The Best GoPro Options You Need to Consider | Sporting Guide

Action cameras have revolutionized the way we capture memories during outdoor adventures. Nowadays there are many brands and features available but the undisputed champion in the action cam market is the GoPro. They revolutionized the camera industry in 2004 with the introduction of their initial camera. At the time, it was a 24mm camera in a waterproof housing that could be mounted on a helmet, backpack or just about anywhere else. It was modest technology in today's terms, but it was a groundbreaking concept that would soon open a new sector of the outdoor gear marketplace.

In this article, we will take a look at GoPro's impressive lineup of cameras. We'll break down the various options and price points on ten of their top products and give you our top pick based on performance and value. To choose a favorite, we dug deep into the technical specs of each camera on the list and laid out some pros and cons to help you choose a camera that meets your needs.

Product FAQ

1. What Is A GoPro Camera?

A GoPro is a small digital camera that is marketed specifically for sports and outdoors enthusiasts. They offer a range of different cameras in various sizes with a mix of different functional options. Some have ultra-high resolution and power while others have lower-tech specs but a lighter price tag.

2. What Does A GoPro Do?

These cameras essentially function like a traditional digital camera. What sets them apart, however, are their low-profile housing and action-oriented features.

3. How Do These Cameras Work?

These cameras are most commonly seen housed within a mount and attached someplace close to the action. This can be on top of a bike helmet, at the end of a surfboard, on the dashboard of a race car, or on a sky diver's wrist. They are often triggered from a remote location like a wrist strap or and hand unit, but can also be triggered with timers and, in some cases, motion activated sensors.  

How We Reviewed

For this article, we checked out ten of GoPro's top offerings and picked one overall standout. To make our final selection, we compared each unit's overall specs and price. Additionally, we considered warranty coverage offered by the manufacturer for each product as well as overall availability in the market.

Models We Reviewed

GoPro Hero7 Black

Features

The Hero7 Black takes over from the Hero6 as the brand's newest flagship camera. It's a powerhouse unit in a small package boasting true 4K as well as raw footage potential. They have upgraded this unit with some user-friendly features like an expanded touch screen, voice commands, HyperSmooth image stabilization, and 10 meters of water protection. Still resolution hits a solid 12MP and 4K can shoot at up to 60fps, so it's a solid choice for semi-pros and weekend warriors.

Warranty

GoPro offers an impressive 30-day satisfaction guarantee on all of their cameras. They can be returned for any reason within that period for a full refund. They also cover their cameras against manufacturer defects for one year.

GoPro Hero6 Black

Features

The Hero6 Black was the reigning king of the GoPro line until the arrival of the Hero7. This camera offers many of the same technical features as the Hero7 Black including 4K video at 60fps and 1080 at 240fps. This camera does not include some of the new bells and whistles like the improved image stabilization, but that could be a feature worth passing for this camera's decreased price.

Warranty

This camera is covered by GoPro's 1-year warranty and 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

GoPro Hero5 Black

Features

The Hero5 Black features 4K video at 30fps, 1080p at 120fps and 10 meters of water protection. This is quite a bit less resolution than the Hero7 Black and Hero 6 Black, but it's still probably more than enough power for the average user.

Like the other elder statesmen of the lineup, the price has dropped considerably on this camera making it a good choice for someone who wants top-notch features but also wants to save a little cash. It also features a 2-inch touchscreen, an early version of their voice commands and GPS.

Warranty

Like the Hero7 Black and Hero6 Black the Hero5 Black enjoys a 1-year warranty and 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

GoPro Hero

GoPro Hero 5 Session

Features

The Hero 5 Session has the same video specs as the Hero 5 Black, but it's in a smaller housing. This camera has no visual screen but rather just a big button to stop and start the video. All of the monitoring on this camera is done via a wifi app connected to a smart device.  It has a slightly lower battery life at around 2 hours, but it's also nearly half the weight of the full-size Heroes.

Warranty

This has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a 1-year warranty.

GoPro Hero7 Silver

GoPro Hero7 White

GoPro Fusion

GoPro Hero4 Black

The Verdict

Since their introduction to the market, GoPro has rolled out an impressive selection of action cameras. Today's marketplace features a wide selection of products from the company ranging from the comparatively humble Hero through the cutting-edge Fusion. There are a lot of competing brands and replicas out there, but in our opinion, you're better off sticking with the genuine article.

Out of the various cameras on our list, we think the number one overall choice is the Hero7 Black. It's at the higher end of the price spectrum, but we feel this feature rich camera is worth every penny. When compared with the other cameras in the Hero7 line, the Black packs a huge punch for not that much more money. While the GPS functionality and streaming features are nice, the true power of the Hero7 Black is the 4K60 video camera and 12MP still camera. The added bonus of HyperSmooth image stabilization makes this camera worth the extra cash.

Bottom Line: You may have budget constraints or specific functions in mind when seeking an action camera. If you're in the market though, we recommend you take a close look at GoPro's complete line. There will almost definitely be something there that meets your needs and fits within your budget.