Often, if handholding your GoPro, you'll see your fingers wrap around into the picture. For everyone with anything from the Hero 6 and below, however, the Hero 8 will seem like a massive step up. Buyers Guides. (Pocket-lint) - The GoPro Hero 8 Black action camera builds on the performance of the Hero7 Black, offering more powerful processing, even more stable footage, built-in mounting arms and a range of mini professional mods. Check our guides for best cameras & lenses, and underwater camera housings. Old GoPro underwater casings will not fit. It also includes a feature called Boost which allows you to level the horizon in-app. Rather than be a curved strip in the top corner, there's just single pinhole-sized light to inform you when it's powering up/down and recording, just above the usual monochrome information screen. The HyperSmooth 2.0 stabilization technology in the HERO8 provides gimbal-like stability without extra equipment. TimeWarp 2.0 - you now have better control over the speed of the timewarp or can set it to automatic, Improved HDR photos with the option to capture RAW files, New mountable accessory system called "Mods", Smaller body design with a new side door for changing batteries. The GoPro can understand multiple languages! If you’re caught between buying a hero 7 for $329 and buying the new Hero 8 for $399, we think it’s definitely worth the extra $70 for the features. This is more than likely the biggest reason for the increase in size. When attached with the Flip7 one-filter setup or Flip7 two-filter setup, the MacroMate Mini +15 flip diopter allows for your GoPro to take some striking underwater macro footage. I don't have a mic input. Adding a handle like the Beneath the Surface Multigrip handle adds stability and is an easy way to hold your GoPro while diving, or any other activity. In lower light, or darker areas of the photos, we did see a little image noise creeping in, and when shooting in the HDR mode, there was some softening of details. One other design change is around how the GoPro mounting works on land. Find the right gear with our Buyer's Guides, Copyright © 2019 Bluewater Photo, All Rights Reserved, Ikelite Sony RX100 VI Housing Product Video. We were definitely impressed. For the Hero 8, GoPro has mixed it up a bit. The GoPro HERO 8 Black measures 62.3W x 44.9H x 33D (mm), while the HERO7 Black measures 66.3W x 48.6H x 28.4D (mm). All while still mounted to its grip or stand. Lots of cool new features, but plenty of cons and negatives - is it still worth buying?! It’s probably safe to say that the GoPro HERO 8 Black is the top GoPro action camera for underwater photo / video and scuba diving. 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. Around the edges, the matte grey finish has been replaced by a harder, almost glittery finish. Light mod: Get powerful LED lighting for HERO8 Black, attach it to a GoPro mount or use it alone. The GoPro HERO 8’s release is only going to help solidify its status as the universal camera for capturing action, whether it’s above or below the oceans we all love. All rights reserved. In the past you had the option of Linear, wide, superview. This problem is solved with the handle. The GoPro HERO 8 features improved photos with better HDR. In fact, apart from colour, there was little change between the Hero 6 and Hero 7 series. TImeWarp 2.0 includes an automatic speed selection for even more creative effects. GoPro Hero 8 Black design The Hero 8 Black features a familiar button and display layout but with some big tweaks. Hero 7 batteries can't deliver as much peak power as Hero 8 batteries and are not compatible with the new camera. And all of this is built into a camera that's bigger than before and has its own mounting arms too. For the past few years, the Hero lineup has kept virtually the same design and shape. In fact, autumn is turning out to be the unofficial GoPro season. 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. RAW files are easier to edit and adjust white balance and exposure. The camera is actually a tad thicker in … There are now two folding mounting rings built-in to the bottom of the GoPro body, which means there's no need to use the "cage" for any topside GoPro mounting. Unlike the tiny doors of the previous two GoPro flagships - which felt a little thin and flimsy - the new single door is thicker and made of metal, so it's a lot more durable than before. This will be a big deal for underwater photographers who intend to adjust whitebalance in post processing. And with the Hero 8 Black, it's taking it to a new level. This may mean the camera is bigger than before, but it's still more compact than the Hero 7 plus its frame. You’ll get improved stabilization, camera presets, and an overall simpler camera to use. Check out Canon EOS R5 Underwater Housings. It's being dropped to below £300 too. For this camera, GoPro developed HyperSmooth2.0, a much better version of the stabilisation capabilities offered by the last action camera it launched. However; I liked having the removable protective lens as I knew if I ever cracked that piece of glass, my gopro lens was still intact and all I needed to do was replace that protective lens. In addition to having better stabilisation in general, there's a Boost mode which crops slightly further into