GoPro Hero 7 vs 8 2023: Which Is Better For You

The GoPro Hero 7 and 8 are both designed for surfers, skiers, divers, bikers, mountain climbers, and anyone else who lives an active lifestyle. The Hero 7 offers a new HyperSmooth stabilization system, while the GoPro Hero8 has introduced QuikStories, which makes it easier to share your best moments. In this blog, we will show you the key differences between the two models.

GoPro Hero 7 vs 8

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Sensor and Processor

• GoPro Hero7 Black: 12 Megapixel CMOS Sensor (with SuperPhoto function).
• GoPro Hero 8 Black: 12 Megapixel CMOS Sensor (with SuperPhoto function).

Diminutive cameras are small sensors. Here, a bog-standard 1/2.3 inch chip is used for each. We don’t expect results to be comparable with interchangeable lens DSLRs or mirrorless cameras. Perhaps a smartphone in your pocket is a better comparison.

Despite these limitations, the GoPro Hero 7 & Hero 8 offer users the double punch: 4K video and 12MP stills in Raw and JPEG. There is also a timelapse mode that sweetens the deal.

The combination of a 12MP sensor with a GP1 processor makes it possible to capture everything. The flagship unit’s 7th generation also features a SuperPhoto mode. This allows for intelligent scene analysis, resulting in optimized shots. This is achieved by automatically deploying high dynamic range (HDR), tone mapping, and noise reduction – which has been claimed to be improved upon the Hero 8 model.

This results in enhanced shadow detail and highlight detail being regained. The Hero 7 Black also features a Portrait Mode that allows users to share their selfies to Instagram Stories and Snapchat. Further, Face, Smile, and Scene Detection modes work with GoPro’s QuikStories app, which assembles clips, montages, and clips – this makes it ideal for bloggers.

The Hero 8 continues to follow the lead of its predecessor by offering 12-megapixel stills. The Hero 8’s SuperPhoto feature captures dynamic range images that are more vibrant than other action camera modes. Night photography also significantly improves video performance in similar situations. You can also use traditional HDR or Raw to capture exposures up to 30 seconds in duration.

Video

• GoPro Hero 7 Black: 4K video up to 60fps
• GoPro Hero 8 Black: 4K video up to 60fps

GoPro Hero 7 and Hero 8 are both excellent cameras for capturing high-quality videos. The Hero 8 Black has some upgrades over the Hero 7 Black that make it a better option for videographers. Both cameras offer 4K video and frame rates of up to 60 frames per second, which is great for capturing smooth and detailed footage. They also have slow-motion capabilities, allowing for slow-motion footage up to 8x the speed of normal.

One of the most significant upgrades of the Hero 8 is the “HyperSmooth 2.0” image stabilization function, which is a combination of software and hardware. This 3-axis system can be used in high-shock, high-wind shooting situations and even underwater. The Hero 7 Black also has image stabilization, but it is not as advanced as the HyperSmooth 2.0 on the Hero 8.

The Hero 8 also has a “TimeWarp” mode, which converts long-time-lapse videos into short, easily shareable clips that are only a few seconds in length. This feature is perfect for social media sharing. The Hero 7 Black does not have this feature.

In terms of audio, both cameras have excellent sound quality, with the Hero 7 Black having WAV audio format. The Hero 8 Black also features three microphones that work together to create stereo audio.

The Hero 8 Black has an HDMI port, which is an improvement over the Hero 7 Black. Additionally, the Hero 8 Black has a Media Mod that can increase the production value of your videos. The Media Mod is an optional accessory that enhances the versatility and usability of the camera.

In terms of video quality, the Hero 8 Black has some additional features that set it apart from the Hero 7 Black. It can capture “Hypersmooth 2.0” stabilized footage at all resolutions, making it ideal for shooting action scenes. The Hero 8 Black also has a Boost feature that allows you to choose between high, standard, or off for stability.

Overall, both cameras are great for capturing high-quality videos. However, the Hero 8 Black has some advanced features that make it a better option for videographers, such as improved image stabilization and TimeWarp mode. Additionally, the Hero 8 Black has a better HDMI port, and the option for the Media Mod accessory enhances the versatility of the camera.

 Burst Shooting (fps)

• GoPro Hero7 Black: 30fps @ 12 Megapixels
• GoPro Hero8 Black: 30fps @ 12 Megapixels

When it comes to burst shooting capabilities, the GoPro Hero 7 Black and Hero 8 Black offer some impressive features. The Hero 7 Black can capture RAW format images at 30fps and 12-megapixel stills in bursts, which is already quite impressive.

Additionally, this model offers the most user-selectable burst rates and the ability to take time-lapse photos, making it a great choice for those who want to capture fast-paced action or create stunning time-lapse sequences.

On the other hand, the Hero 8 Black takes burst shooting to the next level with its LiveBurst mode. This feature captures 1.5 seconds before and after the shutter is fully depressed, resulting in 90 still images that the user can choose from.

This is an excellent feature for shooting action scenes, as it allows users to capture the perfect moment and choose the best shot from a range of options. Moreover, the Hero 8 Black also allows users to shoot three-second 4K video clips in the same mode, adding even more versatility to this impressive camera.

