HERO4 Black

GoPro is really good for accessories historically but that's kind of fallen off. Now DJI I find has the best accessories availability. Insta360 Is my overall favorite brand. There 360 cameras are really cool. My primary use case has been the GO 3S Which is their smallest camera because I have been using them to attach them to animals and that's been really cool. But it also means I've got quite a bit of experience dealing with the videos and the output even I'm not the one wearing the camera. Their system is definitely the best overall for just ease of dealing with it. If you don't need anything super high-end that camera is also just fantastic as kind of a attach it and forget it situation like if you're on vacation walking around and you never know what you might want to record. Kind of like meta glasses it's really good for a camera that you just forget you're wearing which is a huge reason I think that's probably the best camera for most people. There is an old saying that the best camera is the one that you have on you, that's kind of why it's so good because you're more likely to actually bring it and use it for small things. I know you're asking about cameras but for example I also have the Rode wireless micro microphones which is the same concept. If it's small and stays out of your way you're more likely to use it. When it comes to small cameras insta360 is absolutely dominant no one has anything even equivalent DJI has the best system if you're wanting to do slowmo because it can do 4K120. DJI is also more rugged in their design. Their action 6 camera is what I would recommend if you're doing diving or any sort of really intense sport where it's going to get banged around a lot. If you're just a generic tourist walking around, especially if you ever want to attach a camera to your cat or dog insta is the way to go. Also the way to go if you're ever thinking about how you wish you had your camera already set up at a moment but didn't for some reason like it's too bulky or the battery life, or it just wouldn't have been easy to mount. That's where it really excels. The GO 3S has a ton of accessories for mounting it on weird locations. RC cars, walls, pet toys, etc.

Yeah it doesn't make any sense. I have a hero 4 black that we brought on the same trip just for the fun of it and it was able to work fine. No overheating issues compared to the hero 13 Black. We were originally just thinking it would be a fun comparison to show the difference between the two but the modern one didn't even work at all. Plus honestly the four black is pretty much fine, that was the first one that could do 4K30 or 2.7K60 which is good enough for most people

No settings relevant. Overheated while off sitting outside and would not function once it was turned on. The DJI and Insta360 cameras sitting next to it worked fine. Tests were on 2 separate Hero13 Black models. Would also overheat when filming at 5.3K60 and 4K60 in more mild weather while the other cameras from DJI and insta360 had no such problems. Models Tested: Insta360: Ace Pro 2, Go Ultra, Go 3S, X5 Note: Ace Pro 2 was tested at both 8K30 and 4K60 DJI: Action 6, Action 5, Nano, Mobile 8, Pocket 3 GoPro: Hero 13 Black, Hero 13 UW, Hero 12 Black All GoPro models had overheating issues, none of the others had overheating issues when tested in the same environment for the same equivalent camera. So for example we would test multiple action cameras side by side but the 360 cameras from insta360 was not tested at the exact same time as the others. One such example is we will mount multiple cameras on a board on the top of a UTV while driving so they are all side by side and can be compared directly in the closest to a perfectly identical environment. With the Cancun trip we simply brought a bunch of different cameras and then alternated betweens which ones we use except the GoPro ones kept overheating including just by sitting on a lounge chair next to us. My husband is utterly obsessed with having the absolute best of everything which is why we own so many different models because he likes to do the testing himself as a hobby. It is also relevant for him from a professional setting when it comes to investments because he prefers hands-on research.

