GoPro Hero8 Black Reviews. NEW GoPro Launched!
GoPro released their new action camera yesterday, advancing from Hero7 Black to Hero8 Black. The marketing department have done their work and YouTube is awash with hands on reviews… well, not awash, but…
So let’s take a look the GoPro Hero8 Black reviews and see what’s been improved. Is it worth spending to upgrade from a Hero7?
Here’s GoPro’s own advert showcasing the new features:
Features featured in the video are:
- Inbuilt Mounting
- 14% lighter
- Enhanced Audio
- New Expansion Mods
- HyperSmooth 2.0 (now in all resolutions and frame rates)
- “Boost” gives you even smoother video
- TimeWarp 2.0 (new auto-speed-adjust and slow-with-a-tap features)
- Waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters)
- 2x Stronger Lens
- Media Mod:
- 3.5mm Mic Port
- HDMI Out Port
- USB-C Port
- 2x Cold Shoe Mounts
- Display Mod
- Mods to add Shotgun mic and LED Light
- “Digital” Lenses for Narrow, Linear, Wide & SuperView
- Presets for
- “Cinematic” (4K30)
- “Activity” (2.7K60)
- “Slow-Mo” (1080p240)
- SuperPhoto “got more super”.
- Go Live is now in full HD
MAX
A second video from GoPro shows of the Hero8 Black and the MAX camera.
The GoPro MAX can be used like a regular GoPro Hero or you can switch to the 360 lens.
When GoPro says the new cameras come with “4 lenses”, they’re not physical lenses. Rather, camera software is zooming in and out, whilst adjusting the perspective to remove curves.
The GoPro MAX has six inbuilt microphones, for immersive 360 audio. There’s also directional mics for vlogging and wind-noise reduction.
Images and videos captured with the 360 degree camera can be “reframed” in the GoPro app to produce regular photos and video. This would, for example, allow you to “direct” your video after the event.
The Reviews
So that’s the pitch from GoPro. As yet, the Hero8 and MAX are only available for pre-order. But of course, pre-sales models have been sent out to prominent YouTubers and media to review. So what are they saying? Is this something to get excited about?
CNET
CNET point out that GoPro have finally removed the frame needed to mount the camera. Now, the mounting system is inbuilt. Two mounting rings flip out from the bottom of the camera.
This does have the downside that the Hero8 is bigger than the Hero7.
Other than that, CNET don’t say too much other than to run through the features. Although, he does talk about the audio improvements and from the sound of it, the Hero8 Black’s mic can capture decent audio.
CNET do seem to get a lot of artifacts in their video, which they say is down to bitrate issues. Other than that, their review is a basic run-through of features without too much analysis.
Verdict: Should you buy one? Yes, if you want the latest GoPro Hero… uhm, ok.
DC Rainmaker
DC Rainmaker also likes the new inbuilt mounting. However, he’s not too happy about the battery door, which he says is “miserable” – specifically, the opening of it which is fiddly. Also, you need to use this door to access the USB-C charging port. While you can simply remove the entire door, it’s not ideal.
Moving onto the new mods, DC says while he likes them the downside is they won’t be available until late this year at the earliest. Also, some features have been removed from the basic camera. So, now you need to buy mods to have what you had included in the Hero 7 Black. For example, no more mini HDMI port on the side.
Do YouTubers practice talking fast to get as much information into a short video as possible. I like to imagine DC standing in front of the mirror, tying to reach 100 WPM, the glass showered in spit by the end of it… Actually, I don’t like to imagine that.
He talks about the new HyperSmooth 2.0, which he says is a modest improvement. DC says he’s a fan of the Live Burst mode, allowing you to take a 3 second video and then choose the frame you want for the final image. He also says that although the lens is stronger (thicker 2mm vs 1.3mm), changing a broken one is not nearly as easy or as cost-effective.
DC’s audio test confirms the big improvement in the audio quality from the Hero 7 Black.
DC’s review is pretty forensic, compared to others. So if you want a more critical view of the Hero 8 Black, I recommend you give it a watch.
Verdict: For the extra $70 buy the GoPro Hero8 over the Hero7. Should I upgrade from the Hero 7? Probably not.
The Tech Chap
The Tech Chap takes the new GoPro Hero8 Black for a ride around Berlin, strapped to a “mini go-kart thing”. He’s an awful lot happier with his experience. Perhaps life in general you feel, as he reviews the camera with a cheeky, Wallace and Gromit smile.
So it’s no surprise he has a somewhat more positive view of the new GoPro. To me, some shots show a clear improvement in video quality. Maybe it doesn’t show up too well in this compressed screen grab, but skin tones and dynamic range seem a step up from the Hero7.
There’s also a visible improvement in low light conditions.
The Tech Chap really gives the HyperSmooth 2.0 + Boost a good test, jumping up and down on a trampoline (provided by GoPro on their boat in Berlin). You have to say, the difference here is dramatic. Even when bouncing, the footage looks like it’s shot using a gimbal.
He also complains about the fiddly battery door, but reveals GoPro have got in touch to say they will be improving it for the release.
Verdict: Solid update.
Endgadget
Of al the GoPro Hero8 Black reviews so far, Endgadget Guy is the most impressed by the new mounting “fingers”. He absolutely loves them and the fact you no longer need an extra case to mount the camera.
My first impression: I’m not sure about those glasses. They’re trying a bit too hard to look like the kind of glasses a really professional tech reviewer would wear. Just my opinion. Cool warship though.
Edgadget Guy loves the new HyperSmooth 2.0 saying it is now “Smooth across all axis”. There’s also a noticeable superiority in video quality when compared to the Osmo Action. He is also a big fan of the upgraded TimeWarp 2.0.
Verdict: The Hero8 isn’t foolproof but it’s heading in that direction. The friendliest GoPro yet.
In Conclusion
So that’s a quick sample of some of the GoPro Hero8 Black reviews so far. I’m sure there will be a few million more to come. My general impression is that this is a shaping, developing and improving of the previous GoPros. The User Interface has had a good makeover, allowing easier use of the many functions available.
There’s always a tricky balance between lots of features and simplicity of use. The GoPro Hero8 Black looks to have really improved in that area. On the downside, it looks like GoPro are trying to squeeze extra $ from us by making some features additional purchases through mods.
There’s a definite and visible improvement in video quality, with greater dynamic range and detail. The new stabilization update is also highly impressive.
The GoPro Hero8 Black and MAX will be shipping later this month. But you can already pre-order.
Find GoPro Hero8 Black on AmazonEager to learn more?
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