GoPro Hero 7 vs Hero 8: Full Comparison [Should You Upgrade?]

With the arrival of GoPro Hero 8, there are many questions floating around in the minds of all the action video and photo lovers… GoPro 7 vs 8?

Which action camera is best suited for adventure outings? What are the key differences between the two? And many more…

Well! By the end of this article, you might get a clear picture of which GoPro camera model is the right choice for you and what are the upgrades and improvements which GoPro is offering in its new release. There are no better action cameras than GoPros available in the market today, and no doubt they prove to be a total delight for all travellers, vloggers and, of course, those participating in action sports and similar pursuits.

Let’s have a closer look and explore the difference between the two…

GoPro Hero 7 Black vs Hero 8 Black

As we all are well aware of the fact that with each new release of a product series, there are certain upgrades and improvements which are made available for advanced shooting and filming. It is always tempting to explore those new features. But, it all depends on your own requirements and use. Both Hero 7 and Hero 8 are incredible models with tough exteriors and amazing features.

GoPro Hero 7 Black

On one hand where Hero 7 Black comes with the same external design as the previous models like Hero 5, 6, but with added features which acts a plus. You can enjoy recording your fun moments using new features like HyperSmooth, TimeWarp, SuperPhoto etc. But, at the same time, you can also re-use the same battery, same sized sensor and lens as before without having to worry about throwing the old accessories, as they will work just fine with this model as well.

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GoPro Hero 8 Black

On the other hand, Hero Black 8 has a total new design that incorporates the mounting system right into the case, excellent image stabilization and some amazing add-ons like Media Mod functionality. It has upgraded features like HyperSmooth 2.0, TimeWarp 2.0, Night-lapse etc. Although now the camera lens is made of a much stronger material, the camera lens cannot be removed or replaced unlike the previous models.

GoPro HERO8 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K Ultra HD Video 12MP Photos 1080p Live Streaming Stabilization

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The table given below highlights the difference in specifications between GoPro Hero 7 black and Hero 8 black.

Most Notable Differences

There is an obvious price difference between the two models. Hero 7 Black is approx $230 and Hero 8 Black is $300 (price might be different now). Other than this price difference, read on to know about some other varied distinctions.

#1. Design

The build of both Hero 7 and Hero 8 Black is almost the same. Both models are made from rugged hardened plastic and are waterproof up to a depth of 10m. The front of both cameras has a small LCD screen and a protruded lens. On the rear of both cameras, there is a large 5cm LCD touch screen. The difference is: Hero 7 has a door on the side for USB Type-C and a mini HDMI port for charging and data transfer and a door at the bottom for micro-SD memory card and rechargeable battery. In Hero 8 there is only a single side panel to access the battery, micro-SD, and connection ports. Also, Hero 7 comes with an added frame for the camera which makes it a bit bulky, while Hero 8 has built-in mounting.

#2. Connectivity

Both Hero 7 and Hero 8 support connectivity through WiFi and Bluetooth which enables the cameras to connect to a smart device with the GoPro App. But while Hero 8 can livestream 1080p video footage, Hero 7 can broadcast it at 720p only. Where Hero 7 has a built-in USB-C, HDMI port, Hero 8 supports USB-C, HDMI (only with Media Mod). Media Mod attaches directly to the camera. It has two cold-shoe mounts and an HDMI port. The Media Mod adds a directional microphone. There’s also a Display Mod which adds a front-facing color LCD. The third add-on: the Light Mod, is a battery-powered LED light. It’s worth mentioning here that all these additional accessories in Hero 8 are sold separately (at an additional cost).

#3. HyperSmooth and TimeWarp

Image stabilization is undoubtedly much better in Hero 8. Hero 7 offers great shake free video recording with Hypersmooth enabled, but with an upgrade to HyperSmooth 2.0, it has proved to be a significant upgrade on the GoPro Hero 8. TimeWarp was a fun Hyperlapse mode for creating super-smooth motion time-lapses in Hero 7. TimeWarp 2.0 is better than before without changing the 10% crop and it’s available in all frame rates and resolutions. The greatly improved image quality in Hero 8 also comes with a boost mode that provides better results with an additional crop.

#4. Resolution

GoPro Hero 8 provides flexibility to capture footage in 4K resolution at 60fps, 30fps and 24fps according to the users’ creative need. The video quality has also considerably improved as GoPro has upped the bitrate of 4K footage from 78 mbps in Hero 7 Black to 100 mbps in both 4K and 2.7K for the Hero8 Black. For slow-motion videos, both have a capability of 8x slow motion. Hero 8 offers improved HDR processing for still photos, and automatic horizon levelling.

#5. Audio and Still Photos

Hero 7’s audio quality is extremely good. Though Hero 8 features a new front-facing microphone right below the lens which makes the audio quality a bit better in both quiet and loud environments. GoPro’s Super Photo mode has also been upgraded with better HDR processing. GoPro Hero 7 supports Self-Timer (15 and 30 seconds). You can also use the Still timer which can be set to 3 and 10 seconds. The new Hero 8 Black comes with a LiveBurst feature that captures images within a window of 1.5 seconds before and after you press the shutter.

Regardless of the above-mentioned differences, certain things remain the same like the Battery Life. On an average, like all other GoPro cams, Hero 7 and 8 have a battery life of 1.5-2 hours. You can extend the life by a few tricks like reducing the camera resolution or disabling the unwanted features like WiFi, GPS etc. Nevertheless, it is always advisable to carry a few extra batteries along. Also, no considerable improvement has been seen in Audio Command Controls in both the models.

The final question remains…

Should you upgrade to Hero 8?

Both GoPro Models Hero 7 Black and Hero 8 Black are exceptional action cameras when it comes to performance. If you’re looking for a budget camera, and your main focus is on footage quality then you might as well stick to Hero 7. But, there is no doubt that Hero 8 has an edge over the previous model. It is much more versatile with additional mod accessory functionality, better stabilization and picture quality with Hypersmooth 2.0, TimeWarp 2.0, Night lapse etc. Overall, we can summarize by saying that if you can put in a few extra bucks, the upgrade is worth it!

Click on the links below to learn more about these two models in details:

• GoPro Hero 7 Black Review [Should you buy it ?]
• GoPro Hero 8 Full Review [Specs, Price, Release date & more!]
• Best GoPro for the beginners

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide helped you know which drone is the best one: GoPro 7 vs 8. 🙂

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