Testing the New GoPro Hero 8 Black Camera: First Impressions and Key Features

I'm being recorded on the new GoPro Hero 8 black, and I've had a chance to test it out before its official launch. As expected, the design has changed slightly compared to the Hero 7 black, with the camera looking slightly larger side-by-side. However, what's more notable is that GoPro has finally eliminated the frame required for mounting the camera, instead integrating the mounting fingers directly into the bottom of the device. This change will undoubtedly make it easier and less prone to errors when attaching or detaching accessories.

The absence of this frame also means that the battery compartment is now accessible on one side of the camera, housing a microSD card slot with a USB-C port for faster data transfer. The GoPro Hero 8 black remains waterproof up to 10 meters, thanks to its rugged design and built-in protection. Another welcome upgrade from the Hero 7 black is the hyper smooth stabilization feature. This technology was incredibly effective in reducing camera shake and creating smooth footage on earlier models, and it has been improved upon for the Hero 8 black.

The new GoPro Hero 8 black offers hyper smooth stabilization at all resolutions and frame rates, making it an even more versatile tool for capturing dynamic footage. One of the most significant benefits is its adjustability; users can turn off stabilization or dial in a balance of stability and movement to suit their specific needs. This feature allows filmmakers and content creators to create even more engaging videos that draw viewers into the action. The camera also boasts an updated version of time warp, which has been enhanced with the ability to automatically adjust speed based on scene motion and lighting conditions.

Perhaps one of the most exciting features of the new GoPro Hero 8 black is its live burst functionality. This feature allows users to capture three-second video clips, which are then transferred to the GoPro app for scrubbing through 90 frames at a time. Users can select the best frame from each clip and create their own edited videos using the powerful editing features available within the app. The addition of live burst is undoubtedly going to simplify the post-production process for many content creators.

The camera's user interface has also been expanded with several new additions, including a horizon leveling option that makes it easy to adjust the camera's perspective after filming. This feature will be especially helpful for those who have captured footage on uneven terrain or while shooting from unusual angles. Furthermore, GoPro has incorporated several presets that allow users to quickly dial in their preferred settings for different types of activities and environments.

GoPro also recognized that many users often find themselves struggling with the camera's menu system. To address this issue, they've introduced programmable shortcut buttons on the screen. These buttons enable users to perform a wide range of functions, including activating specific modes or adjusting settings, by long-pressing the button instead of clicking it once.

Another notable feature is the new digital lens options available through the camera's interface. Users can select from four different views—narrow, linear, wide, and super view—which offer real-time visual feedback on how their subject will be framed within the frame. This allows for more precise composition before shooting begins, ensuring that the final footage meets the user's artistic vision.

Audio quality is another area where GoPro has made significant strides with its latest model. By placing the microphone directly below the lens, it helps to reduce wind noise and capture a clearer, cleaner audio signal. While users may still prefer higher-end microphones for optimal sound quality, this development marks an important step forward in addressing common concerns regarding on-camera audio.

Finally, GoPro has released several accessory options designed specifically with the Hero 8 black in mind. One such option is a medium mod frame that adds a built-in shotgun microphone, HDMI output, and a 3.5mm jack for connecting external audio sources or recording devices. Additionally, there's an add-on light kit available, along with frames designed to accommodate cold shoes. These extras enable content creators to customize their Hero 8 black and elevate the overall production value of their videos.

The ultimate question on everyone's mind is whether or not users should upgrade from earlier GoPro models like the Hero 7 black. While the Hero 8 black represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, it's still ultimately a matter of personal preference and budget considerations. The camera offers incredible image stabilization, better audio, and enhanced editing features that make it an ideal tool for content creators.

However, if users are simply looking for something rugged and waterproof to supplement their smartphone shooting, the Hero 7 black remains an excellent choice at a lower price point. Its superior image quality is undeniable, with seamless integration into smartphones and other devices. Ultimately, the GoPro Hero 8 black represents the pinnacle of single-lens cameras from GoPro, making it a worthwhile investment for serious content creators looking to elevate their production quality and reach new creative heights.

