gopro hero+ camera with lcd touch screen review in stock

The GoPro Hero cameras are a great choice for easy underwater video. Today, GoPro announced a new camera, adding touch screen convenience to their entry level camera lineup.

The new GoPro HERO+ LCD is now easier to use than ever, with a new touch screen and several features that help share your adventures at the fast speed of social media.

There are many different aspects to using a GoPro to film underwater video. At the Underwater Photography Guide, we have been building a series of GoPro tutorials to help you create the best video possible.

SAN MATEO, CALIF.(June 1, 2015) –GoPro, Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRO), enabler of some of today"s most immersive and engaging content, has announced the availability of its new HERO+ LCD camera. Capturing life-like high definition 1080p60 video and 8MP photos, the HERO+ LCD features a convenient touch display for easy shot framing, settings control and access to an all-new in-camera video trimming feature. Like the entry-level HERO, the HERO+ LCD is built directly into its waterproof housing. The simplicity of this all-in-one design now combines with expanded features to make capturing life’s memorable moments easier than ever.

Rugged and waterproof to 131’ (40m), HERO+ LCD also includes advanced features like HiLight Tagging and in-camera video trimming to make it easier to identify and share your favorite moments. HiLight Tagging lets you mark key moments while recording and during playback so you can easily find them later, and the all-new video trimming feature allows you to create short clips in-camera for easier sharing without a computer.

Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® connect the HERO+ LCD to your GoPro App-enabled smartphone or tablet for easy camera control and shot preview when your camera is mounted or out of reach. The GoPro App also allows for easy content sharing to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and more and combines with the new in-camera video trimming feature to form a convenient content sharing solution.

“HERO+ LCD illustrates that even as we push the limits of life capture with bleeding-edge devices like the HERO4 Black, we’re also focused on delivering accessible, high-quality capture solutions to anyone wanting to GoPro,” said Nick Woodman, founder and CEO of GoPro.

Whether you are a first-time user or a GoPro veteran, the HERO+ LCD is an impressive capture solution. It combines GoPro’s famed image quality, versatility and durability with WiFi connectivity, long battery life and touch display convenience in an all-in-one design.

For the price, this is a very solid purchase, new or used. The key with GoPro is it is nigh on indestructible so even if it"s used, it won"t seem like it.

The GoPro is a small powerhouse putting out great video, pictures, you name it. Even at the 3+ (yes, I know the 7 exists now) the quality is impressive for most people. It may lack some of the glitzy features of the newer counterparts but it is slightly smaller and much cheaper by now.

There are a few key features to think of though before purchasing one. The battery life is quite low but that comes with the territory of the size and image quality. Most times, you"ll get roughly 2 or so hours of time while it is powered on. Obviously lowering quality capture or turning off features will extend this while increasing the load on the camera will decrease this. The positive? It can be charged by USB to a wall plug (needs adapter) or to a PC or laptop so you can charge on the go (granted most cars have USB plugs now too but I cannot confirm it charges in those that link to a music "channel" in your car).

One other slight downside is that the camera requires some form of case or enclosure to mount to anything. The camera itself is smooth on all sides so you have to enclose it in the waterproof case or a different case with mounting gear attached. if you get the accessories bag, you will get a case that the camera goes in to mount with. This case is a bit large but it is 100% waterproof. The only issue with the case is when you first put the camera in it is likely to push the buttons on the camera. This only happens when you first close it and is easily fixed.

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.

Cameras with an adjustable FOV allow users to set view angles depending on their needs. A wider FOV captures a larger visible area, but with fewer details. A more narrow field of view captures less but in more detail and is often used for recording content at a distance.

Optical image stabilization uses gyroscopic sensors to detect the vibrations of the camera. The lens adjusts the optical path accordingly, ensuring that any type of motion blur is corrected before the sensor captures the image.

With a wider aperture the sensor can capture more light, helping to avoid blur by enabling a faster shutter speed. It also provides a shallow depth of field, allowing you to blur the background to focus attention on the subject.