the shot, allowing the footage to be even smoother. While we feel the hero 8 is more like a hero 7 2.0 rather than a completely new camera, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth the $399 price tag. Optional mods include flashes, microphones, LCD screens and more. The Hero 8's touchscreen on the back is largely the same as its predecessor, but on the underside there's a brand new addition: built-in mounting arms. We almost drained it after an hour or two of mixed use, shooting video, timelapse and stills. The GoPro HERO 9 Black launched on 16 Sept 2020 across the globe, while the GoPro HERO 8 Black was launched on 15 October 2019, just under a year before. Additionally, a change has been made with the lens cover design. We don't quite know how GoPro has done it, but, it's a kind of magic [insert Brian May guitar solo here]. Action boosts your stabilization so whether you’re riding mountain bikes at breakneck speed or flying off kickers on your board, your shot is stable. With the hero 8, you can now use hypersmooth with any resolution and all framerates. Anyone who's bought that relatively expensive mechanical gimbal won't be able to use it with the new camera, because the ports that it needs to work have switched sides, and the camera itself is bigger and won't fit anyway. You can use old GoPro 7 batteries with the GoPro 8, and GoPro 8 batteries will work with older GoPro models. It also lets you use the photos as a 3 second 4k video clip. Some of the most interesting developments for the GoPro 8 are mods clearly aimed at vloggers. Media mod: Get premium shotgun-mic performance, 3.5mm mic and HDMI-out ports, and two cold-shoe mounts—all in one. Being able to mount the camera and still get easy access to the battery and memory card is a real time saver. The GoPro 8 is waterproof to 10 m/33 ft, so for any dive use you will want this underwater casing (which is rated down to 60 m, well beyond recreational depths). You have the DJI Osmo Action, which is a … 2003 - 2021 © Pocket-lint Limited PO Box 4770, Ascot, SL5 And with the optional Media Mod, you get ultimate expandability to add more lighting, pro audio … Since building a touchscreen into its cameras, GoPro has evolved the user interface from something which was quite fiddly and complicated into a more friendly and easy-to-use system. And as you select a different shooting mode, the main shooting options and toggles on the screen switch to be appropriate for that mode. HyperSmooth Video Stabilization 2.0 - it's supposed to be better! For instance, in Photo Mode, you can quickly toggle on the timer or choose between HDR, SuperPhoto, Standard or Raw stills. A must read! What's different about HyperSmooth 2.0 is also that you can use it in every video shooting mode, at any frame rate. As always, there's also the Mode button on the side. This is particularly apparent when filming at 4K60. Be sure to choose the right equipment! This is HERO8 Black—the most versatile, unshakable HERO camera ever. 14 voice control commands. Once we see what options there are for changing modes, this recommendation may change for shooting macro video. The new Hero 8 instead features high impact gorilla glass over it’s lens. If you happen to do a lot of handheld action footage, you might notice a bit of a difference in the bulk of the camera, but it's not so much bigger and heavier that it feels cumbersome. If you do have one of those older models (ie the 6 or prior), you can also consider upgrading to the GoPro 7, which is now going for a discounted price. For the "average Joe" videographer, this feature just might be a gimbal killer. All you have to do is press-and-hold the icon and you'll get a really long list of other options. They also give you the focal length which is a nice touch. When you combine this innovative feature with a housing that is waterproof up to 33 feet, you have the best waterproof action camera on the market. In Live Burst mode, when you hit the record button, it will capture the 1.5 seconds prior to pressing the button, as well as the 1.5 seconds after, at 30 frames per second (ie 90 frames in total). Photos with the GoPro can now be edited from being washed out and blue to nice and colorful (to the limitations of the photo). However, there is one drawback to this new door and port design: the Karma Grip won't work with it. In addition, the handles serve as a mounting point for video lights. A streamlined design makes it more pocketable than ever, and swapping mounts takes just seconds, thanks to built-in folding fingers. With the hero 7 you were limited to what resolutions and framerates you could engage the hypersmooth. The aquapod can also be quite useful for immersing the GoPro into the water from a small boat. Even a high-powered light will only illuminate a subject a few feet in front of you, so these are most useful for macro and close focus wide-angle video. Purists will still probably opt for a gimbal so they don’t sacrifice any cropping, but the new hypersmooth really does work fantastic. ). No longer do you have to adjust your settings manually for every situation you might find yourself and your gopro in. The only other change is the little LED light. Live burst photo mode is a new function to help you capture the perfect photo of the exact peak of the action