The GoPro HERO 7 Black is made to record ultra-smooth video of your most tranquil trips. Without the extra weight of a gimbal, this camera’s HyperSmooth stabilization creates a gimbal-like flow. Direct Facebook Live broadcasting, an intelligent still-photo mode, and stabilized time-lapse footage are just a few of the camera enhancements. Vertical portrait mode lets you upload Instagram-style video and stills.
Verdict of GoPro HERO 7 Black
The GoPro Hero 7 Black’s video quality, stability, use, and mounts make it the greatest all-around action cam, while being a small upgrade over its predecessor.
Pros
- Excellent image stabilization
- Better audio quality
- Awe-inspiring video and decent stills
- No need for a case because it’s waterproof
- Wide selection of mounting and accessories
- Livestreaming is now available.
Cons
- When recording 4K, it can get scorching.
- Sluggish or unresponsive user interface on occasion
- Prices are still high.
Important Requirements
- £379 (review price)
- Captures 4K video at 60 fps and 1080p video at 240 fps.
- Waterproof to a depth of ten meters
- Takes still photos with HDR at a resolution of 12 megapixels.
- Allows users to watch live streams on their cell phones.
- Slow motion and timelapse modes
What is the GoPro Hero 7 Black, and how does it work?
The GoPro Hero 7 Black is a pocket-sized 4K camera with industry-leading electronic image stabilization and various mounting choices.
However, GoPro has since released the GoPro Hero 8, the most recent action camera in the series. However, because the latter is somewhat more expensive, the GoPro Hero 7 may keep its position as our top recommendation.
Design, controls, and the display of GoPro HERO 7 Black
If you’ve used the previous two flagship Hero models, you’ll know the Hero 7 Black.
At the very least, GoPro has altered the color of this flagship model from the typical grey to black. GoPro updated the microphone membrane to improve sound quality and reduce vibrations from activities like mountain biking.
It’s business as usual with a rubberized (if slightly less gripping) coating and waterproofing down to ten meters. On the rear is a two-inch touchscreen that is bright and sharp enough for rapid image previews.
The usual, sometimes aggravating controls for starting recordings and turning them on or off may be found on the sides.
The Hero 7 Black’s software menus have been upgraded, despite the unchanged hardware.
I’m not sure how I feel about these developments. However, there are some notable enhancements:
The new short clips option limits recordings to 15 or 30 seconds, which is beneficial if you want to lend your GoPro without returning with a full memory card. All video options, including ‘field of view’ and Protune manual controls, are now in one menu, making it easy to fine-tune and be creative.
On the negative, I thought the Hero 6’s special, black settings bar menu was a little clearer (above right).
The Hero 7 Black delays while browsing videos and is overly eager to convert to portrait mode.
I found the GoPro user experience to be largely decent and an improvement over prior models. Still, our video producer found the touchscreen controls frustrating at times.
A camera this small will always have usability issues, but the Hero 7 Black is easier to operate than others.
Voice commands like “GoPro, start recording” provide hands-free operation. Even if they’re trustworthy, I prefer an actual button.
Specifications and performance of GoPro HERO 7 Black
Hyper smooth is a significant new feature in the Hero 7 Black, according to GoPro. This is a beefed-up version of the Hero 6 Black’s already excellent electronic image stabilization (EIS), and unlike its predecessor, it now functions during top-notch 4K/60fps recording. In addition, it’s now virtually a virtual equivalent of GoPro’s Karma Grip, according to the company. Big claims, to be sure.
There are four other upgrades over the Hero 6 Black before we get into Hypersmooth:
- ‘Time Warp’ uses Hero 7’s improved stability to produce a first-person “magic carpet experience,” says GoPro.
- SuperPhoto, a new stills function, acts as a super auto mode, altering your settings depending on the scene.
- The microphone on the camera has been modified to increase audio quality.
- Hero 7 Black can Livestream via smartphone, initially to Facebook, but eventually to other platforms such as YouTube.
Hypersmooth Stabilization
So, how well do these new gadgets work? Let’s start with Hypersmooth, a modestly called stabilization.
Unlike Sony’s FDR-X3000, Hypersmooth does not use optical stabilization; everything is done electronically. Cropping your image by 5% means losing the edges of your photo, but the camera has more wiggle room to adjust for shocks or vibrations sensed by its giro.
GoPro was tight-lipped about how Hypersmooth varies from the Hero 6 Black’s stabilization, other than to state that the Hero 7 Black has a little more memory and has fully tapped the capability of its GP1 processor. But it’s a significant improvement in some scenarios, particularly handheld images.
Hero 7 Black offers gimbal-like pans
I ran the same trail with the Hero 7 Black, Hero 6 Black, and GoPro Karma Grip. The results are listed below. While the Karma Grip still wins out in terms of smoothness, the Hero 7 Black, which offers gimbal-like beautiful pans while turning corners and easily outperforms the already unique Hero 6 Black, isn’t far behind. It’s pretty remarkable, and it’s without a doubt the best electrical video stabilization you’ll find on an action camera.
Hyper smooth isn’t infallible by any means. While it’s ideal for shooting handheld film, it can’t eliminate all tremors. There were still many vibrations in the footage when we took the Hero 7 Black and Hero 6 Black on a ride around a Go Karting track (with admittedly very harsh, dismal lighting and pre-release firmware) was difficult tell the two cameras apart.
