was as smooth and buttery as ever.

The new 360 degree horizon level lock worked quite well too in linear mode.

10-bit colour was a vast, vast improvement over the HERO10, but truth be told we don’t colour grade our footage that heavily anyway.

So while we do now use 10-bit colour for all of our shots (which matches what we shoot on our Sony A7iv too), we’re probably not using it to its full potential.

At our core, we are photographers, and we’re pleased to say that in our GoPro Hero 11 review we’re very satisfied with the quality of images the little camera produces, and how far we can push the edits in post production without losing quality.

We tried HDR, SuperPhoto and Raw, but have decided to just always stick to Raw.

We also went and found some rock wallabies near the boat pier and tried out Auto, Raw Burst Mode to see how it performed.

The lag time though while the camera buffered the images was painfully slow. This could probably be reduced though by using a faster speed SD card, so we’ll report back in the future when we upgrade this.

We’re yet to use the new Night Effects properly, but have a big trip coming up very soon where we’ll be able to test this out. Stay tuned for an update.

Overall the GoPro HERO11 Black has been a joy to use, and it will now have a permanent place in our camera bag on every trip and shoot we go on.

What We Don’t Like

We’re always honest in our gear write-ups, and being an honest GoPro HERO11 Black review we actually tried our best to find something wrong with the camera.

Why? Well nothing can be perfect, and we don’t want you as our trusting reader to think we’re just going to praise everything that’s out there.

So with that being said, is it a perfect camera?

No. But GoPro are getting close to making one.

One feature we really wish they had have included was an optical zoom.

We love the iconic GoPro perspective, but it’d be nice if we could grab a 2x or 3x optical zoom as well to get closer to our subjects and create some lens compression.

Perhaps this could be rectified in the future with a switchable lens? There’s the Max Lens Mod, why not have a Zoom Lens Mod too?

The audio without the Media Mod isn’t great, but if you’re not vlogging this isn’t a big deal.

Other than that there really isn’t anything major that we dislike in our GoPro Hero 11 Black review.

But if we notice anything as time goes on we’ll be sure to return to this article and update it.

GoPro HERO11 vs GoPro HERO10 vs GoPro HERO9 – What’s the Difference?

We’ve explored all the updates and what’s new in our GoPro Hero 11 Black review, and unless you’re very familiar with the old models you may be left wondering what the difference is between the most recent versions.

And also, if you have an older camera, is it worth upgrading?

The HERO11 has a number of major updates compared to the HERO10, most specifically around the larger sensor and 10-bit colour, but the engine behind it being the GP2 processor is more or less the same.

But what about against the HERO9?

Let’s check out the differences in our comparison table.

Do GoPros Have Screens?

Wondering whether GoPro cameras have screens? Early models didn’t, but newer models do. These are the GoPro models that do have built-in screens.

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Early models of GoPros didn’t include a screen.

GoPro Deals

At least, they didn’t have the type of back screen that you can use for live preview and operating the menu system. Several early models did include a small monochrome screen on the front that was just a status screen. And with some earlier models, you could add a screen as an optional accessory.

But since the HERO4 Silver, most (but not all) GoPro models have included a built-in back screen. The screen can be used for live preview when shooting, playing back photos and videos, and as a touchscreen for interacting with the camera’s menu system.

These are the specific models that have a built-in screen on the back:

• HERO10 Black
• HERO9 Black
• HERO8 Black
• HERO7 Black
• HERO7 Silver
• HERO7 White
• HERO6 Black
• HERO5 Black
• Hero (2018)
• Hero LCD
• HERO4 Silver

And some of the newest models have improved the front screen to be a full-color live preview screen. It’s still much smaller than the screen on the back, and it’s not a touchscreen, but it has been a significant upgrade and is especially useful for vlogging or selfies.

These are the GoPro models with a full-color front screen:

The Latest Model: GoPro HERO11 Black

Released in the fall of 2022, the HERO11 is GoPro’s current model. Well, actually two models.

First, there’s the flagship Black that has all the bells and whistles and sets the standard for action cameras.

• Shoot 5.3K60 4K120 video at up to 120Mbps bitrate
• Take 27MP photos
• Waterproof to 33ft / 10m without a separate housing
• Built-in mount point
• HyperSmooth 5.0 In-camera Video Stabilization creates smooth video without a gimbal
• Shoot up to 8x slow motion

A couple of months later, they released Black Mini. It’s smaller and shares many of the flagship models capabilities, but it’s also stripped-down in important ways. For instance, it doesn’t have a touchscreen, its battery isn’t removable, and it shoots video only (so no photo mode).

• Shoot 5.3K60 4K120 video at up to 120Mbps bitrate
• Compact form factor
• Waterproof to 33ft / 10m without a separate housing
• 2x built-in mount point
• HyperSmooth 5.0 in-camera video stabilization
• Shoot up to 8x slow motion @ 2.7K
• Built-in battery

Go Big or Go Home: An In-Depth GoPro Comparison

To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Rankings remain impartial. Our review process.

Originally designed for surfers and thrill seekers, the GoPro cameras are now a big favorite of many cinematographers and armature photographers alike. They’re a tiny camera that pack in a ton of features. We’ll take a look at the history of the GoPro cameras over the years and the features of each, different mounts and accessories and more so you can get to filming high-quality footage in no time.

