GoPro HERO9 Black: Full Review

The GoPro HERO9 Black is the latest flagship action camera from GoPro, released in 2020. It builds upon previous models with significant upgrades in image quality, video capabilities, and design.

The HERO9 Black features a new 23.6MP sensor capable of 5K video recording, making it GoPro's highest resolution action camera yet. It has a versatile modular design with a removable lens cover and a variety of accessories for expanded functionality. Front and rear color touchscreens provide a useful live preview as well as intuitive camera control.

Overall, the HERO9 Black is a feature-packed action camera designed for exceptional image quality and versatility for all types of recreational and professional use. Its upgraded capabilities make it a top-of-the-line option for ambitious content creators and action camera enthusiasts looking for the best GoPro has to offer.

Design

The GoPro HERO9 Black has a rugged, durable design built for action. It measures 71 x 55 x 33 mm and weighs 158g, making it compact yet substantial enough to handle adventures. The camera housing is waterproof up to 10m without a case, giving it excellent water resistance.

GoPro constructed the HERO9 Black out of high-quality plastics that seem sturdy and long-lasting. The matte black finish resists scratches well. The rubberized coating around the body provides a secure grip. Overall, the design instills confidence that the camera can withstand drops, bumps, and the elements.

While compact, the camera feels solid and stable in the hand. The materials seem durable enough for outdoor activities and withstand occasional drops. The waterproof sealing provides peace of mind when using it around water. The design balances portability with ruggedness for a go-anywhere action camera.

Another great option in the lineup is the GoPro Hero7 Black. This model also features a rugged design and is waterproof up to 10m without a case, just like the HERO9 Black. The HERO7 Black is known for its HyperSmooth video stabilization, providing gimbal-like stabilization without using a gimbal. It remains a popular choice for adventurers looking for a reliable and durable action camera.

Image Quality

The GoPro HERO9 Black can capture images at up to 23.6MP with its new 23.6MP sensor, a big step up from the 12MP sensor on the previous HERO8 Black. This allows for much more detailed and sharper images.

The HERO9 Black is capable of shooting still photos at up to 30 fps burst rate with its new sensor, which is useful for capturing fast action. However, the max photo resolution drops to 19.2MP when shooting at 30fps.

For image stabilization, the HERO9 Black has HyperSmooth 3.0 with in-camera horizon leveling. This provides gimbal-like stabilization for smoother video and still photos, even when handheld or during fast movements. It works up to 5K30 video and produces very stable results without the need for a gimbal.

The GoPro HERO10 Black takes image quality even further with its powerful new GP2 processor and a 23.6MP sensor that can capture photos at up to 5.3K resolution. It offers significantly enhanced video quality and smoother frame rates, including 5.3K video at 60fps and 4K video at 120fps. The HyperSmooth 4.0 stabilization provides even more stability for video capture, ensuring your footage remains smooth and clear regardless of the conditions.

Video Quality

The GoPro HERO9 Black offers excellent video quality and capabilities. It can shoot up to 5K video at 30 fps, as well as 4K video up to 60 fps. The max bitrate is 100Mbps, allowing for high quality footage.

Some of the key video features include:

• 5K30, 4K60, 2.7K120, 1440p120, 1080p240 video resolutions. This wide range allows you to choose the best settings for your needs.
• HyperSmooth 3.0 digital stabilization provides gimbal-like stabilization by cropping and smoothing out footage. This results in steady, shake-free videos.
• TimeWarp 3.0 now has real-time speed control to adjust the timelapse effect mid-recording. You can slow it down for interesting smooth slow motion.
• Live streaming capabilities in 1080p to share adventures in real time.
• HDR photo and video modes provide vivid colors and detail in mixed lighting conditions.
• RAW and H.265 video formats available for advanced users who want high quality editable footage.

With these features and resolution options, the HERO9 Black is a versatile action camera suited for everything from 5K cinematic videos to buttery smooth slo-mo clips. The image stabilization especially helps make usable footage even in rough, shaky situations.

Camera Features

The GoPro HERO9 Black offers a wide range of advanced shooting modes and features to capture your adventures.

Shooting Modes

The camera includes several shooting modes beyond standard photo and video, giving you creative flexibility:

• TimeWarp Video - Capture stabilized timelapse videos while moving through a scene. Adjust speed settings like real-time or 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x, 30x.

• Time Lapse Photo - Take a series of photos at set intervals (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, or 60 seconds) for creative timelapse effects.

• Night Lapse Photo - Same as timelapse photo, but with shutter settings optimized for night scenes.

• Burst - Capture fast action with burst rates up to 30 photos per second.

