gopro hero 8 lcd screen made in china

All GoPro"s are made in China, they are however designed and engineered in the states before the designs are sent to China for manufacture. GoPro have their own facilities in China that do this.

There have been ZERO cases of imitation of fake GoPro camera"s being sold on the market. Their are knock off brands that are much cheaper or in some cases people have tried to buy a GoPro online from ebay or craigslist only to find that someone has swapped the camera in the box for another one (which looks completely different and doesn"t have any GoPro branding on it).

GuangzhouCRainbowElectronic Technology Co.,Ltdis selling mobile phone accessories.Now we are in point to mobile phone tempered glass,privacy glass,screen guard,cae,usb cable,wall charer,earphone and ect.

I remember GoPro in the early days. Back then the cameras could only offer sub-SD recording, had no Wi-Fi and more importantly no way to see the picture as they lacked a screen. They were a hard sell, but filled a gap for small disposable digital video cameras.

The launch of the Hero 8 Black brings some improvements over the previous generation, but is it enough? If you already have an action camera does the quality and feature set of the Hero 8 Black make you want to upgrade? And, if you don’t already have a camera like this, has GoPro launched a camera that will convince you to buy into this product category?

The list of features on the Hero 8 Black is extensive, but improvements in image quality year-over-year are hard to come by. After all, 4K/60p with limited noise on a sensor that is incredibly small is difficult to achieve, especially in low light. To paraphrase a well known line from Scotty, ‘you can’t change the laws of physics’. Pixel pitch, size and resolution play directly against each other in the triangle of visual fidelity. Without increasing the pixel size, or finding a way of gathering more photons per pixel, improving signal-to-noise ratio is difficult.

Where do you see improvement when moving from the Hero 7 Black to the Hero 8? One feature that’s attracting attention is HyperSmooth 2.0, GoPro’s image stabilization technology, which claims to rival gimbal levels of image stabilization without the need for balancing, mounting or powering an external handle. But can it actually deliver, and is it a big enough improvement over the previous generation to convince people to part with their money and upgrade?

I discovered one odd effect when using the HyperSmooth 2.0 boost mode at 1080 resolution: when mounted in certain situations, like a moving car (above) the image will pan to counter movement. This gives the image a floating feel instead of the sense that the camera is locked in place.

Along with some useful additions, this new camera also changes some features – and not for the better. For example, it’s no longer possible for the user to change the front element of the lens if it becomes cracked or chipped. GoPro’s stance is "GoPro does not offer a repair service on our cameras as, due to their size and design, the cost of parts and labor for performing such a specific repair would be more expensive than replacing the camera outright if it’s covered by warranty."

Instead, it offers the GoPro Plus service, which will replace your camera if something goes wrong (at a maximum of 2 cameras per year). However, this service comes at a cost: $4.99 per month or $50.04 per year, and includes unlimited cloud storage and 50% off mounts and some accessories. Yes, another service to subscribe to, although for serious users this may pay dividends.

Think you might be able to use your older Hero 7 batteries? Think again. Hero 7 batteries can"t deliver as much peak power as Hero 8 batteries and are not compatible with the new camera.

There’s always a trade off with temperature as well. If you did have all the available features turned on the camera would most likely shut down before the battery was exhausted due to overheating, which could cause damage to the camera or battery. There"s a reason that the older Hero 7 batteries—even though they are physically the same—won’t work on the Hero 8 due to power delivery limitations. The newer Hero 8 batteries can deliver more peak power. What more can be added?

If image quality isn’t making great leaps, and with features like Hypersmooth 2.0, live streaming, 4K capture and slow motion already included, have we hit a wall? What more can possibly be added to future action cameras? Part of the answer for GoPro seems to be add-on hardware, like a vlogging flip-up LCD (Display Mod), or an add-on frame which gives you HDMI out, a 3.5mm in and an extra microphone (Media Mod). These go some way to disguise the limitations of the bare camera and add the possibility of appealing to the ever expanding vlogging market.

The competition in the premium action camera space is actually fairly limited. There"s the Sony FDR-X3000, the DJI Osmo Actionand the recently introducedInsta360 One R, and really that’s about it at the moment. The recently released Insta360 camera employs an interesting modular setup, but can it compete? After all, GoPro has been doing this for nearly 20 years.