GoPro Models Compared: GoPro Camera Comparison Chart

We’ve put together a comprehensive GoPro comparison chart where you can compare GoPro models side-by-side and gives you price, specs, ports, storage, availability and more (even waterproof depth). We recommend you open it side-by-side with this article (the link will open in a new window) to compare as you learn in-depth details for your favorite GoPro model below.

One of the most popular cameras used in the extreme sports is The GoPro Hero series. Described by GoPro Founder Inventor Nick Woodman “it’s the almost invisible, wearable camera you forget you’ve got on.” This is one of the main reasons why the GoPro has become the camera of choice because of its light weight, small compact size is extremely simple to use. With all the available camera mount options, you are able to attach it to almost anything and at any angle. This allows for some amazing and stunning ‘Point of View’ shots often impossible to film with bigger cameras.

Before we get into each of the GoPro camera reviews, let’s take a look at the history of the camera and evolution of the different models over the years.

GoPro History

Launched in 2006, the first GoPro camera was called the Digital Hero, shooting VGA video in 10 second bursts with no audio recording. The original idea was for the camera to be used by Surfers.

• 2007 – A major upgrade to image quality and usability, called the Digital Hero 3 because it came with a 3 megapixel camera and 512×384 video.
• 2008 – GoPro launched the Digital Hero 5, a camera designed with a bigger 5 megapixel sensor, and supported the standard 512×384 video capture. This camera was also the first GoPro to use a 170° angle of view, ultra-wide lens.
• 2009 – The launch of the first HD Hero which captures professional quality 1080p / 960p / 720p true HD video at 30 and 60 frames per second. The camera included the industry’s widest 170° angle lens and also shoots a lesser 127° wide angle in the 1080p resolution. The camera has the same 5 megapixel sensor and features an optional auto-photo mode that captures photos every 2, 5, 10, 30, or 60 second intervals.
• 2010 – Another jump to high-definition was the Hero HD supporting1080p video at 127° wide-angle.
• 2011 – GoPro refreshed their product line in October with the GoPro Hero2, an improved version with an 11-megapixel camera, better low-light capability and 1080p video at 30 frames per second.
• 2014 – The launch of GoPro 4 in silver and black (to replace GoPro 3).
• 2015 – In June they released: GoPro HeroLCD with recording at 1080p at 60 fps/and 8 megapixel photos and touch screen. Then in October GoPro released its third entry level camera: GoPro Hero.
• 2106 – Hero5 Black and Hero5 Session were introduced in September, both are waterproof up to 10 m, support 4k video recording up to 30 fps.
• 2017 – In September the Hero6 Black was released which has the same features as the Hero5 but increased video (4k60 vs 4k30), advanced video stabilization and the first camera to have its own CP1 chip.

GoPro Hero Review GoPro Comparison

We have individual GoPro reviews for the latest cameras below so you can get the full GoPro comparison. Because the cameras are built so well, the newer models might not necessarily be the best ones. They are all solid choices, just a matter of finding which is the best fit for you. For that reason, we listed them in chronological order so you can see the evolution of the models over the years.

GoPro Hero3

In 2012 GoPro continues its yearly product refresh with the smaller, lighter GoPro Hero3 which is available in three different camera colors which each have their own set of features – black, silver and white. All versions of the Hero3 are equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and are 30% smaller and 25% lighter than previous GoPros.

GoPro HERO3: White Edition

Has the same performance specs as the Original HD Hero camera it replaces, and is able to capture 1080p 30 fps and 720p 60 fps video plus 5MP photos at a rate of 3 photos per second.

GoPro HERO3: Silver Edition

The Hero 3 Silver Edition has the same high-performance specs as the HD HERO2 camera it replaces, and is capable of capturing ultra-wide 1080p 30 fps and 720p 60 fps video plus 11MP photos at a rate of 10 photos per second.

Check out the amazing quality of the GoPro Hero 3 in this epic underwater video.

GoPro Hero3

In 2013 GoPro updates GoPro Hero3 to the GoPro Hero3 for the black and silver models. The camera is 20% smaller and 15% lighter than previous models from the redesigned waterproof housing which is now limited to a depth of 40m down from the Hero3’s 60m. The actual camera is the same size but 2x more powerful with an added 30% increase in battery life. GoPro HERO3: Silver Edition

It has the following improvements to that of the HERO3 camera it replaces, Video frame rates are doubled to 1080p 60 fps and 720p 120 fps video. Other change is the reduction to 10MP photos. and there is no Protune.

GoPro Hero 3: Black Edition

Capable of capturing ultra-wide 4k 15fps, 2.7k 30fps 1440p 48fps, 1080p 60 fps and 720p 120 fps video and 12MP photos at a rate of 30 photos per second. Included with the camera is a Wi-Fi Remote Improvements include a 4x faster Wi-Fi, improved image quality with a new lens and powerful new features geared for versatility and convenience. “SuperView” which is a new video mode that captures the world’s most immersive wide-angle perspective. Auto Low Light mode intelligently adjusts frame rate.

Check out the GoPro Hero 3 in action in an African Safari to see how it compares to the GoPro Hero 3.

GoPro Hero4

In 2014 GoPro updates the Hero to be a more affordable price and introduces the new Hero4 Silver and Black. The Hero and Hero4 models can withstand ocean depths of over 130 feet when used inside their protective shells. The Hero basically does what previous GoPros have done in the past that are priced around 200. The Hero has 1080p video at 30 frames per second or 720p video at 60fps. Photos max out at 5 megapixels with 5fps burst mode. This model has 2 1/2 hours of recording time.

