Trying to choose the best GoPro for your next adventure can be difficult - not only are there four 2020 models to choose from, many older GoPros are still around and can offer great value. Fortunately, we're here to help you decide which GoPro is the right companion for you. The GoPro is to action cameras what Hoover is to vacuum cleaners. First introduced in 2004, the family of rugged recorders has become the world's best-selling action camera brand. It is synonymous with extreme activity and known as the camera of choice for daredevils, and for good reason. The latest models, like the GoPro Hero 8 Black, are small, light and capable of capturing silky smooth 4K footage, yet durable enough to perform in even the harshest conditions. GoPro cameras can be taken anywhere and connected to almost anything, and their advanced image and video recording features allow hobbyists and professionals to capture incredible images, from slow motion over time to stunning HDR photos. But what is the best GoPro camera? The range has always been extensive, with specifications and capacities varying across the many models. Which one you should buy depends on what you want out of your action camera, as well as your budget and expectations. White, Black, Max - We'll take a look at each GoPro action camera below, highlighting the key features of each and who they're best suited for, and whether there's a slightly older model that might provide better value. Once you've selected the best GoPro for you, we'll also tell you about some of the best accessories you can attach to it.
The best GoPro cameras in 2020
(Image credit: future)1.GoPro Hero 8 Black
The undisputed champion of action cameras - enhanced with ModsWeight: 126g | Water resistant: 10m | 4K video: up to 60fps | 2.7K: up to 120fps | 1080: up to 240fps | Still Image Resolution: 12MP | Battery life: 1 to 2 hours. Supreme image stabilization New multimedia modules add skills Low-light performance takes work Quality images surpassed by smartphones Although updates are gradual, there is no doubt that Hero8 Black is the best GoPro you can buy. More streamlined than the Hero 7 Black, the latest 4K flagship is twice as resistant to shock and comes with a new wind-resistant microphone and integrated folding stand. HyperSmooth 2.0 stabilization is incredibly effective, while a multitude of presets and shooting modes deliver remarkable results with minimal effort. Stills quality can't challenge the best smartphones and low-light processing could be better, but the Hero 8 Black's versatility, now with four digital zoom ranges, more than makes up for these limitations. Easy to use, the Hero 8 Black also offers a range of professional features: in addition to RAW output, Accessory Mods introduce a new dimension of adaptability beyond the 2-inch touchscreen, lightweight mounts to mic arrays. The Hero 7 Black might take it for its value, but in all other cases it's the best GoPro ever made.
2.GoPro Hero 7 Black
He is no longer the king, but the royalty of the action camera.Weight: 118g | Water resistant: 10m | 4K video: up to 60 fps | 1080: up to 240fps | 720: up to 240fps | Still Image Resolution: 12MP | Battery life: 1 to 3 hours. Super 4K video State-of-the-art image stabilization You may have trouble with voice commands. Screen may not be responsive It may have lost the top spot, but the Hero 7 Black is still one of the best action cameras in the industry. In fact, if you can do without the Mods option that the Hero 8 Black offers, it might be the smartest purchase, and certainly the most affordable. Its 4K footage is only slightly lower than its new sibling, while the original HyperSmooth video image stabilization technology still impresses, delivering smooth, fluid footage. Throw in 10-meter water resistance, a 2-inch touchscreen, voice control, and raw output and you've got a GoPro that, even with its main stage successor, is still worth considering.
(Image credit: LaComparacion)3 GoPro Max
A 360 action camera that inflates to capture round action.Weight: 154g | Water resistant: 5m | 5.6K 360 video: up to 30 frames per second | 1440: up to 60 frames per second | 1080: up to 60fps | Still Image Resolution: 16.6 MP 360 | Battery life: 1 hour 5.6K 360-degree video Camera mount No idle in 360 mode Poor in low light/underwater Spherical video might sound like a gimmick, but the real benefit of deception software GoPro and Insta360 is to be able to capture everything around you and then choose the ``flat'' frames. that you want to weave into your final video. In other words, cameras like the GoPro Max allow you to capture an entire scene rather than a particular view of it; if it sounds up your street, then the Max is the GoPro for you. Camera assembly simplifies processing, while editing tools in partner apps make trimming footage a breeze. At 5.6K, video is nothing if not in high-res, but there are limits: as the front-facing camera's fisheye images need to be flattened for 2D, quality in this mode leaves something to be desired. Stitching can also become an issue in low-light conditions, while the 50-minute battery life limits the number of 360 shots. Still, the GoPro Max makes it easy to capture photos that are vivid and immersive, with a 360 degree sound, this is not possible on other GoPros or most other action cameras.