moment. Smooth, unshaky video is essential for people operating their cameras in 3D underwater environments. In fact, even when riding over some pretty heavy cobbles that shook the motorbike and the attached sidecar quite furiously left us with stable, smooth, clean footage. With that said, many of the stills came out with lots of sharpness. This was great for me as I always have to adjust my settings when I go from snorkeling/diving to hiking etc. In daily use its capability is - and we're struggling to find the right superlative for this - stupid. Adding a video light to your GoPro setup will allow you to shoot professional-quality video on your next dive! If you want to customise each, you can do so easily by just tapping the pencil icon next to the option in the list. This is awesome for travelers. If there's any bad news, it's that the Hero 8 Black is noticeably larger than the Hero 7 Black. However, the video resolution, photo resolution, and frame rates are the same as the GoPro HERO 7. It's certainly a good enough photo shooter to capture those little moments when you just need to snap photos around the action. Here is a sample of Hypermooth Image Stabilization from the GoPro HERO 7: TimeWarp was another popular feature that was debuted with the GoPro HERO 7. Bigger camera, but built-in mounting arms, Software/electronic HyperSmooth 2.0 stabilisation. You can see what  the mods look like on the GoPro site. We've got full reviews of all the top cameras - check it out! Dragging down from the top of the screen brings up the settings pane for activating other features, including the framing grid, switching on voice activation, screen lock and orientation lock. Getting close really adds personality, color and detail to many of the smaller-sized critters on the reef. Following in the path of the Sony A6400 and RX100VII, GoPro has turned their rugged action camera into a versatile vlogging machine. In fact, there are enough new features for scuba divers and snorkelers, that it might even make sense to upgrade. GoPro has designed three "mods" which can be added to the GoPro: Yes, it would be great to have the LED lighting underwater, but it requires the media mod to use it, and the media mod is not waterproof. On top of that, for people who like to be in control, you can save up to 10 presets. It’s probably safe to say that the GoPro HERO 8 Black is the top GoPro action camera for underwater photo and video. Particularly, HyperSmooth image stabilization 2.0, TimeWarp 2.0 and improved HDR photography with the option for RAW files are all exciting features for underwater creatives. We're looking forward to making some detailed tests and comparisons with the GoPro HERO7 after the official release of the camera! We were able to take some of the first underwater footage with the GoPro HERO 8 in Malibu, California - a world renowned hub for underwater and surf photo and video. As well as that, in good daylight the camera can produce shoots with lots of vibrant colour, detail and sharpness. There’s always a trade off with temperature as well. Below are a few of our favorities: Beneath the Surface Angled Double GoPro Tray. Fees These powerful little cameras can't go forever, even with the newer and larger battery. These various presets will make it easier for you to set your settings based on the look you want. We know for many people the removable lens was a bit of a chore as you had to take it off every time you wanted to put it into an underwater housing. This video is a comparison of the image quality of the photos of the GoPro Hero 8 and the Hero 7 Black. The same can be said of the still photographs which come with the ability to produce even better high dynamic range (HDR) shots than before, improving the localised dynamic range in testing scenarios like when you have a dark subject and harsh/bright backlight. Stay tuned for more info on this once we get the new dive housing to test things out. New reviews of the Canon EOS R5, Sony A7R IV, Nikon D780, Nikon Z50, Canon G7X Mark III, Nikon Z7 & Sony A6400. If there's any bad news, it's that the Hero 8 Black is noticeably larger than the Hero 7 Black. Combine that with how easy it is to edit and organise footage using the GoPro app, and you have one killer action camera on your hands. Since the resolution and framerate options are the same as for the GoPro 7, we continue to recommend shooting in 2.7K at 60 fps, wide field of view, with hypersmooth image stabilization on. An assessment or critique of a service, product, or creative endeavour such as art, literature or a performance. As mentioned above, with new dimensions and the non-removable lens cover, the GoPro 8 requires a new underwater housing. Made by SeaLife, the Aquapod is designed for underwater use. Very cool! The way it processes the stabilisation, warps time with TimeWarp, and the results that come from it in general are a major improvement. We were able to mess around with it, while we were sitting in a motorbike sidecar shooting video through the streets of Paris - with the camera mounted to the front of the sidecar - with very little difficulty. It remains to be seen whether old GoPro filters and flip systems will fit onto the new housing. Considering a new camera? With the new lens on the Hero 8, GoPro elected to redesign its auto