gopro hero lcd screen not working pricelist
It may be either a loose connection to the LCD screen, that the LCD screen is faulty and needs to be replaced or worst case that there is a fault on the motherboard.
Try shining a torch at an angle close to the LCD screen to check if you can detect an image at all when using the camera. It will be very faint so try it in a darkened room if possible.
If you can detect an image it means that there is a backlight problem with the screen. Either there is no power being supplied from the motherboard to the backlight circuit in the LCD screen or the backlight circuit in the screen is faulty and the screen will have to be replaced as it cannot be repaired. Hopefully it is not a motherboard problem in supplying backlight power to the screen.
If you cannot detect an image (or even if you can) then unfortunately without a schematic, the only way to determine if it is a problem with the screen or the motherboard is to replace one or the other. Again hopefully it is not a motherboard problem.
Here’s a link to a video that shows how to replace the LCD screen + digitizer in the camera. This will also help you to check if the LCD video flex cable connection is OK.
Here’s a link to the GoPro Hero5 Black Repair guides which may also help if the video isn’t clear enough at some points. Unfortunately there is no ifixit guide showing the LCD screen removal.
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.
I have seen quite a few messages regarding the same issue that I am having and it looks like cameras have been replaced but I wanted to know if anybody had found a way to get the camera working again without replacing it.
Today GoPro announced its latest action camera, the GoPro HERO+ LCD. This marks the first time GoPro has done an ‘off-cycle’ release of a new camera product, as the company has historically released new action cams in the September/October timeframe. It also bookends a rather busy week of announcements for the company. Last week they announced both their intentions of launching a drone early next year, as well as their crazy 6-camera spherical mount system. And that’s all before we talk about an apparent upcoming software update to start cloud sync of GoPro files to some sort of still unannounced internet service. And don’t forget that even more crazy 16-camera virtual reality mount they built for Google.
The new GoPro HERO+ LCD is sorta exactly as the name implies: It’s the 2014 GoPro HERO…plus…an LCD screen. Well, and connectivity over WiFi and Bluetooth Smart.
You’ll likely remember that the entry level GoPro HERO was $129US, and had a non-removable external case. That meant that you couldn’t take it out of the case, which in turn meant you couldn’t add in any additional rear-attaching accessories such as the extra battery packs or LCD screen.
They also added in the WiFi and Bluetooth Smart compatibility. Not for sensors, but rather for connecting to your mobile phone. This connectivity allows you to transfer photos and videos over to your phone, and then up to the interwebs. Further, the HERO+ LCD includes the remote highlight tagging, which wasn’t available on the lower end model. This means you can use the remote control to tag highlights so you can find them quicker later on during editing.
Finally, the camera has an internal editing capability, allowing you to slice the clips a bit better before transferring them. This helps reduce the time to transfer video clips to your phone, making the process a little bit quicker. This is planned to come to the HERO4 Silver later this summer, and the HERO4 Black as well (if you have bought the additional LCD back touchscreen).
Now the downside is that you can’t swap out batteries like the more expensive HERO4 Silver & HERO4 Black. Nor can you remove it from the case like those other units (at +$100 and +$200 respectively). You’ll also lack the 2.7K and 4K video, as well as some of the higher speed options found like the 120/240FPS speeds. Same goes for lack of HDMI connectivity.
But the reality is that for the vast majority of folks wanting an affordable camera, the specs hit the core of the market. The noted 2.5 hour battery life is in the ballpark of most other units these days (though, without a way to swap batteries, that can be a problem for certain activities). Here’s a comparison between the four GoPro HERO units:
The Hero+ LCD unit includes a few different back doors, so you can use it in wet environments and still touch the screen, as well as using an open door too.
