The GoPro Hero 5 Session is a waterproof action camera that was launched by GoPro in September 2018. It’s a nice, compact camera for action sports & travel photography. The key features of this camera include a small durable design, 4K video, and 10MP photo capabilities.
But, is the GoPro Hero 5 Session worth buying? We’ll find out in this post by comparing the Hero 5 Session with its closest competitor – the DJI Action 2.
GoPro Hero 5 Session: Key Specifications
Here are the key specs of the GoPro Hero 5 Session camera:
- Dimensions: 1.43 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 75 grams
- Video Capture Resolution: 4K, 2.7K, 1440p, 1080p
- Photo: 10 MP
- Waterproof: Yes, down to 33 feet (10meter)
- Connectivity: USB, WiFi, Bluetooth
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Voice Control: Yes
- Image Capture Speed: 48 fps (2.7K)
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Full Comparison With DJI Action 2
Here are the main features of the GoPro Hero 5 Session, and how it compares with the DJI Action 2 on each of these parameters:
Design
The Hero 5 Session is a really simple action camera. It is, literally, a small cube that features just two buttons and one side flap that houses the USB-C port and MicroSD card slot. The shutter button on the top also acts as a power-on switch and will start recording video automatically. It is waterproof to 33 feet (10m) without housing.
The Hero 5 Session weighs 75 grams. In comparison, the DJI Action 2 comes in at a feather-light 57 grams. Design-wise the DJI Action 2 is quite similar to the GoPro Hero 5 Session, but it features a premium, smart modular design. You get one of two additional modules in the box, either a front display with a battery or just the battery. But, please note that while the main unit is waterproof to 10m (just like Hero 5 Session), its modules aren’t water-resistant without a case.
Video Quality
Hero 5 Session tops out at 4K/30fps, which is a huge upgrade over the previous Session’s 1440p/30fps. In 2.7K resolution, the Hero 5 Session is limited to a maximum of 48fps, while at 1440p – it tops out at 60fps. But, when you compare the resolution Hero 5 Session with the DJI Action 2, the former falls short. The DJI Action can record 4K videos at 120fps – which means you can shoot some amazing slow-motion shots at 4K resolution.
As for the quality of the Hero 5 Session’s video, it’s much improved over the old Session, and almost at parity with the Hero 5 Black. The old Session recorded videos at a bitrate of 25Mb/s, while Hero 5 Session now records at 60Mb/s. In comparison, the DJI Action 2’s max video bitrate is way higher at 130 Mb/s.
Photo
In the Hero 5 Session, the photos are captured at 10MP with a 4:3 aspect ratio, while in the case of DJI Action 2, the photo resolution is 12MP. So, the DJI Action 2 is the clear winner here.
Audio
Onboard the Hero 5 Session, you get two microphones. Therefore, the audio is average. The DJI Action 2, on the other hand, has four microphones on board so you get crystal clear audio for your videos.
Field of View
The Hero 5 Session offers a 150-degree wide FOV while the DJI Action 2 offers a super-wide FOV of 155 degrees. Also, DJI offers this FOV at 4K too, but in the case of Hero 5 Session, you get it at 2.7K max.
GoPro Hero 5 Session Battery Life
The GoPro Hero 5 Session sports a built-in 1000 mAh Lithium-ion battery. Here’s the approximate recording time that you’ll achieve when shooting with Hero 5 Session:
- 4K @ 30fps – 80 minutes
- 2.7K @ 30fps – 100 minutes
- 1080p @60fps – 95 minutes
- 1080p @30fps – 115 minutes
- 720p @120fps – 120 minutes
Please note that these are just the approximate values of the Hero 5 battery life. The exact battery life of your GoPro on a single charge depends upon various factors. For example, if you have enabled all the features on your Hero 5 Black camera, you probably won’t be able to achieve full 90 minutes of 4K@30fps recording time.
Can GoPro Hero 5 record while charging?
No. When the GoPro Hero 5 camera is recording, its battery won’t charge even if it’s inside the camera and you have connected the camera to a power source.
Can I use GoPro Hero 5 without battery?
Yes. You can run the GoPro Hero 5 without battery, provided it’s connected to an external power source via the USB-C cable. However, without battery, the moment that the AC power to the camera stops, the camera will turn off immediately.
How to Extend You GoPro Hero 5 Session Battery Life
Here are some tips to extend the GoPro Hero 5 battery life:
Should You Buy GoPro Hero 5 Session?
Based on the above comparison between the GoPro Hero 5 Session and the latest action camera by DJI – the DJI Action 2, it’s pretty clear that the Hero 5 Session lags behind in almost all aspects, whether it is the resolution, design, or audio performance. And, that’s quite unsurprising, considering the fact that the Hero 5 Session was launched more than three years ago.
To add to this, the Hero 5 Session is discontinued by GoPro. So, you won’t find a new Hero 5 Session on the GoPro official website. On Amazon, it is priced more than its more recent and advanced competitors (including the DJI Action 2).
Therefore, it’s definitely not a great idea to buy a GoPro Hero 5 Session. You have many better options available on the market today, which include: the DJI Action 2 (of course), and the Insta360 ONE R, and the GoPro Hero 11 mini.
Check out the full comparison of GoPro Hero 5 Session and GoPro Hero 11 mini by clicking this link.
Have a look at these cameras below:
DJI Action 2
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Insta360 ONE R Twin Edition
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GoPro Hero 11 mini
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Thanks for reading!
I hope this post helped you know whether you should buy the GoPro Hero 5 Session 🙂
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GoPro Hero 5 Session still worth buying in 2026?
Only if you find one used or heavily discounted, since GoPro discontinued it years ago and even a budget rival like the DJI Action 2 beats it on nearly every spec I tested. If you already own one it is still a genuinely tough, pocketable action cam, but I would not pay anywhere near its original price for new stock today.
Can I still buy a new GoPro Hero 5 Session in 2026?
No, GoPro pulled it from its official store a while back, so any unit you see listed as new on Amazon or eBay is old dead stock. I would check the seller and return policy carefully, since a battery that has sat unused for years often will not hold its original runtime.
What app do I use with the Hero 5 Session today?
You will use the GoPro Quik mobile app, since the old GoPro App was renamed to Quik and the camera is still listed as compatible for transferring and editing clips. Quik for desktop has been retired, so offloading and editing now happens through the phone app or by pulling footage straight off the microSD card.
Does the Hero 5 Session still get firmware updates?
No, GoPro stopped shipping new firmware for it years ago, so whatever version is on your camera now is essentially the final one. That is fine for everyday shooting, but do not expect new bug fixes or features going forward.
What is a better alternative with a similar tiny form factor?
I would point you to the DJI Action 2, which is smaller, offers an optional modular front-screen module, and beats the Hero 5 Session on video, audio, and photo specs in my testing. If you want to stay in the GoPro ecosystem, the GoPro Hero 11 mini is the closest modern equivalent to the old Session concept.
How does the Hero 5 Session stack up against GoPro’s current lineup?
There is no real contest: the Hero 13 Black shoots up to 5.3K and GoPro’s newer Mission 1 series goes as high as 8K, both with far better stabilization, low-light performance, and microphone arrays than the Session’s 4K/30fps ceiling. The Session only makes sense now for existing owners or as an ultra-cheap backup camera, not as a serious purchase in 2026.