4. GoPro Hero 7 Silver
GoPro's mid-range marvel offers good value for moneyWeight: 118g | Water resistant: 10m | 4K video: up to 30fps | 1080: up to 60fps | 720: up to 60 frames per second | Still Image Resolution: 10MP | Battery life: 1 to 3 hours. Easy to use Pleasant 4K video Limited image capture control Easily visible artifacts in images. The Hero 8 Black may now be at the top of GoPro's heap, but the Hero 7 Silver remains in the company's 2020 range, and for good reason. While it may not pull off as many fancy shooting tricks as its big brother (for example, HyperSmooth stabilization and TimeWarp accelerations), it still offers great value when you consider how much tech you're getting nonetheless. This includes stabilized 4K video recording, water resistance up to 10m, as well as a 2-inch touchscreen on the back and voice command that lets you call on the camera to perform almost all major functions without having to move a finger A good option for new users.
(Image credit: GoPro)5. GoPro Hero 7 White
Officially abandoned, but one of the best action cameras to tradeWeight: 92g | Water resistant: 10m | 1440: up to 60 frames per second | 1080: up to 60fps | Still Image Resolution: 10MP | Battery life: 1 to 3 hours. Super simple to use Now very good value for money No 4K video Non-removable battery GoPro's entry-level Hero 7 White barely lasted a year before being discontinued, but you can still find stock at prices even lower than its retail price original release. Cheaper than its silver and black siblings, it was never designed to be a flagship; By contrast, the Hero 7 White is all about nailing action camera basics on a budget. There's no 4K, the battery isn't removable, the field of view is fixed, and there's no HyperSmooth stabilization or the fancier features of other Hero 7 cameras (think TimeWarp, GPS, or live streaming). However, it offers high-quality stabilized 1080p footage, a 10-meter waterproof body, and a smooth and easy interface that's a boon for beginners. If you're looking for an affordable and capable action camera that can deliver point-and-shoot quality, look no further.
6.GoPro Hero 6 Black
An old flagship product available in good value packagesWeight: 118g | Water resistant: 10m | 4K video: up to 60fps | 1080: up to 240fps | 720: up to 240fps | Still Image Resolution: 12MP | Battery life: 1 to 3 hours. 4K at 60fps still looks good Super slow motion at 240fps Stabilization not as good as Hypersmooth Controls can be fiddly If you're looking for a good value GoPro that comes with useful accessories like spare batteries and a mini tripod , then it is worth keeping an eye out for what the Hero 6 Black offers. Because it is an older model, it is often supplied with accessories (sometimes in what is called the ``Black Holiday Club Bundle'') for a very good price. . It's not that the camera itself is an afterthought - the Hero 6 Black doesn't have HyperSmooth stabilization - but it does have a precursor to this noise reduction tech that's still very impressive. It also records 4K footage at 60 frames per second, raw stills, and the same 2-inch touchscreen still found on higher-end models. Two other big bonuses compared to the new Hero 7 Silver and White are the inclusion of ProTune, which allows you to manually change video settings to maximize quality in certain situations, such as low light, and a removable battery, so you can change spare batteries. It's worth checking out if you need a versatile GoPro delivered with holiday-appropriate accessories.
7.GoPro Hero 5 Black
A very affordable all-rounder, if you can find stockWeight: 118g | Water resistant: 10m | 4K video: up to 30fps | 1080: up to 120fps | 720: up to 240fps | Still Image Resolution: 12MP | Battery life: 1 to 3 hours. Easy to use Excellent video quality Overshadowed by newer models Not available at 4K/30fps Over time comes the inevitable descent from the top, but the GoPro Hero 5 Black, released in 2016, is still worth your attention, if you're into it. looking for an affordable action camera. While it can't shoot 4K at 60 frames per second like the Hero 8 Black or offer the fantastic image stabilization of the latest models, most people should be quite happy with 4K 30 frames per second. second the Hero5 Black captures. Features aren't short on either, with a 2-inch touchscreen, 10-meter water resistance without a case, voice control, and GPS, all of which match the Hero 8 Black on paper. Like the Hero 6 Black, it also has some handy features you won't find on the new Hero 7 Silver or Hero 7 White - Protune hand controls, and a removable battery. So it's an excellent and versatile camera, with specs that should meet the needs and demands of most users, and all at a price that puts it firmly in good business territory. The only real problem is that it's not always easy to find new versions in stock.