gopro 8 lcd screen free sample

If you’re diving with sharks, traversing a river in a kayak, or white water rafting, you need a reliable waterproof action camera. GoPro offers HD action cameras with sharp 4K resolution, enabling you to capture crystal-clear footage of your feats. And, it’s not just the high intensity activities where the best GoPro cameras shine. If you’re documenting your wine tour, zip lining, snowboarding, or even just making memories around the barbecue at home after your latest adventure, you can be your own daredevil and your own photographer with GoPro.

The sports action camera you choose should be lightweight so as not to slow you down. It"s also important that it attaches to your clothing or gear so you can focus on the moment and leave it to your GoPro to capture the incredible footage. An action camera with image stabilization will make sure your video isn"t shaking even if your hands are. Not the adventurous type? Use your GoPro for award-worthy footage of the solitude of hiking through the woods at your local park. No matter where life takes you, GoPro is there to capture the moment.

Compare from our various adventure camera models, like the all new GoPro HERO11 Black, to make sure you have the right one by your side to for all of your incredible adventures both in and out of the water. Use our GoPro comparison tool to compare up to 3 camera models and their features, modes, design and dimensions.

Oh, the infamous GoPro. You may know it as that durable, waterproof, pocket-sized device that is the camera of choice for trips, action sports athletes and recording life’s moments—no matter how crazy they are.

Here is a GoPro-endorsed list of some of the lesser known GoPro camera features and settings that will make you look like a pro and guarantee that you never miss the shot.

Once you’re home from a day’s adventure, plug your GoPro in to charge and it’ll join your home WiFi network (or other designated network) and start transferring new content to the GoPro Cloud. Use the Quik app or login via a web browser and—voila—your footage is waiting for you.

It’s called QuikCapture, and it’s a lifesaver for capturing fleeting moments on the fly. Push the shutter button once to turn on and start recording video or press and hold to start a time lapse. Press again, and the GoPro will turn off.

Drop a HiLight by pressing the mode button while recording, saying “GoPro HiLight,” or add while reviewing via the HiLight feature in the Quik app. From then on, you’ll see a little orange tag on that video clip icon and know that there is a good moment in there!

TikTok and Instagram Reels are optimized for vertical content, and there’s just something magical about seeing GoPro’s signature wide angle in Portrait Mode. You can lock the screen orientation to prevent your GoPro slipping back to horizontal. Do so by swiping down and tapping the orientation lock icon.

PRO TIP:Keep it steady by turning on Horizon Leveling with HERO9 Black. Flipping out? Put Max Lens Mod on HERO9 Black and turn on Horizon Lock. It will keep the horizon level and locked, even while your GoPro is doing flips.

We wanted to take the guesswork out of settings, so we introduced Capture Presets. You can customize up to 10 of your favorite Protune settings for things like Slo-Mo, Activity, Night Photo, etc. Same with on-screen shortcuts—you can have up to four that offer one-tap access to things like timer, digital lenses, ISO and more. But wait, there’s more! You can tap and hold the settings pill or shortcut icons to quickly access the full. (You can have a minimum 4 pieces of flair, so express yourself.)

We can’t take back what you did last weekend, but we can capture what happens up to 30 seconds of video before you hit the shutter button when you use the HindSight feature. Turn on HindSight in the settings menu, which is quickly accessed by tapping and holding the settings pill (see No. 8 above!).

Prevent accidental mode-switching by locking your screen while snorkeling or engaging in other water activities. Do so by swiping down and tapping the screen lock icon.

Swipe down on the rear display and tap the grid icon in the main menu. This will turn your rear LCD into a grid so you can frame up a perfectly level shot and stick to the rule of thirds.

IYKYK; different countries have different lighting frequencies, and artificial light sources (TV, fluorescents, holiday lights, etc.) in general often result in a weird flicker in video footage. Rejoice—there is an anti-flicker setting on GoPro: Swipe down to revel that main menu > preferences > general > anti-flicker.

Within the standard single-photo mode on a GoPro, you can optimize the camera to shoot night photo, HDR photo, SuperPhoto (where the GoPro picks the best photo mode for you) and more. You can also set output to RAW if you’re looking for the ultimate editing control.

18. You can command your GoPro to do really cool things with QR codes.GoPro Labs launched in May 2020 to give access unreleased and trial camera features that GoPro engineers are playing with. With GoPro Labs, you can do things like add your name and contact to your GoPro metadata and set wake-on timers based on time, noise and GPS trajectory.