The most affordable entry point in the GoPro lineup still remains at $399, which is competitive with similar action camera models. This price point allows users who are eager to upgrade but may not be ready for the Hero 8 black's advanced features to take a step up from their current model without breaking the bank.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enI'm being recorded on the new GoPro Hero in black I got a chance to test it out a little bit before it's launched and it's basically better in every way than the Hero 7 black now instead of just talking about it let me show you what it can do it might not seem like the design has changed much at all and side-by-side with the hero 7 it actually looks a bit bigger but what GoPro did was finally get rid of the frame that's required to mount the camera what you'll see instead is that GoPro actually built its mounting fingers into the bottom of the camera this is great because I hate that frame and I would occasionally forget it and then I couldn't mount the camera but also it blocked the battery in micro SD card slot which is now on the side with a USB C port and the whole thing is still waterproof to 10 meters also upgraded from the hero 7 is the hyper smooth stabilization it was so good on that camera it basically killed the need for a gimbal but with the hero 8 hyper smooth is available at all resolutions and frame rates and it's adjustable in case you want it off or you want to add a little bit of shake for realism or add a boost for when you want no shake at all you'll also find an updated version of time warp the cameras motion time-lapse mode that can now automatically adjust speed based on the scene motion and how much lighting you have what's better is you can also now tap on the screen to drop back to real time so you can stop and take in the scenery and then tap again to speed it back up something new for GoPro users but an option that'll be familiar to high phone users is live burst you can now with the camera capture a three second video clip and then transfer it over to GoPros app scrub through the 90 frames that you've created and pick out the one that looks best for a single photo and while I'm here in the app GoPro added a lot of editing features including a horizon leveling option which is awesome for anyone who's ever mounted their camera crooked now you can just go in and level it right out now back to the camera GoPro said the question it gets the most is what are the best settings for shooting whatever activity you're shooting so now instead of having to guess there are a bunch of presets you can just dial up you can create your own - so favorite settings are just a tap away and GoPro also added programmable shortcut buttons on the screen so you can just long press on one of those and select something that you want stationed on the screen at all time to make a quick adjustment when you need it cutting down on menu diving one of those new shortcuts is for digital lenses which lets you slide through four different views you're able to capture with GoPro single lens and sensor you can pick from narrow linear wide and super view and see in real time just how your subject will be framed up so good audio is important too in GoPro redesign the mic on this new cam putting it directly below the lens so when you're talking to the lens you're talking to the mic more importantly it really helps eliminate wind noise so if you're going head-on with this strap to a bike or an electric scooter or whatever going down the mountain you're gonna get a lot less wind noise now if you want better audio than the built in mic can deliver there's going to be a medium mod frame that you can add to the camera and that adds a built-in shotgun mic in HDMI output and a 3.5 millimeter mic jack there are also be an add-on light that fits into the frames cold shoe as well as a mod with flip up screen to make it more of a complete vlogging solution those are the big additions but then you have a few smaller things like improved super photos and HDR photos that nearly eliminate motion blur live streaming can now be done at 1080p night lapse videos can be created in camera and you can shoot raw for single burst in time-lapse photos so of course the ultimate question is should you get it should you upgrade and the answer is maybe if you're after the best camera gopro has ever made the most pocketable camera with the best image stabilization this is the one to get and again it's still four hundred dollars but if you're just looking for something rugged and waterproof to supplement your smartphone shooting you're probably better off getting the hero seven black it's still a really great camera and the image stabilization is also really good and you'll save some money but in the end this is gonna be the best single lens camera you can get from GoProI'm being recorded on the new GoPro Hero in black I got a chance to test it out a little bit before it's launched and it's basically better in every way than the Hero 7 black now instead of just talking about it let me show you what it can do it might not seem like the design has changed much at all and side-by-side with the hero 7 it actually looks a bit bigger but what GoPro did was finally get rid of the frame that's required to mount the camera what you'll see instead is that GoPro actually built its mounting fingers into the bottom of the camera this is great because I hate that frame and I would occasionally forget it and then I couldn't mount the camera but also it blocked the battery in micro SD card slot which is now on the side with a USB C port and the whole thing is still waterproof to 10 meters also upgraded from the hero 7 is the hyper smooth stabilization it was so good on that camera it basically killed the need for a gimbal but with the hero 8 hyper smooth is available at all resolutions and frame rates and it's adjustable in case you want it off or you want to add a little bit of shake for realism or add a boost for when you want no shake at all you'll also find an updated version of time warp the cameras motion time-lapse mode that can now automatically adjust speed based on the scene motion and how much lighting you have what's better is you can also now tap on the screen to drop back to real time so you can stop and take in the scenery and then tap again to speed it back up something new for GoPro users but an option that'll be familiar to high phone users is live burst you can now with the camera capture a three second video clip and then transfer it over to GoPros app scrub through the 90 frames that you've created and pick out the one that looks best for a single photo and while I'm here in the app GoPro added a lot of editing features including a horizon leveling option which is awesome for anyone who's ever mounted their camera crooked now you can just go in and level it right out now back to the camera GoPro said the question it gets the most is what are the best settings for shooting whatever activity you're shooting so now instead of having to guess there are a bunch of presets you can just dial up you can create your own - so favorite settings are just a tap away and GoPro also added programmable shortcut buttons on the screen so you can just long press on one of those and select something that you want stationed on the screen at all time to make a quick adjustment when you need it cutting down on menu diving one of those new shortcuts is for digital lenses which lets you slide through four different views you're able to capture with GoPro single lens and sensor you can pick from narrow linear wide and super view and see in real time just how your subject will be framed up so good audio is important too in GoPro redesign the mic on this new cam putting it directly below the lens so when you're talking to the lens you're talking to the mic more importantly it really helps eliminate wind noise so if you're going head-on with this strap to a bike or an electric scooter or whatever going down the mountain you're gonna get a lot less wind noise now if you want better audio than the built in mic can deliver there's going to be a medium mod frame that you can add to the camera and that adds a built-in shotgun mic in HDMI output and a 3.5 millimeter mic jack there are also be an add-on light that fits into the frames cold shoe as well as a mod with flip up screen to make it more of a complete vlogging solution those are the big additions but then you have a few smaller things like improved super photos and HDR photos that nearly eliminate motion blur live streaming can now be done at 1080p night lapse videos can be created in camera and you can shoot raw for single burst in time-lapse photos so of course the ultimate question is should you get it should you upgrade and the answer is maybe if you're after the best camera gopro has ever made the most pocketable camera with the best image stabilization this is the one to get and again it's still four hundred dollars but if you're just looking for something rugged and waterproof to supplement your smartphone shooting you're probably better off getting the hero seven black it's still a really great camera and the image stabilization is also really good and you'll save some money but in the end this is gonna be the best single lens camera you can get from GoPro\n"