Ever since the first GoPro action camera launched in 2004, content creators and filmmakers have gravitated towards using these small action cameras because they allowed for an immersive, POV experience, difficult to capture before. While GoPro cameras have evolved over the years, and developed into formidable video and photo tools, its two newest cameras — the GoPro Hero8 Black and GoPro MAX — seem designed and built to tackle any adventure or creative project, and look to be GoPro’s most powerful and capable action cameras to date.
GoPro HERO8 Black ():
Up first, the GoPro HERO8 Black, billed as “the most versatile, unshakable HERO camera ever.” From the inside out, the HERO8 Black was designed to change the status quo, and push the limits to what an action camera could be. On the outside, the HERO8 Black was built with a more streamlined, travel-friendly shape, making it more pocketable than ever, without losing its rugged, waterproof design; waterproof up to 33 feet and ready for anything your adventure throws at it.
On the back of the HERO8 Black, there is a vivid, two-inch touch screen, with simple and intuitive touch controls. On the front, the HERO8 Black has three audio mics and is built with advanced wind-noise reduction for greater audio quality.
However, the most impressive external offering that stands out on the HERO8 Black is its optional Media Mod, with quick-loading accessories like flashes, microphones, LCD screens, and more, that further the control and capabilities of the HERO8 Black and make it a powerful camera for vloggers, filmmakers, and creators alike.
On the inside of the HERO8 Black, there are several new advancements that improve on an already impressive line of action cameras. One of the more exciting is features is Hypersmooth 2.0, which makes GoPro footage even smoother and more cinematic. Now with three levels of stabilization — On, High, and Boost — you can pick the best option for your activity or situation.
The HERO8 Black features TimeWarp 2.0, allowing for super stabilized time lapse videos while in motion, and allows for even further control, automatically adjusting speed based on motion, scene detection, and lightning. You can even manually control the time lapse, switch to real time when the moment gets interesting, then change back when you’re ready to record your time lapse again. However, if you thought you were limited to daytime time lapses, you were wrong. The HERO8 Black can also record stunning 4K time lapses at night, all processed in-camera.
In addition to Hypersmooth and TimeWarp 2.0, the HERO8 Black was built with GPS, motion sensors, and Face, Smile, Blink + Scene Detection, so your GoPro knows where you are and where your subject is, no matter the location, altitude, or speed, so you can never lose track of where you are or where the smiling face of your subject is. Framing your subject shouldn’t be an issue either with the HERO8 Black’s digital lenses. Select between Narrow, Linear, Wide, and SuperView so you can have ultimate control over what you capture.
Finally, the HERO8 Black was built with several awesome features, so you never miss the moment. LiveBurst records moments 1.5 seconds before and after your shot, so you have options to choose from, and you can select from the best frame. SuperPhoto + HDR captures amazing 12MP photos with improved HDR, when in motion or stationary, which reduces blur and allows for finer details in photos, even in challenging low-light situation. There’s even a camera timer so you can capture the best group selfies or photos.
Now, let’s talk camera specs. The HERO8 Black allows for high-quality 12MP photos, but its video is where it truly shines. Users can live stream at 1080p, shoot video footage at up to 4K60 and 1080p240, and have the ability to shoot at up to 100Mbps bitrate, which allows for stunning results. Due to this ultra high frame rate at 1080p240, users can have ultimate control, and slow down footage up to 8x Slo-Mo, creating dramatic footage of the most epic moments you capture. Combine this high video resolution with HyperSmooth 2.0, and you have a potent combination for videography.
The GoPro HERO8 Black is available for preorder now for at Adorama.
GoPro MAX ():
Next up is the GoPro MAX camera, and it built to impress, titled as the “most creative GoPro ever.” The MAX is a lightweight, travel-friendly action camera that is essentially three cameras in one. You can shoot with the traditional HERO-style video and photos, capture incredible 360-footage through the hi-resolution cameras on both sides of the MAX, or create high quality vlog footage. With shotgun-mic performance, thanks to the six mics on the MAX camera that record premium, 360-degree audio, and a bright, front-facing screen, you can easily and professionally record any of your vlog episodes with ease.
Similar to the HERO8 Black, the MAX has a vivid, intuitive touch screen built into a rugged camera body that can handle the toughest adventures, and is even waterproof up to 16 feet.
The MAX also shares similar internal features with the HERO8 Black, like TimeWarp 2.0, Digital Lenses, Photo Timer, Voice Control, GPS, Motion Sensors, Scene Detection, and HyperSmooth. However, the GoPro MAX’s HyperSmooth is even more impressive, utilizing the 180° capture as the ultimate buffer, creating MAX HyperSmooth, GoPro’s most advanced stabilization yet.
The MAX camera also has unique features like Horizon Leveling and PowerPano. Horizon Leveling can be used in HERO mode, and allows for level, smooth, cinematic footage, whether you’re inverted, sideways, or filming straight up. PowerPano can create stunning, “270° degree, distortion-free, panoramic photos without having to scan across the horizon,” according to the company, so you never have to worry about your camera glitching or falling short again.
Last but not least, we get to the camera specs, and they definitely are impressive. The GoPro MAX can shoot 360-degree video at staggering 5.6K30, HERO video at up to 1440p60, and live stream at 1080p. In regards to photos, the MAX can capture stunning 360-degree photos at 16.6MP, and PowerPano and HERO photos at 6MP. It’s clear that the GoPro MAX was built to perform, and utilize its 360-degree photo, video, and audio to offer a unique and exciting camera for creatives.