Make sure the GoPro is charged. Charge the GoPro by using provided USB connector and plugging it into a computer. You can also use the GoPro wall or automobile charger.

If the GoPro still does not charge, please use the microSD/Micro USB Port Assembly Replacement guide to replace your assembly. A poor connection inside the Micro USB port may prevent your GoPro from charging.

Older computers do not have the hardware to support HD playback. Ensure your computer can play the video by checking if it meets the GoPro Studio Software minimum requirements here.

You can have choppy video playback if you play the video streamed from the camera over USB. What this means is if you have the camera connected to a computer by the USB cable and you play the video from the files on the camera, without transferring the file to your computer, it can come out choppy. This is due to the USB connection not being fast enough to play the HD video back in real time. Before playing back a HD video, copy or transfer the file from your GoPro to your computer, then playback the video.

Exactly one year ago today GoPro announced the Display Mod, as part of the larger Hero 8 suite. At the time, a year before the Hero 9 would come out, it promised a way to see yourself from the front of the camera, aimed somewhat at vloggers, but realistically anyone that just wanted to frame the subject from in front of the camera (which I think is way more people than just vloggers). Undoubtedly it was a response to the DJI OSMO Action with its dual front and rear color screens.

Unfortunately, with delay after delay after delay, it wouldn’t finally see the light until just a week or two ago. By then, the GoPro Hero 9 had launched, which featured a similar front-facing screen as the DJI OSMO Action, negating the value for most people. Still, plenty of people have the Hero 8 cameras, and the Display Mod also offers a larger screen than the Hero 9’s front facing display. So perhaps there was still some value there – it was time to find out!

To begin, the Display Mod comes with both a USB-C charging cable (just like a normal GoPro would), as well as a small case for it, keeping it safe for when it’s not on your camera:

The GoPro Display Mod requires the GoPro Media Mod. In the case of the Hero 8, that’s the Hero 8 Media Mod, and in the case of the Hero 9, that’s the Hero 9 Media Mod. These are different models and aren’t cross-compatible because the GoPro Hero 8 and Hero 9 are different sizes, thus their shells are different sizes:

But, the good news is that as long as you have the appropriate Media Mod for the right camera, then you can use the same Display Mod with either. Also, for fun, I tried using the Media Mod with the GoPro Hero 7 (which has an HDMI port on it), and while it would illuminate, it would only show a gallery view of existing content on the card (like plugging into a TV), except half the navigation icons are cut-off, so you’re basically navigating blindly with the Hero 7 Mode & Power Buttons, hoping you don’t delete anything in the process.

Now, you’ll twist up the Display Mod, which has the screen on the front-facing side. This hinge seems well built in terms of up/down movement, but wouldn’t do well with a strong shear (lateral) or twisting force on it. Long term I think disconnecting and re-connecting the wire is probably what will break first.

Next, go ahead and hold down the left button, this turns it on. If you have the screen on, but not yet the GoPro, you’ll see this (which assumes you haven’t connected the cable). You’ll also see the battery state in the corner (of the display mod). Once you turn on your GoPro, you’ll see yourself on the Display Mod, and the GoPro Hero 8 or 9 back screen will turn off:

On the front Display Mod screen you’ll only ever see the exact same thing: Yourself and the Display Mod battery. Meanwhile, on the front GoPro status screen you’ll see the recording time details more or less like normal. You’ll see the mode you’re in, recording time, battery life of the GoPro, etc…

At first you’re like – OK, no biggie, right? Except…biggie. See, you can’t adjust any settings now unless you literally turn off the Display Mod (which means it’s now sitting there flipped up and off – cause if it’s flipped down, it blocks your rear touchscreen):

See, the Display Mod isn’t a touchscreen, and it *NEVER* shows display settings, or allows you to adjust settings. It just shows yourself. That’s it. Again, it only shows yourself. Take for example this super cool new audio feature on the Hero 9 Media Mod (green lines at the bottom) – this is when the Display Mod is turned off:

Or, perhaps you want to adjust from Wide to the new GoPro Hero 9 Linear Horizon Leveling mode. Nope, you can’t do that either without shutting off the Display Mod, waiting for it to slowly disconnect itself, and then illuminate the other screen. And then of course once that’s done, you’ll turn back your Display Mod on.

So when you’re not having the Display Mod in use, then you can flip down the screen like this (shown partially, it goes all the way down as shown above elsewhere):

And that’s fine, you can still see the GoPro screen. Except it doesn’t go to sleep like the normal screen does. So it’ll just burn battery forever. Also, again, you can’t adjust any settings, or even see the recording times from the back – because that’s only on the status.  Mind, you, all this is the same on the Hero 8 or Hero 9.