GoPro Hero4 Silver

This model is the only one that has a new touch screen control on the back. Hero4 Silver shoots 1080p video up to 60fps and 720p video up to 120fps. It can shoot 4K video at 15fps. Photos are 12 megapixels with 30fps burst mode. Battery life is not specified, but it is said to be similar to the Hero3 silver and black.

GoPro Hero4 Black

The most advanced model offered by GoPro. Although it has no touch screen, it is a step up from the Hero4 Silver. With 4K video at 30fps and 1080p video at 120fps, this camera is great for slow motion. This model is targeted to professionals who want to improve their cinematography drastically. With a price point of 500, this is the most expensive GoPro.

GoPro Hero4 Session

In 2015 GoPro adds touchscreens to all entry level cameras and introduces the new Hero4 Session. GoPro Hero4 Session is the first GoPro that does not need a case to survive extreme activities. This is the smallest GoPro yet and is completely waterproof. This is great since users won’t have to buy so many attachments to use the camera for different activities.

GoPro Hero also adds Wi-Fi connectivity for quick mobile sharing. This is a good entry level camera.

GoPro Hero5 Black

The Hero5 Black takes the design up a notch. From the previous clunky and plastic hard outer shell design, the Hero5 has a a sleek black waterproof shell. Another new and improved feature is the full-color, touch display on the back of the camera. It also gives you the ability to easily transfer footage to your phone via QuikStories, voice control and more.

GoPro Hero6 Black

Similar to the Hero5, the Hero6 comes with all the advanced featured and improved design in addition to increased video up to 2.7K120. The other main difference is the Hero6 is the first GoPro camera to have its own GP1 chip similar to a computer which is designed to deliver advanced stabilization and quality. Otherwise the cameras are nearly identical. So if video is important to you, you might consider an upgrade to this newer version.

GoPro Hero7 (Black, Silver Or White)

Similar to the Hero6, the newest camera the Hero7 has advanced stabilization and quality. The main new feature is it is voice-controlled so you can stay hands-free while you tell the camera to start recording or take a photo. In addition, the black model allows you to live stream to Live and has Time Warm, which is a super stabilized time-lapse video. HERO7 Black and the two similar models (white and silver) are a little more pricey than the older models, but they keep upping the ante with the improved quality and capabilities.

GoPro Fusion

The latest and greatest camera in the GoPro family is the fusion. The Fusion has a 4-mic proccessing for advanced wind noise reduction and 360 audio. In addition to improved audio quality, the video is the most high-definition yet with 5.2K30. It also includes Spherical Capture and OverCapture as well as some of the more advanced features you’d come to expect with the higher-end go pros, but lacks some bigger features like touch display, QuikStories, auto upload and HDMI output. So you’re compromising some things to get others. It does come with a hefty price tag so you better be serious about stepping up your GoPro game to invest in the best.

Tips For Using The GoPro Hero Camera

The GoPro camera controls are extremely simple to use, even for non-technical people. There are just 2 main buttons on the top and front of the camera, The top button is the shutter release and start/stop button as found on almost all other cameras. In menu mode, this then becomes the Option select button. The front button is power On/Off and mode select. The third button on the side of the camera is for the Wi-Fi enable option.

The main functions selected via the menu are Video, Photo, Burst, Time Lapse, Settings Play when you have the LCD Bac-Pac or are connected to a HDMI TV.

Once familiar with the menu sequence, the required mode can be selected without looking. Actual camera settings are much more tricky as there are way too many options to remember all the button presses. This is made easier if you use the Wi-Fi and the Free GoPro Android or iPhone App to access all the camera settings, this also allows the smartphone to be used as a viewfinder.

Battery Life And Charging

If using a single battery as you would when you first get the camera, we recommend fully charging the battery before every film session or you may experience the frustration of the auto switch-off when the battery goes dead during filming. From a full charge you should expect around 1 hour 30 mins of continuous video at 720 HD 50fps. Expect a little less filming time if you also have Wi-Fi enabled.

Using the GoPro as a normal point and shoot camera, there will be plenty of battery life with the camera left switched on in standby mode, even during a 4-hour hike. To guarantee you have enough battery life, you will need a spare battery especially on long Hike and Fly sessions. Use one battery for the hike – photos and short video clips to the launch point, the second battery to capture the flight. The same goes for the Memory cards, Recharging via a PC’s USB port takes around 2 hours for a full recharge.

Memory Cards

The GoPro Hero3 does not come with a memory card installed. You will need to buy one (or more) to suit your required needs before you can use the camera. The Hero3 uses micro HCSD cards which can be any size up to 64Gb. Earlier GoPro models used the Standard full-sized HCSD cards.

For best performance when recording in Protune video mode and for 0.5 seconds time-lapse photography you need to use a Class10 card or higher. Class 10 cards are designed for fast data transfer/storage which is what is needed for shooting HD video.

Slower cards can’t handle the huge amounts of image data quickly enough resulting in corrupt or damaged files due to missing data. 16, 32 or 64Gb are the best size options for HD Video as 8Gb or smaller may fill up too quickly.

• 2 hours and 20 minutes of video at 720 HD 50fps (with Protune)
• 4 hours and 45 minutes at normal 720 HD 50fps (without Protune)
• Take just over 5,000 photos at the 11 Mpx setting. Using the lower 5 Mpx setting, you can record over 9,999 images.