There are lots of cameras available at the mid and lower end of the market, but this isn"t an area that GoPro competes in and it really is a case of getting what you pay for. GoPro’s installed user base and reputation are formidable to any new manufacturer coming to market, and it has proven difficult for established name brands to launch and maintain an action camera market segment, as Nikon found out.

An action camera is a great addition to a filmmaker"s tool kit, and if you need a new one the Hero 8 Black is a solid choice. However, while there"s a certain FOMO—a fear of missing out—and even peer pressure to have the latest and greatest, it probably doesn"t make financial sense to upgrade every year for only minor improvements.

Two new GoPro models have made their way onto the FCC’s website, likely to be the GoPro Hero 8 and GoPro’s next iteration of its 360 camera, the GoPro Max 360. From leaked images, we can see a focus on features with Hero 8 and a focus on simplicity with Max 360.

The cameras are rumored to be released next month during GoPro’s annual event. We expect to see two new cameras from GoPro. One is the new GoPro Hero 8, which will no doubt take on the DJI Osmo Action, along with the GoPro Max 360 replacing the current GoPro Fusion 360.

FCC listings published this month have shown the menu found in all GoPro cameras with the inclusion of two model numbers. The two model numbers point to a new GoPro Hero 8 camera and a new GoPro Max 360 camera.

External images of the GoPro Max 360 leaked via the Japanese Ministry of Communications show off the camera’s new design and size. It looks like the GoPro Max 360 could have a resolution of 5.6K at 24fps, 5.2K at 30fps, and 3K at 60fps.

The Max 360 looks to take on a new smaller form factor of around 80 x 80 mm closer, resembling the GoPro Hero line of cameras. The display has also been made larger along with what looks to be a larger microphone module found on both sides.

The image shows an LCD screen and LED light that is attached to what looks to be a standard hot shoe mount. The LCD screen will fix a big issue GoPro has had for years: a screen you can’t see when looking into the lens. This will allow vloggers to use the GoPro Hero 8 with the screen on the top and a microphone on the side of the camera. The LED light will open the possibility to improve low-light performance for objects close to the camera.

We would love to see the GoPro Hero 8 support 4K 60 fps in all modes, as well as 1440p 240 fps slow motion and improved image quality in low light. Hopefully, GoPro will continue to improve the onboard audio, up the bit rate to 100mb/s, and continue its black, silver, and white models.

GoPro Hero 8 vs 9 - which should you choose? If you’re after a waterproof, drop-proof camera for taking on a ski or surf trip/bike ride/kayak or anywhere else where a smartphone just isn’t going to cut it, you need anaction camera(opens in new tab). It’s likely that the first brand that popped into your head wasGoPro camera(opens in new tab), but which model do you need?

A ‘selfie’ screen, 5K video and 14.7 MP video stills. That’s what the new GoPro Hero 9 promises, but do you need the latest and greatest GoPro? The brand is synonymous with rugged, rubberized cameras that can be placed almost anywhere, but in GoPro’s latest flagship line-up of action cameras there’s a big decision to be made; GoPro Hero 8 Black(opens in new tab) or GoPro Hero 9 Black(opens in new tab)?

With the release of the Hero 9 Black, the Hero 8 Black has been discounted, but for many users, that"s an opportunity to get exactly the camera they need. After all, as our head-to-head shows, the Hero 9 Black is a little bigger than the Hero 8 Black, and there are other subtle differences that may mean the older model is for you.

While the Hero 9 Black is now the top dog in GoPro’s stable purely in terms of features and functionality, the best value is the Hero 8 Black. Whichever generation you choose, these pocket-sized cameras are great for cyclists, skiers, skateboarders and all-round adventurous types wanting to produce content in ever more creative ways.

