GoPro Hero 4 Black Review

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GoPro is the brand that first comes to mind when anyone starts talking about action cameras. Why? Well they have earned their name and have dominated the action camera market space since 2002. When is comes to purchasing an action camera it is hard to go wrong if you decide to invest in the world of GoPro. They stand behind their products, keep them current with software updates, have great customer service, and always seem to be leading the pack in product development. So, how did they do with the GoPro Hero 4 Black? Let’s find out…

Design

The Hero 4 Black stays with the shape and size that the GoPro cameras have been known for. Without it’s waterproof case, it’s 1.6 by 2.3 by 1.2 (Height x Width x Depth) inches and weighs in at just 3.1 ounces. Within the case the size increases to 2.6 by 2.6 by 1.4 inches and weighs 5.4 ounces. On it’s own it is not waterproof, but when installed into the case it can be submerged to a depth of 131 feet.

GoPro Hero 4 Black

The colorway remains the same, a black body, fronted by a silver face plate. The camera incorporates three buttons, one on top, one on the front, and one on the right side. The front of the GoPro holds the fixed lens that covers an ultra-wide field of view. What is missing from the Hero 4 Black is the LCD screen on the back. Why you ask? According to GoPro, the Black’s super fast processor gives off a lot of heat while recording, and because of that, it wasn’t possible to attach the touchscreen to the action camera.

GoPro does offer a LCD Touch BacPac that will attach to the back of the camera and allow you to see the image that you are shooting, but it will set you back another $80, on top off what is already an expensive device. For a top of the line camera, this feels like a big omission and something that should have been included or already equipped on the camera.

Back of GoPro Hero Black

The small monochrome LCD on the front uses a context sensitive menu system controlled by a separate button located on the right side of the camera, which is a welcome change from the previous model. Thus eliminating the need to press endless buttons to reach a desired setting. It does take some getting use to, but it was a much needed change and makes the use of the Hero 4 simpler and less frustrating of an experience. This button can also be used tag a highlight in a video, making it easier to find that spectacular moment later without having to search through hours of footage.

Settings Button

The camera’s battery size and design has changed, it no longer slides in the back anymore, it now drops into the bottom. While this is an improved design that makes it easier to change the batteries, you will now have to buy new ones if you choose to upgrade your previous model.

Drop in Battery Compartment

Battery life always seems to be an issue with action cameras, and the Hero 4 is no exception. This camera eats batteries like an ultra marathoner consumes calories. Shooting at 1080p and 30 fps, the camera will almost give you about 90 minutes of recording. Bumping up the frame rate and the resolution and the battery life just goes down hill. Beyond not having a LCD screen this is undoubtedly the biggest negative to the camera. The good news is, spare batteries are fairly cheap and don’t take up a lot of room to haul them along on an adventure. This is the price that is paid for having such a small camera and asking it to shoot cinema quality footage.

GoPro has also stepped up the audio quality with a analog-to-digital converter and a microphone that captures high fidelity sound with twice the dynamic range of previous models. It is also possible to record from an external source using a separately available 3.5 mm mic adapter.

Performance

The GoPro Hero 4 Black delivers twice the performance of its predecessor and captures cinema quality 4K video at 30 frames per second, unheard of in a small action camera. The frame rates for 2.7K video pushed to 50fps and 1080p video at a mind blowing 120fps, virtually eliminating rolling shutter.

The Hero 4 provides unparalleled resolution and frame rate combinations and the video quality is quite simply magnificent. The results look amazing on 4K screens and for those that don’t have those pricey displays, the option of cropping to some excellent 1080p video is always welcome. This helps with the all to common action camera shakes. On that note, it would have been nice to have seen some video stabilization technology implemented into this camera. Frustratingly, the technology is there but still did not make it this model.

Advanced users can take advantage of the ProTune editing options which unlock a vast array of manual controls to improve both videos and photos. This includes full control of the white balance, sharpness, ISO limit, color and exposure.

“A common pain-point is deciding between capturing video or photos of an experience,” stated Nick Woodman. “Each frame of 4K30 video is similar to an 8.3 megapixel photo. The result is that users can simultaneously capture eye-popping 4K30 video and impressive 8.3 megapixel photo-like video stills at 30 frames per second when using Hero 4 Black. It’s one of the many wild capabilities of this impressive new device.”Technical Specifications

