The Buyers guide to...Best GoPro cameras in 2024

GoPro continues its annual tradition of updating the Hero Black series, and with the Hero12 Black, it introduces even more advanced features. The Hero12 Black retains the 1/1.9-inch sensor with an 8:7 aspect ratio from the Hero11, but now it offers enhanced 10-bit colour processing, allowing for even more vivid and lifelike colours.

One of the standout features of the Hero12 Black is its improved HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilisation, which offers the smoothest footage yet, even in the most extreme conditions. GoPro has also added Bluetooth audio connectivity, allowing users to pair wireless microphones directly with the camera, perfect for vloggers and filmmakers who demand high-quality sound alongside stunning visuals.

The Hero12 Black also retains popular features like the Hyperview mode, which delivers ultra-wide 16:9 footage, and the Linear and Horizon Lock digital lens, ensuring perfectly level shots even when the camera rotates 360 degrees. With the same impressive resolution and frame rate options as its predecessor, the Hero12 Black solidifies its position as the top action camera on the market.

Check out the latest deals on the GoPro Hero12 Black at Amazon UK and Amazon US.

GoPro updates its Hero Black action camera every year, and with the Hero11 Black it adds a new 1/1.9-inch sensor with an 8:7 aspect ratio, making it the biggest sensor yet in a GoPro camera. What’s more, this new sensor can process 10-bit colour, meaning the Hero11 Black can capture the most realistic colours of any GoPro camera to date.

The Hero11 Black’s new sensor also makes possible a bunch of new features and capabilities. Hyperview is a new mode that takes the camera’s 8:7 footage and delivers it in 16:9. GoPro is calling this a ‘digital lens’. There are also new Night effects, such as light trail modes for capturing light painting, traffic trails and star trails.

Also on board are all the usual features that make GoPro cameras great, chief among them being its impressive electronic image stabilisation system, HyperSmooth, which is now in its fifth generation. Improvements include a Linear and Horizon Lock digital lens that keeps footage straight even if the camera rotates 360 degrees.

The camera’s frame rate and resolution options remain the same as in the Hero10 Black. Pound for pound, the GoPro Hero11 Black retains the mantle as the best action camera you can buy.

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Read our GoPro Hero11 Black Review

Read our GoPro Hero10 Black Review

The GoPro Hero9 Black marked a significant upgrade in GoPro’s lineup, featuring a new 23.6MP sensor that allows for 5K video recording at 30fps, making it the highest resolution GoPro at the time. One of the most exciting additions was the front-facing colour screen, designed specifically for vloggers and those who need to frame shots while in front of the camera.

In addition to the increased resolution, the Hero9 Black also improved its HyperSmooth stabilisation with version 3.0, ensuring incredibly smooth footage even in the most challenging conditions. The larger battery offered up to 30% more life, meaning longer shooting sessions without needing to swap batteries.

The Hero9 Black also introduced a new suite of Power Tools, including HindSight, which captures up to 30 seconds of footage before you even press record, and Scheduled Capture, which lets you set the camera to start recording at a specific time. These tools added a new level of convenience and versatility, catering to both professional content creators and adventure enthusiasts.

Despite its slightly larger size, the Hero9 Black maintained the rugged, waterproof design that GoPro users love, making it the most powerful and versatile GoPro to date.

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Read our GoPro Hero9 Black Review

The GoPro Hero8 Black introduced a streamlined design that made it more versatile and user-friendly than its predecessors. With built-in mounting fingers, the need for an external frame or housing was eliminated, allowing for quicker setup and reduced bulk. This model also brought significant improvements in stabilisation with HyperSmooth 2.0, delivering even smoother footage, whether you’re capturing high-speed action or handheld shots.

Another key feature was the introduction of modular accessories, known as Mods, which expanded the Hero8 Black’s capabilities. The Media Mod, for example, added a directional microphone, HDMI-out port, and cold shoe mounts, while the Light Mod and Display Mod catered to vloggers and filmmakers who needed enhanced lighting and a front-facing screen.

The Hero8 Black continued to offer 4K video at 60fps and 1080p at 240fps, along with improved TimeWarp 2.0 for stunning hyperlapse videos. Despite these advanced features, the camera remained rugged and waterproof without the need for an external case, making it perfect for any adventure.

