GoPro Hero 8 Review

GoPro has just released its new action camera, the GoPro Hero 8 Black and the GoPro Max (Read Review Here) it’s the new 360-degree camera. It’s fairly similar to the GoPro Hero 7 in terms of color, features, and specifications.

One of the main features on the Hero 8 is Hypersmooth 2.0, and improved EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) from Hero 7. It also has changed a few things on its design and added a few more places to mount accessories and mod it. It has also improved the timewarp making the “timewarp 2.0”.

Another improved aspect of the camera is the photography, it comes with SuperPhoto, like Hero 7 and improved HDR.

In terms of resolutions and framerates, there isn’t anything new. But Hypersmooth stabilization(EIS) now works on all framerates including slow-motion which is very useful and will help record that smooth footage in slow-motion.

In this blog post, we review this new action camera from GoPro and it’s new features and some comparisons from last year’s GoPro, the Hero 7 Black. Has it improved? Is the video quality better, more stabilization, better audio?

Specs

GoPro Hero 8’s design changed a bit, but is still compatible with all accessories the same as their predecessors, the Hero 5 and Hero 6 Black and the Hero 7. The new GoPro comes with a new (EIS) Electronic Image Stabilization like the Hero 7 but it’s an improved version of it, they call it, HyperSmooth 2.0. Unlike Hero 7 Black which allows Hypersmooth in some resolutions, the Hero 8 has HyperSmooth on all of them and unlike Hero 6 which only allows regular stabilization to be applied to 30 frames per second when shooting in 4K.

Also like their predecessors, the GoPro Hero 8 has a waterproof case which can go down to 10m/33ft underwater, it has touchscreen LCDs, feature voice control, and can all automatically back up footage to GoPro’s cloud subscription service (over Wi-Fi), and with other awesome features.

Design

The design of the Hero 8 is similar to the design of Hero 7 and its predecessors. But GoPro decided to change it up a bit. Hero 8 comes with a frameless design and built-in loops at the bottom of the camera that folds in and out. This means it doesn’t require the Hero 7’s case to be able to be mounted to accessories, and also it’s still compatible with the same accessories as all of the GoPro’s.

GoPro Hero 8 has also made a unique design on its camera. Hero 8 enables you to mod out the camera with a microphone on it’s top left, 3.5mm mic and HDMI-out ports, and two cold-shoe mounts—all in one. A display screen on the top, a flip-up screen for framing your shots—so you can vlog as you mean it, and a powerful LED lighting for HERO8 Black, attach it to a GoPro mount or use it alone.

Another aspect of the new Hero 8 is the new lens GoPro has put in this camera. They’re stronger and more resistible lens but the downside of these is that they are not replaceable like their older predecessors.

Battery

The GoPro Hero 8 uses the same battery as the GoPro Hero 7. The battery life isn’t that great it comes with 1 Lithium Polymer 1.220 mAh battery. Which can last about an hour when recording in 4K and 60fps. But it recharges pretty quickly.

If we want to save battery on the GoPro Hero 8 we can by adjusting the brightness level on the back, with the screen that we can control the video settings, picture settings as well as battery level. And at the bottom the access cover to the removable battery.

If you need more battery you can always buy more batteries, so you can quickly change it when it’s running out and charge up fast with a battery charger (sold separately).

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Great image quality 4K	Struggles with voice command sometimes
Slow-motion up to 240FPS	Can get a little hot
Amazing stabilization (HyperSmooth 2.0)	Lens are difficult to repair
Timewarp improved from Hero 7
Doesn’t need the accessory case
New Mods (Light, Mic…)

Photography

Hero 8 has similar photography to the GoPro Hero 7. Although they have improved a few things

It’s a 12-megapixel camera but has been enhanced with a feature called SuperPhoto, a mode that works a lot like the smart HDR features on Google’s Pixel phones or Apple’s new iPhones, and it works a lot better than the WDR mode we’ve seen previously on GoPros.

The GoPro Hero 8 has improved its super photo feature and has also improved HDR which is a great step forward to taking amazing pictures. Crank up the contrast, kill the blur, and shred. The revamped algorithm delivers badass action shots with detail you never thought possible.

What this mode does is automatically boost contrast and color when it’s needed and in localized zones. For low light shots, it rids the photo of noise, making dark blue skies seem smooth and noise-free. It also has the option to shoot in RAW

LiveBurst is a cool new feature in the Hero 8 sports cam, liveBurst mode captures 1.5 seconds before and after you hit the shutter—so you can pick the perfect shot from 90 still images. Or, share a 3-second 4K video clip. Ah, choice. Which is perfect to get that picture you wanted.

Video

The GoPro can record videos at 4K resolution with a maximum frame rate of 60 frames per second. If we reduce the resolution we can increase it up to 240 fps, the same as Hero 7. Like the photography on Hero 7, it hasn’t changed much, Hero 8 record a bit with more contrast and a bit more saturation than the Hero 7 and has a little bit better HDR but not much more.