If you’re a vlogger than there’s a good chance you’ve turned away from GoPro recently. That’s because while the Hero 8 Black does technically have a small front display, it’s not for framing video, but merely for showing you the remaining battery time, recording time and what resolution you’ve selected (though a front-facing screenDisplay Mod(opens in new tab) is also available from GoPro for the Hero 8 Black). In an attempt to catch-up on theDJI Osmo Action and theAkaso Brave 7 LE – both of which have front-mounted LCD "selfie" panels – the Hero 9 Black has a ‘selfie’ live preview screen built-in for framing and vlog-style recording. Measuring 1.4-inches, it’s quite a departure for GoPro and adds to the Hero 9 Black’s physical size, though it may not be a feature many users want or need. However, it can host either a ‘full screen’, ‘actual screen’ or live preview, used only as a status screen, or deactivated entirely. Either way, it’s a reason for upgrading to the Hero 9 Black.

While the flagship GoPro’s new front display will grab the headlines, the rear display has also been sized-up. Both cameras have a 16:9 widescreen LCD touchscreen displays, but they differ in size; the Hero 9 has a 2.27-inch display while the Hero 8 offers a noticeable smaller 1.95-inch display. That’s a 16% difference in size.

When it comes to the lens, there’s a huge difference between the Hero9 Black and the Hero8 Black. While the older product has a fixed lens, the new flagship has a removable lens cover, just as the Hero7 Black featured. It can host a

Are those new features worth their weight? We hope so because the new Hero 9 Black is physically larger than the Hero 8 Black. The Hero 9 Black measures 71x55x33.6mm and weighs 158g, which doesn’t compare too well to the GoPro Hero 8’s slimmer 66.3x48.6x28.4mm and 126g weight.

That said, while the power/mode and record buttons have the same placement, the Hero 9 Black’s buttons are slightly larger and protrude slightly more, which makes them easier to operate when wearing gloves.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Hero 9 Black comes with a significantly larger battery than the Hero 8 Black. Rated at 1,720mAh compared to 1,220mAh, the former is physically larger than the latter, and not compatible with older GoPro models. However, it offers 30% more battery life. The slight increase in size is necessary to drive a bigger sensor and two screens, but also to offer better performance in freezing temperatures. The battery life of the Hero 9 Black is rated by GoPro at 101 minutes when filming in 1080p, while the Hero 8 Black manages 75 minutes.

The Hero 9 Black’s larger 23.6 MP sensor means higher resolution video. It maxes out at 5K 30 fps at a bitrate of 100 Mbps– that’s seven times more detailed than regular HD. Meanwhile, the Hero 8 Black’s video pinnacle is 4K 60fps at 100 Mbps. Both shoot in multiple resolution steps below their maximum, though the Hero 9 Black abandons 720p, with 1080p now the lowest quality video it captures.

TimeWarp 3.0 is the latest version of GoPro’s time-lapse mode best used for endurance activities, such as hiking. Although it only works up to 4K, it’s now got a ‘speed ramp’ feature that can slow down the action at a specific point back to real-time speed, and capture the audio, too. As an example, you could have a fast-motion time-lapse of you ascending the mountain, a few seconds of real-time, regular speed video and audio of a conversation at the peak, then back to a time-lapse for the descent. There’s also a half-speed mode for an epic slo-mo. Meanwhile, for the Max Lens Mode there’s a mode that adds Max HyperSmooth and Max SuperView. Although horizon levelling is part of the GoPro app, on the Hero 9 Black it happens in-camera.

The Hero 9 Black also adds HindSight (a 30-second buffer for video to avoid missing unexpected moments), Scheduled Capture (for waking-up and videoing a sunrise while you sleep-in) and Duration Capture (set to record for between 15 seconds and three hours).

While there was a firmware update earlier this year to allow theHero 8 Black to be used as a webcam(opens in new tab), the Hero 9 Black includes it right out of the box. It integrates into all video conferencing platforms and works up to 1080p. The Hero 9 Black can also be used to live stream 1080p video to YouTube, Twitch, Facebook Profiles and Facebook Pages, and with HyperSmooth 3.0 engaged, too.

GoPro cameras aren’t particularly renowned for their skill with stills, but at a pinch they can take some decent quality landscapes. Both models take RAW and HDR – the latter upgraded on the Hero 9 Black – with the Hero 9 Black offering 20 MP resolution to the Hero 8 Black’s 12 MP. That’s quite a step-up.

The Hero 9 Black can also grab 14.7 MP grabs from video, which is one of its killer features; it means you can extract decent quality photos of jumps, turns and other ‘moments’.