This is a brilliant move by GoPro. Since last October’s announcements came out, it left a bit of a hole in the price range. They had the GoPro HERO Basic (2014 Edition) at $129, but then the next camera up was at $399US (HERO4 Silver), and then the HERO4 Black at $499 at the top. For many (including myself), the brilliant touch screen on the back of the HERO4 Silver was loved – but for most consumers that was a bit pricey when existing action cameras were mostly in the $200-$300 range. But with GoPro’s cheaper HERO base not having mobile phone connectivity and a bunch of other limitations, it wasn’t as ideal in the share-it-instantly world that is today.
By removing the 2.7K/4K support in the HERO4 Silver and focusing on 1080p (w/60FPS) support with good phone connectivity – they hit the majority of the audience (Oh, for those curious why I’ve said that Garmin needed to be at 2.7K support on their new XE product, it’s because they priced themselves that high).
In some ways, it’s almost like GoPro did a bit of a fake-you-out move price-wise. See, both TomTom and Garmin recently announced new cameras – and matched GoPro’s $399 prices for certain models (for reasons that even then seemed hard to justify). With those cameras being less well known, and specs to the average consumer in the same range – it was a hard sell. With the GoPro brand so strong, you have to compete and beat on multiple levels: Specifications and Prices.
In the case of Garmin, this move is even more so ironic – given Garmin recently cut the display when they updated Garmin VIRB lineup with the X/XE and decided to go without the preview screen that was present on the first generation units. A move that many of you thought was short-sighted (no PUN intended).
Looking forward, the real question is will GoPro again release this fall as they have done annually for years? With neither the recently announced Garmin or TomTom units actually shipping yet – it might be challenging for both if GoPro doubles down as usual in the fall with new models. In Garmin’s case, they are better positioned with a more unique offering around widely extended sensor offerings in the X/XE range, including new automotive and boating support – but that continues to be more of a niche offering at the $299 price point when trying to compete with GoPro branding/marketing. While TomTom will need to iterate quickly with their automated movie maker software to truly become a competitive offering.
Definitely an interesting market for sure. For those curious about my recommendations – for 95% of folks it’ll likely shift from the Hero4 Silver to the HERO+ LCD, assuming there are no issues with it. The reason being that if you’re using it for cycling and such, you can actually use your Garmin Edge device with the GoPro, inside of Garmin’s free VIRB Edit software suite – thus getting all the benefits of data overlays there (I suppose Garmin is probably happy you’re buying their device). It’s really only if you’re doing direct to camera sensors and don’t already have a GPS device for speed/distance/pace/altitude that I’d recommend looking at the Garmin X/XE lineup.
Note: You can now order the Hero+ LCD via both Amazon and Clever Training. While both sites help support the site here and all the work I do, by using Clever Training you’re also going to save 10% on your order with DCR Reader Coupon Code DCR10BTF – further, you’ll get free shipping within the US!
GoPro announced a quadcopter droneand two separate virtual reality camera rigs in the span of less than 24 hours last week. This week? It’s back to action cameras. Today GoPro has announced the Hero+ LCD, a new low-end option in the Hero line of action cameras. The camera goes on sale this Sunday, June 7th, and retails for $299.
The Hero+ LCD isn’t going to wow users with the ability to shoot extreme slow motion or 4K footage, but the specs are slightly better than what’s found on the relative bargain bin $129 Hero. The new camera shoots video up to a resolution of 1080p at 60 frames per second and photos at 8MP, and has an LCD touchscreen on the back — all improvements on the entry-level version. The rest is basically the same: it’s waterproof up to 40m (131’), has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and supports microSD cards up to 64GB.
While the price isn’t necessarily cheap, it fills the one obvious hole in GoPro’s line of products. With the Hero+ LCD, GoPro now sells its Hero4 line of cameras at prices of $129, $299, $399, and $499. Companies like Sony have tried competing with GoPro at the high end to mild success, but the best weapon for the likes of Garmin, Xiaomi, and even HTC, has been price — until now.
The Hero+ LCD"s price, on the other hand, does not say "entry level." At $300 in the US and £250 and AU$430 in the UK and Australia, respectively, this is a somewhat pricey camera for the category given what it can do. The $130 (£100, AU$169) Hero model is truly entry level in price and features. That"s a considerable price gap between it and the Hero+ LCD.
