GoPro HERO8 Black Evaluation – Is it Value Shopping for in 2023?

The last word GoPro HERO 8 assessment, detailing the latest options, settings and upgrades on this model new, prime quality motion sports activities digicam. Is the GoPro HERO8 Black the very best journey vlogging digicam available on the market now? Learn on to seek out out…

GoPro revolutionised the sports activities motion digicam market when it first burst on the scene in 2004. Since then the Californian firm has grown to be one of the well-respected and prime quality digicam and journey manufacturers on the earth.

From the unique HERO1 in 2004, the evolution of GoPro has seen the pocket-sized cameras go from being a product that solely excessive sport professionals would use to turning into a family identify and one thing that children, households, travellers and professionals use of their day-to-day lives.

It hasn’t all been {smooth} crusing for GoPro. Motion cameras have turn out to be more and more widespread. And GoPro has needed to stay centered on high quality.

However after they launched the HERO7 Black in 2018 with its revolutionary HyperSmooth, TimeWarp and SuperPhoto expertise, the corporate rose again up the ranks to beat their motion digicam competitors.

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT – Our model new GoPro HERO 11 Black assessment of the newest digicam is now printed. Is it well worth the improve? You’ll must learn to seek out out. Or have a learn of our GoPro HERO 10 assessment for those who’re not prepared for the 11.

GoPro have introduced the HERO 8 Black, and it’s set to not solely surpass its predecessor by way of options, expertise, usability and total high quality.

But in addition it may simply turn out to be the usual go-to digicam for vloggers, video makers and common journey photographers.

Is it good? No. But it surely’s getting shut.

If you happen to’re trying into upgrading from the Hero 7 or evaluating the Osmo Motion, discover out extra of our skilled expertise with the GoPro Hero 8 digicam and its equipment under.

BONUS! Use our hyperlink to get $170 off the brand new digicam whenever you buy from the official GoPro web site. Our provide lasts for this week solely.

My GoPro HERO8 Evaluation

I’ve been placing the HERO 8 Black to the take a look at for the final two weeks in Japan, and I’ve to say I’m merely amazed on the high quality of movies and photographs it’s producing.

GoPros have at all times been simple to make use of. However with the HERO 8 Black the simplicity is taken to a brand new degree, and you’ll rapidly swap between video and photograph modes utilizing presets.

Over the previous couple of years, GoPro has been attempting to shift away from their ‘just for excessive sports activities athletes‘ status and as a substitute cement themselves as a multi-purpose digicam that can be utilized for household holidays, night time images, time lapse, journey vlogs and extra.

Comply with NOMADasaurus on Instagram for extra examples of GoPro images.

READ MORE: Right here’s our record of the finest journey cameras for all budgets (GoPro included)!

What Are the New Options?

My assessment of the GoPro HERO 8 Black reveals that there was a variety of huge updates over the HERO 7, making it the very best motion digicam for journey the corporate has ever produced.

Listed below are among the new and main options of the HERO 8 Black. I’ll go into extra element on a few of them under.

• TimeWarp 2.0
• HyperSmooth 2.0 Picture Stabilization
• SuperPhoto with Improved HDR
• 4K at 60fps in huge and linear at 100Mbps
• 1080p at 240fps
• Evening lapse video
• Folding fingers (eradicating the necessity for a body)
• 1080p dwell streaming
• SuperView, Extensive, Linear and Slender digital lenses
• Fast video seize presets
• LiveBurst Mode
• RAW photographs in all modes
• Waterproof to 10m
• GPS
• Voice activation
• USB C Charging
• Entrance-facing microphone with improved audio
• Non-compulsory modular equipment similar to Media Mod, Mild Mod and Show Mod

TimeWarp 2.0

TimeWarp was launched within the HERO 7 Black as GoPro’s model of a hyper-lapse.

It made capturing thrilling, recent content material a lot simpler, and for journey movies, it added an expert contact that often solely happened via difficult video modifying methods.

For the HERO 8 Black, they’ve stepped it up one other degree with the latest model of TimeWarp.

The obvious new function in that is the flexibility to easily contact the display screen and have the video cease capturing a hyper-lapse, and as a substitute swap to real-time recording.

That is extremely helpful in case you are in the midst of a TimeWarp, and also you see one thing attention-grabbing that you just need to spotlight in the midst of the clip.