Further, it ignores the GoPro display timeout settings as well. It’ll just stay on forever, until the GoPro turns off physically, in which case two minutes later the Display Mod turns off too. But this doesn’t match the normal settings where the displays go to sleep (timeout) earlier to prevent battery drain.

As in, there’s nothing else to talk about. That’s the sum total of the GoPro Display Mod’s capabilities. It’s basically a simple non-touchscreen display that you clip on the top and it reduces the functionality of your GoPro, by only very slightly increasing one aspect (seeing yourself on the front if on the Hero 8, or slightly bigger on the Hero 9). But that’s a massive tradeoff for the functions.

No, the Media Mod is required for either the Hero 8 or Hero 9, since neither camera has a micro-HDMI port. The Media Mod does, which is required for the Display Mod.

The screen measures 2” diagonal and has a resolution of 480×320, the exact same as the GoPro Hero 8 rear screen (but smaller than the Hero 9 rear screen).

No, it has its own battery that you must charge separately. Meaning, you’ll need to plug in two cables (one to your GoPro to charge that battery, and one to your Display Mod to charge that battery). The Media Mod doesn’t have an internal battery, so no need for a third cable there.

No, according to GoPro “Current hardware limitations prevent output to the Display Mod and enabling the full functionality of the Hero 9 Black back touchscreen at the same time”. Which, is exactly what I’ve seen. It will show status on the Hero 9 front display screen, just like the Hero 8 front display screen.

When GoPro announced the Display Mod, it was clearly in response to DJI. Some day we’ll find out for real whether this was in the hopper before DJI announced their OSMO Action 5 months earlier. My guess is it might have been on a napkin somewhere, but that’s about it. When GoPro held various media events leading up to the Hero 8 launch last September, the Display Mod was nowhere to be found, save under a glass case…untouchable. Yet, it was still slated to be released by December 2019 (something I was skeptical on at the time).

I’ve bought literally almost every product GoPro has made. Every action cam, almost every mount, and even that drone. Yes, the remotes and accessory cables too. And ultimately, I think this is the most disappointing thing GoPro has made.  It’s as if the concept never really left the napkin stage and went through a proper productization. It’s as if someone shipped the napkin off to a manufacturer in Asia, and they shipped back this hardware with a coffee-stained half-ripped sticky note that says “KThxBye!”.

For Hero 8 users this would have helped bridge the gap, and sure, if you’ve already got the Hero 8 + Hero 8 Media Mod, and don’t care about changing settings or often changing the direction of your camera to point at something else, then maybe this is a good intermediate option for ya. But if you’ve got a Hero 8 with no Media Mod, you’re basically looking at $160 for both the Media Mod + Display Mod, which is about half-way to the cost of a Hero 9 assuming you’ve got GoPro Plus.

Even in the case of the Hero 9, there’s so much real potential for the Display Mod for its intended target audience – vloggers. Why couldn’t GoPro have put the audio levels on the screen? Why not an exposure graph? Why not additional ProTune metrics on the screen like ISO or shutter speed? Why not the ability to change zoom levels like the Hero 9 screen? Why not a 16:9 overlay when recording 4:3 content? Why not even GoPro GPS-based metrics that are available through the app, like speed? Why not dual-screen support like their actual product page originally showed? Why doesn’t it auto shut–off the screen per the GoPro screen savings settings? Why can’t I change settings when the Display Mod is enabled?

If you"re shopping for the GoPro Display Mod or any other accessory items, please consider using the affiliate links below! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but your purchases help support this website a lot. Even more, if you use Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with coupon code DCRAINMAKER, first time users save 15% on applicable products!

If you"re shopping for the GoPro Display Mod or any other accessory items, please consider using the affiliate links below! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but your purchases help support this website a lot. Even more, if you use Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with coupon code DCRAINMAKER, first time users save 15% on applicable products!

GoPro has announced two versions of its new HERO11 Black camera. The cameras all use a new larger sensor and 10-bit color depth. New features have also been added for users of GoPro’s subscription service. Let’s take a closer look at these versions.

The GoPro HERO11 Black and HERO11 Black Creator Edition packages feature the same camera. However, the Creator Edition comes with additional accessories, including a battery grip and GoPro’s Media Mod. This adds a directional mic, HDMI port and cold shoe mounts. There is also a clip-on LED light. Both models come with GoPro’s Enduro battery, which the company says can extend recording times by up to 38 percent. The cameras have dual LCD screens with a large rear touch screen and a smaller front screen for selfies.

