GoPro Hero7 Black: Full Review

The GoPro Hero7 Black is the latest flagship action camera from GoPro. As an action camera, the Hero7 Black is designed for capturing fast-moving activities like cycling, surfing, skiing, and more. It builds upon previous GoPro models by adding improved stabilization and live streaming capabilities.

The Hero7 Black features 4K video recording up to 60fps, as well as slow motion capabilities up to 240fps at 1080p resolution. It has a 12MP sensor capable of capturing high-quality photos, even in burst mode at up to 30 photos per second. The camera is waterproof up to 33ft without any housing required.

Overall, the Hero7 Black aims to be a versatile action camera that excels at shooting smooth, stabilized video during adventures and active lifestyles. It combines high-end specs with a durable, portable form factor.

Design

The GoPro Hero7 Black has a compact and durable design that makes it easy to mount and use in a variety of situations. It measures 2.4 x 1.3 x 2.6 inches and weighs 4.1 ounces. The lightweight and small form factor allows you to mount it to helmets, vehicles, gear and more using the included mounts. Despite its small size, it still manages to fit in a touch screen on the back that measures 2 inches diagonally. The touch screen allows for intuitive control and playback. There are just two buttons on the camera - a shutter button on top for starting and stopping recordings, and a mode button on the side for switching between modes. The simple physical interface keeps things straightforward. The camera itself is waterproof up to 33 feet without any additional housing required.

The GoPro HERO12 Black offers even more advanced features while maintaining a similar compact and rugged design. It introduces enhanced image stabilization, improved low-light performance, and HyperSmooth 4.0 for ultra-stable footage. The HERO12 Black also supports 5.3K video at 60fps and 4K at 120fps for stunning clarity and detail. Like its predecessor, it is waterproof up to 33 feet and includes a front-facing screen for easier vlogging and selfies.

Durability

The GoPro Hero7 Black is an extremely durable action camera that can withstand rugged conditions. One of its most notable durability features is its waterproof rating.

The Hero7 Black has a waterproof rating of 33 feet (10 meters) without a housing. This means it can be used for water activities like swimming, snorkeling, and surfing without requiring a separate waterproof case. The waterproofing ensures the camera can be fully submerged in water up to a depth of 33 feet for an extended period of time without leaking.

This waterproof rating makes the Hero7 Black a very versatile camera that can be used in wet conditions with confidence. Users don't have to worry about the camera getting damaged while doing water sports or using it in the rain. The waterproofing provides peace of mind and expands the situations where the camera can be used.

Overall, the waterproof rating of 33 feet makes the GoPro Hero7 Black a highly durable and waterproof action camera suitable for rugged, wet conditions. This is a key advantage and durability feature for an action camera designed for active lifestyles.

In addition to the Hero7 Black, the GoPro MAX is another highly durable option. The GoPro MAX offers versatile shooting modes including traditional video and photos, 360-degree footage, and vlogging features. It is also waterproof up to 16 feet (5 meters) without housing, making it suitable for various water activities and challenging conditions. This added versatility makes the GoPro MAX an excellent choice for capturing immersive and creative content.

Image Quality

The GoPro Hero7 Black offers excellent image quality for both photos and videos. It can shoot video up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, providing incredibly sharp and detailed footage. The 12MP camera also takes high quality photos, even in low light conditions.

Some of the key video and photo capabilities include:

• 4K Ultra HD video up to 60fps
• 2.7K Ultra HD video up to 120fps
• 1440p Ultra HD video up to 120fps
• 1080p Full HD video up to 240fps
• 720p HD video up to 240fps
• 12MP photos
• SuperPhoto auto image enhancement
• HDR photo mode
• Raw image capture
• Night lapse photo mode

The variety of video resolution and frame rate options allow you to choose the right settings for your needs, whether you want super smooth slow motion video or highly detailed 4K footage. The ability to shoot raw photos also gives more flexibility for editing images later. Overall, the Hero7 Black lives up to GoPro's reputation for outstanding image quality.

Features

The GoPro Hero7 Black has several standout features that make it a top choice for action cameras.

Touch Screen

The Hero7 Black has a 2-inch touch screen on the back that makes it easy to navigate menus and settings. You can tap to start and stop recording or switch between modes. The touch screen is also useful for previewing shots and reviewing footage. It's bright, responsive, and works even when wet.

Voice Control

A unique feature of the Hero7 Black is its voice control capabilities. You can speak commands like "GoPro take a photo" or "GoPro start recording" to control the camera hands-free. This frees you up to focus on your activity instead of fiddling with buttons. The voice control works well, even in noisy environments.

Live Streaming

The Hero7 Black can live stream video directly to Facebook or YouTube, allowing you to share experiences as they happen. Live streaming requires the GoPro app and a WiFi connection between the camera and phone, but setup is straightforward. It's a versatile feature that sets the Hero7 Black apart.

Connectivity

The GoPro Hero7 Black offers a range of connectivity options for transferring your content and controlling the camera remotely.

For wired connections, it has a USB-C port that allows you to plug into a computer or charger. Transferring photos and videos is fast and seamless when connected via USB.