Timelapse

Specialized timelapse modes make it easy to capture professional-quality timelapse videos. TimeWarp video applies stabilization for great results even when in motion. You can set the timelapse speed as needed. Time lapse photo mode offers intervals from 0.5 seconds to 60 seconds.

Burst Rates

When you need to capture fast action, the HERO9 Black can shoot bursts up to 30 photos per second. This ensures you get the perfect shot of any fast-moving activity. Burst rates can be set to 30/6, 30/3, 25/6, 25/3, 20/6, or 10/3 photos per second.

Display

The GoPro HERO9 Black has an updated display compared to previous models. It features a large 2.27-inch rear touchscreen with touch zoom capability. The screen is bright and easy to see, even in direct sunlight. It provides a live preview when shooting video or photos.

The rear touchscreen makes it easy to navigate menus and change settings by tapping icons. You can also use the touchscreen as a viewfinder when vlogging.

New for the HERO9 is a 1.4-inch color front display. This small status screen shows recording time, battery life, and shooting mode. It's useful for framing shots when you can't see the rear screen. The front display also shows previews of your shots and video. Overall, the dual screens offer flexibility when shooting from different angles and mounting positions.

Connectivity and Storage

The GoPro HERO9 Black has excellent connectivity options, making it easy to transfer photos and videos from the camera. It has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth for wireless transfers to your smartphone or tablet using the GoPro app. The WiFi range is decent, allowing you to maintain a connection within about 30 feet.

For wired transfers, the HERO9 Black has a USB-C port that supports fast transfer speeds. You can plug the camera directly into your computer or into an external drive. Transferring files this way is quick and convenient.

The camera does not have any internal storage. You'll need to use an SD card (sold separately) to save your photos and videos. The HERO9 Black supports up to a 1TB SD card, providing ample space for hours of 5K/4K footage. The camera is compatible with both microSD and SD cards. A high speed V30 card is recommended for the best performance.

For cloud backups, you can automatically upload your GoPro content to the cloud using a subscription to GoPro Plus. This gives you unlimited cloud storage for your GoPro footage, allowing you to free up space on your SD cards. Once uploaded, you can access your content from your phone or any web browser.

Audio

The GoPro HERO9 Black has good audio capabilities for an action camera. It has a built-in microphone that captures decent audio for vlogs and ambient sounds during regular video capture. The mic picks up voices clearly when subjects are close by. For more demanding audio, the camera has a mic input so you can connect an external microphone. This allows you to record professional quality audio by using a lavalier or shotgun mic. The mic port is also compatible with GoPro's line of mini shotgun, lavalier, and Mod mics.

Overall, the HERO9 Black strikes a nice balance between onboard audio and external mic expandability. Casual users will appreciate the onboard mic's simplicity, while vloggers and professionals will make use of the external mic support for crisper, clearer audio.

Battery Life

The GoPro HERO9 Black has a removable 1720 mAh lithium-ion battery that provides decent battery life. You can expect to get about 30-40 minutes of recording time at 5K/30fps with HyperSmooth stabilization enabled before needing to recharge. At 4K/60fps, you're looking at around 55-65 minutes.

Battery life is reduced when using features like live streaming, the front display, and the touch rear screen. Cold temperatures can also decrease battery life. To maximize battery, consider turning off settings like GPS and connecting to WiFi only when needed.

The HERO9 Black charges via the included USB-C cable. A full charge takes around 2 hours. You can also remove the battery and charge it in the optional GoPro Dual Battery Charger to charge two batteries at once. This is useful for longer shoots or if you need to quickly swap batteries. The camera is also compatible with GoPro's portable Power Bank battery packs for on-the-go charging.

Overall, battery life is decent but average for an action camera of this caliber. Having the option to carry spare batteries or external chargers helps ensure you don't miss capturing important moments.

Summary

The GoPro HERO9 Black is one of the best action cameras available today, offering excellent image quality, versatile shooting modes, and useful features like the front display. Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Excellent image and video quality up to 5K resolution
• Useful front display for vlogging and selfies
• Large rear touchscreen with intuitive interface
• Excellent image stabilization
• Waterproof and rugged design
• Numerous shooting modes for versatility
• Good battery life
• Excellent connectivity options

Cons

• Expensive
• Larger and heavier than previous models
• Low-light performance could be better
• Some bugs with app connectivity

Overall, the GoPro HERO9 Black builds on the strengths of previous GoPro models and adds welcome new features like the front display. It delivers stellar image quality in a rugged waterproof body, making it a top choice for action camera users. The extra size and weight is a worthwhile trade-off for the versatility of features like the front display. While not cheap, the HERO9 Black is easy to recommend for those looking for a premium action camera with best-in-class image quality and features.