Screen

• GoPro Hero 7 Black – 2-inch LCD touchscreen
• GoPro Hero 8 Black – 2-inch LCD touchscreen

Hero 7 Black feature a 2-inch LCD screen with 16:9 format, and a revamped user interface (or UI) compared to its predecessor. It is easy to navigate the available features because it has a touch screen. The front-mounted display panel has key settings and a keypad. This model has Touch Zoom functionality. Its 2-inch screen allows for precise framing and shooting scenarios. It does act as a digital zoom, however, degrading image quality.

The screen on the Hero 8 Black’s back has not changed in any way. It is small, responsive, and bright enough to see even in the hottest weather conditions. The aspect ratio of the screen is roughly equal to the dimensions of the camera’s video capture and photo, giving photo and videographers a middle ground.

We would have liked to see the Hero 8 Black’s screen slightly larger. This would have made this option almost perfect. Another possible improvement is the absence of a selfie screen. The front of the camera has a familiar monochrome display. However, Mods, a new series of bespoke extras, are available for this camera. The Display Mode is a great option for video vloggers. It adds a second monitor to the camera, which we love.

 Build & Waterproofing

• GoPro Hero7 Black: Waterproof up to 10m (33ft).
• GoPro Hero 8 Black: Waterproof up to 10 meters (33ft).

Our GoPro options have a rugged build that allows them to take action-ready images. Although the GoPro Hero 7/8 and 8 may not be the most visually appealing image capture devices, they are functional and boxy. As we noted at the beginning of this comparison, practicality wins over aesthetics.

For example, the GoPro Hero7 Black can be submerged up to 10m without any additional housing. However, additional housing is possible if needed.

Although they look very similar at first glance, Hero 8 Black is slightly taller and slimmer than its predecessor. However, it’s still compact enough to fit into your jeans pocket. It weighs in at 126g and is waterproofed up to 10 meters. This seems to be the approach taken by its manufacturer: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Additional Features

The GoPro Hero 7 Black is an older model, but it still has many bells and whistles. You get the usual connectivity options, including Bluetooth, NFC, wifi, and Bluetooth. Plus, GPS is available. You can control it via voice command. It supports 14 languages. You might mount the device on a helmet or handlebars, which can cause it to rattle. An anti-shake facility is a must.

The GoPro Hero 7 Black (and Hero 8 Black) has a combination of hardware and software fixes that we have called ‘HyperSmooth.’ It also includes image capture functions such as scene detection, face, smile, and scene detection.

The GoPro Hero 7 Black is a great choice for YouTubers and Facebook Live users. It features live streaming at 720p resolution, which makes it the first GoPro camera with such capabilities. All footage is backed up using the microSD card slot. SuperPhoto, which reduces image noise in shots, is also worth mentioning.

TimeWarp 2.0 is a smart move on the Hero 8 Black. It is essentially a time-lapse mode. The user can tap the screen to slow down or speed up the footage. This feature can be used at up to 30fps resolution. If a resolution is important to your needs, the Hero 8 Black can also record 100Mbps 4K video. This is an additional specification that is higher than the Hero 7 Black’s 78Mbps footage.

Batteries

Firstly, both cameras have removable batteries with the same capacity, which means that they can be easily replaced or swapped out for a fully charged battery when needed. However, the Hero 7 Black’s removable battery offers more convenience for users, as it doesn’t tie up the camera when it needs to be charged.

In terms of battery life, both the Hero 7 Black and Hero 8 Black have a maximum capacity of 50 minutes of continuous usage. This means that users can shoot short clips of up to 2 minutes each throughout the day, or capture longer shots by using an external power bank.

One of the differences between the two cameras is the Hero 8 Black’s power management system, which is slightly different from the Hero 7 Black. This means that using a previous model of GoPro battery in the Hero 8 Black may result in an alert on the screen. However, this does not affect the overall battery life of the camera.

Charging Options

Both have the same options for charging the batteries.

The camera can be connected directly to a USB-C power source using a USB cable. This will allow you to charge the battery. You can enjoy fast charging if you use the right type of USB-C power source, such as GoPro’s SuperCharger.

You can use an external charger to charge the batteries. GoPro’s Dual Battery Charger works with both models.

Both require a USB-C charging cord

Extended Batteries

You can not use extended batteries that attach to the camera’s body. However, you can use them separately and plug them into the USB port using a cable.

Controls & Interface

Both the HERO8 Black as well as HERO7 Black have the same interfaces for controlling and interfacing with the camera.

There are some minor tweaks to the menu system and the naming conventions. However, they won’t cause any problems if you move between them.

Both devices use the touchscreen at the back to access the menu system. Both can be controlled wirelessly using the GoPro mobile application. Both can be controlled by voice. Both have the same shutter button at the top to start and stop recording or take a photograph.

Shooting Menu Tweaks & Presets

You can now quickly access your most commonly used shooting settings by setting shooting presets on HERO8 Black.

It is faster if you use presets (which most people do), but it can be slower if presets are constantly being changed between clips.