Action cameras traditionally have the kind of rigid transparent plastic ‘window’ packaging that borders on offensive. So when it comes to excessive packaging, GoPro has been a major offender. Thankfully that all changes with the Hero 9 Black, which arrives in a handy nylon carry case wrapped in a cardboard slip. So no plastic whatsoever. Nice, but what took you so long? The non-plastic packaging will also come soon to the rest of the GoPro stable, including the Hero 8 Black.

In the Hero 9 Black’s case are a couple of batteries, a USB to USB-C cable, two thumbscrews, a redesigned floating grip, a micro SD card, an adhesive mount, a standard buckle mount and a magnetic swivel clip.

For the Hero 8 Black, the standard package is less generous; one battery, a USB to USB-C cable, one thumbscrew, a selfie stick, an adhesive mount and a standard buckle mount. However, at the time of writing GoPro was selling the Hero 8 Black for $349.99/UK£329.99 bundled with a head strap, a spare battery and a 32GB micro SD card.

With more screens, more opportunities to grab still photos and a bigger battery, some will find persuasive reasons to reach for a Hero 9 Black over a Hero 8 Black. However, both remain excellent quality action cameras. Which one will you choose?Today"s best GoPro Hero9 Black deals

The ultimate GoPro HERO 8 review, detailing the newest features, settings and upgrades on this brand new, high quality action sports camera. Is the GoPro HERO8 Black the best travel vlogging camera on the market now? Read on to find out…

GoPro revolutionised the sports action camera market when it first burst on the scene in 2004. Since then the Californian company has grown to be one of the most well-respected and high quality camera and adventure brands in the world.

From the original HERO1 in 2004, the evolution of GoPro has seen the pocket-sized cameras go from being a product that only extreme sport professionals would use to becoming a household name and something that kids, families, travellers and professionals use in their day-to-day lives.

But when they released the HERO7 Black in 2018 with its revolutionary HyperSmooth, TimeWarp and SuperPhoto technology, the company rose back up the ranks to beat their action camera competition.

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT – Our brand new GoPro HERO 10 Black review of the latest camera is now published. Is it worth the upgrade? You’ll have to read to find out. Or have a read of our GoPro HERO 9 review if you’re not ready for the 10.

GoPro have announced the HERO 8 Black, and it is set to not only surpass its predecessor in terms of features, technology, usability and overall quality.

If you’re looking into upgrading from the Hero 7 or comparing the Osmo Action, find out more of our professional experience with the GoPro Hero 8 camera and its accessories below.

I’ve been putting the HERO 8 Black to the test for the last two weeks in Japan, and I have to say I am simply amazed at the quality of videos and photos it is producing.

GoPros have always been easy to use. But with the HERO 8 Black the simplicity is taken to a new level, and you can quickly switch between video and photo modes using presets.

Over the last few years, GoPro has been trying to shift away from their ‘only for extreme sports athletes‘ reputation and instead cement themselves as a multi-purpose camera that can be used for family vacations, night photography, time lapse, travel vlogs and more.

My review of the GoPro HERO 8 Black shows that there has been a number of big updates over the HERO 7, making it the best action camera for travel the company has ever produced.

The most obvious new feature in this is the ability to simply touch the screen and have the video stop shooting a hyper-lapse, and instead switch to real-time recording.

Additionally, now you can just set the time to ‘auto’ and let the GoPro determine the right speed ramping to use, rather than having to guess beforehand which speed will look better.

HyperSmooth was the ground-breaking, revolutionary feature in the HERO7 that singlehandedly made GoPro back at the top to be the best action camera for travel.

4K linear or 4K wide, 1080p at 240FPS or 2.7k at 120FPS – Environments change quickly, and in the old GoPros, going through and changing your settings to match what you wanted was a time-consuming task.

It made the action camera that much more versatile. But the only way you could then use any of GoPro’s extensive selection of mounts was to use an additional frame to add a mounting point.

I haven’t been able to test this personally yet so, hopefully, GoPro has already taken this into account and will allow customers to cheaply replace the fingers in case of breakage.

Finally! We’ve been vlogging on the GoPro HERO 7 Black for a year now, and while we feel as though it’s almost the perfect action cam for travel vlogs, there was one thing that it dropped the ball in – audio.