GoPro Features

The camera captures professional quality video at 1080p-30, 720p-60, 960p-48 and WVGA-120 resolutions and frame rates. The Black version adds 1440P-48 and the ultra-high resolutions 2.7KP-30 fps and 4KP-15 fps (Protune only) video modes and higher frame rates to the lower resolutions. There are no FOCUS or complicated exposure settings.

Advance users can adjust the white color balance. With no zoom lens, the GoPro is not a camera for general video – you need to be close to the subject or be part of the action you are filming meaning POV (Point of View) or else the subject can be just a tiny speck in the middle of the frame. Using the GoPro takes many hours of experimenting, trial error and sometimes just luck to get usable non-POV footage as seen in the demo videos above.

Protune is an option more for the advanced or professional user who requires more dynamic image manipulation, color balance and color correction so that GoPro footage and images can be better matched to other video footage from different cameras. Protune also gives more details in both shadows and highlights which can be edited to create much sharper images.

Photo

With a 32 GB card you are able to shoot over 5000 11Mpx images or 9999 images at 5Mpx. When taking single shot images there is a long delay (just under 2 seconds) waiting for the shutter to release. This makes it easy to miss the action shot you wanted to capture. The delay is added due to the extra force required to press the shutter release on the waterproof housing.

The amount of time is enough to allow the camera to stabilize to remove any camera shake. Also it’s very easy to get your fingers in the shot when holding the camera due to the wide-angle lens and the camera’s small size. There are no adjustments for FOCUS, zoom, exposure and settings that are commonly found on other cameras.

Even with lack of adjustments, the GoPro will take some amazing photos if you take the time to experiment and find out what works best for you. It’s not a camera for everyday general photography.

When taking photos, the distance from the camera makes a big difference. As you can see in an experiment below, the closer to the camera the better. When shooting close-up action shots, the subject should be positioned within 5 meters of the lens.

Images below range from a distance of 30m, 20m, 10m, 5m, 3m, 2m and 1m with the camera positioned at ground level.

On the Hero Black there is also Continuous Shot Mode that allows you to capture any number of single images while you have your finger pressed on the shutter release and while recording video the ability to take photos in time-lapse mode or single shots manually.

Burst

Uses the same storage space as the Photo option. The number of images per second allows up to 30 shots on the Hero3 Black, 10 on the Silver and 3 for the White. This feature may allow for better single-shot action capture if the standard single shot photo delay is too long. This allows the user to preempt the action and record multiple images as it happens. There is a noticeable delay after the photos have been taken while the camera then saves them to the memory card, even with a Class 10 card installed.

Time Lapse

The time-lapse feature allows you to record photo sequences from 0.5 to 60 second intervals, and later convert them into a video or delete any of the photos not required.

Using basic math can help calculate the required time-lapse settings:

• 60 seconds = 1/minute = 60/hour @ 24fps gives 2.5 seconds of video
• 30 seconds = 2/minute = 120/hour @ 24fps gives 5 seconds of video
• 10 seconds = 6/minute = 360/hour @ 24fps gives 15 seconds of video
• 5 seconds = 12/minute = 720/hour @ 24fps gives 30 seconds of video
• 2 seconds = 30/minute = 1800/hour @ 24fps gives 1 minute and 15 seconds of video
• 1 seconds = 60/minute = 3600/hour @ 24fps gives 2 minutes and 30 seconds of video
• 0.5 seconds = 120/minute = 7200/hour @ 24fps gives 5 minutes of video

Setup

The setup gives you access to all the camera settings and setup options. These details are too complex to include here but you can visit the GoPro website to download the User Manual for the camera you are interested in for more details.

GoPro Attachments Mounts

The ‘supplied with’ mounts are enough to get started, but you will need more, especially the flat adhesive mounts. These are used with the supplied Quick Release or J-Hook Buckle which attach to the Camera housing. You get one flat mount and one curved mount.

Fetch – Dog Harness

You can put your GoPro on this specific dog harness to get a really cool view of what your dog sees. This mount costs 59.99 and has two locations you can place the GoPro. Your dog can play in the dirt, mud or water with this harness so you can get all the shots of your dog chewing, jumping and playing. This harness can fit different size dogs from 15-120 pounds.

Curved Mount Flat Mount

The curved mount is normally used to attach the GoPro to your helmet. The flat mount you could stick on your ski’s for speed-flying. The best position is normally near the ski tip which allows the camera to point forward or looking back towards the pilot. The less popular ski mounting position is near the tail of the ski.

Other mounts often used are helmet extension arms which position the camera to show the pilots face and upper body.

One idea for a camera mount is to modify the optional head strap mount by using just the short length of elastic to wrap around your ski boot or leg. advanced camera mounts include:

• Chase-Cam’s which attach to the gliders ‘D’ line attachment points.
• Scorpion Mount which positions the camera so that it looks down on the pilot from behind.
• Wing mounts which attach the camera to the glider canopy which looks down on the pilot.

When working out suitable mounting positions, it’s best to experiment first by using double-sided sticky tape and record short lengths of video before attaching the mount properly. With skis you may get too much of the ski tip in your shot if positioned too far back from the front of the ski. The curved helmet mount may also be tricky depending on the type of helmet you are using.

An example can be seen above on the Plusmax helmet where the mount will only attach on the side. The other curves on the top and front of the Plusmax helmet are too much for the curved mount to fix securely.

GoPro Cons

There are a few minor frustrations, which you quickly get used to and are soon forgotten.