Contact the display screen once more, and it’ll return to capturing the hyper-lapse.

Moreover, now you may simply set the time to ‘auto’ and let the GoPro decide the correct velocity ramping to make use of, fairly than having to guess beforehand which velocity will look higher.

HyperSmooth 2.0 Picture Stabilization

HyperSmooth was the ground-breaking, revolutionary function within the HERO7 that singlehandedly made GoPro again on the high to be the very best motion digicam for journey.

Generally known as the ‘gimbal killer’, HyperSmooth supplies digital picture stabilization of video content material, eradicating digicam and handshake to supply buttery-smooth clips.

It labored so properly, I really stopped utilizing our GoPro Karma Grip for capturing movies, and as a substitute did the whole lot handheld.

For the HERO 8 Black, HyperSmooth 2.0 is on the scene, taking issues a step additional.

Now there are 4 completely different settings for HyperSmooth – Off, On, Excessive and Increase. Each has a slight crop issue, steadily rising the extra you stabilise, so you may select the extent that you just want for no matter exercise you’re doing.

Downhill mountain biking? Set it to Increase and have your thoughts blown on the high quality of the picture stabilization.

Simply vlogging round city? HyperSmooth 2.0 ‘On’ will take away hand and physique shake so that you don’t have to stabilise in post-production.

Excessive and Increase present essentially the most secure pictures at any measurement body.

LiveBurst

The LiveBurst function will get a particular point out in our assessment, because it’s taken the standard photograph burst technique and made it a lot easier and correct to seize that particular second.

The digicam will now shoot a really quick collection of pictures in a 3-second video, then will mean you can undergo the sequence body by body to focus on the precise second you need to preserve.

You possibly can choose the picture you need instantly within the digicam, or within the GoPro app later.

Video Presets

The HERO 8 Black video settings provide you with an enormous vary of choices to select from to get the very best pictures of your adventures.

4K linear or 4K huge, 1080p at 240FPS or 2.7k at 120FPS – Environments change rapidly, and within the previous GoPros, going via and altering your settings to match what you wished was a time-consuming process.

Now GoPro has positioned a variety of presets on the primary display screen to mean you can funnel via these completely different settings with a easy click on.

They arrive with useful names too, similar to cinematic, motion, journey and slo-mo, so you may customise every one and know precisely what digicam settings you’re getting.

You possibly can even add further presets for those who like, and all presets bear in mind your ProTune settings as properly.

Folding Fingers

For the reason that HERO5, GoPro has been utilizing a unadorned model of digicam, the place the physique itself is waterproof and not using a want for a case.

It made the motion digicam that rather more versatile. However the one method you could possibly then use any of GoPro’s in depth collection of mounts was to make use of a further body so as to add a mounting level.

On the HERO 8, GoPro has now added folding fingers to the underside of the digicam to do away with this minor annoyance.

If you end up utilizing the GoPro by itself, or perhaps inside a Lanyard Sleeve, you may fold the fingers up in order that they’re out of the best way.

Able to mount it to a pole, suction cup, clamp or helmet? Fold the fingers out and also you’re good to go.

Thus far in my take a look at of this product, the fingers appear to be fairly sturdy and of top of the range, however there’s a little bit of slight play in them.

A priority can be that maybe someday a finger may snap, nevertheless it seems as if it will be simply changed utilizing a small screwdriver.

I haven’t been capable of take a look at this personally but so, hopefully, GoPro has already taken this under consideration and can enable clients to cheaply substitute the fingers in case of breakage.

Evening Lapse Video

The HERO7 made capturing a time lapse extremely easy, by mechanically turning the pictures captured right into a video contained in the digicam.

Earlier than that you just needed to import all of your photos right into a program like GoPro studio or Adobe Premier Professional to show your photographs right into a {smooth} timelapse.

The HERO 8 goes one step additional by implementing the timelapse video function into their night time lapse mode.

Now all you must do is set-and-forget when attempting to seize an evening lapse scene, and your video can be created proper then and there.

Higher Audio with Entrance-Going through Microphone

Lastly! We’ve been vlogging on the GoPro HERO 7 Black for a yr now, and whereas we really feel as if it’s virtually the right motion cam for journey vlogs, there was one factor that it dropped the ball in – audio.

GoPro has addressed this, and of their new motion digicam, they’ve moved the place of the microphone to the entrance and given it an improve.

