GoPro Hero 7 Black: A Comprehensive Review
Summary
The GoPro Hero 7 Black is a new action camera that boasts improved electronic image stabilization called HyperSmooth, which works across all frame rates and provides gimbal-like stabilization inside the camera body. The camera also has a taller 4×3 format that is good for biking and reduces bounciness. The camera’s Time Warp feature combines time-lapse video with HyperSmooth stabilization, resulting in stabilized time-lapse video that looks great. The camera has excellent image quality, good stabilization, and is user-friendly with a back screen.
Table of Contents
- Improved Electronic Image Stabilization with HyperSmooth
- Taller 4×3 Format for Biking and Reduced Bounciness
- Time Warp Video Feature
- Comparison with Hero 6 Black and Sony X3000
- User-Friendly UI and Other Features
- Conclusion
Improved Electronic Image Stabilization with HyperSmooth
The Hero 7 Black looks similar to the Hero 6 Black, but the new camera has improved electronic image stabilization called HyperSmooth, which works across all frame rates and provides gimbal-like stabilization inside the camera body. The camera crops about 10% of the image, but the stabilization is an improvement over last year’s. The HyperSmooth feature is an improvement from last year’s stabilization and compares favorably to the Sony X300.
Taller 4×3 Format for Biking and Reduced Bounciness
The Hero 7 Black has a taller 4×3 format that is good for biking and reduces bounciness. The camera was tested against the Sony X3000, the only action camera with optical image stabilization, and the Hero 7 had less bounce, but the Sony had less wobbling.
Time Warp Video Feature
The camera’s Time Warp feature combines time-lapse video with HyperSmooth stabilization, resulting in stabilized time-lapse video that looks great. The feature allows the user to speed up the footage by up to 30 times and still maintain smoothness.
Comparison with Hero 6 Black and Sony X3000
The writer tested the Hero 7 Black in various situations for three weeks and received a firmware update from GoPro claiming improved image stabilization. However, the writer did not notice much difference in stabilization compared to the previous version and a gimbal. While the Hero 7 Black does well in eliminating vibration and subtle shake, it cannot compare to a gimbal when it comes to larger movement.
User-Friendly UI and Other Features
The camera also features a revamped UI that is more phone-like and supports gimbal-like stabilization with HyperSmooth technology. The camera supports vertical video, Superphoto mode for stills, and live streaming to multiple platforms. The improved microphones are also impressive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the GoPro Hero 7 Black is an excellent action camera with improved electronic image stabilization, a taller 4×3 format, and a Time Warp feature that combines time-lapse video with HyperSmooth stabilization. The camera has excellent image quality, good stabilization, and is user-friendly with a back screen. It is a good option for first-time action camera buyers, and upgrading from Hero5 or 6 may be worth it if a good price is offered. We invite readers to share their thoughts in the comments and subscribe to Wired.