• No Memory Card With Camera – There is no Memory Card supplied as standard. This is not always clearly indicated when buying the camera, so it can be annoying if you need to then order a card and have to wait a few extra days before you can try out your new camera.
• No UNC Camera Mount Included – There is no standard 1/4×20 UNC camera mount included and due to the GoPro’s small compact size and waterproof housing it is impossible to fit one into the camera body. GoPro makes a Tripod Mount to attached to a standard 1/4×20 tripod stud, but I feel it should be a standard addition to the ‘supplied with’ mounts so that the camera can connect to any standard tripod camera fixtures and fittings.
• Limited Mounts Out of the Box – The Hero3 comes with a limited number of mounts, but there are many more options available from GoPro and third-party suppliers. Depending on the type of filming you plan to do, you will likely need to buy more. The problem is this can get very, very expensive. Buying all the mounts available could cost you more than you paid for the camera. But once you have collected a few of the mounts and extension arms, you can mix, match and modify the individual components to create your own. Further, if you have the skills, tools and materials, you can design and create something custom to best meet your needs.
• Limited Battery Life – One other frustration is battery life. The battery size and its capacity is limited due to limited available space in the camera. GoPro resized the Hero3 so it now has a dedicated battery. Standard AA or AAA batteries are too big and will not fit the smaller camera.

Tips For Low Battery Life

To get around the battery life issue, you have a few options:

• Recharge before every video/photo session, which takes about 2 hours if the battery is dead.
• Buy one or more spare batteries and a charger.
• Use a portable USB charger/Power supply.
• Use the GoPro Battery BacPac which should roughly double your original battery life.
• Plan what you want to shoot in advance and only shoot what is needed.

Will You GoPro?

If you are looking for a high quality small and compact POV HD video, a GoPro Hero should be your first choice. It’s a small investment but if you are traveling or someone who enjoys adventure (and documenting it) this camera will bring you so much enjoyment.

Looking for a more traditional camera? You might consider a DSLR camera which captures high-quality photos for amateur and professionals alike. Then why not take all those beautiful memories sitting on your device into a photo book that you can show off to friends and family?

Have you used a GoPro and have any tips, tricks or other feedback?

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Disclaimer: the information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

GoPro Comparison

GoPro’s camera lineup is getting bigger and bigger. We had the chance to play and review many different GoPro models over the year.

The first digital GoPro was introduced in 2006 and the company has exploded in the past 10 years, the GoPro Model Comparison chart below highlights the resolution and fps available for each model of GoPro.

We hope this GoPro comparison table helps you understand better the difference between all the different models available. in depth review of each model is available below.

This file is available for download in pdf format here.

HERO4 Session

The latest GoPro to hit the market is also the smallest and lightest GoPro ever produced. This camera looks completely different from the other GoPro models, it’s a 1.5″ cube!

It is 35% lighter than the GoPro HERO4

The mounting options for this action cam are very interesting: the square shape of the camera and the included mounting frame let you rotate the camera easily to use it in any position you want. That’s a plus when you compare it with the mounting options of the regular GoPros.

The GoPro Session has only 2 buttons and no LCD panel, just a small display that let you see what settings you are using. To adjust the settings, pair the camera with your phone and tablet.

Video quality isn’t as good as the the Hero4 Silver. The dynamic range, colors and image quality are not as good as the regular GoPros.

Strap it on your dog, to the front of your ski, on the end of a guitar, on your shoulder while rock climbing, the Session is small!

If you are willing to sacrifice a little bit on image quality and the ability to shoot in 4K to have a smaller and lighter camera. the GoPro Session might be worth looking at.

HERO4 Black

This is the best of the best when it comes to action cameras. The HERO4 Black edition is the most advanced GoPro ever!

It offers the best image quality and the most flexibility when it comes to frame rate and resolution. It can also make easy and nice looking time lapse.

The ability to shoot in 4K for professionals is a must nowadays and the GoPro HERO4 is the only model in our comparison offering 4K at 40fps. The 1080p at 120fps is also great for slow motion effects.

If your budget allows it, the GoPro HERO4 Black edition is the best choice.

HERO4 Silver

The past iteration of the Silver GoPro was the HERO3 Silver. The HERO3 Silver was a step down model of the HERO3 Black edition, just like with the HERO4 Silver and Black edition. Only this time around, the Silver model is a lot closer to it’s big brother in terms of quality and features.

The GoPro HERO4 Silver edition, is basically the HERO3 Black from last year with additional settings and a more than welcome touch screen. This touch screen allows you to review footage and adjust settings without the need to use the mobile app. This touch screen however comes at the cost of shorter battery life.

When used in 1080p resolution and 60, 48, 30, or 24 fps the quality of the videos is equal if not better than the GoPro HERO3 Black.

The low light mode on his camera is impressive and produces better results than the previous generation when used in low light settings.

The GoPro HERO4 Silver brings all the things we liked about the HERO3 Black:

And it adds the touch screen.

For most people, this is the GoPro to get!

Hero LCD

If you don’t need the 4K video and the 12MP stills, but still want a GoPro with an LCD screen, maybe you should consider the GoPro Hero LCD in your comparison.

This is the new “entry level” action camera from GoPro.

As opposed to the HERO4 Silver, the Hero LCD can’t be removed from its waterproof case. The camera has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allowing it to connect to the GoPro mobile app.

But with the LCD screen, you wont be stuck using the mobile app all the time. Note that the Micro-HDMI port is not available on this model, this means you won’t be able to connect the camera directly onto your TV.