The big change this year is the stabilization 2.0, the audio, the mods you can install, and the improved features such as the timelapse.

You can change some settings without protune, but if you want to get more technical and touch all of the GoPro settings you’re gonna need to enable protune

With protune enabled you can switch between the different resolution and FPS options, we also have shutter speed control, ISO, sharpness, exposure compensation, color profile, and other adjustments that affect the sound or stabilization.

Night lapse video has improved as well, it does a little better in low-light conditions and has a more fluid night-lapse video. Harness that nighttime magic in 4K, 2.7K, 1440p, or 1080p and watch the scene come alive with epic detail.

Audio

The audio is one of the most improved things on Hero 8. They have put a new mic in front of the camera that captures really good audio and it’s also wind-optimized to keep the audio better.

You’ll get natural good quality sounding audio even at breakneck speeds with the Hero 8.

Settings

RESOLUTION	FRAME RATES	STABILIZATION
4K 4:3	30/25	HyperSmooth 2.0
4K 4:3	24	HyperSmooth 2.0
4K	60/50	HyperSmooth 2.0
4K	30/25	HyperSmooth 2.0
4K	24	HyperSmooth 2.0
2.7K 4:3	60/50	HyperSmooth 2.0
2.7K 4:3	30/25	HyperSmooth 2.0
2.7K 4:3	24	HyperSmooth 2.0
2.7K	120/100	HyperSmooth 2.0
2.7K	60/50	HyperSmooth 2.0
2.7K	30/25	HyperSmooth 2.0
2.7K	24	HyperSmooth 2.0
1440p	120/100	HyperSmooth 2.0
1440p	60/50	HyperSmooth 2.0
1440p	30/24	HyperSmooth 2.0
1440p	24	HyperSmooth 2.0
1080p	240/200	HyperSmooth 2.0
1080p	120/100	HyperSmooth 2.0
1080p	60/50	HyperSmooth 2.0
1080p	30/25	HyperSmooth 2.0
1080p	24	HyperSmooth 2.0
960p	240/200	HyperSmooth 2.0
960p	120/100	HyperSmooth 2.0
720p	240/200	HyperSmooth 2.0
720p	60/50	HyperSmooth 2.0

Features

The features on the Hero 8 are very similar to the ones in Hero 7, it has timelapse, timewarp, super picture slow-mo, and more.

Hero 8 has made an improvement though, it has improved its timewarp video. The surreal TimeWarp effect you love, now it has automatic speed selection. Or just tap to speed it up or slow it down. The colors have improved and the quality overall a bit. It has also improved the timelapse a bit making it a bit more smooth.

Live Streaming is another feature it has improved since the Hero 7, you can now Livestream in 1080 Full HD. It works through the GoPro app and currently supports Facebook Live and RTMP, which means that a mobile device will need to be paired with the camera. In addition, mobile data will also be necessary as the camera and mobile device will be connected via Wi-Fi.

This year’s GoPro hasn’t really focused on making new features, but on improving the ones it already had.

Hyper smooth 2.0

What is HyperSmooth? HyperSmooth is the next level of Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) introduced in the last year’s HERO7 Black. With improvements in the GP1 chip and 2GB memory, the camera delivers gimbal-like stabilization for creating even more smooth video captures.

This year GoPro has done it again, creating HyperSmooth 2.0 which is an improved version of the first one. HyperSmooth 2.0 now offers different types of stabilization and the system can be activated even when recording at 4K and other resolutions. It also includes an option that activates it automatically levels the horizon.

HyperSmooth 2.0 really is a game-changer, at least for action cameras, so in conclusion, if you want an amazing action camera with great stabilization, even better than the Hero 7 stabilization, and picture quality and does not want to spend a lot of time editing and post-processing their footage, GoPro Hero 8 is the perfect camera for you.

Should you buy it?

The fact that the GoPro Hero 8 is completely waterproof without the need for a case is another advantage, the same as the GoPro Hero 7,6,5, as is the improved audio quality of its audio and the wind-optimized mic. It is not perfect, of course, it can get a little overheated when recording in 4K video, to the point where it automatically turns off and doesn’t have that man more improvements to the Hero 7.

In image issues it is very similar to previous versions, there is an improvement from the Hero 7 but not very noticeable. It has improved in low light situations but still not the best option. The new stabilization HyperSmooth 2.0 is a pretty big improvement but if you have a Hero 7 maybe wait until a more upgraded GoPro since it is pretty similar with a few upgraded aspects.

The sound, on the other hand, is also better and you have the option to install mods on the camera such as an external mic or an LCD screen to see yourself recording.

But if you’re looking for an amazing action camera, waterproof, that can record excellent videos from angles that go beyond your mobile phone, the Hero 8 Black is the best camera you can buy. Although if you have the Hero 7, maybe save up some money for a future GoPro. But if you have any other action camera from GoPro, for example, Hero 5, this is the perfect action camera to upgrade it to and we recommend it.

GoPro Hero 8– Black (Amazon): https://amzn.to/3brqTcF