The HERO11 Black Mini packs all the features of its larger siblings into a smaller body. The Mini model is a fraction taller and deeper than the standard HERO11 Black. However, the Mini is 27 percent narrower and weighs around three quarters of an ounce less than the full-size version. The downside is that the Mini doesn’t have any screens other than a small display to show your resolution and frame rate. In addition, the Enduro battery in the Mini can’t be removed. This means when it runs out, you have to wait for it to recharge before you can carry on shooting.

The HERO11 Black range of cameras all share the same 1/1.9-inch sensor. You can record video in 5.3K at up to 60 frames per second (fps), 4K at up to 120 fps and 2.7K at up to 240 fps. In addition, you can take 24.7-megapixel stills from your video in the sensor’s native 8:7 aspect ratio.

The HERO11 Black cameras all come with GoPro’s Emmy Award-winning HyperSmooth 5.0 in-camera video stabilization. GoPro’s sample videos promise some great results with this feature. In addition, the Horizon Lock feature will keep your footage level if that’s what you need. GoPro’s sample video with a biplane doing a barrel roll is genuinely impressive. Another new feature is HyperView which takes the 8:7 aspect ratio footage from the sensor and delivers it as a wide-angle 16:9 shot. GoPro claims the result is ultra-immersive video.

GoPro has added three new night modes to the HERO11 Black cameras to enhance timelapse videos. With these new features, you can create star trails, paint with light and create light trails from vehicle headlights. There are also in-camera Power Tools to improve your video. Hindsight captures video up to 30 seconds before you hit record, so you won’t miss important moments. In addition, Scheduled Capture allows you to set a time for your camera to start recording. Finally, Duration Capture lets you select the length of time you want to record.

If you buy one of the new HERO11 Black cameras with GoPro’s subscription service, you get a discount on the retail price. You also get free cloud storage for your footage. When you plug your camera in to charge, the footage is automatically uploaded to the cloud. Your footage is then automatically edited into a highlight video that is sent to your phone via the GoPro Quik app.

GoPro cameras have long been the market leader for action cameras. The new HERO11 Black range has built on that pedigree and added some great new features. The Mini version has the limitation of a built-in battery. However, its smaller size and weight make it better for helmet mounting or shooting in very tight spots. We will have to test the GoPro HERO11 Black ourselves to see if it’s a big enough leap to justify an upgrade from the previous GoPro HERO BLACK cameras.

The GoPro HERO11 Black is available now, priced at $399 with a GoPro subscription and $499 without. The HERO11 Black Creator Edition is also out now, costing $579 with a subscription and $699 without one. The smaller HERO11 Black Mini will be available at GoPro.com on October 25. It will cost $299 with a GoPro subscription and $399 on its own. GoPro has said that it will be available from retailers globally after the October 25th launch.

Is GoPro really the best? Well, with the GoPro Hero 8, I don’t hesitate to bring a camera regardless of where I’m going. It can literally go anywhere: underwater, rain/snow, dust/dirt, etc. It’s so simple and compact that you don’t have to think about it!

I was initially very impressed with the sleek style and durable feel of the Hero 8. With simple fold-out mounting tabs on the bottom of the camera, it feels like they’ve reached the next level in design.

There are only 2 buttons on the camera (power and record). This makes the camera dead simple to operate but it still retains a full menu of customization through the touchscreen on the back.

Another thing to note about the GoPro is the simplicity of operation. Because it only has one built-in fixed lens, it allows you to point the camera in a general direction and know that the camera will do its job to capture the scene. By design, everything past about 1ft (25cm) is in focus. The fixed wide angle lens does an excellent job of capturing big landscapes and making sure to capture the entire scene.

It has a touch compatible rear screen and it’s easy to use even when you’re in the water. The screen also has a handy lock function that prevents accidentally changing settings.

Having the ability to hand-hold the camera or quickly mount it on the variety of mounts without having to worry about carrying around the external case is a tremendous improvement. This feature alone makes the Hero 8 a worthy upgrade from previous generations.

When it comes to action cameras, they aren’t really complete until you get a few mounting options. The magic of a GoPro is its durability, but what sets it apart is the ability to put it in unexpected places so you can get creative in ways that other cameras can’t match.

After reviewing a multitude of options, I think the most important mounts to consider are: a selfie stick, a chest or helmet mount, and a clamp/suction mount. With these three types of mounts you’ll be able to position your GoPro in a variety of places that will give you interesting perspectives.

