GoPro released their new line-up of Hero 7 cameras back in September 2018. When you look at these cameras, they seem almost exactly similar to Hero 6, other than the fact that they have a slightly different shade of dark gray. Also, you get three models in Hero 7 range: White (entry-level), Silver (mid-range) and Black (Flagship), unlike Hero 6’s single Black model.
But, are Hero 6 and Hero 7 the same, if you go by the features and specs? Or, is there one of these two cameras that’s superior? You’ll get all your answers soon… We’ll explore these cameras’ features in-depth and let you know whether an upgrade from Hero 6 to 7 is really worth it!
In this article, You’ll get a full comparison of the ‘Black’ GoPro models of both Hero 6 and 7.
GoPro Hero 6 Black vs GoPro Hero 7 Black
Overall, the said cameras are much more alike than they are different. The GoPro Hero 7 Black retains all the great features of 6, and there are also quite a few upgrades. Here are some of them.
What’s new/improved in GoPro Hero 7 Black?
- TimeWarp video for stabilized motion time-lapse (Hyperlapse).
- Significantly improved Electronic Image Stabilization (HyperSmooth).
- Stabilization available at higher framerates (for example, at 4K/60fps).
- SuperPhoto for in-camera photo enhancement.
- 960p video resolution.
- Short Clips, which means 15-30second clips that are easy to share on social media.
- Portrait orientation when shooting video.
- Live Streaming feature, the first in any GoPro camera.
Key Specs
Have a look at the table below to understand how similar/different these two cameras are.
| Specs | GoPro Hero 6 Black | GoPro Hero 7 Black |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Video Resolution | 4K (3840×2160) | 4K (3840×2160) |
| Maximum Video Bitrate | 78 Mbps | 78 Mbps |
| Still Photo Resolution | 12 MP | 12 MP (with SuperPhoto) |
| Dimensions | 61 W x 45 H x 33 D | 62.3 W x 44.9 H x 33 D |
| Weight | 116 Grams | 116 Grams |
| USB Port | USB - C | USB - C |
| Connectivity | WiFi + Bluetooth | WiFi + Bluetooth |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | Rechargeable, 1220 mAh, 4.40V | Rechargeable, 1220 mAh, 4.40V |
Both the Hero 6 and Hero 7 Black editions are equipped with HDMI output, which allows you to connect your camera to an external display such as a TV or monitor for viewing footage in real-time or playback. This feature can be useful for filmmakers and videographers who need to review their footage on a larger screen for a more accurate assessment. The HDMI output is capable of transmitting up to 4K resolution footage and supports both HDMI and USB-C connections. Additionally, the Hero 7 Black also features a built-in live streaming function, which allows you to broadcast your footage directly from the camera to social media platforms through a Wi-Fi connection. Read more by clicking the link.
Hero 6 Black
- HERO6 black automatically sends your footage to your phone where the app turns it...
- With 4k60 and 1080p240 video, HERO6 black delivers 2x the performance compared to...
- With our most advanced video stabilization yet, HERO6 black captures super smooth...
With 4k/60fps and 1080p/240fps video recording capability, the Hero 6 Black delivers 2x the performance of Hero 5 Black. Hero 6 Black’s image quality is also vastly improved from its predecessors. With EIS, the camera captures super-smooth footage whether it’s handheld or mounted to your gear. It is also waterproof (down to 33 feet / 10 meters) without a housing. With 5GHz WiFi, you can copy photos and videos over to your phone almost 3x faster than the previous GoPros.
Hero 7 Black
- HyperSmooth: Get gimbal‑like stabilization—without the gimbal. HERO7 Black...
- TimeWarp: Capture super stabilized time lapse videos while you move about a scene....
- Live streaming in 720p: Share while you’re there. Live stream in 720p on social,...