The addition of the LCD screen really simplifies the operation of the camera when compared with the GoPro Hero, plus the price tag of the Hero LCD makes it a little less “entry level” and appealing to us.

We will continue to maintain this GoPro model comparison page as new models are available.

The Best GoPro Cameras of 2023

For nearly two decades, the name GoPro has been synonymous with action and adventure — so much so that people often refer to any action camera as simply a “GoPro.” When looking for the best GoPro cameras, keep in mind that the current GoPro lineup continues that legacy, thanks to premium video features like class-leading resolutions and frame rates up to 5.3K at 60 frames per second and arguably the most sophisticated image stabilization ever put into an action camera: HyperSmooth.

In this guide, we’ll discuss who might need the extra power newer models provide, as well as those who would be better served with a less expensive — though fully capable — model. We’ll also go over what to look for when shopping for the best GoPro cameras, including which features to prioritize and which to disregard.

— Best Overall: GoPro HERO10 Black — Best for Beginners: GoPro HERO7 Black — Best for Vlogging: GoPro HERO9 Black — Best for 360 video: GoPro MAX — Best Value: GoPro HERO8 Black

How We Picked the Best GoPro Cameras

With the notable exception of the GoPro Max, the current roster of available GoPro cameras are all part of the Hero Black series. That series starts with the beginner-friendly HERO7 Black and ends with the current king of all action cams, the HERO10 Black. Each generation of Hero camera offers something new, something more advanced than its predecessor, though those upgrades don’t automatically mean the newer generations of Hero cameras are better than the older — they’re just more powerful.

Normally, when we review action cameras, we prioritize features like video quality and stabilization to separate the good cameras from the not-so-good. However, because every current GoPro camera offers both high-quality video quality and highly effective digital stabilization, we refined our review process to consider how important those features were to specific use-cases and popular applications (e.g., what is the best GoPro for vlogging). Here are the features we looked at and how we judged them.

Video Quality : Because every current GoPro camera delivers high-quality, digitally stabilized video, we judged their video quality by how relevant it was to a particular category or use. For example, when we were looking for “the best GoPro overall,” we went with the model that has the very best video quality, the HERO10 Black. Our thinking was that the best GoPro should be the one with the best video footage. For categories where having the very best video quality wasn’t as relevant to the use (e.g., “the best beginner GoPro,”), we didn’t rank video quality quite so high.

Rugged Design: Like any good action camera, a GoPro needs to be tough and reliable. It needs to stand up to the elements, to survive the impact from a steep fall, and to withstand a reasonable level of water and/or dust immersion. We reviewed each GoPro camera using this criterion; we also judged the vulnerability of their more sensitive components, such as the camera lens and display.

Battery: Having enough battery to support recording high-quality video for at least an hour is critical. Bonus points if the battery is removable, so you can swap it out for a fresh one when necessary.

Live Streaming: Although its relevance changes from use-case to use-case, the ability to effectively transmit live footage is something we looked at when reviewing the GoPro lineup. Specifically, we considered how well a particular GoPro could stream live video when judging its potential as a vlogging camera or webcam. Learn more about the best GoPro accessories.

The Best GoPro Cameras: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: GoPro HERO10 Black

Why It Made the Cut: Featuring best-in-class resolution, frame rates, and image stabilization, the HERO10 Black is the most advanced GoPro camera you can buy and our pick for the best GoPro camera overall.

Specs: — Video Resolution: Up to 5.3K at 60fps — Photo Resolution: 23MP — Image Stabilization: Digital — Battery Capacity: 1720mAh

Pros: — 5.3K60/4K120/2.7K240 Video — New GP2 Processor — HyperSmooth 4.0 Image Stabilization — Waterproof to 33 feet without Housing — Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity

Cons: — Premium features mean a premium price

Though it bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, the GoPro HERO10 Black is a far superior device. The secret to its superiority is the HERO10 Black’s powerful new processor, the GP2, which allows it to shoot 5.3K video at up to 60 fps — that’s double the frame rate of its predecessor. Along with its upgraded CPU, the HERO10 Black also features a new 23MP image sensor and the latest version of GoPro’s signature stabilization tech, HyperSmooth 4.0. Both of these features are notable improvements over the previous gen.

Sheer power alone isn’t the only reason the HERO10 Black is the best GoPro overall. It also boasts the most features and is the most accessible, meaning it has the widest appeal. For example, not only is the GoPro HERO10 Black a world-class action camera, it’s also a great webcam solution thanks to its 1080p Live Streaming feature. The ability to live-stream in Full HD, coupled with the HERO10 Black’s new front-facing display, also make it a great camera for vloggers.

Though it features several new hardware elements, the HERO10 Black uses a near-identical design, which means many of the accessory mods that worked with its predecessor are also supported by the HERO10 Black. Not only that, but all of the fan-favorite features and popular video modes of earlier models are built into the HERO10 Black’s software—many of which have been updated to utilize the new processor and stabilization tech.

That extensive list of new and upgraded features, combined with the enhanced processor, image sensor, and video quality, make the HERO10 Black the most sophisticated action camera on the market, and the best GoPro overall.

Best for Beginners: GoPro HERO7 Black

Why It Made the Cut: The GoPro HERO7 Black pairs a low price point and easy-to-use interface with high-quality 4K video, making it a great entry point for action cam users, and the best camera for beginners.