For one, you get Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that can be used to connect to GoPro"s Smart Remote (not included), which basically replicates the camera"s controls so you can remotely change settings and shooting modes and start and stop recordings and take pictures.
The wireless is also used to connect to an iOS, Android or Windows mobile device to use GoPro"s app to control the camera and change settings as well as remotely preview and review your shots and transfer them to your device for sharing.
Beyond that, the Hero+ has a higher-resolution sensor -- 8 megapixels as opposed to 5 -- and instead of just a single 0.5-second time-lapse interval setting you get seven. You"ll also get a loop record feature, so you can more easily use this as a dash cam and it supports GoPro"s HiLight Tagging, which lets you quickly mark a section of your video for easier editing later on.
It does have that screen, though, which again isn"t something you"ll find from most of the competition. If that"s a must-have feature for you and you just need good-quality video for sharing online, your search is over.
That is, as long as you"re willing to put up with the rest of the Hero+ LCD"s design. Like the Hero, this camera is permanently in its rugged housing. Some might find this to be a plus since it means the camera can"t fall out and is always protected. However, since you can"t pull the camera out, if you damage the housing you"re not easily swapping it for a new one. While it can certainly handle a lot of abuse, if you manage to scratch the lens glass, you"re stuck.
Next to the screen are the microSDHC card slot supporting cards up to 64GB and a Micro-USB port. So what"s missing? The Hero lacks a Micro-HDMI port letting you playback directly from the camera to a display or HDTV. Not a huge loss, but still it"s a loss.
With its standard solid plastic backdoor, the housing is waterproof to 131 feet (40 meters). There is also a waterproof touch backdoor that"s good down to 10 feet (3 meters) as well as a skeleton door that lets more sound reach the built-in mic. External mics, by the way, are not supported on this model.
Shooting options are better than the Hero, but just barely. Video resolutions include 1080p at 60 frames per second and 720p at 60fps. There"s also a 720p at 60fps with GoPro"s SuperView feature, which basically takes 4:3 video and digitally stretches it at the sides so you get a taller 16:9 video. To help you out when you lose daylight, GoPro"s Auto Low Light feature can be turned on, dropping the frame rate so your video isn"t too dark when shooting in dim light.
The touchscreen is no doubt the easiest route and GoPro simplified navigation compared with the Hero4 Silver. Instead of swiping and tapping your way through menus, you just tap on the right side of the screen to bring up the mode menu, while the left side opens a context-sensitive menu related to what mode you"re in. One other nice addition: You can trim out 5-, 15- or 30-second clips or grab a still from a video on camera.
Of course, the more you use the touchscreen or wireless, the less battery life you"ll have for recording. Even with both of those off you"re looking at a maximum of 2 hours of continuous recording at 1080p at 60fps or up to 2 hours and 30 minutes set to 720p at 60fps in SuperView mode.
The camera"s QuikCapture feature, which allows you to turn on the camera and start recording with a press of the record button, helps maximize battery life. However, if you"re not careful about how you store the camera, you can easily turn the camera on accidentally and drain your battery.
On its own, the video from the Hero+ LCD is very good and stands up to other models priced around $300 such as the Drift Ghost-S and Replay XD Prime X, though only the former has a live-view screen. Sony"s Action Cam Mini with its Live-View Remote is another option and is better in image quality and features, though it"s not as easy to use.
For casual viewing on a smartphone or tablet and posting to YouTube, you likely won"t be disappointed with what you get from the Hero+ LCD. As with most cameras in this category, when viewed at larger sizes you"ll see compression and motion artifacts and details are pretty soft and mushy. These things only get more pronounced when shooting in low light.
If you want to view your videos at larger sizes like on an HDTV, you"ll want to spend the extra money for the Hero4 Silver. You"ll get fewer artifacts, sharper fine details, better color performance and greater dynamic range.