A multi-lens camera captures two or more images and overlays them. This technology creates sharper images, especially in low light conditions, and allows you to use effects such as softening the background.

A BSI (backside illuminated) sensor is a camera image sensor which captures better quality images in poor lighting conditions, and offers better overall sharpness and image quality.

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.GoPro"s new Hero 11 Black gets a bigger sensor and the strongest camera stabilization yet.

GoPro"s Hero 10 Black camera from 2021 is one of my favorite cameras. I use it often — especially when I travel — because it"s compact and rugged, but most importantly, it shoots terrific 4K videos. It"s fun to use, there are plenty of settings and modes to choose from, and GoPro has the best smartphone companion app of any camera maker. It"s so good that it"s hard to imagine how the new Hero 11 Black could top it — but it does.

On the outside, the Hero 11 is a facsimile of its sibling, which makes you wonder if GoPro bothered at all. But it"s what"s underneath that you should care about. It has a larger sensor that not only shoots up to 5.3K resolution at 60 frames per second, but it lets you shoot in 8:7 aspect ratio, which allows for more flexibility when cropping.

The image stabilization is stellar — no more bumpy footage that"s common with early action cameras. The Hero 11 is not a radically new camera nor is it a must-have upgrade from the Hero 10, but it"s refined and there are lots to love.

GoPro"s best camera yet, the Hero 11 Black shoots incredible videos with smooth stabilization better than ever. For Cyber Monday, you can save $100 (20%) off the regular price.

The Hero 11 Black is bundled with the Media Mod, which lets you attach accessories like a mic and external display. It also comes with the Volta, a handgrip and tripod that doubles as a remote control and portable battery.What worksNew sensor delivers videos that look great and smooth

While I appreciate this all-in-one design, I miss the ability to connect an external microphone or display. The HDMI port, located inside the battery chamber, doesn"t natively support video or audio — you"d need to purchase the optional Media Mod accessory or the Hero 11 as part of the Creator Edition.

I also wish there was a way to connect the camera to an external battery without exposing the battery. GoPro makes a battery door with a pass-through to the HDMI port, but this part seems to only come with the Volta tripod/battery accessory. I consider this a minor issue, as it won"t affect most users.

The Hero 11 takes in-camera image stabilization to a new level. Since the Hero 6 Black, GoPro has perfected its HyperSmooth system with every new model. HyperSmooth 5.0 is the smoothest I"ve seen yet.

The sample clip above was shot on a fast-moving speed boat that bopped up and down the New York Harbor, yet the video isn"t bouncy and the Horizon Lock function kept things steady and even. You would have to shake the camera violently if a shaky picture is your intention. Gone are the nauseating footage shot with early GoPros.

With that said, the Hero 11 can create some decent time-lapse videos at night. GoPro added three new modes that automatically adjust the settings for shooting star trails, vehicle light trails, and light painting. You would need a tripod and a dark setting, and you may need to play around with the settings or reposition the camera if there"s a light source nearby, but they can be fun.

I wasn"t in an area where I could properly shoot star trails, but from previous experience with the Hero 10, you can capture the starry night sky provided there"s no light pollution and you plug an external battery into the camera.

GoPro introduced a new, optional battery for the Hero 9 and Hero 10 last year. Called Enduro, it can handle cold and warm temperatures without affecting performance, and it can add 38% more battery life than the standard battery, according to GoPro.

Enduro now comes standard with the Hero 11, but if you have batteries from the Hero 9 or Hero 10, those will work, too. Despite the extra battery life, it"s still short if you plan to shoot often — carry spares or an external power bank.

As GoPro cameras advanced, so has their user interface. There are now so many options for settings, modes, and views. Eventually, menu navigation becomes intuitive, but it can get overwhelming, especially if you need to make an adjustment on the fly.