For those of us that like to edit their photos, GoPro have now introduced the ability to shoot RAW images in every single photography setting on their camera, including on 0.5sec time-lapses and burst mode.

The final new feature on the HERO 8 Black I want to talk about is that the user interface has been given an upgrade, making it easier to switch between settings quickly.

On the video screen, you’ll find shortcuts to change the perspective of the shot (Wide to Linear), activate slow-motion mode which puts up the frame rates, digitally zoom the shot or change the HyperSmooth 2.0 setting.

Personally, I never use the digital zoom, but I am always switching my max ISO to keep it as low as possible depending on the light conditions. I’ve changed it to be a shortcut on all my video screens now.

GoPro is aiming to turn their action camera into a complete video production powerhouse for vloggers, and they’ve taken their biggest criticisms and addressed them with new tools for video makers.

Additional accessories, such as the Media Mod, allows you to install your GoPro into a frame with an upgraded microphone on one side and two cold shoe mounts for adding a front-facing LCD screen.

The HERO 8 Black still shoots in 4K 60 FPS like the HERO7, but now you can change your field of view to be linear at its highest setting, giving a more standard perspective compared to the typical GoPro fisheye look.

Battery life is usually a limiting factor with GoPro and competitors like Osmo Action have tried to move in on GoPro. But the Hero 8 battery life has been spectacular thus far. And you can charge with the USB C port.

With the updated app there are some new themes to make videos, you can add non-GoPro pics and video clips to your edits, and there’s a much-appreciated automatic horizon levelling feature.

In my tests of the HERO 8 Black, I’ve noticed that the low light performance is a huge improvement over the HERO 7, with visibly less noise at higher ISOs.

While at first it might not seem as though there has been a huge upgrade between the HERO 8 Black and the HERO 7 Black, the new camera really packs a punch compared to its predecessor.

There’s no doubt that the HERO 7 is still a fantastic action camera. In fact, just its image stabilization features alone make it one of the best action cameras on the market.

However, if you are a vlogger, or spend a lot of time talking to the camera, then the front-facing microphone and optional Media Mod, Light Mod and Display Mod accessories make the GoPro HERO 8 well worth buying.

Also, the video setting improvements such as 100Mbps, 4K at 60fps in linear mode and 1080p at 240fps make capturing the best quality videos much easier.

If you don’t already own the GoPro HERO 7 Black and are looking for a new camera to buy, there isn’t any reason (other than to save some pennies) to buy the latest GoPro, as it really is fantastic.

Secondly is the issue of the camera freezing. Every single GoPro I have ever owned has had a problem with it randomly freezing, with me having to take the battery out to reset it.

Overall I am extremely excited about the HERO 8. I love using it, am a huge fan of the results I can get out of filming on it, and Alesha and I will now be vlogging exclusively on it for all our future travel videos.

DISCLAIMER: I was given the GoPro HERO8 Black due to being a member of the GoPro Family. I was not asked to write a review, share my experiences or paid for this article. All thoughts, opinions and levels of stoke on this camera are, as always, my own.

I put the camera to the test in this in-depth GoPro HERO8 Black review. Find out about all the new features, improvements & whether it"s worth upgrading.

GoPros make great video cameras, but there is no questioning that they were designed to record action. Whether you’re filming extreme sports or a leisurely walking city tour, the GoPro is an obvious choice given its compact size and great video quality.

When we’re recording action, camera shake is always going to be a potential problem. Even with the latest GoPro Hero 10 which features the latest “HyperSmooth” version 4 electronic image stabilization technology, tackling camera shake with software alone has clear limitations.

A 3-axis GoPro gimbal is the ultimate GoPro accessory to help you record buttery smooth video footage. However, choosing the best GoPro gimbal can be very difficult given the sheer number of different gimbals available today.

Unfortunately, manufacturers have been slow to update GoPro gimbals. It seems there isn’t much demand and focusing on smartphone gimbals is simply more profitable. GoPro themselves haven’t released a new gimbal since the outdated Karma Grip (which isn’t compatible with the GoPro Hero 8, 9, or 10).