GoPro is really good for accessories historically but that's kind of fallen off. Now DJI I find has the best accessories availability. Insta360 Is my overall favorite brand. There 360 cameras are really cool. My primary use case has been the GO 3S Which is their smallest camera because I have been using them to attach them to animals and that's been really cool. But it also means I've got quite a bit of experience dealing with the videos and the output even I'm not the one wearing the camera. Their system is definitely the best overall for just ease of dealing with it. If you don't need anything super high-end that camera is also just fantastic as kind of a attach it and forget it situation like if you're on vacation walking around and you never know what you might want to record. Kind of like meta glasses it's really good for a camera that you just forget you're wearing which is a huge reason I think that's probably the best camera for most people. There is an old saying that the best camera is the one that you have on you, that's kind of why it's so good because you're more likely to actually bring it and use it for small things. I know you're asking about cameras but for example I also have the Rode wireless micro microphones which is the same concept. If it's small and stays out of your way you're more likely to use it. When it comes to small cameras insta360 is absolutely dominant no one has anything even equivalent DJI has the best system if you're wanting to do slowmo because it can do 4K120. DJI is also more rugged in their design. Their action 6 camera is what I would recommend if you're doing diving or any sort of really intense sport where it's going to get banged around a lot. If you're just a generic tourist walking around, especially if you ever want to attach a camera to your cat or dog insta is the way to go. Also the way to go if you're ever thinking about how you wish you had your camera already set up at a moment but didn't for some reason like it's too bulky or the battery life, or it just wouldn't have been easy to mount. That's where it really excels. The GO 3S has a ton of accessories for mounting it on weird locations. RC cars, walls, pet toys, etc.

No settings relevant. Overheated while off sitting outside and would not function once it was turned on. The DJI and Insta360 cameras sitting next to it worked fine. Tests were on 2 separate Hero13 Black models. Would also overheat when filming at 5.3K60 and 4K60 in more mild weather while the other cameras from DJI and insta360 had no such problems. Models Tested: Insta360: Ace Pro 2, Go Ultra, Go 3S, X5 Note: Ace Pro 2 was tested at both 8K30 and 4K60 DJI: Action 6, Action 5, Nano, Mobile 8, Pocket 3 GoPro: Hero 13 Black, Hero 13 UW, Hero 12 Black All GoPro models had overheating issues, none of the others had overheating issues when tested in the same environment for the same equivalent camera. So for example we would test multiple action cameras side by side but the 360 cameras from insta360 was not tested at the exact same time as the others. One such example is we will mount multiple cameras on a board on the top of a UTV while driving so they are all side by side and can be compared directly in the closest to a perfectly identical environment. With the Cancun trip we simply brought a bunch of different cameras and then alternated betweens which ones we use except the GoPro ones kept overheating including just by sitting on a lounge chair next to us. My husband is utterly obsessed with having the absolute best of everything which is why we own so many different models because he likes to do the testing himself as a hobby. It is also relevant for him from a professional setting when it comes to investments because he prefers hands-on research.

I had 4 black many years ago. At the time it was a great cam. But it's very shaky, no image stabilization. All the cool videos from that era either had gigantic gimbals or heavy editing to not look like a jumbled mess. It's dated, unfortunately.

I leave at the end of February (26) for a couple of months riding a motorcycle in Chile and Argentina. I am carrying a decent Canon camera for some quality photography (and possibly videos) but have resurrected my old GoPro Hero 4 Black to take as an action camera. As I will have a hire bike (BMW GS), I will take a mount for the front (unfortunately not great quality as there could be some vibration with this mount as I changed it to a better one on my own bike but it is the only one I have) and am looking at various options for a chin mount so that the camera records what I see (this will also be vibration free). I think I can pass the audio from my Motorcycle Cardo intercom microphone to the GoPro through my REMOVU A1+M1 Bluetooth kit (but have not tested this yet as still waiting for the chin mount). I am thinking of using the Filmora application on my tablet to edit and produce videos to publish on YouTube and to various forums but this application will be new to me (I use desktop software normally). Any advice, tips, recommendations and comments from those already using similar kit ?

I did actually wonder about that and, it will be a one off with other trips planned to Alaska, Canada and New Zealand within the next 12 months so, yes, it makes sense to invest and get better footage. For audio, I was hoping to connect to my (motorcycle helmet) Cardo Bluetooth intercom which has noise reduction built in and a spare Bluetooth channel as my intention (again) is to run a Carplay type device and feed my phone through this for navigation, phone calls and music this only taking up one of the two available channels. The device I purchased for my GoPro 4 has a Bluetooth microphone which is another option should the Cardo not function. It will be an older version of Bluetooth and may not work with the newer GoPro. I will look into the lens and filters you suggest along with the external power as, at the moment this is all new to me! If I record that much video I would also need larger capacity SD cards along with a hard drive to move them to as I go along otherwise my tablet (where I intend to edit them whilst on tour) will run out of memory! You have given me a lot to think of. Thank you so much for your advice and suggestions.

