Action cameras have become increasingly popular over the years, thanks to their compact size and ability to capture high-quality footage in extreme conditions. One brand that has dominated the market is GoPro, with their latest release being the GoPro Hero 9 Black. This action camera boasts numerous upgrades from its predecessor, the Hero 8 Black, making it a highly anticipated product for adventure seekers and content creators alike. In this review, we will take an in-depth look at the GoPro Hero 9 Black and see if it lives up to the hype.
Overview of GoPro Hero 9 Black
The GoPro Hero 9 Black was released in September 2020 and is the most advanced action camera from the brand yet. It measures 2.7 x 1.9 x 1.4 inches and weighs only 5.6 ounces, making it incredibly compact and lightweight. The camera is also waterproof up to 33 feet without any additional housing, making it perfect for capturing water sports or underwater adventures. The Hero 9 Black comes with a variety of accessories, including a mounting frame, adhesive mounts, and a rechargeable battery.
One notable upgrade from its predecessor is the front-facing color display, which allows for easy framing and vlogging. The rear touchscreen is also bigger, measuring at 2.27 inches, and offers better touch sensitivity. The camera has a 23.6-megapixel sensor, with up to 5K video recording at 30 frames per second (fps). It also has HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilization, TimeWarp 3.0, and SuperPhoto with HDR. Let’s dive deeper into the features of this action camera.
Features of the camera
Front-facing color display
The GoPro Hero 9 Black has a front-facing color display, a first for the brand. This 1.4-inch screen allows for easy framing when taking selfies or vlogging, making it a game-changer for content creators. The display is also useful for checking camera settings and battery life without having to turn the camera around.
5K video recording
The GoPro Hero 9 Black has a new 23.6-megapixel sensor that allows for up to 5K video recording at 30 fps. This is a significant upgrade from the Hero 8 Black, which could only record up to 4K at 60 fps. The higher resolution results in sharper and more detailed footage, perfect for professional videography.
HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilization
HyperSmooth is GoPro’s industry-leading stabilization technology, and the Hero 9 Black comes with the latest version – HyperSmooth 3.0. This feature works by digitally smoothing out shaky footage, resulting in buttery-smooth videos. It is especially useful for action shots or footage captured while on-the-go.
TimeWarp 3.0
Another notable feature of the GoPro Hero 9 Black is TimeWarp 3.0, which is an upgraded version of the brand’s time-lapse feature. With this, users can capture time-lapse videos while moving, resulting in dynamic and mesmerizing footage. It also has an auto-adjust speed feature, allowing for easy customization of the time-lapse effect.
SuperPhoto with HDR
The Hero 9 Black also comes with SuperPhoto with HDR, which takes multiple photos at different exposures and blends them together to create a single high-quality image. This is particularly useful when capturing scenes with varying lighting conditions, resulting in vibrant and well-exposed photos.
Performance and image quality
The GoPro Hero 9 Black delivers exceptional performance and image quality, thanks to its advanced features and improved hardware. The 5K video recording is impressive, and the footage is incredibly sharp and detailed. HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilization works seamlessly, resulting in smooth videos even during fast-paced movements.
The camera also performs well in low-light conditions, thanks to its improved low light performance and SuperPhoto with HDR. The images captured have minimal noise and are well-exposed, making them perfect for social media sharing or print.
One minor downside is that the camera tends to overheat when recording in high resolutions for extended periods. However, this can be easily remedied by using an external power source or recording in lower resolutions.
User experience
The GoPro Hero 9 Black is easy to use, even for beginners. The touchscreen is responsive and intuitive, making it simple to navigate through menus and settings. The front-facing color display is also a game-changer, especially for vloggers or anyone who wants to capture themselves in the shot.
The camera’s interface is straightforward, with different modes such as video, photo, time-lapse, and more accessible at the touch of a button. Connectivity is also excellent, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS capabilities, allowing users to control the camera remotely and transfer footage wirelessly.
One thing that may take some getting used to is the battery life of the Hero 9 Black. While it has a larger battery compared to previous models, the upgraded features and higher resolutions drain the battery faster. It is recommended to invest in spare batteries or a portable charger for longer shoots.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Front-facing color display
- 5K video recording
- HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilization
- TimeWarp 3.0
- SuperPhoto with HDR
- Improved low light performance
- Easy to use interface
- Excellent connectivity options
Cons:
- Can overheat when recording in high resolutions for extended periods
- Shorter battery life compared to previous models
Comparison with previous models
The GoPro Hero 9 Black offers significant upgrades from its predecessor, the Hero 8 Black. The front-facing color display, 5K video recording, and HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilization are all new features that were not available in the Hero 8 Black. The Hero 9 Black also has a larger battery and a better low light performance, making it a worthwhile upgrade for those looking for improved image quality and usability.
Conclusion
Overall, the GoPro Hero 9 Black is an impressive action camera that lives up to its reputation. It offers significant upgrades from its predecessor, resulting in exceptional performance and image quality. The front-facing color display, 5K video recording, and HyperSmooth 3.0 stabilization make it perfect for vloggers, content creators, and adventure enthusiasts. While it may have a shorter battery life compared to previous models, the overall experience and footage captured with this camera make it worth the investment.
