There are many features that distinguish the GoPro Hero 8 from other action cameras. With this camera, you can shoot the highest quality footage while staying on a budget.
I personally have a lot of experience using the Hero 8 during my adventure trips.
In this article, you’ll discover a detailed review of the GoPro Hero 8, including my personal insights on its usage and tips on how to get the best out of it.
Review of GoPro Hero 8 Black
The very first question which comes to our mind: Is Hero 8 worth all the money? Well! Yes, it is. Although it’s a bit expensive than the previous model Hero 7 Black, but if you are someone who loves photography and crave for the latest features then Hero 8 is the best of the best action cam available today.
Check out the full comparison between GoPro Hero 7 and 8
Watch the following video to receive my personal feedback on The GoPro Hero 8 after one year of usage:
With this camera, GoPro has redesigned the exterior for the first time post Hero 5 Black and now includes an integrated mount. So, you no more have to worry about carrying the additional frame to mount your cam on. It is waterproof up to 10m without additional housing. The new design is slightly thinner, wider and taller than Hero 7 which definitely makes it lighter and pocketable. The exterior frame is made of metal and rubber around the edges and face plate.
Check Current Price of GoPro Hero 8 Black:
- HyperSmooth 2.0: HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization: On, High and Boost....
- Streamlined Design: The re-imagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at...
- Expandable Mods: Vloggers, pro filmmakers and aspiring creators can do more than ever...
For those interested in purchasing any of the best GoPro models, including the Hero 8 Black, it is recommended to click on the provided link within the article to discover the current prices and deals available and ensure that you get the best value for your purchase.
Video stabilization has been upgraded and is more effective now with Hero 8. Also, the voice quality for your various endeavours has been improved with an front-facing microphone. The table below highlights all the specifications of the GoPro Hero 8 Black.
Specs | GoPro Hero 8 |
---|---|
Sensor | CMOS Sensor |
Zoom | 4K Video |
Resolution | 12 MP |
Connectivity | WiFi, HDMI |
Waterprooofing | 10-metres |
Removable Battery | Yes |
Voice Control | Yes |
Special Features | HyperSmooth 2.0, Liveburst, Integrated Mounting Fingers, Media Mod |
Click here to download GoPro Hero 8 Manual.
If you need a quick tutorial to set up your GoPro Hero 8, watch this video:
The Hero 8 is a tough cam with a waterproof design and the video quality remains excellent, with stabilized 4K footage at 60fps.
Don’t miss best GoPro accessories for diving with this waterproof camera.
What I like about GoPro Hero 8
Built-in Mounting Clips
The most significant change in this GoPro model is the integrated mounting fingers so you won’t need to attach an extra piece to be able to use the accessories. Also, it means carrying less equipment. However, the fingers do move beyond 90-degrees, which can lead to shaky videos at times.
The Improved Design
The exterior is tough with the sensor and secondary display on the front, and a big touchscreen on the back. The lens is now made of Gorilla Glass which makes it twice as tougher than the previous models. The battery door has now been moved from bottom to side, which means convenience of accessing the memory card and battery without having to first remove a frame or detaching the cam from the mount. Click on the link below to find the little yet powerful additions in the designing of Hero 8.
- HyperSmooth 2.0: HERO8 Black has three levels of stabilization: On, High and Boost....
- Streamlined Design: The re-imagined shape is more pocketable, and folding fingers at...
- Expandable Mods: Vloggers, pro filmmakers and aspiring creators can do more than ever...
New Mods Attachments
The Media Mod functionality makes the Hero 8 more flexible and versatile. The new mod accessories are latest and super attractive. Media Mod attaches directly to the camera. It has two cold-shoe mounts and an HDMI port. They can transform your camera into a vlogging and story-telling tool. The Basic 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.
Upgraded Features
The Hero 8 guarantees ultimate image/video quality with upgraded features like Hypersmooth 2.0 which captures smooth, absolutely shake-free videos while in movement. You can stabilize the video even more by enabling the Boost mode.
Timewarp 2.0 adds a couple of new hacks, it allows you to capture dramatic scenes by one calculating the time-lapse speed based on the amount of camera motion. Two, you can slow down to real time with the tap of an on-screen button, and then speed back up into hyperlapse with a second tap. Also, Night-lapse videos can be created in camera; and raw photos can be captured for single shots, live-bursts and time lapses.
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 to 100 mbps in both 4K and 2.7K for the Hero 8 Black. For slower slow-motion, you can drop to 2.7K and shoot at up to 120fps, and you can drop down to 1080p and push the frame rate to 240fps.
Learn how to activate Protune and unlock the best GoPro Hero 8 features:
What I don’t like about GoPro Hero 8
Despite all the latest additions, there are a few minor drawbacks in GoPro Hero 8…
Camera Lens cannot be replaced
Although now the camera lens is made of a much stronger material (as described above), the fact that it cannot be removed or replaced unlike the previous models is a sure con. According to GoPro, it is cheaper for them to replace the camera instead of repairing it. They do provide a provision of exchanging the camera in their year plans, but that’s a bit expensive. Also, a separate frame will be required if you want to use filters.
Battery Life
All GoPro users are well aware that GoPro battery life remains to be a problem till date. On an average, GoPro cams 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.
Voice Control
There are several voice commands available in GoPro 8 as well like “GoPro start recording”, “GoPro stop recording” etc. When working properly, they sure are a plus and save time and battery life. But, voice commands are not always reliable. They may or may not work at all times which does prove to be a flaw while shooting.
Horizon Levelling
The Hero 8 has a limited field of view to work with (only horizontal-axis), so extreme horizon levelling will result in a noticeable crop to the footage. Horizon Levelling only works on videos recorded with 200 frames per second or less.
Is GoPro Hero 8 Worth Buying?
T The GoPro Hero 8 with incredible voice and image stabilization and upgraded features is a treat for all photo and video lovers.
This camera is a perfect choice for the beginners, who don’t want to invest into the latest GoPro model.
Find the full comparison of Hero 8 with another similar GoPro models: GoPro Hero 8 vs Hero 9 vs Hero 10 (Best Budget Option).
However, if you are looking for a less expensive option, you may check out GoPro Hero 7 Black
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you review all you need about GoPro Hero 8 🙂
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