It"s pricey for its shooting options and performance, but the GoPro Hero+ LCD is also one of the few action cameras available with a built-in live-view screen. That"s a feature that"s tough to beat, especially if you"re looking to simplify your shooting experience.
The number of megapixels determines the resolution of the images captured with the main camera. A higher megapixel count means that the camera is capable of capturing more details. However, the megapixel count is not the only important element determining the quality of an image.
Their newest camera has just hit the market, and we have been busy putting it to the test to bring you this comprehensive GoPro HERO 10 review! Find our what all the new features are, where it shines (and where it doesn’t), as well as an honest opinion on whether the GoPro HERO10 is worth the upgrade.
See, we’re not exactly your typical tech reviewers that burn and churn through whichever product hits the market, just to move onto the next thing a few days later.
We live and breathe photography, videography, and most of all, adventure. So of course once this new camera hit the market we had to dive into the specs and use it out in the real world to bring our expert GoPro HERO10 Black review.
There are two slogans for the GoPro HERO 10 Black this year. The first is ‘A New Era’, which is a pretty massive claim for a company that has been at the leading edge of action sports cameras for over a decade.
The GP2 on the GoPro HERO10 brings about some enormous upgrades around things like frame rates and overall performance, while the general features like photo and video modes stay mostly the same as the previous model.
SPECIAL DEAL: GoPro has an incredible special on their new camera right now, and you can save a huge $210 on the fantastic ‘HERO10 Black + Accessories’ bundle deal by clicking on the button below, or save $150 on just the HERO10 camera. This special is for a limited time only, so check it out while it’s available.
A New Era of GoPro is here and that means there are a whole string of new features and upgrades when you compare the HERO10 with the HERO 9 Black action cameras.
Here are some of the new and major features of the HERO 10 Black. The number of practical changes this year isn’t as many as previous years, but the quality of improvements and technical upgrades are incredible.
Why is that you ask? Well its predecessor, the GP1, has been around since the HERO6 was released in 2017. Which in the tech world is a hell of a long time. Almost an eternity really.
Even though the GoPro HERO9 last year finally revealed a new upgraded 23 megapixel sensor, using the old processor meant that it could only achieve 20 megapixels.
If you’re not exactly sure what the processor does, essentially think of it as the entire engine to your camera. And by having a newer, faster, efficient processor, the camera is now even better than ever.
Compared to the HERO9, the GoPro HERO10 Black now has double the performance and double the frame rate across all of the higher resolution video modes.
It is now twice as smooth when reviewing footage and using live preview on the front LCD screen, and the rear LCD touchscreen interface is incredibly responsive.
If this was the only improvement we found in our GoPro HERO10 review, we’d already be singing its praises and telling you that you need to stop what you’re doing and order one now. But of course, there’s more…
But if you’re a professional user, we recommend shooting in RAW mode to full make the most out of the 23 megapixels the GoPro HERO 10 boasts with image quality.
This isn’t necessarily something that we’d consider pushes GoPro into a ‘new era’, but it’s been a massive annoyance for us for years and are so glad they’ve improved it.
GoPro photos and videos have always looked great when shooting on bright, sunny days. But they’ve often fallen apart when it comes to low light situations, such as dawn, dusk or indoors.
Noise and grain isn’t so much of a problem now, and details are fantastic, even in low light. It may seem minor, but it was something we really wanted to highlight in our GoPro HERO10 review.
Well GoPro practically killed off their own product when they introduced HyperSmooth into the HERO7, their own version of digital image stabilization.
The touch screen is a lot smoother and more responsive, and this was actually our biggest gripe with the HERO9. While it looked great, the touch screen was very frustrating to use. Not an issue any more on the HERO10.
It may have taken more than a decade of versions to figure out, but finally the GoPro HERO10 Black is on par with professional expectations with how it performs day to day.
The camera itself is great, but what has always set GoPro apart from other companies is the sheer number of accessories you can attach to them, allowing you to use the camera in just about any situation you can set your imagination to.