The amount of virbation you'll get (and rolling shutter) from the GP4 will be a footage killer. The camera is nearly 12 years old at this point with 12 year old batteries and 12 year old processing tech. You're going to Chili and Argentina which sounds like one heck of a road trip on your bike. Maybe you'll do this every year, maybe you'll do it once in your life. Either way, I'd want to make sure the footage recorded is the best possible. Upgrade your camera, get a Hero 13. Add the HB series ND filters and the Anamorphic lens (the camera will auto detect which HB series lens is attached and set itself up automatically). You'll have emmy award winning stabilization available for your footage. Using the media mod will allow you to connect a TRS microphone while the camera remains weatherproof. Using a bluetooth mic will allow the camera to remain waterproof while recording your vocal track. Personally I'd attach a Digipower Refuel battery pack, film for between 5 to 9 hours (settings dependent) and record audio separately using a digital audio recorder for the best audio possible (this is how professionals film). You're going on an amazing road trip, don't run it with sub standard footage from a 12 year old camera.

If it's not being used for "adventure" filming, then get the Hero 12. It supports bluetooth audio, HDR video. The firmware was completely re-written from the ground up for the camera, so it's much more efficient, runs cooler and the batteries last longer compared to using the Hero 11. However note there is no GPS on the Hero 12, so he won't be able to use any overlays (not a problem when not recording adventure videos). If he's vlogging indoors, outdoors or even in a vehicle, the HDR is essential for proper exposure balancing in dual exposure environments.

It's very simple: until GoPro gets a handle on the intractable instability, overheating, and file corruption issues, they will continue to lose market share as people switch to DJI and Insta360. The fact of the matter is that GoPro has resulted in countless amounts of lost footage for us. Had a Hero 4 Black which worked decently well. After that it was all downhill- had all sorts of crashing and instability issues with a Hero 5, Hero 7, and Hero 11. Finally gave up and switched to DJI, like most of my peers. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to reset a shot; sometimes you have one chance and that's it. It's 2025; cameras that are likely to glitch out on you just shouldn't be a thing. You should be able to record 4K60 HDR video for longer than 2 minutes without worrying about the camera crashing. I really think GoPro needs to focus all of their attention on improving the reliability, responsiveness, and overheating issues. Even if that means a slightly larger camera with more pronounced heatsinks, it's worth it at this point. What good are any of these software offerings, subscriptions, etc. if you can't even manage to record the footage in the first place? Everybody who creates our type of content (transportation, largely longplay content) has complained vociferously about these problems, and at least everybody I know has switched over to DJI because of it. GoPro has ONE chance to recover from all of this, and that's the impending ban of DJI products from the United States. Many people are planning on traveling to Canada to purchase them in the future because they don't want to switch back to GoPro. Hopefully GoPro can show tangible results and convince them otherwise.

Features mean nothing if the camera isn’t functioning. I have had 4 different GoPros, and aside from the Hero4, every single one of them has had issues with crashing, overheating, latency, and just general instability. This is with top of the line (ProGrade V30/V60) SD cards. There is something fundamentally wrong with GoPro’s chipset and the firmware that they run on it. They need to completely rethink and re-engineer their camera from the ground up. Even if that means a slightly larger, heavier camera with more heatsinks, that’s better than what they have now. I went to DJI and haven’t looked back. Because I’d rather have some footage than none.

I had a GoPro 4 Hero Black, and was blown away by my guides photos of the same turtle with his 13 Hero Black. If you’re in the UK I got one from Argos for £250. The colour is white, but I don’t think the fish will care

Hell yea, I have the original Hero still! Got it when they first released. Been using GoPro for years since but after I got my Hero11 Black, upgrading from a 4 Black that worked without issue for years, I have just had constant issues. Overheating, batteries dying after several minutes of use, audio problems, accessories failing (MediaMod and Volta) and the paywall for features we used to get for free... I am finally giving up on it. The DJI or Ace Pro 2 will be my next purchase for sure.