The distinction when enjoying again clips is sort of noticeable, and the audio on the HERO 8 Black is a large enchancment.

It’s nonetheless not good although, nevertheless it has been addressed now that the brand new Media Mods have been launched.

Ensure you subscribe to us on YouTube, the place we convey out movies of our travels from all over the world each week!

RAW Photographs in All Settings

I get lots of people asking me “Can you’re taking photographs with a GoPro”, and regardless of it being often called a video digicam, the reply is sure, you may!

The truth is, GoPro images is fairly rattling wonderful for such a small digicam.

For these of us that wish to edit their photographs, GoPro have now launched the flexibility to shoot RAW photos in each single images setting on their digicam, together with on 0.5sec time-lapses and burst mode.

1080p Stay Streaming

Now you may set your HERO 8 Black as much as dwell stream in 1080p excessive definition, in comparison with 720p on the HERO 7 Black.

Simply be sure to have a high-speed web connection.

New Interface

The ultimate new function on the HERO 8 Black I need to discuss is that the consumer interface has been given an improve, making it simpler to change between settings rapidly.

On the video display screen, you’ll discover shortcuts to vary the attitude of the shot (Extensive to Linear), activate slow-motion mode which places up the body charges, digitally zoom the shot or change the HyperSmooth 2.0 setting.

On photograph mode, you may change the timer, or swap between SuperPhoto, HDR, RAW or normal photos.

Better of all, these shortcuts might be modified within the settings.

Personally, I by no means use the digital zoom, however I’m at all times switching my max ISO to maintain it as little as attainable relying on the sunshine situations. I’ve modified it to be a shortcut on all my video screens now.

Modular Equipment – Flip Your GoPro Right into a Video Manufacturing Powerhouse

Essentially the most anticipated improve to the GoPro HERO 8 is the launch of modular equipment for the primary time ever.

GoPro is aiming to show their motion digicam into an entire video manufacturing powerhouse for vloggers, they usually’ve taken their greatest criticisms and addressed them with new instruments for video makers.

Further equipment, such because the Media Mod, lets you set up your GoPro right into a body with an upgraded microphone on one facet and two chilly shoe mounts for including a front-facing LCD display screen.

With the Mild Mod, you will have an LED gentle to light up your face for vlogging or an additional shotgun microphone for superior audio.

The display screen specifically challenges their present greatest competitor, the DJI Osmo Motion, which has a front-facing display screen built-in.

The Show Mod can be of upper decision and measurement, to provide folks a clearer view to completely body their selfies. We’re significantly trying ahead to utilizing the Show Mod in our movies and selfies.

These modular equipment have now began rolling out the world over. We’re utilizing the Media Mod with the Mild Mod attachment, and they’re epic.

Video Settings and Enhancements

GoPro have improved the video settings on the HERO 8, bringing in some much-needed upgrades.

4K at 60FPS in Extensive and Linear

The HERO 8 Black nonetheless shoots in 4K 60 FPS just like the HERO7, however now you may change your subject of view to be linear at its highest setting, giving a extra normal perspective in comparison with the standard GoPro fisheye look.

1080p at 240 FPS

For tremendous slow-motion captures, the HERO8 movies at excessive definition 1080p at greater body charges (240FPS).

100mbps Bitrate

In 4K and a pair of.7K within the 16:9 perspective, the HERO8 Black now has the flexibility to seize video at a 100mbps bitrate, drastically enhancing high quality.

Higher Battery

GoPro has upgraded the battery for the HERO8 Black, and it now lasts for much longer.

I’ve managed to get virtually a full day capturing video on one cost, which is wonderful.

Battery life is often a limiting issue with GoPro and rivals like Osmo Motion have tried to maneuver in on GoPro. However the Hero 8 battery life has been spectacular so far. And you’ll cost with the USB C port.

Can You Use the Identical Batteries as Earlier GoPros?

Sure! Nevertheless, among the new options similar to HyperSmooth 2.0 doesn’t work with the older batteries.

The New GoPro App

Till now, GoPro has used two apps to manage your digicam, and to place collectively fast and straightforward movies in your cellphone – GoPro and Quik.

That’s all modified, and Quik has been merged instantly into GoPro, streamlining the workflow for on-the-go video editors.

With the up to date app there are some new themes to make movies, you may add non-GoPro pics and video clips to your edits, and there’s a much-appreciated automated horizon levelling function.