Besides the dazzling array of random accessories like suction cups, selfie sticks, dive housings, clamps, helmet and board mounts and plenty more, it’s the ‘Mods’ of the last few years that have helped turn the GoPro cameras into a versatile beast.
Then there are the Light Mod (adds a light, surprise surprise) for when shooting indoors or at night, and a Display Mod, which adds another screen so you can see yourself, but the latter is kind of redundant now thanks to the front-facing LCD screen.
But before you rush out and buy one based on a bunch of fancy talk like GP2 processors and 5.3k60fps, how does the GoPro HERO10 Black actually perform in the real world?
The very first thing we noticed was that the camera fired up a lot faster than the HERO9, and the screen responsiveness did indeed seem a lot smoother and quicker.
The GoPro HERO10 LCD touch screen almost felt as smooth as our iPhone, which is pretty remarkable. So much so that it made us even more frustrated with the screen performance on the 9.
One of the big things we noticed too was how much more quickly the GoPro captured and processed these images, especially in RAW mode, compared to the HERO9.
When we pulled the images up on Adobe Lightroom to check them out we were very impressed with the clarity and colour rendering that the GoPro produced.
All of the other camera features such as TimeWarp, Burst Mode, Night Photo, Voice Activation, etc performed as expected, with no real improvement over the HERO9, other than everything just being faster and smoother.
Now we don’t want to go jumping the gun just yet, because GoPros have had freezing issues forever, even with every firmware update, but the fact that we haven’t experienced this yet may just mean that the new GP2 chip has finally rectified this massive problem. Hallelujah!
Overall the GoPro HERO10 Black handles like an absolute beast in the real world, and we will be using this new camera on every single shoot we do from now on.
Like we said at the beginning of this article – this is an HONEST GoPro HERO10 review. And being honest means we’re going to tell you exactly what we don’t like about the latest camera too.
First up is the audio. Granted, for a camera this small you’re not going to have a world-class microphone built into it. But the audio when vlogging using the front-facing microphone is still slightly tinny, and not great in high-wind or crowded environments.
Second is that there is no optical zoom on the GoPro HERO 10. You can utilise the digital zoom, and change the digital lenses between SuperView, Wide, Linear and Narrow, but there isn’t any real optical zoom there.
We would have love to see at least 2x optical zoom built in, because sometimes you just want a different perspective for your shots rather than the typical GoPro fish-eye look.
There is a Max Lens Mod, which widens the point of view, so it makes us wonder if at some point GoPro can create a switchable lens that crops in. But at this stage you’re stuck with the digital options.
Other than that there really isn’t anything glaring at us that we dislike in our GoPro HERO 10 Black review. But if we notice anything as time goes on we’ll be sure to return to this article and update it.
Now that we’ve dove deep into what’s new, what we like (and what we don’t) in this GoPro HERO 10 Black review, you may be wondering whether it’s worth upgrading your camera, if you have an older model.
On the surface it may seem like there’s not a huge difference between the previous model and the HERO10, but with the GP2 processor almost everything is better, faster and smoother.
As you can see, the GoPro HERO 10 Black on the surface appears to be similar to previous models, using quite a lot of the same features, but it’s under the hood that everything sees improvements.
You’ve read through our review, have a solid understanding of the new features and capabilities of the GoPro HERO10, and if you haven’t already made a decision on whether to buy it or not, we’re going to help you out right now.
If you don’t already have a GoPro and are wondering whether or not you should bite the bullet and get one, then 100% yes, the HERO10 is worth the money!
You can literally connect your camera to the GoPro Quik app on your phone, wirelessly sync your footage, edit photos, make videos (using their ready-to-go templates), and in a matter of minutes you have epic content ready to upload straight to Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or Facebook as soon as you have an internet connection!
If you have the HERO 8 or an earlier model and looking to upgrade, then absolutely yes, the HERO10 is a fantastic product that sits on another level compared to the previous products.