Fortunately, there are some new options springing up for owners of recent GoPro models, and in the products that make up this list, I’ve made sure to include confirmed compatibility with different GoPros.

Handheld gimbals feature a grip so you can walk around with your GoPro in your hand. It’s the ideal setup if you want complete freedom over camera movements.

A solid and affordable GoPro gimbal that makes mounting and unmounting a breeze. Packed with features and fully compatible with the GoPro HERO9 and HERO10 models.

For those videographers looking to eliminate camera shake without breaking the bank, the Hohem iSteady Pro 4 is an excellent choice. The splashproof gimbal is by far the most popular GoPro action camera gimbal right now and is what I’d recommend to the vast majority of buyers.

The iSteady Pro 4 is compatible with the GoPro HERO10/9/8/7/6/5/4/3+/3 and other similarly sized sports cameras, including the DJI Osmo Action, Yi 4K, Yi 4K+, AEE, SJCAM, and Sony RX0.

Of course, many of you will be wondering what makes it different from the original iSteady Pro. The new version features an angled gimbal arm which improves torque and makes sure the GoPro’s display remains unobstructed. It also features a trigger at the back of the handle which makes functions like locking on to subjects or snapping far more convenient while filming.

There are simply no other action cam gimbals that perform as well as the iSteady Pro 4 within a $100 budget. Hohem has brought motorized gimbal stabilization to the casual GoPro user and hasn’t skimped on features either.

I reviewed footage across various zoom levels and playback speeds and compared them with footage coming from the Feiyu G6 and GoPro Karma grip. Honestly, the difference is so slight that it becomes difficult to recommend the latter options given the price difference.

The iSteady Pro 4 definitely looks and feels like an entry-level GoPro gimbal stabilizer. It doesn’t have the ruggedness of the other gimbals and its build feels more plasticky than more expensive options. And although very difficult to tell, the motors are very slightly less responsive than some other alternatives which makes them less capable when recording fast-paced action.

Priced only slightly higher than the Hohem iSteady Pro 4, the INKEE FALCON is another new release that supports the very latest GoPro action cams. If you would prefer a slightly more compact and lighter alternative, this is a good choice.

The INKEE FALCON gimbal is compatible with the GoPro Hero 10/9/8/7/6/5, DJI OSMO Action, Insta360 ONE R and any other action cameras that have similar dimensions.

One key feature that INKEE markets is the “vertical shooting mode” which lets you film portrait video by holding your GoPro on its side. Personally, it seems like a bit of a gimmick because there aren’t many times I would prefer recording in portrait orientation. But some people may like it.

The mounting and balancing procedure was straightforward and overall it didn’t take long to get it all set up. The gimbal is light and compact, and slightly smaller than its rivals which can be advantageous when you’re carrying your GoPro in a small bag or case.

A gimbal also capable of mounting mirrorless cameras as well as smartphones, the Crane M3 is best-suited for serious videography. Make sure to get the Combo package (see link) to get the GoPro mount adapter.

Simply a cut above the rest in terms of quality and features, the Zhiyun Crane M3 is a GoPro-compatible gimbal for those who want a serious piece of kit. However, it doesn’t make sense to buy one unless you have other cameras to use it with.

The Zhiyun Crane M3 is designed for smaller cameras, not just GoPros. This means it can comfortably accommodate smaller mirrorless cameras, point and shoots, and smartphones.

The Crane M3 is supposed to be a powerful yet incredibly compact gimbal. It’s primarily designed as a mirrorless camera gimbal, so the light payload of a tiny GoPro will prove no challenge.

A standout feature is an integrated 800 lumen LED light which isn’t as good as having a personal lighting assistant around, but still pretty neat nonetheless.

The Zhiyun Crane M3 feels incredible in the hands, making the cheaper GoPro gimbals feel like toys in comparison. With a color touch screen, plenty of dedicated controls and a more polished app, the overall experience of using the Crane M3 was superior to that of cheaper gimbals.

First and foremost, the price. It costs four times as much as other GoPro gimbals and you’ll need the custom GoPro adapter mount to use it with your GoPro.

If you own a compatible mirrorless camera, a smartphone, and GoPro and you want to kill three birds with one stone, this could be a very good investment. But for use with a GoPro alone, it’s not really worth it, especially as some of the features don’t actually work with a GoPro.