Although it looks quite similar to some of the previous GoPro models, Hero 7 Black features various interesting new upgrades. The Hypersmooth produces ultra-smooth footage even when shooting at 4K/60fps at full resolution. Time-lapse is also upgraded and is now called timewarp, in which you get the option to shoot at different speeds including 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, and 30x. SuperPhoto lets you get the best quality HDR stills in-camera that look dynamic and natural. We also like the fact that Hero 7 retains many of the attributes of its predecessors, like sensor size, lens, and battery type. It records video at similar bit-rates too.
GoPro Hero 6 vs Hero 7: Features Comparison
Now that you have a fair idea of what to expect from each of these awesome GoPros, have a look at how these action cameras fare when you talk about their key features.
Design and Build
The design of Hero 7 is widely similar to that of the Hero 6, but its paint job clearly sets it apart. The Hero 7 is a darker shade of Gray in color. Also, the model number printed on the side is another differentiating factor. Apart from these minor details, the cameras are, literally, identical on the outside with same weight and almost same dimensions, buttons, compartment doors and screens. Both cameras are solid, rugged and waterproof (up to 33ft/10m) without the need of a separate underwater housing. They use the same lens, and have a similar sized sensor too.
Image Stabilization
Although both the cameras offer in-camera electronic stabilization, the Hero 7 features a new and improved version of it. Referred to as Hypersmooth, this version of stabilization is very effective and works a lot better even in rapidly moving scenarios.
Voice Commands
You can operate both these cameras with voice control. There are many things that you can do with this feature, like start/stop video recording, switch modes, or take photos and so on…
Battery
While both the models have a similar 1220 mAh battery, we’ve noticed that in real-world use the Hero 7 Black’s battery life is not quite as good as the Hero 6 Black using the same settings. But the difference is only marginal.
Video Resolution
Both GoPro Hero 6 and 7 support a maximum of 4K (3840×2160) in the 16:9 aspect ratio and 4K (4000×3000) in the 4:3 aspect ratio. But Hero 7 Black supports 960p resolution, which Hero 6 doesn’t.
Hero 7 also offers overall faster frame rates. With it, you can get 240fps at 1080p, 960p, and 720p. But when you look at Hero 6, it can only provide 240 fps at 1080p resolution.
Still Shots
These cameras support both JPG and RAW formats and are quite similar when it comes to still photography (12MP). But, Hero 7 Black has an enhanced photo mode called SuperPhoto, through which you get a noticeably better quality image. It becomes possible as a result of several automatic, in-camera processing tools including HDR, local tone mapping, and multi-frame noise reduction which are often used together to get a vibrant picture quality.
Hero 6 also has an optional HDR mode, but it covers just one of the enhancement techniques used in the SuperPhoto feature.
Time-Lapse
Both cameras feature time-lapse, but there’s one new variation that has been added to the Hero 7 Black. Known as TimeWarp, this feature lets you shoot amazingly stabilized shots even when your camera is on the move. The standard time-lapse, on the other hand, is typically shot with the camera kept at one fixed spot.
Audio
Both these cameras have three built-in microphones to record audio. But the sound quality achieved through them is far from perfect! We highly recommend using external microphones with these cameras if you’re doing something serious, like vlogging etc.
Should You Upgrade to Hero 7?
From everything mentioned above, you must now be clear about how similar these two cameras are, and how the GoPro Hero 7 Black is better in several things. So, I’d say that if you’re looking to buy your first GoPro, the only reason why you should choose Hero 6 over 7 is if you find an exceptionally great deal on it.
Things get a bit tricky if you already own a Hero 6 and are wondering whether you should upgrade to Hero 7. You must make your decision based on whether the improvements that Hero 7 offers (as mentioned above) are actually that important to you! The two most compelling reasons why you should upgrade are the improved HyperSmooth video stabilization and the TimeWarp feature. If you think these things are a must-have for you and that you really miss these features on your present GoPro model, you should definitely upgrade! Otherwise, GoPro Hero 6 Black is also a great camera with awesome capabilities suitable for your needs.
- Click on the link to know more about GoPro Hero 7 Black.
- Click on the link to know more about GoPro Hero 8 Black.
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