GoPro Hero 8 Black Review

GoPro Hero 8 Black

Typically, GoPro flagships have a marquee feature every year. In the past, 4K/30fps (Hero 4), waterproofing (Hero 5) was built in and stabilisation (Hero 7) was really great. No single showstopping feature is given for the latest Hero 8 Black ($399). It instead provides some updates which are all fine by themselves, but together, I believe they add up to the kind of great step forward fans are looking for from the brand. Actually there's plenty to do, so we'll immerse ourselves in what's new.

GoPro made a return with the Hero 7 Black and on this performance the Hero 8 builds. The whole user experience is much more advanced while the core camera stays the same. Many consumers will no longer be able to raise their filters, and we would always enjoy a better life for the batteries. Most significantly, the Hero 8 increases the chance that your movie is worth sharing.

The camera itself is first and foremost physically distinct from the model last year. The Hero 8, in general, now has the fingers built into the mounting belt (that is, the pins that drop to the top of a pole). You do not need a frame mount to attach it to accessories anymore. This means that battery and memory cards are always easily accessible. Another advantage is that once the camera is mounted it reduces its total footprint.

The lens cover is also no longer reversible as a hardware change. To those using stuff like zero density and color filters, this is an inconvenience, but a GoPro spokeswoman claims that in the works there is a solution to that. The downside is that the glass is twice as strong, so you will not need a substitute. We can be sure that somebody will pursue the statement to the limit elsewhere. Unfortunately, there is no HDMI port, so you have to purchase an adapter.

GoPro Hero 8 Black

HyperSmooth is back and better, last year's flagship app. As GoPro calls it, HyperSmooth 2.0 offers even greater stabilization and operates across all frame rates and resolutions. This is good news, as you won't have to choose whether you want the type of shot or stability (including slo-mo). There's also a boost mode with even more balanced shots than the (now I m) mode

It has also been updated with TimeWarp (GoPro's hyperlapse feature). This time there's an auto mode promising to predict how quickly your video deficiencies are registered. With the Hero 7, the frequency (2X, 5X, etc.) has to be set and you have to see what you have. GoPro also reports that the camera will use sensors for motion detection and speed adjustment. There is also an on-screen "Echtzeit" button, so you can save your video periodically from TimeWarp. This is a clean impact, similar to the introduction of a standard video with a slo-mo segment.

On the Hero 8, they make their debut on two new features–Virtual Lenses and Capture Presets. These are just two shortcuts to existing things, but like all other stuff on the phone, these do a better job to help you understand and use things easier. In short, Digital Lenses is a new home for each size field of view settings, whereas the Capture Preset are what it sounds like: preselected settings for common use cases, (superview, broad, linear and — new to the Hero 8— narrow). (It is also possible to determine and save your own.)

GoPro Hero 8 Black

A new photo format LiveBurst, much like the functionality in Apple's Live Video, is available for still image fans. The camera captures photos in this mode 1,5 seconds before and after the shutter button is pressed, raising the likelihood that you will have a great shot, which you will also share as a short gif-like movie. In different light conditions SuperPhoto (GoPro's HDR mode) is also improving photo quality.

If you're lamenting the lack of hardware upgrades, the Hero 8 still has something for you. GoPro launches a range of "kit" accessories alongside the new phone, which is identical to Motorola's Moto Mods. When it comes to writing it involves a media mod (a frame with a built-in shotgun mic, HDMI connection, 3.5 mm of audio in and two cold shoes); a luminous mod (200 lumens calibrated for the video). The mods will range between $49 and $79 each. (As a bonus, it has its own battery integrated).

Such new features range from great to better to good ones individually to good upgrades, but - as I described before-they only come together for a couple of weeks after using Hero 8 to make the device feel different than its slight reworking.

GoPro Hero 8 Black

The big news came when the Hero 5 was that you no longer needed a waterproof housing (which was used most of the time, as the camera was also protected). The lens was thus slightly smaller and lighter. The Hero 8 was the perfect idea for someone to create the "fingers," which you use to clip GoPro into attachments straight into your phone. Switch Hero 8 on and you'll lie flat there, wait for you to take it out.