According to GoPro, rolling shutter, a jello-like phenomenon sometimes seen in fast-moving objects, is said to be fixed with the Hero 7 Black. We haven’t observed any notable symptoms in our test footage, so that’s another advantage over some of GoPro’s previous Hero cameras.
So, what are the other new features of the Hero 7 Black? Time Warp is a fun new time-lapse shooting option executed exceptionally well. It’s not a brand new idea, but it’s a fun new time-lapse shooting mode that’s been managed well.
Regular time-lapse films work best when the camera is static and everything else is moving because choppy footage results. Smooth Time Warp is great for filming and transmitting sped-up first-person excursions like bike rides. You may expect to see them on your Instagram feed soon.
Changes to the microphone have also had results. The Hero 7 Black has beefier bass and cleaner mids than the Hero 6 Black. With the ‘linear’ field of vision, it’s a feasible alternative for vlogging or YouTube home videos. On-bike rides, the two mics still do an excellent job minimizing wind noise.
Suppose you’re recording something more challenging, such as a live performance. In that scenario, you’ll need an external directional mic like the Rode Video mini, which connects through USB-C and 3.5mm.
The Hero 7 Black’s built-in audio quality, on the other hand, is a significant improvement over the Hero 6 Black.
Last but not least, there’s the new livestreaming option. This has worked great on the few instances I’ve tested it on Facebook. The GoPro app lets you choose who to share your Livestream with (public, friends, or ‘just me’) and the resolution.
After naming your stream, you must connect to a Wi-Fi network or use your phone’s ‘personal hotspot’ option. I’ve just tested it on office Wi-Fi, so it may not function in the wild (a GoPro’s natural environment).
Nevertheless, I’ll put this functionality to the test in certain circumstances and update this review once I’ve done so.
Image and video quality of GoPro HERO 7 Black
The Hero, 7 Black’s video quality is excellent right out of the box. Is it superior to the Hero 6 Black? There is virtually little change in dynamic range and color because it employs the same CPU, lens, and sensor size. According to GoPro, the company’s primary focus was on increasing video stabilization. So, if you’re debating whether or not to upgrade from the Hero 6 Black, video quality isn’t the only factor to consider.
Beautiful Color
The film appears a little ‘warmer’ in some scenarios than its predecessor. Still, it has beautiful colors in excellent light and a remarkable ability to handle dreary outdoor conditions without sliding into the noise or smugness that 1/2.3-inch sensor cameras are notorious for.
Admittedly, low light is more of an issue indoors. However, I recorded several outside videos at nightfall and was delighted with the results.
Protune Mode
Use the ‘Protune’ mode to get the most out of the Hero 7 Black, which improves video bitrates and lets you modify settings like ISO ranges, sharpness, and exposure compensation. You may also choose between GoPro’s color correction and a ‘flat’ profile, which allows you to grade the footage in Adobe Premiere Pro later.
However, if you don’t want to fiddle with editing, the ‘out of camera’ film would suffice for most non-professional purposes.
Although having Hypersmooth stabilization on the maximum 4K/60fps option is a blessing, there are a few limitations to be aware of.
To begin with, the ‘linear’ field of view is still unavailable in 4K recording, so you’ll have to film in the traditional ‘fisheye’ style. And if you’re taking long clips in this mode, the Hero 7 Black becomes hot — mine started shutting down after approximately 35 minutes due to overheating. As a result, it’s something to save for quick cuts.
Slo Mo mode
The Hero 7 Black’s slo-mo modes are perhaps more helpful. In up to 2.7K resolution, you can shoot at 120 frames per second, or 240 frames per second in up to 1080p.
To obtain the best effects, you’ll need a lot of light – some of our videos strobed in low light – but you can capture amazing slo-mo footage of swimmers or mountain bikers in daylight.
The waterproof Hero 7 Black isn’t much better than a smartphone, but it can shoot in strange places.
Is the Hero 7 Black a match for your smartphone when it comes to still photos? GoPro’s new flagship, ‘SuperPhoto,’ automatically detects faces, grins, and scenes. These new smarts will automatically alter settings like white balance and identify the best pictures for QuikStories.
Compared to the Hero 6 Black, I haven’t noticed much of a difference in my images with ‘Super photo’ set on. Of course, it’s early days, but it’s not quite up to par with the Huawei P20 Pro’s ‘Master A.I’ mode, for example. Even so, in excellent light, the 12-megapixel photographs are acceptable, mainly if you utilize the HDR option.
The Hero 7 Black is a capable, waterproof travel camera for individuals who don’t want to carry something larger.
However, one of the minor drawbacks of the Hero 7 Black’s size is that it can only fit a small battery. Its battery capacity is less than half that of an Apple iPhone XS, for example.
This is around 1 hour 45 minutes of continuous 1080p/30fps video for an action camera. When filming 4K/60fps, the battery only lasts 45 minutes, and the camera overheats after 35 minutes.
This isn’t rare, and it’s one of the reasons why 4K video recording on much larger cameras is sometimes limited to 30 minutes. However, keep this in mind before fantasizing about shooting all day in Hypersmooth-stabilized 4K.
However, some accessories can help — the Hero 7 Black charges through USB-C, so if you have a portable battery pack with you, you can charge it while you’re out in the field (it takes about an hour to recharge). In addition, there are additional charging cradles, such as GoPro’s Dual Battery Charger, that can hold a few newly charged extra batteries.