The Feiyu WG2X supports the GoPro HERO8, HERO7 (all models), HERO6, HERO5, HERO4 as well as the HERO Session via the included Session mount adaptor. With a GoPro HERO10/HERO9 adapter kit it can stabilize these newer GoPros, but it will not be able to establish a remote connection to them.

This wearable GoPro gimbal features three shooting modes: pan follow, following and locked. Unlike other popular wearable gimbals like the Zhiyun Rider-M and Hohem XG1, the WG2X has an unlimited range of motion in the pan and tilt axes (as opposed to 320-degrees).

The Feiyu Tech G6 is a solid all-round GoPro gimbal that offers great stabilization performance for the price. Unfortunately, it comes from the same era as the ancient GoPro Karma Grip, meaning it doesn’t make much sense to pick one up now.

GoPro-wise, the G6 is fully compatible with all GoPro 3/3+/4/5/6/7 models. It is also compatible with similar sized action cameras like the Yi 4K/4K+, AEE and Xiaomi Mijia. The box also includes a separate frame for the Sony RX0 action camera.

It offers partial support for the latest GoPro models, meaning it will stabilize but not let you control the camera with buttons (e.g. shutter/record, pan with joystick).

Feiyu are one of the biggest gimbal brands today and the G6 is their flagship GoPro stabilizer. Its small and slick IP67 splash proof body packs in a small LCD display and other nifty features like an external mic port and slider to control the roll of your camera.

Despite looking almost identical, the G6 is a big step up from its flawed predecessor, the Feiyu G5. The G5 had some funky stabilization issues with obvious microjitter, but the G6 holds its own against the considerably more expensive GoPro Karma Grip.

Other non-essential but nice new features are its angled arm and additional thread needle on the side of the grip. The angled arm makes it so that the arm rarely obstructs the GoPro’s LCD screen.

The G6’s companion app, Feiyu ON, allows you to link up your smartphone and gimbal over bluetooth and control the gimbal remotely. This means you could remotely pan and tilt the gimbal or even setup motion time lapses while your gimbal and GoPro is in another room.

The G6 has a bunch of features the Karma Grip lacks, like an informative LCD screen which tells you things like the remaining battery life and current shooting mode. The external mic port will be welcomed by those recording audio-sensitive footage, since motor noise is a very common issue with any motorized gimbal.

Mounting your GoPro to the Feiyu G6 is a somewhat fiddly procedure, requiring adjustment of hand screws. Attaching your camera is a lot more troublesome than with the Karma Grip, which is a case of simply slotting the camera in its harness.

Want a handheld stabilizer with the ability to transform into a wearable and mountable gimbal? The Removu S1 is your answer. Its modular design means the grip can be detached, leaving a wearable gimbal that can be mounted just about anywhere. Unlike the GoPro Karma Grip which can function as a wearable gimbal if you put in the effort, the Removu S1 was designed to be a dual-purpose gimbal from the ground up.

The Removu S1 is compatible with the GoPro HERO7/6/5, HERO4/3+/3 and Hero Session cameras using different housing frames (included). It is not compatible with non-GoPro action cameras.

Removu are a little-known Korean GoPro accessory manufacturer who have engineered something quite special in the Removu S1. Featuring a rainproof modular design, the S1 offers unmatched versatility.

Unlike most other GoPro gimbal batteries, the S1’s battery is removable. Removu have generously provided a battery charger which can charge up to two batteries simultaneously. The S1 will last for between 3-5 hours on a single charge.

Versatility is the Removu S1’s main strength. There is simply no other gimbal that can be used as a handheld gimbal or wearable gimbal. The GoPro Karma Grip might be an exception, but it’s difficult to call that a true 2-in-1 gimbal, since the battery is housed in the grip.

The Karma stabilizer is an official GoPro accessory and incredibly comfortable in the hands. But it"s been discontinued and not compatible with HERO8 or newer models.

The GoPro Karma Grip doesn’t come cheap, but those after native compatibility with GoPros should look no further than GoPro’s very own Karma Grip. Despite being a slightly older gimbal, it still manages to perform just as well as almost every other third-party gimbal in everything but battery life.