For wireless, the camera has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. You can connect wirelessly to the GoPro mobile app on your smartphone or tablet for remote control, live streaming, and transferring content. The Bluetooth enables connectivity with other devices like the GoPro Smart Remote or Bluetooth microphones.

The GoPro also has 5GHz WiFi which provides a more reliable, stronger wireless connection than previous models. This is great for live streaming to Facebook or YouTube without any lag or interruptions in the transmission.

Overall, the connectivity options of the Hero7 Black are very versatile. You can transfer or stream wirelessly on the go, or plug in for fast and direct wired file transfers. The remote control abilities via the mobile app make it easy to control your camera from a distance.

Battery Life

The GoPro Hero7 Black is powered by a 1220 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This provides excellent battery life, allowing you to record up to 1-2 hours of 4K video on a single charge.

For comparison, the previous Hero6 Black model had a smaller 1000 mAh battery that lasted around 1-1.5 hours recording 4K footage. So the Hero7 represents a nice upgrade in battery performance.

In ideal conditions you can expect the following from the Hero7 battery:

• Up to 1.5-2 hours of 4K60 video
• Around 2 hours of 4K30 video
• 2.5-3 hours of 4K24 or 2.7K video
• 3-3.5 hours of 1440p video
• 4-5 hours of 1080p video

These estimates are based on default settings without enabling features like GPS that can further drain the battery. Using the touch screen, wireless connectivity, and voice commands also reduces battery life.

However, the Hero7 battery life is still impressive for an action camera of this size. You can extend it further by turning off non-essential features, using lower video resolutions, and having spare batteries. The camera is also compatible with GoPro's optional Battery BacPac which doubles the battery capacity.

Overall the Hero7 Black has excellent stamina from its 1220mAh battery, providing up to 2 hours of 4K recording from a single charge. This is a nice upgrade over the previous model and competitive with other leading action cams. Careful settings management and extra batteries can extend the runtime even further.

Accessories

The GoPro Hero7 Black is compatible with a wide range of mounts, mods, and cases that allow you to capture unique angles and perspectives.

Mounts

The Hero7 Black is compatible with all existing GoPro mounts, including chest harnesses, head straps, suction cups, handlebars, and tripods. This flexibility makes it easy to mount the camera on yourself, vehicles, or gear. Popular mounts include:

• The Handler, a handgrip with an adjustable pole
• The Shorty, a mini tripod that can be used as an extension arm
• The 3-Way, an adjustable arm that can act as a selfie stick

Mods

Mods add functionality like improved audio, lighting, or display capabilities. Some notable mods include:

• The Media Mod, which adds a shotgun mic, 3.5mm mic jack, HDMI ports, and two cold shoe mounts.
• The Light Mod, an LED light that helps illuminate dark scenes.
• The Display Mod, a flip-up screen that makes it easy to frame yourself in shots.

Cases

For underwater and rugged use, the Hero7 Black has a selection of protective cases. These include:

• The Super Suit, a dive housing rated for depths down to 196 feet.
• The Protective Housing, which provides waterproofing down to 131 feet.
• The Skeleton Housing, a low-profile, open-sided cage.

This expansive ecosystem of mounts, mods, and cases makes the Hero7 highly adaptable for any shooting scenario.

Pros

• Excellent video stabilization with HyperSmooth technology that produces smooth, steady footage without a gimbal
• Improved image quality and low-light performance compared to previous models
• Shoots 4K video up to 60fps and 1080p up to 240fps for smooth slow motion
• 12MP still photos with HDR for vivid, clear images
• Waterproof to 33ft without a housing
• Intuitive touch screen interface on back of camera
• Voice control functionality to start/stop recording or take photos hands-free
• Live streaming capability
• Built-in GPS tagging
• Useful companion mobile app to control camera, edit content, and share
• Backwards compatible with existing GoPro mounts and accessories
• Rechargeable battery delivers about the same battery life as prior model

Cons

The GoPro Hero7 Black has received positive reviews overall, but there are a few drawbacks mentioned by users:

• Battery life could be better - The battery drains fairly quickly when recording long 4K or high frame rate videos. Carrying spare batteries or an external battery pack is recommended for long shoots.

• Not the best low light performance - Image quality suffers in low light conditions compared to some other action cams. The lack of manual exposure settings limits ability to compensate.

• App connectivity can be spotty - Some users report inconsistent connections and trouble pairing the camera with the app. Firmware updates may help improve this.

• No built-in live streaming - Live streaming requires connecting to GoPro Plus cloud service, unlike some competitors that have built-in RTMP streaming.

• Price - At around $400, it's one of the more expensive action camera options. Those on a tight budget may want to consider cheaper alternatives.

• Overheating issues - The camera can overheat and shut down when recording long 4K/60p videos. Using lower resolutions or adding cooling mods can help.

• No zoom - Digital zoom only, no optical zoom lens. Need to move physically closer to subjects to "zoom".

• No RAW photo capture - Shoots JPEG still photos only, no RAW option.

Overall the Hero7 Black has excellent image quality and stabilization but does have some limitations to be aware of. Weighing the pros and cons will help consumers decide if it's the right action cam for their needs and budget.