white balance and color tuning. For underwater photo and video, the GoPro HERO 8 Black has some excellent improvements over the GoPro HERO 7 Black. It's now underneath the camera's logo on the right side, because the left is now entirely a door giving access to the battery, microSD card slot and USB Type-C port. We can't wait to take the GoPro HERO 8 underwater to see just how well this feature could work. the field of view, Removeable Battery (with a new side door to replace battery quickly), Not Compatible with the Super Suit. The Canon EOS R5 is the best full frame underwater camera of 2020! Oh, and it's about £50 cheaper than the Hero 8 Black. Perhaps the only downside, as usual with GoPro, is battery life. +1 310-633-5052 sales@bluewaterphotostore.com. For the Hero 8, GoPro has mixed it up a bit. It's still a portable, easy-to-carry camera. Starting at the front, there are a couple of key changes: first, the GoPro logo has moved to the left in order to make space for the improved microphone system, which should improve the audio quality of your videos; second, the lens cover is non-removable, is more square, and has a thicker Gorilla Glass covering on it for better protection. LiveBurst feature that records 1.5 seconds before and after your shot so you can choose the best photo, Built-in mounting for topside use (rather than having to add the mounting cage), 12 MP CMOS 1/2.3 inch sensor (likely the same as on the HERO 7), Touch Zoom to "Change Lenses", i.e. You can now switch effortlessly from your underwater settings to your topside settings with a few simple taps. Let's look at our Hero 8 review. Bring color back into the picture with the use of video lights. Like with the GoPro HERO 7 Black, hypersmooth image stabilization is by far the most exciting feature, especially for underwater photographers and videographers. GoPro's latest action camera builds on the performance of the Hero 7 Black, offering more powerful processing, even more stable footage, built in mounting arms and a range of professional mods.Read full verdict. 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. Rather than the removable lens cover of the GoPro 7, the GoPro 8 has a built-in lens cover which cannot be removed. The camera will come with 4 presets preconfigured labeled Cinema, Action, Standard, and slow-mo. GoPro a aussi prévu de nouveaux accessoires sur mesure pour la Hero 8 Black. I recently picked up the GoPro HERO8 and decided to test out the RAW photography mode in various different locations and scenarios. Riding through Paris in the aforementioned sidecars, with the camera mounted to the front, you could barely tell there were any bumps in the road at all (anyone who's been to Paris will know it's basically nothing but cobbles, bumps and maniacal driving). However, if you want the very best resolution, and more importantly have a computer which can handle 4K video (both processing power and hard drive space), then shooting at 4K/60 fps with hypersmooth stabilization is an excellent choice, and will give you more options for editing. Overall then, despite the screen's small size, it's easy to use and control. The hero 8 is the ultimate travel camera. We did some hiking on the rocks around the beach and the footage looked extremely stable. With the mods you can capture your journeys easily and without a big luggage footprint. The latter was a much-needed hit for GoPro thanks to … That means I would have to go and buy a usb or a usbc microphone or a 3.5 to usb converter, which is a bit of a pain, because the reason I bought the gopro was because of your headline (and others) announcing that the gopro is now a webcam. 3 Exchange up to two cameras per year for the same model (GoPro Fusion and HERO5 or later). The GoPro 8 (W: 66.3 mm; H: 48.6 mm; D: 28.3 mm) is a bit longer, a bit taller and a bit thinner than the GoPro 7 Black (W: 62.3 mm; H: 44.9 mm D: 33 mm). This is my review of the GoPro HERO 8 Black! More importantly, the Power/Mode button has switched sides. There are not very many differences in image and video quality underwater. Not only can you capture that selfie, but you can get the camera closer to your subject, whether it is something small or something skittish that you can't approach. Must use the, Compatible with mods for vloggers, pro filmakers, and creators. Place them side by side, and you'll notice there's a clear difference between the two. Granted, you lose some of the scene in this mode, and you can't use it in the SuperView lens/focal length, but for really extreme situations like running down a rocky scree path or riding a hard tail bike down some steps, it evens out the footage even more. If you're an avid GoPro user, you won't need telling that a second (and possibly third) battery is a necessity - but at least they're easy to switch out in double-quick time now (unless, er, you're underwater or flying a byplane in loop-da-loops or something). JPEGs are difficult to edit and it's often impossible to fully recover underwater colors. While this new tech is extremely durable and highly unlikely to break, if it does ever break by any chance you need to replace the camera. Like the shooting modes, you can easily choose other functions for these quick toggles. However, the video resolution, photo resolution, and frame rates are …