There really isn’t much to think about when it comes to focusing. The beauty of an action camera like the GoPro Hero 8 is that is has a fixed focus that’s sharp from 1 ft to infinity all the time!

This incredible depth of field allows you to focus on framing and capturing the moment instead of worrying about whether things will be in focus. I really appreciated the simplicity of this feature on the GoPro Hero 8!

The GoPro Hero 8 offers the best available performance in its class of action cameras, but if you’re seeking excellent low light performance, I’d suggest looking for a camera that’s designed to shoot at high ISO.

The image quality of the GoPro Hero 8 exceeded my expectations. The JPEG images look incredibly sharp and vibrant, especially when viewed on a smartphone.

Because it’s a hybrid photo/video camera, the Hero 8 straddles the line of quality between the two. Additionally, it’s a niche product that’s meant to serve a specific need: a super durable, go-anywhere photo/video camera.

This review is mainly focused on using the GoPro Hero 8 for still images, but it would be incomplete if we didn’t look at the incredible video specs that it offers. Many people really enjoy both capabilities and I agree.

The GoPro video performance is incredible for the size of the camera. It offers top of the line image stabilization all while shooting 4k at a variety of frame rates.

Image stabilization on the Hero 8 is improved over previous generations with HyperSmooth 2.0. I was amazed at how stable the video is with this feature enabled. It allows you to get gimbal-like shots even while handholding the camera while skiing/running/biking, etc.

What I loved about the video features on the GoPro is their simplicity and usability. Video amateurs will find out-of-the-box success while professionals will be able to make impressive shots by getting the camera into creative positions.

Additionally, I’m very impressed by the user interface design and streamlined workflow that comes with the GoPro app. I appreciate that GoPro is a forward-thinking company and I think other camera manufacturers should take a hard look at their model.

It’s awesome to see GoPro making the backend workflow so user friendly. Someday I’m sure we’ll all think it’s silly to have to offload memory cards to a computer and use a separate editing software to process/export images.

Another cool offering from the GoPro Hero 8 is the time lapse modes. You can easily create time-lapse or hyper-lapse videos with a very easy-to-use interface.

I found these modes similar to what’s offered on the iPhone but still fun to play with because of the wide angle field of view and durability of the GoPro.

Lastly, GoPro really upped the ante when it comes to customization. Their “mods” allow you to customize the camera to add an improved microphone, a flip-out LCD screen, and an LED light.

As I mentioned previously, I think a GoPro isn’t complete without the accessories to mount it. If you buy a GoPro, make sure you get a least a few different mounting options to make sure you can get the most out of its versatility!

At around $400, the GoPro Hero 8 is amazing value! It provides a unique perspective that’s difficult to replicate without a much more expensive camera setup.

With the minor downsides like low light performance, the Hero 8 is an amazing buy for someone who wants to have a super-compact camera with a wide angle lens to quickly capture exciting moments in life.

Compared to the Hero 7, the Hero 8 is a nice upgrade due to the simplicity of mounting and the new video features (namely HyperSmooth 2.0 and the digital lenses).

In comparison with the DJI Osmo Action, the GoPro Hero 8 has some improved functionality/quality but the main feature it’s lacking is a front-facing screen (available with a “mod”).

If you’re looking for something to take selfies with or film yourself in a vlog style, the DJI Osmo Action may be a better buy, but overall the GoPro Hero 8 has better performance, features, and functions.

It’s amazing that such incredible technology is available at such an affordable price. For the niche that action cams target, the Hero 8 is unbelievable value! What other sub $400 camera has such stunning performance?

If you haven’t considered the GoPro Hero 8 worthy of your attention, I strongly encourage you to check it out. It’s great for creating photos/videos of action sports or sharing exciting moments on social media.

GoPro, Inc.GoPro and sometimes stylized as GoPRO) is an American technology company founded in 2002 by Nick Woodman. It manufactures action cameras and develops its own mobile apps and video-editing software. Founded as Woodman Labs, Inc, the company eventually focused on the connected sports genre, developing its line of action cameras and, later, video editing software. It is based in San Mateo, California.

It developed a quadcopter drone, Karma, released in October 2016. In January 2018, Karma was discontinued.JPMorgan Chase to pursue options of selling the company.

On May 19, 2014, GoPro filed its Form S-1 with the SEC without specifying the number of shares or their price. The company stated that they hoped to raise at least $100 million through the sale of shares, using the money to pay off debt in full ($111 million as of March 31, 2014) and "to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies or assets". They said that they planned to list on the NASDAQ stock exchange using the symbol "GPRO."