Every part of the camera has been given an upgrade, and especially for people who like to vlog or take selfies, you’ll find the front LCD display a huge game changer over the HERO 8.
In previous years we have always said that if you are using the previous GoPro camera, then unless you’re a professional user, it’s not worth upgrading.
The difference is very noticeable, and if you’re the kind of person who uses their camera a couple of times a week, it’s definitely worth considering an upgrade.
But if you’re the kind of shooter that tends to stick to their smartphone for photos and videos, or also uses a DSLR or mirrorless setup in addition to your standard kit, then don’t stress – the HERO9 is still a fantastic camera.
You’ve made it to the end of our GoPro HERO10 review, and considering the features, quality, durability, size, design, ease of use and of course the price, we’ve decided to give it a massive 9/10.
Thanks very much for reading our GoPro HERO10 Black review. If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we’ll answer them as soon as possible.
The GoPro HERO10 is a huge upgrade over the HERO9 thanks to the brand new GP2 processor, which doubles the performance, speed, responsiveness and frame rates of the camera over the previous model.
If you have the 8 model or earlier, or use your GoPro more than twice a week, then it is definitely worth upgrading to the GoPro HERO10 to make full use of the new GP2 processor.
With the new 23mp sensor being powered by the GP2 processor and full RAW capabilities, the GoPro HERO 10 is a fantastic camera for taking still photos.
We break down every spec, feature and comparison with previous models in our honest GoPro HERO 10 review by taking it out the field and testing if its worth...
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.
The company was founded by Nick Woodman in 2002.surfing trip to Australia in which he was hoping to capture high quality action photos, but could not because amateur photographers could not get close enough or buy appropriate quality equipment at reasonable prices.
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.
In 2014, the company was selling the HERO3+ in editions of different colors. It was capable of filming in 16:9 aspect ratio, supporting 4K UHD video and 12 MP still photographs.
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 basic HD HERO was marketed either with a basic set of accessories (case and mount) as the "Naked", or in bundles with additional accessories named for the intended purpose (such as the HD Helmet HERO, HD Motorsports HERO, and HD Surf HERO).
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.
During its release, the HERO7 Black largely competed with rival camera and camera accessory manufacturer DJI which released the DJI OSMO Action, which also introduced a similar enhanced stabilization feature.
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".
The major changes new GP2 processor, HERO10 Black shoots 5.3K video with double the frame rate, 23MP photos, enhanced low-light performance and HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization in all modes. On top of all that, HERO10 is cloud connected—so the moment you charge it, your footage is automatically uploaded to the cloud.
Karma Drone became available October 23, 2016. The drone is compatible with the HERO7 Black, HERO6 Black, HERO5 Black and HERO4 Black and Silver. The Drone has 20 minutes of battery life.
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 Fusion was announced alongside the HERO6 Black360° Panorama video. Fusion Studio can export to several formats, including H.264 (4K), CineForm 422, and Apple ProRes 422.
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.
"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.
Since its founding 20 years ago, GoPro has pretty much defined the “adventure camera” product category. Its rugged little cameras have appealed to the human drive to climb and jump off high things, speed down steep cliffs at bone-jolting velocities or launch oneself out of perfectly good airplanes.
It’s been a journey, and the new GoPro Hero 10 Creator Edition is the latest travel companion for those supremely confident in their bodies’ healing abilities. So what’s new this year?
The GoPro Hero 10 updates last year’s Hero 9 with a new GP2 image processor that makes camera response faster and images better, and that increases frame rate and resolution when making videos. But is it enough to upgrade year over year? We say if you already have a Hero 9, no, but if you’re looking for your first GoPro camera or you’re running a Hero 8 or earlier, this will be a big and worthy upgrade to your current adventure videography needs.
We reviewed the Hero 10 Creator Edition, which includes not only GoPro’s latest flagship camera but also a 32GB microSD card; the Volta battery grip; the Media Mod, which is a case with a built-in external mic and cold shoes for attachments; and the Light Mod, which is, as expected, a small light you can attach via said cold shoe mounts.