The Hero 11 adds a new Easy mode that takes away all those settings. You can pick the field of view, but the camera handles everything else. Easy mode reminds me of using early Hero cameras like the Hero 3, but I found myself actually wanting some ability to adjust the settings. I don"t always need to do pro-level adjustments like ISO, but I do like to change up the resolution or frame rate. Easy mode is a good idea, but it"s too limiting.

The GoPro Hero 11 Black is available now. It retails for $500, but if you bundle it with a GoPro subscription, which includes perks like no-questions-asked damage replacement, discounts on accessories, and cloud storage with the new online Auto Highlight feature, it costs $400 (the GoPro subscription is a good value if you use a GoPro a lot).

There is also a Hero 11 Black Creator Edition for $700 or $580 when purchased with a GoPro subscription. Designed for content makers, this bundle includes the Media Mod accessory that lets you attach an optional microphone (there"s also one built into it) for better sound capture, as well as connect to an external display over HDMI. It also comes with a light accessory and the Volta, a handgrip that doubles as a tripod, external battery, and wireless controller.

If you own the Hero 9 Black or the Hero 10 Black, I recommend waiting another year unless you need to replace a damaged unit. While the larger sensor and improved image stabilization are notable, there isn"t anything revolutionary to warrant an early upgrade.

Besides, both the Hero 9 and Hero 10 are still very capable. I have been using the Hero 10 and Hero 11 simultaneously and have not seen any huge difference in everyday use, performance, or video quality.

In fact, the Hero 10 is still for sale as a lower price option, but you should spend $50 more for the Hero 11 if you"re actually considering the Hero 10.

For owners of older GoPro who are ready to step up, the Hero 11 Black is worthwhile. I also recommend adding a GoPro subscription if you aren"t already a member, as the free replacement, cloud storage, and accessories discount are worth it if you are a power user.

The big question is, why buy a camera at all when smartphones are just as capable? As an owner of an iPhone 13 Pro, I"d agree, despite having reviewed cameras for over a decade. While my iPhone is fine for casual shoots, I prefer using a GoPro when I have the intention to shoot videos, especially when traveling.

I also don"t have to worry about notifications interrupting me, and I don"t have to fret about dropping my $1,500 phone. The GoPro is a nice companion to my phone.

GoPro also announced a smaller and lighter version of the Hero 11 Black, called the Hero 11 Black Mini. On sale on October 25 for $400 or $300 with a GoPro subscription, the Mini has the same performance specs as the standard Hero 11 Black.

Because it"s designed for quick, one-button shooting, there are no screens for previewing a shot or making adjustments to the settings — those would have to be made in advance via the GoPro app, but there is a small status display on the top.

The battery is also built-in, which means you can"t swap it out for a new one if it goes dead. There are two sets of folding fingers, which gives you flexibility in how to mount the camera.

A spiritual successor to the beloved GoPro Hero Session, the Mini is for users — say, bikers and surfers — who want the best quality videos from a small camera, but without the fuss.

From the pre-production sample I saw, the Hero 11 Black Mini has the same build quality as the Hero 11 Black. While it"s smaller, it"s nowhere as compact as the Hero Session. Review samples were not available at the time of the announcement, so I won"t comment on overall use and performance until I can get our hands on one.

One of the features of the GoPro Quick smartphone app is called Auto Highlight. After offloading footage from the camera and to a phone, the app automatically pulls clips and combines them into a short movie, with graphics and music.

GoPro is bringing this feature to its subscription service, which offers cloud storage for photos and videos that are automatically uploaded from a supported GoPro camera.

That remains true with the video I received, although it"s quite usable. I was not able to download it to my phone, which suggests kinks still need to be worked out. I will update this as I get more hands-on time with this feature.

You should pack spare batteries with any GoPro. This bundle gives you two extra Enduro batteries that have longer battery life than the standard GoPro battery, and a charger.

You should use a fast and dependable memory card with cameras. Importantly, get one with enough storage, as video and photo files can be large and will fill up a card quickly. The SanDisk Extreme Plus is a good choice for use in cameras and drones like GoPro, Insta360, and DJI.

