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GoPro HERO (2018) review

7.9/10 AVG.
RATING
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GoPro HERO (2018)
GoPro HERO (2018)
GoPro HERO (2018)
GoPro HERO (2018)
GoPro HERO (2018)
GoPro HERO (2018)
GoPro HERO (2018)
GoPro HERO (2018)
GoPro HERO (2018)
GoPro HERO (2018)
GoPro HERO (2018)
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Specs / Features


Video Features
4K No
Photo Features
Megapixels 10 MP
Burst rates (frames/sec) 10/1
Time lapse intervals 0.5 second
CONTINUOUS PHOTO RATES No
Usability Features
Storage Memory microSD with at least Class 10 or UHS-I rating
Preview Screen 2" touch screen
Ports micro HDMI, USB-C
Warranty (Months) 12 months
Size 6 x 4 x 3 cm (2.4 x 1.6 x 1.2 in)
Weight N/A
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Reviews summary section

What's good

  • Price
  • Durable, waterproof design
  • Compatible with many existing GoPro accessories
  • Removable battery
  • Easy to use
  • Good audio quality

What's bad

  • Weak image stabilization
  • Limited resolution and frame rate options
  • No exposure controls
  • No RAW capture

While GoPro is no longer the only option on the market for high-quality action cameras, they are one of the oldest. Their latest release, the GoPro Hero (2018) takes the essential features of their popular cameras and streamlines the experience to offer an affordable action camera aimed at casual users and first-time buyers. But does the stripped-down feature set still provide enough value with other makers jumping into the market?

Looking at the GoPro Hero (2018) it features the same design as the Hero 5 and Hero 6. The camera is housed in a grippy grey shell with a 2-inch touchscreen on the rear, the lens and monochrome information display on the front and a few buttons to switch modes and capture images or video. It’s also waterproof up to 10 meters (33 feet.)

The Hero (2018) uses the same 1220mAh removable battery packs used in other models. Finding extra batteries for extended shooting sessions is easy. A single battery provides roughly 80 minutes of recording time at 1440p and just over two hours at 1080p.

However, those are the only two resolution options. And, since 1440p switches to a 4:3 screen ratio, you’ll likely want to stick with 1080p. While the resolution pales in comparison to many of the 4K action cams on the market, reviewers found the 1080p footage crisp and smooth. There’s also no HDR, and the camera lacks the ProTune mode of pricier models. Due to these limitations, the camera struggles in low-light and high-contrast shooting environments.

Despite the limitations, reviewers found the limited feature set make the camera easy to use. The 2-inch touchscreen provides a basic list of shooting modes and settings while Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and voice commands make it easy to interact with the camera during intense action.

The camera uses a 10MP sensor, so still images captured by the camera won’t compete with those of even flagship mobile phones, let alone a pricey DSLR. But reviewers felt the images were more than enough for time-lapse shots and capturing interesting moments.

They also scaled image stabilization back from previous high-end GoPro models. There’s just enough there to help smooth out the jarring bounce of a jog or the bumps in a bike trail, but the resulting footage is still far from completely stable.

On the audio front, the camera includes a three microphone array. The camera’s software chooses the best two sources dynamically to capture stereo sound. Reviewers found audio quality impressive -- a critical concern since the Hero (2018) does not support external microphones.

There’s no internal storage on the GoPro, so you’ll need a microSD card with at least a Class 10 or UHS-I rating to ensure smooth recording and optimal quality. However, both micro HDMI and USB-C outputs provide plenty of connectivity options for offloading footage or previewing the results of your shoot.

While it’s far from the most feature-rich action camera available, GoPro didn’t intend for it to be. As an entry-level action camera, reviewers all agree that the price and features combine to offer excellent value. Pocket-Lint says, “The 2018 Hero is a decent entry-level model for first-timers, who'll no doubt be drawn to this more affordable purchase.” Tech Advisor says, “There are cheaper options, but all are compromised in one way or another: the 2018 GoPro Hero is a great all-rounder.”


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