Higher Low Mild Dealing with

In my exams of the HERO 8 Black, I’ve observed that the low gentle efficiency is a large enchancment over the HERO 7, with visibly much less noise at greater ISOs.

GoPro HERO7 Black vs GoPro HERO8 Black – What’s the Distinction?

Whereas at first it won’t appear as if there was an enormous improve between the HERO 8 Black and the HERO 7 Black, the brand new digicam actually packs a punch in comparison with its predecessor.

On this desk I’ve highlighted the variations between the 2 cameras.

I haven’t shared specs which can be the identical between the 2, as these might be discovered on the GoPro web site.

Is it Value Upgrading from the HERO7?

The ultimate query you could be asking your self after studying this assessment is, “Ought to I improve from the HERO 7?”

There’s little doubt that the HERO 7 remains to be a unbelievable motion digicam. The truth is, simply its picture stabilization options alone make it probably the greatest motion cameras available on the market.

And in case you are simply utilizing it for making fundamental movies and taking footage of your adventures, there’s no actual cause to improve to the HERO8 Black.

Nevertheless, in case you are a vlogger, or spend lots of time speaking to the digicam, then the front-facing microphone and elective Media Mod, Mild Mod and Show Mod equipment make the GoPro HERO 8 properly price shopping for.

Additionally, the video setting enhancements similar to 100Mbps, 4K at 60fps in linear mode and 1080p at 240fps make capturing the very best quality movies a lot simpler.

TimeWarp upgrades add a brand new inventive factor to your clips to face out from the pack, as does Evening Lapse Video.

Moreover, the replace with HyperSmooth 2.0 means in case you are an motion sports activities fanatic, you’ll be capable to movie buttery-smooth movies in any surroundings with out the necessity for a gimbal.

If you happen to don’t already personal the GoPro HERO 7 Black and are in search of a brand new digicam to purchase, there isn’t any cause (aside from to avoid wasting pennies) to purchase the newest GoPro, because it actually is unbelievable.

Last Verdict on the GoPro HERO 8 Black – 9/10

After years of testing the GoPro HERO 8 Black alongside my (now) previous GoPro HERO 7, and each mannequin since then, I can safely give it a stable 9/10 in my assessment.

There are some things that don’t make this motion cam completely good although.

To begin with whereas I completely love the concept of the folding fingers, I’m nonetheless not 100% certain of their long-term sturdiness.

If I’ve no points with them after just a few months I’ll come again and replace this assessment.

Secondly is the problem of the digicam freezing. Each single GoPro I’ve ever owned has had an issue with it randomly freezing, with me having to take the battery out to reset it.

Within the two weeks I’ve owned this digicam it has frozen on me twice, each instances throughout heavy use and after I finish recording of a video. The video has at all times saved to the SD card although.

One factor I’ve observed now although is that I can reset it by merely holding the facility button with out having to take the battery out, which hasn’t been attainable with older fashions.

Aside from that, I haven’t discovered another issues with the digicam that might make me dislike it. It positively stays on the high of all motion cameras in my view.

General I’m extraordinarily excited concerning the HERO 8. I really like utilizing it, am an enormous fan of the outcomes I can get out of filming on it, and Alesha and I’ll now be vlogging solely on it for all our future journey movies.

If you happen to’re procuring motion cameras, be sure you try the GoPro Hero 8 Black as it’s positively the highest tier digicam to your subsequent journey!

IS IT WORHT IT IN 2023? In our opinion, you will have two choices. Our first suggestion is that you just go for the newest digicam, because it actually is the very best at school. If that is out of your funds, then our suggestion is you really skip the HERO 8 and go for the HERO9 as a substitute because it presents higher decision and stabilisation. That’s to not say the HERO8 isn’t any good – it’s unbelievable, and also you’ll be pleased for those who choose this up as properly.

DISCLAIMER: I used to be given the GoPro HERO8 Black as a result of being a member of the GoPro Household. I used to be not requested to jot down a assessment, share my experiences or paid for this text. All ideas, opinions and ranges of stoke on this digicam are, as at all times, my very own.

GoPro HERO8 Black

I put the digicam to the take a look at on this in-depth GoPro HERO8 Black assessment. Discover out about all the brand new options, enhancements & whether or not it is price upgrading.

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