GoPro cameras might be durable, but they still need proper protection. When not in use, this hard case can be configured for multiple GoPro cameras and accessories, and even a handgrip.Les Shu

Les is the Deputy Editor for Insider Reviews primarily overseeing the Tech team, which includes reviews and explainers of consumer electronics, streaming, gaming, and entertainment products and services. Previously, he also led Insider Reviews" Style and Beauty, Tech and Electronics, Health, Fitness, and Outdoors, and Travel teams. He works with the Executive Editors on strategy for all of Insider Reviews. Previously, he was the editor of the many expert product buying guides that Business Insider and INSIDER recommend. In addition, he covers photography and printing products for the Tech section.

Having started his career in print magazines, Les is a journalist with nearly 20 years of experience, as a writer, editor, and researcher. Prior to joining Insider, he was a senior editor at Digital Trends covering photography and in-depth features. His byline has appeared in publications including Computer Shopper, Men"s Journal, Men"s Fitness, and others.

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.

Then, you’ll go ahead do a funky twisting snake maneuver with the cable to get it into its micro-HDMI hole without it flopping all over the place. It’ll look like this when done:

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).

Fast forward to January 2020 and the Display Mod made its first appearance at CES in the booth for all to touch and caress. From briefly playing with it then, it was clear it was a hot mess. Which, probably explains why it was delayed and delayed and delayed until now.

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?

While I can hope some of those things happen, the reality is that I suspect they won’t. Which is too bad, as I think there actually are some use cases for the Display Mod, but as of today I’d have a really hard time recommending it to anyone. But hey, on the bright side – the Hero 9 Media Mod and Hero 9 Max SV Mod are actually mostly pretty cool…so more on those shortly.

Hopefully you found this review useful. At the end of the day, I’m an athlete just like you looking for the most detail possible on a new purchase – so my review is written from the standpoint of how I used the device. The reviews generally take a lot of hours to put together, so it’s a fair bit of work (and labor of love). As you probably noticed by looking below, I also take time to answer all the questions posted in the comments – and there’s quite a bit of detail in there as well.

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!

And of course – you can always sign-up to be a DCR Supporter! That gets you an ad-free DCR, access to the DCR Quarantine Corner video series packed with behind the scenes tidbits...and it also makes you awesome. And being awesome is what it’s all about!

Thanks for reading! And as always, feel free to post comments or questions in the comments section below, I’ll be happy to try and answer them as quickly as possible. And lastly, if you felt this review was useful – I always appreciate feedback in the comments below. Thanks!

Hopefully you found this review useful. At the end of the day, I’m an athlete just like you looking for the most detail possible on a new purchase – so my review is written from the standpoint of how I used the device. The reviews generally take a lot of hours to put together, so it’s a fair bit of work (and labor of love). As you probably noticed by looking below, I also take time to answer all the questions posted in the comments – and there’s quite a bit of detail in there as well.

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!

And of course – you can always sign-up to be a DCR Supporter! That gets you an ad-free DCR, access to the DCR Quarantine Corner video series packed with behind the scenes tidbits...and it also makes you awesome. And being awesome is what it’s all about!

Thanks for reading! And as always, feel free to post comments or questions in the comments section below, I’ll be happy to try and answer them as quickly as possible. And lastly, if you felt this review was useful – I always appreciate feedback in the comments below. Thanks!

So you"ve decided to buy one of the best GoPro cameras — good choice! GoPros are without question thebest action cameras around, so we can see why you"ve made that decision. But which one should you buy?

You might think the answer would always be "the latest model," in this case theGoPro Hero11 Black — but it"s not quite as simple as that. And that"s because the best GoPro camera overall is not necessarily the best GoPro camera for you.

For starters, some older models are now reduced in price, so depending on your budget you might find that one of them is a better choice for you. There"s also the GoPro Max to consider, which offers 360-degree video — a feature you won"t find on other models.

We"ve tested every GoPro still available to buy so we can help you make the right purchasing decision. Here, we look at the five most recent models of GoPro, from the five-year-old Hero8 Black to 2022"s Hero11 Black, breaking down what"s different about them and what their various advantages and disadvantages are.

