If you are wondering whether the GoPro Hero 7 Black is the right choice for you, this article will give you detailed insight.
In this blog post, you’ll find a full GoPro Hero 7 Black review with my honest opinion on its advantages and disadvantages.
Also, I’ll give you my personal view on whether or not you should buy it now.
GoPro Hero 7 Black Review
GoPro cameras capture sharp, stable and stunning footage without fail! They are known for their build quality and durability. After a lot of research and experience, we realise that GoPro Hero 7 Black is not just a great pick with eye-catching features but is pocket friendly as well, as compared to the latest model (GoPro Hero8).
Check here a comparison between GoPro Hero 7 and 8!
GoPro Hero 7 Black comes with some striking new add-ons that make the old as well as the new users super interested in it. Hero 7 introduced the new super hyper smooth videos (it’s impressive!) as well as to live streaming.
- 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,...
The table below highlights the specifications about the GoPro Hero 7 Black.
| Specs | GoPro Hero 7 Black |
|---|---|
| Max video resolution | 4K/60fps |
| Still photos | 12-megapixel (HDR) |
| Slo-mo speed | 8x |
| Waterproofing | 10-metres |
| Voice control | Yes |
| Removable battery | Yes |
| GP1 processor | Yes |
| Special features | Hypersmooth, TimeWarp, Livestreaming, GPS, QuikStories |
Click here to find the manual for this awesome camera.
Hero 7 is waterproof and you may take it underwater but if you plan on taking beyond 33 feet or 10 metres, be sure to put on the SuperSuit to avoid water leaking into the GoPro (perfect for scuba divers!).
- Ultimate protection for your HERO7 Black or HERO6 Black or HERO5 Black during extreme...
- Waterproof to 196ft (60m)
- Includes two Waterproof Backdoors which can be used with Floaty
Check out another amazing GoPro accessories for scuba diving.
What I Like About GoPro Hero 7 Black
Here are some remarkable features about this action cam which make it incredibly desirable by the user.
Hypersmooth
GoPro supports digital image stabilization to deliver supreme quality shake-free footage. Shooting with Hypersmooth enabled does indeed produce ultra-smooth footage even when shooting at 4K/60fps at full resolution.
ProTip: Hypersmooth can’t be enabled when shooting in 4:3 aspect ratio, and also when shooting in Full HD at 240fps and 120fps.
TimeWarp
This is one feature which I personally admire a lot. Just like magic, when timewarp is enabled along with hypersmooth, it lets you shoot time-lapse. You can record anything and everything while in movement, say while driving, biking, hiking, running etc. There is an option to timewarp at different speeds including 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, and 30x.
SuperPhoto
This amazing new option can be enabled from Settings. The Hero 7 calculates the best White Balance, minimum and maximum ISO levels, sharpness and colour to create a HDR photo. The best part about it is that Hero 7 does not over-edit the picture; it just gives a dynamic, natural look.
ProTip: For best results, make sure to shoot in broad daylight.
Same design as some other GoPro models
I like the fact that it does retain the basic features, supporting the same size sensor and lens as before, and records video at similar bit-rates. The exterior is almost the same as Hero 5 and 6. It also uses the same battery type, so you don’t have to worry about throwing the old accessories as they will work just fine with this model as well.
Check out the Hero 7 Black model below.
- 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,...
Live streaming
Hero 7 Black has a new and improved user interface. Portrait mode has been added, allowing you to shoot vertical photos and videos for platforms such as Instagram Stories or IGTV. The Hero7 Black has more attractive as well as user-friendly features.
Smartphone Integration
It is amazing how easily and quickly we can now transfer data from our action cams to our smartphones. The work has now become totally hassle-free. The ease with which the smartphones can control the various functions of GoPro adds a cherry to the cake. Immediate viewing and editing is now just a button away!
Self-Timer
This simple yet much needed feature was not available in the previous models. GoPro Hero 7 supports Self-Timer. You may now set the timer to 15 and 30 seconds when you want to record a short video without anyone around. You can also use the Still timer which is mainly used for taking pictures. It can be set to 3 and 10 seconds.
What I Don’t Like About GoPro Hero 7 Black
There are a lot of pros about Hero 7 Black action cam including much improved stabilization, better UI, Live streaming etc. But, it does have certain drawbacks as well.
Battery Life
As seen in all GoPro models, the battery life does remain to be a major drawback. There are a few hacks which you may follow to overcome them, but the issue still remains. A GoPro’s battery generally lasts for about 1.5 – 2 hours. Hero 7 models come with a USB-C port to allow for charging via a wall socket or external battery. Reducing the resolution and disabling certain unwanted features like GPS, WiFi etc. may help in extending the battery life.
Performance in Dim Light
As we know, the Hero 7 models have an f/2.8 aperture which means they are capable of shooting in low light, but the footage quality is not that great. The Hypersmooth feature is automatically disabled in low lights which worsens the quality. Thus, for best results you must prefer to shoot in daylight.
Voice Control
Though the voice control has improved, it’s still a bit unreliable. Some voice commands that control the Hero 7 Black include “GoPro Capture“, “GoPro Stop Capture” and so on… This feature is really useful while continuous shoots, but proves to be a hassle when it doesn’t respond. There is a wide scope of fixing it.
Does not support a mic-jack
All GoPro users know about the not so good in-built voice quality. Hero 7 Black has an improved internal voice control, but it still doesn’t have a mic-jack. Instead it supports a USB-C and micro HDMI ports. GoPro does offer a mic-jack adapter as a solution but it is expensive and a bit bulky.
As we have now gone through all the pros and cons about our star gear GoPro Hero 7 Black, the big question remains:
Should You Buy GoPro Hero 7 Black Today?
Definitely not!
Currently, the GoPro Hero 7 is listed at $320 on Amazon, whereas the GoPro Hero 8 Black is available for $290. Given that the Hero 8 is a newer model with enhanced features and is better suited for vlogging, it doesn’t make sense to spend more on the older Hero 7 model.
Moreover, the even more sophisticated GoPro Hero 9, which boasts a front color display and 5K video capability, is on the market for just $340! Thus, purchasing the GoPro Hero 7 Black now might not be the wisest decision.
And just so you know, the GoPro Hero 12 has been launched not so long ago!
Check out the comparison between these two models: GoPro Hero 12 vs GoPro Hero 7: Is it Worth Upgrading?
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you decide whether or not you need the GoPro Hero 7 
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