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GoPro has announced its new collection of HERO7 action cameras, which includes three individual devices: the Hero7 Black, HERO7 Silver and HERO7 White. The three models are set to go on sale next week for $ 399, $ 299 and $ 199, respectively.
If it’s a dramatic redesign you’re looking for with this new generation of GoPro action cams, this isn’t the upgrade for you. On the outside, all three models look almost identical to their respective HERO6 counterparts. The only notable differences are new paint jobs for the HERO6 Silver and HERO6 White to match their respective namesakes and a new logo on the lens-side of the action cams denoting what model you have.
HERO7 Black
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The GoPro Hero7 Black is the flagship model in the collection. As with on the outside,, not much has changed inside the camera. GoPro says the Hero7 Black has the same internal components as the HERO6 Black, but notes the custom-built GP1 chip inside has been reworked and an extra bump of RAM has been added (although GoPro doesn’t disclose how much RAM has been added).
The Hero7 Black shoots 4K at 60 frames per second, 2.7K at up to 120 FPS, and 1080p up to 240 FPS. It captures 12-megapixel still images and has built-in RAW and a ‘SuperPhoto’ HDR mode. It also has Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity for geolocation and wireless networking.
The big change this year comes from the software and processing side of things. New this year is an improved stabilization mode GoPro calls HyperSmooth. In GoPro’s own words, ‘HyperSmooth is the best in-camera video stabilization ever featured in a camera. It makes it easy to capture professional-looking, gimbal-like stabilized video without the expense or hassle of a motorized gimbal.’ HyperSmooth even works underwater and in rough, windy environments.
If GoPro’s verbiage sounds like hyperbole, you can check out their claims in the demo video below. A single video montage isn’t much to go off of in terms of real-world use, but from what’s shown, it looks impressive.
There’s also a built-in hyperlapse mode GoPro calls TimeWarp. This feature smooths out timelapse footage to give what GoPro calls a ‘magic carpet ride’ aesthetic. Another new feature is the ability to livestream to online services like YouTube, Twitch, Vimeo and Facebook when connected to a smartphone’s cellular connection.
HERO7 Silver
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Externally, the HERO7 Silver looks similar to the Hero7 Black, with the exception of the silver paint job (it’s really more of a gunmetal grey) and the absence of the front-facing settings display.
Internally, the HERO7 Silver appears to be a revamp of the HERO6 Black. It captures 4K video, but only at 30 FPS, and 10-megapixel stills instead of the 12-megapixels of the Hero7 Black. Slow-motion video is also capped at 2x instead of 8x.
Feature wise, the HERO7 Silver lacks the HyperSmooth stabilization, live-streaming and instead of high dynamic range (HDR) images, it only captures wide dynamic range (WDR) images. It still offers the ruggedized, waterproof design, voice control, Wi-Fi and GPS connectivity.
HERO7 White
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On the budget-end of things, the HERO7 White keeps it simple. It shoots 10-megapixel stills and 1080p video at 60 FPS — no 4K capture. It lacks the wide dynamic range (WDR) capture mode and also loses the GPS connectivity of its more powerful counterparts.
Pricing and pre-orders
The HERO7 Black, HERO7 Silver and HERO7 White are available for pre-order starting today for $ 399, $ 299 and $ 199, respectively. They are expected to be available at various retailers starting September 30, 2018.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)