The recently launched GoPro Bones, or GoPro Hero 10 Black Bones camera is the company’s lightest ever camera. It’s, basically, a stripped-down version of the GoPro flagship Hero 10 Black camera that has been built specifically for FPV drones. With the FPV drones, Bones lets you create some spectacular aerial videos.
This post is all about the newest offering by GoPro – The GoPro Bones. Here, you’ll get to know everything about this awesome FPV camera – our full review of the camera, its specs, price, and comparison to the GoPro Hero 10 Black.
So, let’s get started!
GoPro Bones – Specifications
First things first, let’s discuss all specs of the GoPro Bones:
- Dimensions: 50mm (H) x 68mm (W) x 29mm (D)
- Weight: 54 grams
- Image Sensor: 1/2.3” image sensor
- Video Resolution: 5.3K/60FPS, 4K/120FPS, 2.7K/240FPS
- Photo Resolution: 19.6MP
- Stabilization: HyperSmooth 4.0
- Processor: GP2
- Battery Requirements: 5-27V (2S-6S Li-Po)
- Wireless: 2.4GHZ; 5GHz BLE 4.2
- Best For: FPV Drones
- Price: $399
GoPro Bones – Full Review
As you must have noticed from the specs, the GoPro Bones is quite similar to the GoPro flagship Hero 10 Black camera. It features the same image sensor and the GP2 processor that offers lightning-fast performance and jaw-dropping imagery. What’s more, it also has the industry-leading HyperSmooth 4.0 Image Stabilization technology just like the Hero 10 Black.
So, how does GoPro Bones achieve the feather-light 54-gram weight? Since this camera has been purpose-built to be a great first-person-view (FPV) drone camera, GoPro removed the screen, speakers, waterproofing, and even the battery from it. But, there’s no compromise on recording capabilities. It is capable of recording 5.3K videos at 60fps, 4K videos at 120fps, and 2.7K videos at 240fps. When it comes to stills, you can capture 19.6MP photos with Bones.
As mentioned earlier, GoPro has custom-designed the Hero 10 Black Bones camera for 3-inch class or larger drones. To make it suitable for such drones, apart from light weight, this camera comes with a well-ventilated design so you are ready to fly with confidence for extended periods. The camera is also compatible with most of the existing drone batteries.
Overall, a great product for the capture of stunning aerial footage by FPV drone enthusiasts.
Design
Weighing a barely noticeable 54 grams, the GoPro Bones features the exact same sensor, processor, and lens as the Hero 10 Black. But, there’s no display, battery, speaker, GPS, or metal enclosure here. Bones is constructed from lightweight plastic that does offer some protection in the event of inevitable FPV crashes.
GoPro Bones also features new vents which help provide cooling in order to prevent the camera from overheating while shooting. But, such a design also means it is not waterproof. On the back, there are two buttons – one for power, and one for switching between video and stills. In addition, you can also control it using the GoPro Quik app or GoPro’s The Remote accessory.
On the back of the camera, there’s a socket for a GH 1.25 3pin Connector. It connects to the battery as well as your drone’s flight controller. With GoPro Bones, you can use battery types between 2S and 6S, ranging between 5-27V. The camera is fitted with replaceable lens covers which means you can swap them out for ND (neutral density) filters that are frequently used by FPV drone pilots in bright conditions.
Video & Image Quality
You get all of the same resolution and frame-rate options on the GoPro Bones as you get with GoPro’s current flagship – the GoPro Hero 10 Black. It offers 5K/60FPS, 4K/120FPS, 2.7K/240FPS. The camera performs pretty well in low light conditions too.
ReelSteady
Apart from the built-in HyperSmooth 4.0, ReelSteady is also a great way to stabilize your FPV drone videos in post-production. It stabilizes the video without cropping it in-camera to smooth out bumps and jitters (as HyperSmooth does).
GoPro Bones camera is compatible with GoPro’s ReelSteady stabilization software. You also get a license for ReelSteady combined with the desktop GoPro Player app included in the price of the camera.
Price
The GoPro Bones camera today costs $399.99 (in the US only) if you sign up for a one-year GoPro Subscription. Without a subscription, the price is $499.99.
It’s obviously worth going for the discounted price with a GoPro Subscription, particularly because you can cancel the subscription at any time before it automatically renews after a year.
GoPro Bones VS GoPro Hero 10 Black
As mentioned before, the GoPro Bones camera is a lightweight version of the Hero 10 Black that’s been designed for FPV and Cinewhoop drones. Just like the Hero 10 Black, Bones offers features like HyperSmooth 4.0 and 5.3K video. But, when it comes to weight, the GoPro Bones at 54 grams weighs 100 grams less than the Hero 10 Black, making it the lightest GoPro ever.
Other than that, the GoPro Bones doesn’t feature a screen, speakers, waterproofing, GPS, and a battery like the Hero 10 Black does. That’s how it achieves that feather-light weight.
Is GoPro Bones Worth Buying?
The GoPro Bones is a niche camera that’s been built specifically for FPV drone fans. You can attach it to most tiny FPV or cinewhoop drones, plus the compatibility with ReelSteady software is a great addition to apply excellent stabilization in post-production. But, considering that Bones isn’t waterproof and lacks a battery, display, speaker, GPS, it might feel pretty pricey for many.
However, since you get a combination of the best available FPV camera and ReelSteady stabilization with Bones, many FPV enthusiasts may still be willing to pay the premium for it.
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you learn all about the recently launched GoPro Bones camera. 🙂
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