Specs: — Video Resolution: Up to 4K at 60fps — Photo Resolution: 12MP — Image Stabilization: Digital — Battery Capacity: 1220mAh

Pros: — Video Resolution: Up to 4K at 60fps — Photo Resolution: 12MP — Image Stabilization: Digital — Battery Capacity: 1220mAh

Cons: — Far less features than newer models

While it’s no longer part of the current GoPro lineup, the GoPro HERO7 Black still packs a ton of great features that make it especially suitable for beginners. Among those highlights is the ability to shoot stabilized 4K60 video, which is generally considered the standard of high-quality video for action cameras.

While it lacks many of the advanced features of the newer Hero models, the HERO7 Black’s clean and easy-to-access interface make it a breeze to navigate and use. Beginners will no doubt appreciate how streamlined the menus and operations are, especially those that just want to get out and start shooting.

Although it doesn’t have all the software bells and whistles of the later models, the HERO7 Black is every bit as rugged. Featuring a compact design that is waterproof down to 33 feet and every bit as tough as the future models, the HERO7 Black offers the signature ruggedness the GoPro brand is known for — a trait that beginners, especially young ones prone to dropping things, will appreciate. Read a full review of the GoPro HERO7 Black.

Best for Vlogging: GoPro HERO9 Black

Why It Made the Cut: Thanks to a new front-facing color display and across-the-board upgrades, the HERO9 Black is one of the best GoPro cameras for vloggers.

Specs: — Video Resolution: Up to 5.3K at 30fps — Photo Resolution: 20MP — Image Stabilization: Digital — Battery Capacity: 1720mAh

Pros: — 5.3K30/4K60/2.7K120 Video — 1080p Live Streaming Webcam Mode — HyperSmooth 3.0 Image Stabilization — Waterproof to 33 feet without Housing — Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity

Cons: — Bulkier than predecessor

The GoPro HERO9 Black introduced several enhancements to the Hero lineup, including a new front-facing 1.4-inch color display that allows users to frame shots using its live-view feature, making the HERO9 a great option for vloggers.

In addition to the upgraded display, the HERO9 Black also features a new 23.6MP image sensor capable of shooting video up to 5K at 30 fps — a notable step up from its predecessor, which maxes out at 4K60 (the HERO9 can also shoot 4K60). Supporting the HERO9 Black’s new sensor and 5K video capability is HyperSmooth version 3.0, which adds gimbal-like stabilization to all your video, regardless of resolution or frame rate.

Top those features off with a powerful new battery that promises 30 percent more life than its predecessor and you’re looking at an action cam that lasts longer, shoots better footage, and features a handy front display that’s perfect for framing your next shot or live stream.

Now, although the GoPro HERO9 Black isn’t as powerful as the current flagship model, the HERO10 Black, it is significantly less expensive. On top of that, the HERO10 Black’s powerful hardware is likely overkill for conventional vlogging, making the HERO9 Black the best GoPro for vloggers.

Best 360 camera: GoPro MAX

Why It Made the Cut: Though it is only one of two 360 cameras ever produced by GoPro, the GoPro Max outranks and outperforms its predecessor in every single category, making it the best 360 camera you can buy.

Specs: — Video Resolution: 5.6K at 30fps (Spherical); 1440p60 (Standard) — Photo Resolution: 16.6MP (Spherical); 5.5MP (Standard) — Image Stabilization: Digital — Battery Capacity: 1600mAh

Pros: — 5.6K30 Spherical Video — Captures Spherical and Standard (Wide-Angle) Video and Stills — Max HyperSmooth Image Stabilization — Waterproof to 16 feet without Housing — Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity

Cons: — No 4K video in Hero mode

As the only current GoPro camera that can shoot spherical video, the GoPro MAX is the obvious choice if you’re looking for the best 360 GoPro. However, just because the GoPro MAX is the only spherical shooter GoPro currently offers, that doesn’t mean it’s light on features.

The GoPro MAX outputs 360-degree video at a resolution of 5.6K30 and standard Hero-style video at 1440p60. Stabilized with GoPro’s proprietary Max HyperSmooth software, the MAX’s video footage ranks among the very best in the 360 camera category. A third video option is using the GoPro MAX for live streaming. Capable of transmitting live video in 1080p, the GoPro MAX is great for vloggers or anyone who wants to live broadcast to social media.

In addition to excellent video and versatility, the GoPro MAX offers almost everything you could want in a 360 cam. Its rugged build is designed to withstand the rigors of even the most harrowing adventures, including being submerged in water down to 16 feet deep. Its companion editing software gives you full creative control over all your footage, allowing you to cut together dynamic clips and action-packed scenes.

While it’s true that the GoPro MAX is the only 360 camera GoPro currently offers, it’s important to know that the MAX can stand toe-to-toe with any 360 camera out there, and likely come out on top. Excellent video quality, best-in-class stabilization, sturdy design, and versatility help make the MAX the best 360 GoPro you can buy, and one of the very best 360 cameras in the world.

Best for the Money: GoPro HERO8 Black

Why It Made the Cut: With its relatively modest price tag and long list of advanced features, including 4K60 video and HyperSmooth 2.0, the GoPro HERO8 Black is the best GoPro for the money.

Specs: — Video Resolution: Up to 4K at 60fps — Photo Resolution: 12MP — Image Stabilization: Digital — Battery Capacity: 1220mAh

Pros: — 4K60/2.7K120 Video — 12MP SuperPhoto with HDR Support — HyperSmooth 2.0 Image Stabilization — Waterproof to 33 Feet without Housing — Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity

Cons: — No front-facing display

With the ability to shoot professional-grade video in resolutions up to 4K at 60 fps and 1080p at 240 fps, the GoPro HERO8 Black offers flagship-worthy performance at mid-tier price, making it our pick for the GoPro that offers the best value.