The Hero8 Black solidified its place as a favourite among content creators, offering a perfect balance of professional-grade features and user-friendly design.

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Read our GoPro Hero8 Black Review

Read our GoPro Max Review

The GoPro Hero7 Black introduced a revolutionary feature that set a new standard for action cameras—HyperSmooth stabilisation. This gimbal-like stabilisation technology ensured that even the roughest, most action-packed footage came out silky smooth, making the Hero7 Black a game-changer for extreme sports and adventure videography.

Building on its predecessors, the Hero7 Black offered 4K video at 60fps and 12MP photos, but what really made it stand out was its ability to deliver professional-grade footage without the need for external stabilisation gear. It also featured TimeWarp, a new hyperlapse mode that enabled stunningly smooth, fast-motion videos, perfect for capturing long activities in a short, visually engaging format.

The Hero7 Black was also the first GoPro to offer live streaming, allowing users to broadcast their adventures in real-time to social media platforms. Its rugged, waterproof design without the need for an additional housing ensured it could withstand the elements, making it a reliable companion for any adventure.

With these innovative features and improvements, the Hero7 Black solidified its position as a top choice for action enthusiasts, content creators, and professionals alike.

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The GoPro Hero7 Silver offers a balanced mix of performance and simplicity, making it an excellent choice for users who want powerful features without the complexity of higher-end models. With 4K video recording at 30fps and 10MP photos, the Hero7 Silver delivers crisp, clear footage and images, capturing your adventures in stunning detail.

While it doesn’t include the advanced HyperSmooth stabilisation found in the Hero7 Black, the Hero7 Silver still offers excellent electronic image stabilisation, ensuring smooth video even in active situations. The camera also features a built-in touchscreen for easy navigation and settings adjustments, making it user-friendly for those new to action cameras.

Another highlight is its rugged, waterproof design, capable of withstanding depths of up to 10 metres without the need for an additional housing. The Hero7 Silver also includes voice control, allowing you to start recording or take photos hands-free—a handy feature for when you’re in the thick of the action.

With its straightforward functionality and reliable performance, the Hero7 Silver is a great option for capturing everyday adventures and sharing them with ease.

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The GoPro Hero6 Black brought a significant leap in performance and image quality, thanks to GoPro’s custom-designed GP1 processor. This powerful chip doubled the performance of its predecessor, allowing the Hero6 Black to capture stunning 4K video at 60fps and super slow-motion footage at 1080p and 240fps. These advancements made it a go-to choice for action enthusiasts and professional content creators seeking smooth, high-resolution footage.

One of the standout features of the Hero6 Black was its improved image stabilisation, which delivered incredibly steady shots even in the most extreme conditions. This model also enhanced dynamic range and low-light performance, ensuring vibrant, detailed footage in a variety of lighting situations.

The Hero6 Black retained the rugged, waterproof design that GoPro users love, with the ability to dive up to 10 metres without needing additional housing. It also continued to offer voice control, GPS, and a built-in touchscreen, making it both powerful and user-friendly.

With its superior processing power and enhanced video capabilities, the Hero6 Black solidified GoPro’s reputation for delivering top-tier action cameras that can handle anything you throw at them.

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The GoPro Hero5 Black was a milestone in the GoPro lineup, introducing several new features that made it a favourite among adventurers and content creators. It was the first GoPro to include a built-in touchscreen, making it easier than ever to navigate menus and preview shots directly on the camera. The Hero5 Black also brought voice control, allowing users to start recording, take photos, or change settings hands-free—a huge convenience when in the middle of the action.

Equipped with a 12MP sensor, the Hero5 Black captures stunning 4K video at 30fps and sharp, vibrant photos. One of its most significant advancements was its waterproof design, which eliminated the need for a separate housing, allowing the camera to be taken underwater up to 10 metres straight out of the box.

The Hero5 Black also featured advanced video stabilisation, ensuring smoother footage even in rough conditions. With GPS integration, users could track their location and add data overlays to their videos, providing a deeper context to their adventures.

The combination of high-quality imaging, ease of use, and rugged design made the Hero5 Black a standout model, setting the standard for future action cameras.

Find the latest deals on the GoPro Hero5 Black at Amazon UK and Amazon US.