The GoPro Hero11 Black has a large 1/1.9-inch image sensor with an 8:7 aspect ratio. This squarish format lets you capture expansive views, but more importantly, gives you much more flexibility when editing the video afterwards. In the GoPro Quik app, you can output your video in a number of formats, including the TikTok-friendly 9:16 ratio.

While the outside hasn"t changed from the Hero9 Black, the GoPro Hero10 Black sports a new and improved processor on the inside, which translates to video recording as high as 5.3K/60 fps, as well as 2K video at 240 fps, and 4K video at 120 fps. On top of that, it has a larger 23MP image sensor, and manages to shave off a tiny bit of weight.

What"s most impressive is the Hero10"s upgraded image stabilization; in our testing, we found that the camera can be tilted by as much as 45 degrees while still smoothing things out. However, this puts a serious dent on battery life, which is unchanged from the Hero9. But, you can use the same battery, as well as the same accessories, as before.

While not the best GoPro camera overall, the GoPro Max does have a major point of difference from the others — namely its ability to shoot 360-degree video. Unlike most 360 cameras, the GoPro Hero Max has a small display on its back that lets you view what its cameras are looking at. We didn"t find it quite as handy as we"d expected, but the large display does make it easy to navigate and change the Max"s settings without having to use your smartphone.

The GoPro Hero Max also has a HyperSmooth stabilization feature, so your bumpy video will look nice and smooth, and image quality from the camera — up to a max resolution of 5.6K/30 fps — lives up to GoPro"s typical high standards. Plus, GoPro"s app is loaded with features, including the ability to livestream video from the Max.

With the GoPro Hero9 Black, GoPro not only took the criticism of the Hero8, but also added a much-needed feature: a front-facing display. This small screen now shows a live preview, making it much easier for selfie artists and bloggers to frame themselves in videos and photos.

The Hero8 Black was the first GoPro to have its mounting "fingers" built directly into the camera, which makes it a bit easier to attach accessories. You no longer need to use a case if you want to attach it to accessories, such as a tripod or helmet mount. Unfortunately, it also means that cases and lens adapters you had for older GoPros won"t work with this model.

GoPro improved the motion stabilization to make the footage from the Hero8 Black the smoothest we"ve seen from an action camera (until the Hero9 and then Hero10, at least), and the overall quality remains as great as ever. The Hero8 Black has also been updated to work as a webcam, and its HyperSmooth 2.0 video stabilization works with more video settings — though not as well as HyperSmooth 3.0 and HyperSmooth 4.0 on the Hero9 and Hero10, respectively. But for $279, it"s the best GoPro under $300.

While all of the best GoPro cameras (with the exception of the Max) share a similar design, there are a few differences, especially between the Hero10 / Hero9 Black and older models.

With the Hero8 Black, GoPro redesigned the camera so that the mounting "fingers" — used to connect the camera to GoPro accessories — are built directly into the bottom of the camera. This way, you don"t need to attach a case if you want to mount the camera to a selfie stick or some other device.

However, unlike earlier models, the Hero8"s lens cover cannot be removed; other GoPro models let you take this piece off so you can attach other lens covers, such as filters and the like. The Hero9 rectifies this issue and the Hero10 keeps the same layout.

All GoPro models have a rear display which you can use to frame your shot and adjust settings, as well as a front-facing LCD that shows your recording time, battery life, and more. However, the Hero9 and Hero10 have color displays on the front, which can also be used to frame yourself in a shot.

The GoPro Hero9 Black was the first GoPro that can shoot video at 5K resolution, albeit at a max framerate of 30 fps. The Hero10 ups that to 60 fps. Both the GoPro Hero8 Black and Hero7 Black can shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second, as well as slo-mo video at 1080p/240 fps.