The fingertips are magnets, so they aren't popping up spontaneously. So sure, when you manage to break them off, they are replaceable. They feel pretty strong, but I'm sure that somebody will eventually break them apart because these devices are often violated.

This change in style seems at first just "wise." Like a folding chair, which in a camper van becomes an oven. But the older cameras and their reliance on extra housings, once you have been used to the luxury of direct access to the battery and memory card, seem to have decreased considerably after using the Hero 8 for a half day.

GoPro Hero 8 Black

One little thing that I have found is that when attached to a pole or frame, the camera sometimes does not rest comfortably horizontally. Set up again manually and tighten up the screw a couple times at first, it's easy enough to repair— but it caused me several times. In short, make a mental note to check for drops of water or dust before shooting right after testing your camera. A new "horizon lock" feature is available in the software which fixes lopsided video, but always the first time you get it right.

I'll confess that, when Hero 7 was announced, I weren't expecting too much of HyperSmooth. GoPro has already added stabilization to the Hero 5 then an "improved" Hero 6 version, so it was easy to assume that it was another small improvement when it was repacked in the Hero 7. I was wrong: it was truly impressive and almost all fired a lot better with it.

In this way, I am not squabbled about the legitimer upgrade of HyperSmooth 2.0. Not only in how it stabilises, but also because it is now usable in any frame rate and size, like slo-mo modes. On Hero 7 HyperSmooth was possible for most modes but once in 4:3 (an significant setting for action cameras) you got into lower frame rates, or almost anything, you were out of luck. Then, all you need to do is consider whether you want HyperSmooth on or off is to recall the environment it functions in.

All right, there is another choice: how much you need to stabilize. On the Hero 7, HyperSmooth was either auto, on, on, on, high (HyperSmooth 2.0), and boost (which crops a bit more of the image) or off. On Hero 7 you have to decide between "auto, off")

GoPro Hero 8 Black

If you think that the difference between high settings and HyperSmooth is different, that is not the case. Both will cut the picture around 10%, Boost swallowing your view a little bit more (although GoPro does not indicate how much.

In use, HyperSmooth 2.0 sounds fluider than the Hero 7. I liked it, because I think action sports can look a bit weird if overstabilized, but HyperSmooth wasn't too powerful. Fortunately, everything GoPro has achieved this time to develop HyperSmooth doesn't sound unnatural.

Many were amazed by DJI's Osmo Action by how strong its stabilization was. This was likely one of the major factors why people didn't know which camera they were purchasing. I can only assume that GoPro has here in Hero 8 neutralized this judgment. Unless you teste the lens of DJI side by side with the Hero 9, you will find Osmo Action struggling with motions across more than one axis at the same time. The combination of lateral and hand impact creates a remarkable 'witch' which is more effectively absorbed by the Hero 8.

Boost mode must be used, on the other hand, cautiously, I guess. For example, I checked it while walking and due to the absence of lateral movement, your video almost looks like it's slow moving. It is useful in situations where sudden movement is extremely affecting. And, on the other hand, it could keep the action silent (either blogging and speaking to the camera). There's also this plant I mentioned previously— if you need the large field of view you miss some of the action sports generally. In any case, the alternative is cool.

FINALLY…..

Altogether, in the GoPro roadmap, the Hero 8 is like a little but critical fork. Many older resolutions such as 720p and 960p are included. In contrast to data that certain consumers like the HDMI port and interchangeable lens can enjoy. The latter have likely been given for a sleek, seamless model.

In return, they have what I think is still GoPro's most extensive experience. All the Hero 8 patches add value and function logically together. The user experience has evolved to a point where new users are accepted, but the control settings are not covered. The outcome is a first-class camera, for which you pay $399. This is what you invest. The implementation of mods (though at an additional cost) to extend the hardware should also mean that you can make more use of Hero 8 over time.