The expected price range was $21 to $24 a share; on June 25, 2014, GoPro sold 17.8 million shares to initial investors at $24 per share (totaling $427.2M).

One reason for GoPro"s decision to go public was the potential to become a media company to generate additional revenue from the content its cameras create.

Woodman worked on his first camera for two years after founding the company, eventually introducing the GoPro 35mm HERO in September 2004 at San Diego"s Action Sports Retailer trade show.

On September 28, 2017, GoPro released the HERO6 Black, which claims improved stabilization over the HERO5 models and is capable of capturing 4K video in 60 FPS.

On September 20, 2018, GoPro came out with the HERO7 Black, which apart from providing improved stabilization over HERO6 models with HyperSmooth, also featured the new form of video capturing, "TimeWarp", providing a high speed effect to the videos. HERO7 also came out with capability to stream live across multiple platforms like Facebook and YouTube .

On October 15, 2019 GoPro released the Hero8 Black, which included improved in-camera stabilization by way of Hypersmooth 2.0. The Hero8 Black introduced integrated mounting "fingers" which could be folded down for use, and was also notable for not having an easily replaceable lens available from GoPro, though a third party replacement lens kit is available from a company called Camera Butter.

In 2014, GoPro entered into discussions with DJI for a private label model built with the GoPro branding. After the failure of these negotiations, GoPro entered into an agreement with 3D Robotics (3DR) for a similar partnership based on 3DR"s flight controllers. 3DR failed to meet their agreed-upon timelines. As a result, GoPro took full control of the development process in mid-2015.

Scheduled to be released early 2016, the GoPro Karma project was delayed several times before the GoPro Karma was announced with an introduction date of October 23, 2016. The Karma was released along with newer models of the HERO5 and Session cameras and features a removable handheld stabilizer (gimbal) integrated into the design. After a few customers complained about power failure during operation, GoPro recalled Karma drones and gave customers full refunds.

In November 2017, GoPro launched the Fusion camera,omnidirectional camera which is capable of recording 360-degree footage. The Fusion was the first GoPro to feature an increased maximum resolution of 5.8K.

GoPro produces various mounting accessories for its cameras including a 3-way mount, suction cup, chest harness, jaws-type flexible clamp, dog harness, surfing mount, etc.

In April 2014, GoPro was listed by Adweek as one of the "Top 10 Best Brand Channels on YouTube" based on a combination of views, shares, comments and overall engagement.

As part of its transformation to a media company in 2014, GoPro created additional channels with GoPro content on YouTube, Virgin America, and Xbox Live.PlayStation Network in 2015.

The first generation of Digital HERO cameras (2006–09) were powered by conventional AAA batteries and included a rugged housing and wrist strap. Models were distinguished by their still image resolution and shot video in standard definition (480 lines or lower) with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Like the film camera HERO, the first-generation Digital HERO cameras were equipped with an optical viewfinder.

The original Digital HERO (DH1; 640×480 still resolution, 240p video in 10-second clips) of 2006 was succeeded by the Digital HERO3 (DH3; 3-megapixel stills, 384p video) and Digital HERO5 (DH5; same as DH3 but with 5-megapixel stills). All three of these had a 54° angle of view. A variant of the DH5 was released with an extreme wide-angle lens with 170° of angular coverage on the diagonal as the Wide HERO; the Wide HERO had a different housing than the other first-gen cameras (DH1/DH3/DH5) to accommodate its larger lens.

The Digital HERO released in 2006 (Model: SQ907 mini-cam) had a 640×480 camera and shot QVGA definition 320X240 (10 fps) video for a maximum of 10 seconds. The Digital HERO1 had 32 MB internal memory without SD slot.

The Digital HERO5 was first introduced in 2008. It had a 5 megapixel still photo sensor and supported standard definition (512×384) video capture. It ran on two AAA batteries, had 16 MB of internal memory and could function with a 2 GB SD card. Its housing was rated to 100 ft/30 meters depth. Its dimensions were 2.6 × 1.75 × 1.25 inches (66 × 44 × 32 mm).

The GoPro Wide HERO was the first model with a 170° wide-angle lens. It was released in 2008 alongside the Digital HERO5 and had the same 5MP sensor (2592 x 1944), capable of 512x384 at 30fps video with sound recording (up to 56 min. on a 2GB SD card), 5MP Photos, 10s Self Timer, 3X sequence still photo burst and Auto "Photo every 2 or 5 seconds" mode. It was powered by 2 x AAA batteries (not included in the box).