One of the defining features of the best GoPro cameras has been electronic image stabilization, which goes a long way towards smoothing out shaky action cam footage. GoPro calls its technology HyperSmooth; hyperbole aside, it"s very effective. Newer (and pricier) GoPro models have more advanced versions of HyperSmooth.

If you"re taking really shaky video, though, we recommend the GoPro Max; because it"s a 360 camera, and recording everything around you, it"s the best at maintaining a level horizon no matter how much the camera bounces around.

We"ve got a separate guide to the best GoPro accessories, but if you"re still deciding which is the best GoPro camera to buy and just want an idea of how much extra you might need to budget for add-ons, here"s a brief overview:GoPro Volta: GoPro has just released this combined handle, remote, battery and tripod and we"ll be giving it a try very soon. The company claims it can triple battery life, while the remote functionality works whether it"s attached to a camera or wirelessly via Bluetooth. For $130, it looks like a great addition to a GoPro.

Mounts: You"re almost certainly going to want to attach your GoPro to something, whether it"s a helmet, a bike or a snowboard. Neewer makes an inexpensive (about $30) 50-piece kit(opens in new tab) that includes dozens of options.

Audio upgrades: Sound isn"t the GoPro"s strongest suit, but you can improve it by adding GoPro"s own Media Mod(opens in new tab), or an external microphone for as little as $40.

Batteries: You can never have too much juice — after all, you don"t want to be stuck halfway up a mountain with a dead GoPro. For $10 you can buy an extra battery plus a charging case(opens in new tab) that you can take on the go.

Of course there are dozens of other GoPro accessories, including waterproof cases and floatation devices, screen protectors, extra lighting, extra displays and more. Check out our full list of the best GoPro accessories for more.

Simply put: yes. Aside from being great action cameras, there are actually a few other things that GoPros can do. For a start, GoPro released software that lets you use the GoPro Hero9 and Hero8 Black as a webcam. Follow our guide to how to use your GoPro as a webcam for more details.

GoPro also launched livestreaming for its Hero10, Hero9, Hero8 Black, Hero7 Black and GoPro Max cameras. However, in order to use this feature, you must be a GoPro Plus subscriber, which costs $49.99 annually. The subscription also provides unlimited cloud storage of GoPro footage, no-questions-asked camera replacement, and up to 50% off GoPro accessories.

The only way to test a GoPro camera properly is to put it through its paces in the outdoors, so that"s what we do. We take it to a ski slope, or out on a bike, or to a beach, and we use it in the kind of situation anyone buying it would do. We also make sure to test it in a variety of lighting conditions, and to specifically evaluate features such as motion stabilization so we know how well it performs.

We then look closely at the footage, and any stills we"ve taken, to compare the quality to that of rival devices or previous models. Finally, we consider the camera"s controls, design and build, including aspects such as how easy it is to operate with gloves, and also evaluate the manufacturer"s battery claims against what we found in our testing.

Now that you"ve decided on the best GoPro for you, you"ll definitely want to check out our roundup of the best GoPro accessories, so you can get the most out of your rugged pal. If you"re still not sold on adventuring with a GoPro, then we also have guides to the best action cameras, best waterproof cameras, best 360 cameras and best drones. If you"re looking for something a little more conventional than an action cam, why not check out our guides to the best DSLR cameras and best mirrorless cameras (or read up on DSLR vs. mirrorless if you haven"t decided between the two). For something a little more casual, check out the best point-and-shoot cameras and the best instant cameras. If you"d like to see our favorites from every category, then you"ll want to read our guide to the overall best cameras.

Like the HERO5 Black before it, the HERO7 Black"s rugged, rubberized, adventure-ready exterior is resistant to the elements and waterproof to 33" without a housing. The rear side of the camera is dominated by a 2" touchscreen LCD for quickly navigating menus. Once your settings are locked in, the classic one-button interface can take over for quickly starting and stopping recording and changing settings on-the-fly. Hero6 black automatically sends your footage to your phone,you can copy photos and videos over to your phone 3x faster than with Hero5 black Note:Law or High temperature may temporaly shorten the battery.