• 2x Faster Processor than HERO3+ Black Edition
  • The redesigned processor is twice as fast as the one in the HERO3+ Black Edition. This enables 4K30 recording as well as 2.7K recording at up to 60 fps, 1080p slow-motion recording at 120 fps, and 720p slow-motion at 240 fps
• Video Time-Lapse
  • Rather than having to stitch together JPEG images in post, this mode automatically creates video from frames captured at set intervals. This mode is exclusively available in 4K and 2.7K 4:3 resolutions
• Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • Allows you to pair the Hero 4 with a mobile device running the GoPro App, or use the separately available Smart Remote. With the app you can preview, playback, and share your favorite shots via email, text, Facebook, Instagram, and more. With the Smart Remote, it is possible to control of up to 50 cameras from distances of up to 600′ line-of-sight. The advantage of using Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi – where supported – is reduced power consumption
• GoPro App and Studio Software
  • Expand your GoPro experience with the free GoPro App and GoPro Studio software. The GoPro App allows you to control your camera remotely using your phone or tablet, view and share your content, and watch “best of” videos on the GoPro Channel. Use GoPro Studio to create your own engaging GoPro-style videos to share with the world
• Up to 12-Megapixel Photos
  • While in the 12-megapixel photo mode it is possible to record a high-speed burst at up 30 fps, helping you capture action stills at just the right moment. The following photo settings are available:
    • 12MP (Default): Wide; 4000 x 3000
    • 7MP: Wide, Medium; 3000 x 2250
    • 5MP: Medium; 2560 x 1920
• Simultaneous Video and Photo
  • Record video and capture Time Lapse photos at the same time. Available intervals are 5, 10, 30 and 60 seconds. The following settings are supported:
    • 1440p: 24; Ultra Wide, Medium
    • 1080p: 30, 25, 24; Ultra Wide, Medium, Narrow
    • 1080p SuperView: 30, 25, 24; Ultra Wide, Medium, Narrow
    • 720p: 60, 50, 30, 25; Ultra Wide1, Medium, Narrow
    • 720p SuperView: 60, 50; Ultra Wide, Medium, Narrow
    • Continuous Photo (Up to 30 Seconds)
  • Hold down the shutter button to continuously capture a series of photos until shutter button is released
    • Continuous Interval
      • 3 photos/1 second (Default)
      • 5 photos/1 second
      • 10 photos/1 second
• Photo Bursts
  • Capture up to 30 photos per second. The following settings are available:
    • 30 photos/1 second (default), 30 photos/2 seconds, 30 photos/3 seconds
    • 10 photos/1 second, 10 photos/2 seconds, 10 photos/3 seconds
    • 5 photos/1 second
    • 3 photos/1 second
• Video Time-Lapse
  • Rather than having to stitch together JPEG images in post, this mode automatically creates video from frames captured at set intervals. This mode is exclusively available in 4K and 2.7K 4:3 resolutions
• Night Photo and Night Lapse
  • Take photos at user-defined intervals to use in time-lapse videos. It is also possible to set an exposure time of up to 30 seconds per shot – whether in time-lapse or single shot – which is ideal for outdoor nighttime work. The following Night Lapse interval settings are available:
    • 15, 20, 30, and 60 seconds
    • 2, 5, 30, and 60 minutes
• SuperView
  • An ultra-wide lens designed to give your footage an immersive POV feel as well as capture nearly everything happening in front of the lens. SuperView is available with the following settings:
    • 4K SuperView: 3840 x 2160
    • 2.7K SuperView: 2704 x 1520
    • 1080p SuperView: 1920 x 1080
    • 720p SuperView: 1280 x 720
• Protune for Photo and Video
  • Protune unlocks the camera’s full potential, delivering minimally compressed video optimized for professional productions, with advanced manual controls for photos and video. Flex your creativity with customizable settings for color, ISO limit, white balance, sharpness and exposure. Protune is available for all video and photo resolutions
• HiLight Tag
  • HiLight Tag enables you to mark key moments while recording so you can locate your favorite clips later for convenient playback, editing, or sharing using the GoPro App or GoPro Studio. Just press the dedicated button on the camera or Smart Remote, or use the GoPro App to tag your highlights
• QuikCapture
  • This mode turns the GoPro into a one-button camera, allowing you to power on and start recording automatically with the press of a single button. Press once to record video, press and hold for two seconds to capture Time Lapse photos
• Selectable FOV
  • Three field of view settings are offered: Ultra Wide, Medium, and Narrow. These help you choose the preferred perspective, be it wide-angle and inclusive, medium for a bit of focus, or close-up
• Audio Acquisition
  • There is an internal mono mic and it is possible to record from an external source using a separately available 3.5mm mic adapter. An integrated ADC (analog-to-digital converter) in the HERO4 Black enables compatibility with a wider variety of professional, low-sensitivity external mics for immersive stereo audio capture and enhanced performance – whether recording voices, an acoustic jam session, or a live show
• Dedicated Settings Button
  • A single button provides direct access to the camera settings. In addition, the menu has been redesigned from the HERO3+ Edition to make navigation simpler
• Looping
  • Record a continuous video loop that overwrites itself until you press the shutter button to stop it and save
• Auto Low Light
  • Automatically adjusts the frame rate for optimal performance under low-light conditions