Pricing is a bit complicated, given the big discounts offered if you buy a yearly subscription ($49.99 per year) to the GoPro service. Nonsubscribers can get the kit for between $785 and $830, depending on where you shop around, and existing GoPro subscribers will pay $581.96. But new subscribers get another $50 off, so you can get the whole kit for $531.95 if you’re a total GoPro newbie. And if you don’t need all the perks of the Creator Edition, you can score the standard Hero 10 Black for as low as $349.
Aimed primarily at dedicated vloggers, the GoPro Hero 10 Creator Edition is a great purchase for a GoPro newbie or someone with a Hero 8 model or older. For those with last year’s Hero 9 model, the upgrade isn’t as compelling.
The Hero 10 is almost physically identical to the Hero 9, albeit 5 grams lighter, according to official specs. The Hero 10 feels solid, and considering it’s an “adventure camera,” it should. Like the Hero 9, it’s waterproof down to 33 feet without any protective case at all, which is pretty impressive, and it feels like its rugged outer case could get banged around a bit without wrecking the thing.
Beyond its toughness, it also has new smarts, thanks to the upgraded GP2 processor. GoPro says it offers twice the performance of the previous-generation processor, the GP1, and in our testing, it delivers. The GP2 offers an increase in image quality, capture speed, video stabilization, slow motion and just general zippiness to the camera’s responsiveness, which is a big deal when you’re trying to capture fast-moving subjects like kids, pets or you shredding some awesome powder on the slopes.
It can shoot up to 5.3K video (up from 5K in the Hero 9) at up to 60 frames per second (fps), 4K at up to 120 fps and at 1080p at a ridiculous 240 fps for super-slow-mo footage. The new processor also enables an upgraded HyperSmooth 4.0 stabilization function. In our testing, which did not include shredding anything, the digital video stabilization practically eliminated the need for a physical gimbal. The GP2 also boosts the resolution of still photos to 23 megapixels (up from 20 megapixels) and includes GoPro’s proprietary SuperPhoto setting with HDR.
The GP2 has sped up the front screen of the camera, which can be used for selfies and other POV shooting, giving you a 30 fps image with almost no lag (the Hero 9’s front screen was notoriously choppy). The back touchscreen, where you control the camera, is even better. While not quite as fast as an iPhone or Android touchscreen, it’s close. It feels responsive, and the GoPro menus are thoughtfully arranged, making navigation easy with a little practice. You don’t want to be hunting and pecking through laggy menus when you’re on the side of a mountain angling for the perfect shot.
The new processor also just speeds up the whole GoPro experience. It boots up quickly and is ready to capture content in a couple of seconds when you push the red shutter button on top. Taking and processing the photos feels super fast, and overall there’s very little waiting around for the palm-sized camera to crunch through millions of pixels.
The processor also speeds up offloads of photos and videos, with GoPro claiming a 30% increase in Wi-Fi speed to transfer photos to your phone, and it also offers a new USB wired option. Yes, you can finally plug a cable into your phone and Hero 10 and transfer content even faster.
The Hero 10 also claims a new removable lens cover with “water-shedding hydrophobic glass” is more scratch-resistant and helps reduce ghosting than the Hero 9’s lens.
Finally, there’s the GoPro subscription, which we feel is worth it. For $49.99 per year, you get unlimited cloud backup of all your images and videos, some advanced editing tools in the phone app, an automated backup whenever you plug your camera in and it’s on your home Wi-Fi network and a no-questions-asked replacement policy if you somehow destroy your Hero 10. This is a real peace-of-mind issue, and we feel that if you’re willing to plunk down $500-plus for an adventure camera that you’re going to dip in saltwater, take skiing, drop from great heights, etc., then you probably will want to protect the content you create with it (unless you’re seriously subscription averse). The $300 discount on the kit that comes with the GoPro subscription doesn’t hurt either.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a GoPro review without talking about the nigh unlimited number of accessories. In this case, however, we’ll limit ourselves to the Creator Edition, which includes not only the Hero 10 but also the Volta Battery Grip ($129.99), the Media Mod ($79.99), the Light Mod ($49.99) and a 32GB SD card (price varies based on where you buy it).