The GoPro Karma Grip is compatible with the HERO4/5/6/7 Black and HERO4 Silver. GoPro HERO4 owners will have to purchase the HERO4 Karma harness. The Karma Grip is not compatible with non-GoPro action cameras. Unfortunately, GoPro hasn’t updated the Karma Grip meaning owners of newer models are out of luck.

The Karma Grip gets its name from GoPro’s Karma drone. Although the Karma drone wasn’t a commercial success, they were able to salvage the drone’s gimbal and pair it to a hand grip—and thus the Karma Grip was born.

GoPro decided to keep things simple with the Karma Grip. It only features two shooting modes (pan follow and following) and lacks extra features like a pan/tilt joystick or selfie mode.

The gimbal has long been considered to produce the best image stabilization of any GoPro gimbal to date. While third-party gimbals play catch up, GoPro have consistently released firmware updates to iron out some of the performance issues that used to exist.

The Karma Grip’s biggest strengths are its ease of use and top-notch stabilization performance. It works seamlessly with GoPros and doesn’t involve installation of any third-party gimbal companion apps which other manufacturers use for firmware updates or configuring settings.

While the GoPro Karma Grip is noticeably bigger compared to a lot of its competitors, it feels incredibly nice in the hands. Being able to feel the additional weight in your hands also makes moving the gimbal around feel more controlled.

Costing significantly more than third-party offerings, the GoPro Karma Grip doesn’t offer the best value for money. GoPro gimbals from the likes of Feiyu and Zhiyun have been closing the stabilization performance gap and typically cost half as much as the Karma Grip.

The Karma Grip also shows its age in its disappointing battery life. Recording at 4K, you can only expect around 2 hours of recording time. One of the reasons for this is that it always simultaneously charges your GoPro camera, meaning the battery is drained from two sources.

While technically not a GoPro gimbal, the Zhiyun Smooth 4 is a highly rated smartphone gimbal that can also house a GoPro within its adjustable spring clamp. GoPro mount plate adaptors can also be purchased separately to make sure the GoPro is better secured.

The Smooth 4 isn’t really designed for the kind of activity typically associated with GoPros, since smartphone gimbals are generally not weather proof and have slightly slower follow speeds. But for those who spend a lot of time filming with their phone and only occasionally take out their GoPro, the Smooth 4 is worth a look.

Note that since it is not natively compatible with the GoPro, you won’t be able to use its buttons to control your GoPro. However, it will at least balance your GoPro and stabilize footage.

Locked: This shooting mode locks the GoPro’s orientation in all three axes (pan, tilt and roll). This effectively means the GoPro lens will always be aimed at the same target.

Some GoPro gimbals (including the GoPro Karma Grip) do not feature the locked mode. If you feel this is an important shooting mode to have, this should weigh into your purchase decision.

GoPros are lighter and more compact than today’s typical smartphone. As a result, most GoPro gimbals cannot support such a heavy payload, and their frame housing will not accommodate a smartphone in the first place.

On the other hand, smartphone gimbals are generally able to accommodate GoPros. However, using a smartphone gimbal as a GoPro gimbal comes with its own problems, and is not an ideal setup. Generally speaking, it’s recommended to purchase a GoPro gimbal for your GoPro and a smartphone gimbal for your phone.

GoPros and other action cameras are mostly waterproof these days, but most GoPro gimbals are not fully waterproof or waterproof at all. Gimbals feature rotating pivots powered by brushless DC motors, and it is difficult to fully protect these moving parts from water damage if submerged.

Most people will probably want to go with a handheld gimbal, unless certain the GoPro will be worn. Filming with the GoPro in your hand is the most natural setup, and a handheld gimbal basically becomes a GoPro grip that just happens to stabilize the recordings.

The GoPro Karma Grip (Official accessory) was engineered to work seamlessly with the GoPro, but it seems GoPro is focused on HyperSmooth electronic image stabilization technology over a gimbal’s mechanical stabilization these days. This means they probably won’t release another official gimbal.

The FeiyuTech WG2X is our favorite wearable gimbal, thanks to excellent image stabilization and a few neat features that other wearable gimbals lack. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have much competition and needs an update itself so that it’s fully compatible with the HERO9 and HERO10 models.