In looking for the best GoPro cameras, we compared the video quality of the HERO8 Black against its successor, the HERO9 Black. On paper, the HERO8 Black’s 4K video can’t keep up with the 5K footage of the HERO9 Black.

In practice, however, the difference between the two cameras’ max resolution video is hardly striking, and in some cases, mostly undetectable. Similarly, the HERO8 Black’s HyperSmooth 2.0 isn’t as sophisticated as the HERO9 Black’s HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilization, but the difference isn’t as noticeable as the difference in price would lead you to believe.

The extra difference in cost, then, seems the result of the HERO9 Black’s new front-facing display and larger battery, which can last up to 30 percent longer than the HERO8 Black. For vloggers, the new display adds some serious supplemental value to the HERO9, but because it’s more of a niche use case, it’s quite enough to tip the scales.

Improved battery life, on the other hand, is something that every GoPro owner wants and values. And although 30 percent is a major boost in runtime, we still didn’t see it as enough of an increase to warrant changing our pick. In terms of what you get for what you pay, the HERO8 remains our top choice.

Things to Consider Before Buying The Best GoPro Cameras

When shopping for a new GoPro, it’s tempting to just go with the latest and greatest. After all, the undisputed king of the GoPro cameras, the HERO10 Black, can do just about everything better and faster than any other GoPro. However, it’s important to remember that the best GoPro overall isn’t necessarily the best GoPro for you. Before purchasing your new GoPro, take some time to consider what you plan to do with your camera, as well as these important factors:

Video Resolution and Speed: Regardless of how you plan on using your GoPro, you no doubt want the video quality to look smooth, sharp, and vibrant. Two factors responsible for determining the video quality are the resolution (measured in pixels) and the speed (measured in frames per second). The current GoPro Hero roster is great because every model supports at least 4K video at 60 fps, which is your baseline for high-quality video. Certain GoPro models offer even higher resolutions and frame rates — up to 5.3K at 60 fps — enabling the highest video quality possible.

Stabilization: Of course, high video resolution and fast frame rates won’t mean a thing if the camera shakes without any kind of image stabilization. Luckily, GoPro pioneered one of the most effective digital stabilization platforms ever used in an action camera: HyperSmooth. What you need to know about HyperSmooth is that the original version was an effective digital stabilizer that helped fix shaky footage. We’re now on version 4, and it’s gotten better. When shopping GoPros, consider how turbulent your adventures might be, and choose the appropriate level of stabilization.

Ruggedness: When it comes to action cameras, one word marketers love to use is rugged (ruggedness, ruggedized, etc.) — to the extent it’s lost some the original meaning. However, even though overuse has diluted what it means to be rugged, you should always consider the build quality of the device you’re shopping for to ensure that it can withstand whatever adventures you have in mind. Ruggedness might not be a quantifiable measurement, but rugged characteristics are. Check to see if the device has an IP rating, whether it’s waterproof, dustproof, and/or shockproof. Consider the form factor as well: Is it designed to withstand some abuse or are there obvious points of structural weakness and vulnerability? Accurately considering a device’s ruggedness will prevent you from having to consider it again when it doesn’t survive your next extreme endeavor.

Live-Streaming: Though it doesn’t determine how well a GoPro can capture video, the ability to livestream footage is an important feature to consider for anyone interested in vlogging or using the GoPro as a webcam or teleconferencing device.

FAQs

Q: Which GoPro is easiest to use?

The HERO7 Black is the easiest GoPro to use — if for no other reason than it doesn’t have as many features or the extensive settings options of the other GoPro cameras.

Q: Which GoPro is best for water?

All current GoPro Hero Black models are waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters), meaning each can be considered the best GoPro for water.

Q: Which GoPro has the best battery life?

The GoPro HERO9 Black has the best battery life. Both the GoPro HERO10 and HERO9 Black feature a rechargeable 1720mAh battery. However, because the HERO10 Black has more powerful hardware and stabilization tech, it draws more battery power, making its battery life shorter in some instances. The difference isn’t major, but it’s enough to give the HERO9 Black a slight edge in the battery life category.

Q: How many hours can a GoPro camera record?

The amount of hours a GoPro camera can record depends on several factors, including the model of camera, battery life, video resolution, etc. Generally speaking, any of the current GoPro cameras can record between 1 and 2 hours on a full battery.

Q: How much does a GoPro cost?

The cost of a GoPro varies depending on the model. Beginner models, like GoPro HERO7 Black typically cost in the 250 range, while the current GoPro flagship, the HERO10 Black. costs upward of 500.

Q: How can I recycle my old camera?

GoPro no longer offers any kind of trade-in or recycling program. However, several companies will take certain GoPro models off your hand s if you want to sell or donate them. Selling old GoPro cameras on websites such as eBay is also a viable option.

Final Thoughts on the Best GoPro Cameras

Thanks to its powerful new image sensor and GP2 processor, the HERO10 Black outperforms every other GoPro model. It records 5.3K video at double the frame rates of its predecessor, the HERO9 Black, and its HyperSmooth 4.0 is arguably the most sophisticated digital stabilization ever put in an action cam. Simply put: the HERO10 Black is the best GoPro camera you can buy.

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.