The Creator Edition is aimed at vloggers, livestreamers and those who don’t necessarily need to strap their GoPros onto energetic Labradors or something like that. It’s aimed at the influencer set, who live by the mantra “pics or it didn’t happen.” It’s an attractive bundle if that’s your jam, but the whole doesn’t necessarily add up to anything greater than the various parts.
First up is the Volta, a beefy battery grip that can double as a tripod for the Hero 10. Its built-in power supply can juice more than four hours of 5.3K 30 fps recording in addition to the Hero 10’s own battery life (more on that below). It has integrated buttons that can switch between camera modes for one-handed operation, and Bluetooth connectivity allows you to wirelessly control the Hero 10 from up to 100 feet away.
The Media Mod is an external case for the Hero 10 with an included directional mic that GoPro says enhances voice capture. In our tests, we didn’t notice much difference between the Hero 10’s built-in mic and the Media Mod’s mic. It does offer an additional cold shoe mount on the side of the case for additional lights, mics or LCD screens, and it gives you an HDMI out port, a 3.5mm mic jack and a USB-C power port.
Finally, the Light Mod is, well, pretty much what it sounds like: a little LCD light with a diffuser cap that can produce three brightness settings, ranging from 20 lumens up to 200, along with a strobe setting. Interestingly, this light is also waterproof to 33 feet, which makes it an option for snorkeling or shallow scuba diving.
Without GoPro subscriber discounts, this whole kit will run you $760 if you buy them all separately. The Creator Edition lists for $834.94 on its website (presumably including the cost of the SD card) but is “only” $531.95 with a GoPro subscription. That’s a pretty good deal for a nearly complete portable filmmakers kit, but if we were picking and choosing, we’d probably forgo the Media Mod case and get the Volta battery grip and Light Mod separately.
Where the Hero 10 falls short is its built-in battery life. It uses the same batteries as the Hero 9, so if you have some of these lying around, you’re in good shape, but the higher video frame rates, like the 5.3K at 60 fps, will suck that battery dry in three to four hours. If you want to shoot a full day of high-intensity activity, you’ll want some charged spares (at $16 a pop) to have in your rucksack. GoPro offers a $24.99 Enduro battery that the company says increases recording time by 40% with a 13% faster recharge time.
Secondly, buying into the GoPro lifestyle isn’t cheap. While $580 for a complete filmmakers kit isn’t bad, you’re still on the hook for $50 per year to get that discount. You can, of course, sign up, pay the $50, then cancel, spending only $630 total for the Creator Edition, but in our opinion, while the yearly subscription isn’t cheap, the automatic backup and advanced editing functions in the phone app make it worth it.
In the end, the Hero 10 is a great purchase for a GoPro newbie or someone with a Hero 8 model or older. For those with last year’s Hero 9 model, the upgrade isn’t as compelling.
If you’re after the best action camera, GoPro is hands down the best on the market. GoPros are now so advanced that professionals and serious amateurs alike are finding GoPros to be the best wearable action cam on the market. There are now different cameras and models available you need a GoPro Comparison Chart to compare the various GoPro model comparisons.
Fusion is the newer, much larger 360-degree camera, with a lens on both the front and the back. This 360-degree camera is not the traditional camera style and is certainly not for everyone.
Generally, newer cameras offer big improvements in image quality and frame rates. Upgraded camera models can look almost identical on the outside (take Hero5 Black versus Hero6 Black), but they come with major upgrades ‘on the inside. Sensors, processors and the like.
Here is the GoPro specs comparison for each model, with the most advanced at the top to least advanced at the bottom. Detailed specs are also provided via links. These highlight the huge variety of GoPro model differences.
Some raw footage from my #GoProHERO8. I’m amazed with it’s quality and stabilisation