The second generation of the HERO cameras (2010–11) were branded HD HERO for their upgraded resolution, now offering up to 1080p high-definition video. With the HD HERO generation, GoPro dropped the optical viewfinder.

The HD HERO also offered an expansion port on the camera"s rear panel, branded the HERO Bus. Optional accessories included the LCD Bakpac, which offered a small monitor that displayed and played back video, and the Battery Bakpac, which doubled the battery life of the camera.

All three versions of the HERO3 come in a 30% smaller and 25% lighter package, with WiFi built in. The change of the physical dimensions of the cameras compared to the previous generations (HD HERO and HD HERO2 were physically identical) means that some accessories for HD HERO Original and HERO2 are not compatible with HERO3, so GoPro made new versions of those accessories specifically for HERO3, which mostly also were compatible with HERO3+, see below. Those new versions of accessories are usually not compatible with older Hero camera generations. However, a lot of other accessories are compatible with all HD Hero camera generations.

The Black EditionWVGA at 240 fps.BSI sensor included in a GoPro. The Black edition also includes the WiFi Remote. The Black Edition cannot record at 25/30 fps in 720p and WVGA resolutions; it can only record at very fast frame rates in those resolutions. This is a deliberate firmware limitation, as the manufacturer does not expect that this high-end camera model will be used at these lower resolutions and frame rates.

A timelapse recording one frame every 10 seconds with a GoPro HERO3 camera mounted on a bicycle helmet during a bike ride in Chicago. Note how the wide angle lens allows for the rider to capture wide images.

The HERO3+ camera models claim dramatically improved low light performance and have a waterproof enclosure which is 20% lighter and 15% smaller than the HERO3"s, according to the GoPro website. The HERO3+ camera housing is 20% smaller than the HERO3. The cameras are claimed to have improved image sharpness (close focus down to 7" vs about 3 ft on the HERO3, at the expense of distant focus which is slightly less sharp

The HERO4 Black Edition still has a 12 megapixel (MP) CMOS and a f/2.8 fixed maximum aperture and focus free. It adds Bluetooth connectivity, Highlight tag, Protune Available for photo and a new processor claimed by GoPro to be twice as fast as that of the HERO3+ Black Edition, doubling the frame rates in most resolutions. The HERO4 Black Edition can record 4K UHD video (3840×2160) at a frame rate of 24, 25 and 30 fps.Wi-Fi disabled at 4K/30, GoPro claims the HERO4 Black Edition battery life to be 65 minutes, increasing to a maximum of 1h 50" at 720p/240.

The HERO4 Silver Edition is basically a HERO3 Black Edition with the addition of a micro speaker,touchscreen display, Protune for photo and highlight tag (the first GoPro with this), a lower clocked Cortex-A9 and missing the Black Edition"s integrated analog-to-digital converter which supports a wider variety of professional low-sensitivity external microphones.4K video (3840×2160), but it supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and contains the sameAmbarella Inc. A9system on a chip (SoC) as in the HERO4 Black.

The HERO4 models maintain the H.264 video codec of previous versions and MP4 file formats. GoPro claims the mono microphone in both the Black and Silver Editions has twice the dynamic range of that in the HERO3+, and that the HERO4 Black and Silver Editions have improved low-light performance.

In September 2014, GoPro released an entry level camera named simply "HERO", priced at $130, alongside the HERO4 Black and HERO4 Silver. It is built into a waterproof housing, unlike the HERO4 line.

The GoPro HERO (2014) can capture 5mp still images and has a 5fps burst option. It is able to record 1080P at 30 or 25fps and 720P at 60 or 50fps on to a MicroSD card up to 32GB. It has an LCD non touch display on the front and is waterproof down to 40m.

In June 2015, the company started to sell the GoPro HERO+LCD, which provides video recording at 1080p at 60 fps and 8 megapixel photos. The HERO+LCD is also built into a waterproof housing.

The HERO6 Black was introduced on September 28, 2017.HEVC video recording at up to 60 fps and 1080p at up to 240 fps, automatic upload of footage to cloud, voice controls and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. It was the first GoPro sporting GoPro"s custom system on a chip (SoC) the GP1.

The HERO7 White, HERO7 Silver and HERO7 Black were announced and released in September 2018, as the seventh-generation action camera series from GoPro.

The HERO7 White was intended as the entry-level camera, featuring only 1440p resolutions for video and time-lapse video functions and a lack of WDR or HDR in its photos. The HERO7 Silver was intended as the mid-range camera, featuring 4K resolutions for video and time-lapse video resolutions and WDR in its photo mode. Initially, both the HERO7 White and Silver defaulted to a video resolution of 1440p with 1080p only available by cropping.

By contrast, the HERO7 Black was introduced at the high-end level and primarily encompasses the features of the HERO6 Black with major improvements. The HERO7 Black introduced a heavily improved electronic image stabilisation known as "HyperSmooth" video stabilization, which GoPro has advertised heavily as "Gimbal-Like", as its primary improvement.

On February 28, 2019, GoPro released HERO7 Black in a new "dusk white" color. This is a limited edition and it has the same specs as in regular version and differs just in color.

The HERO8 Black essentially contained the former features of the HERO7 Black, however improved on certain functions. Most notably, the "HyperSmooth" feature introduced in the HERO7 Black was improved on and named "HyperSmooth 2.0", also resulting in an improvement of the TimeWarp feature introduced in the HERO7 Black. The HERO8 Black also improved the image quality, improving the HDR functions of the camera to allow HDR to assist the SuperPhoto function of the camera that automatically chooses what image processing to use such as high dynamic range (HDR). GoPro also reintroduced the field-of-view (FOV) functionality as, "Digital Lenses" which retains the original SuperView, Wide, Narrow, Linear FOV settings. Moreover, live-streaming now streams in 1080p instead of the HERO7 Black"s 720p and the RAW imaging functionality has now been expanded for all photo modes.

The HERO8 Black largely introduced several new functions into the camera. Physically, the HERO8 Black now incorporates the connecting prongs that are used to connect accessories, directly onto the camera. Originally, the cameras would only be able to access the prongs if the cameras utilised either the frames (for cameras HERO5 to HERO7) or the protective cases for HERO4 and before. Moreover, the GoPro logo moved under the LCD screen to make way for extra microphones. More additions to the camera most notably were part of the software aspects of the camera. These included an option to switch between various settings presets, including standard, activity, cinematic and action shots and adjusting on-screen shortcuts of the user interface. Most notably as part of software, was the introduction of the night-lapse video, which similar to the time-lapse video mode, automatically stitches the frames captured by the camera at set intervals, however with the addition of improved low-light performance.

The HERO8 Black also attempts to address vloggers who may wish to use the GoPro in such a manner. As such, GoPro has also introduced an external accessory known as the "Media Mod" which includes a USB Type-C port for supplying power to external microphones and accessories, a micro-HDMI port and a 3.5mm microphone port. Moreover, the accessory includes a mount to connect either external microphones, LEDs or an LCD screen.

The HERO9 Black essentially contained the former features of the HERO8 Black, however, improved on certain functions. Most notably, the "HyperSmooth" feature introduced in the HERO7 Black and refined in HERO8 Black was improved on and named "HyperSmooth 3.0". It also features a max resolution of 5K for video and 20M for photos and adds a front-facing 1.4-inch color "selfie" screen.

The HERO10 Black essentially contained the former features of the HERO9 Black, however, improved on certain functions. Most notably, the "HyperSmooth" feature introduced in the HERO7 Black and refined in HERO8 Black was improved on and named "HyperSmooth 4.0".

GoPro released the 3D HERO system in April 2011, which coupled two HD HERO cameras via a synchronization cable in a single housing to form a stereoscopic 3D camera. One of the cameras is used in upside-down mode.anaglyph to be viewed wearing red-cyan glasses.

In 2014, GoPro released an update as the Dual HERO system, which provides similar functionality using two HERO3+ Black edition cameras. The updated Dual HERO BacPac sync/link cable now has an asymmetric design: the right or primary camera (viewed with the lens facing away from the user) is larger than the left (secondary) camera, and the left camera is used in upside-down mode.

The GoPro GP1 is their own System-on-Chip with the main task of image processing. It replaces the earlier used Ambarella SoC"s and launched in the GoPro HERO6.Socionext.

The GP1 encodes video in the H.265 codec, also known as HEVC. The available resolutions are 4K60, 2.7K120 and 1080p240 unstabilized or 4K30, 2.7K60 and 1080p120 digitally stabilized.

"GoPro doesn"t like their HERO3 compared to Sony"s AS15?". DigitalRev.com. March 19, 2013. Archived from the original on March 17, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.

"GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition: Seconda solo a se stessa". InsideHardware.it (in Italian). October 25, 2013. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2015.

"GoPro launches 3D HERO system; world"s smallest 1080p 3D Camera" (Press release). GoPro. April 4, 2011. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.

"Dual HERO System Workflow - Setup and Recording". GoPro Support. September 30, 2019. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.