You can adjust the menu to make it flatter. Although the new version isn’t perfect, I do like that you can now access the Protune settings. You must enable the Protune option on the HERO7 Black before you can access any Protune settings. The HERO8 Black has no intermediate switch and can access the settings directly. More information is available in the Protune sections.

Buttons & Touchscreen

The touchscreen system that is on both the front and back of the device acts as both a live view display and the primary way to access the settings or preferences in the menu system.

In terms of brightness and crispness, both screens are almost identical.

Remote Control

The GoPro mobile app can control both cameras wirelessly using Bluetooth and wifi.

Both models can be used with the Smart Remote to control their remotes. There may be compatibility issues with some aftermarket remotes. I haven’t tested their compatibility with the HERO 8 Black extensively.

Voice Control

Both models are capable of voice control.

You can use voice commands to control basic functions such as start/stop video recording, change modes or take photos. Voice commands can’t be used to change settings.

You can also turn them on by using a voice command.

Shooting Photos

The photo modes on the HERO8 Black look very similar to the HERO7 Black. While there have been some minor tweaks and some useful new feature, there is a lot of overlap in the overall approach and feature sets between the two models.

Both have a 12MP sensor, and both shoot RAW. They share the same fields of vision, have similar enhanced photo features, produce similar results, and have the same 12-megapixel sensor.

Here’s a comparison of the photo modes on the HERO8 Black and the HERO7 Black.

12MP Image Sensor

Each model has a 12-megapixel sensor. The sensor produces photos measuring 4000 by 3000 pixels. This is a 4:3 aspect ratio.

GoPro’s older models had the ability to save smaller images. Some models had choices for 5MP or 7MP. None of these cameras have that option. The images are saved at their full size in almost all cases.

However, there is an exception. LiveBurst is a new feature on the HERO8 Black that’s not available on the HERO7Black. More information is available below. You can also choose from 8MP or 12MP sizes if you shoot in LiveBurst mode.

Photo Output Formats: JPG & RAW

You can choose from two output formats when you shoot in the Photo mode: JPG and RAW+JPG.

The user interface of the HERO8 Black has been redesigned. The JPG-only option on the new model is now called Standard. However, they refer to the same thing.

RAW is the other. These cameras can save RAW files to many of the still-photo modes. It is based on Adobe DNG format and uses.GPR file extension. There are some exceptions to the processing modes like Super photo or HDR. I’ll cover these separately below.

RAW output is not the best format for these cameras. First, you need to convert RAW files into a different format, such as JPG, before you can do anything with them. This is partly to improve their appearance, as raw RAW data can look ugly and not very useful for many users. It also allows you to save them in a format that others, labs, or online services can use.

This is true for all RAW files, but it is more problematic with GoPros because very few apps can read their RAW image format. Even though the.GPR file format is based upon Adobe.dng format, there are not many imaging apps that will work with them. Adobe Lightroom Classic is the exception. A free program that converts GPR files into DNG has been created for those who don’t have Lightroom.

GoPro also has a safety net, partly because of this. It saves both a GPR version and a JPG version of your photos when you select RAW. It’s what other cameras call RAW+JPG. This has some advantages. The safety net aspect is that you can still use the JPG to back up your RAW files if you are unable to open them.

Another benefit is the flexibility of having smaller, ready-to-go JPG files available for sharing and using in mobile apps. The master RAW version can also be available when you download the files to your desktop.

There are also some disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is that you can save both files simultaneously, which takes up more space on your memory cards.

Another is that it slows down the process of shooting. It’s actually saving the JPG version and crunching RAW. This delay can cause you to have to wait a while before you can take your next shot. You can try shooting in continuous mode, but it’s not always practical or desirable. This doesn’t solve the problem as much as delay it.

Both cameras have RAW (.gpr), which is available in Photo and Night, Time Lapse, Night Lapse photo modes. The HERO8 Black has a notable upgrade: RAW is now available in Burst Mode. There are some exceptions, and there are qualifications. Here’s a breakdown.

Field Of View: Linear, Narrow, and Wide

The FOVs (field of view) determine how much of the scene can be captured. The difference in FOVs between the HERO8 and HERO7 Blacks is much smaller than what meets the eye.

GoPro has created a new marketing buzz for the model. The HERO8Black now features “digital lenses.” In reality, this is just a new name for the existing FOVs.

Both cameras offer the same wide-angle view we are used to seeing from GoPros and other action cameras.

You can also choose from other perspectives. The new model has 35mm equivalent focal lengths. This makes it even more impressive. The two FOVs that have a focal length range are used to account for the use of the digital zoom in combination with it (the Narrow FOV doesn’t have a range because the zoom is not available with that).

Custom Shooting Presets

GoPro’s HERO8 Black has one nice feature: the ability to create custom shooting presets. You can also create shortcuts for certain settings combinations that you frequently use. These shortcuts can be very helpful in accelerating the process of switching between settings.

Manual Exposure Controls/Exposure Control

GoPros can do automatic everything straight out of the box. You can adjust the exposure triangle by using two of the three sides.

You can manually adjust the ISO and shutter speed using the Protune options (more details below). You can’t control the aperture. GoPros come with a fixed-aperture lens rated at f/2.8.

Another option, which is semi-manual, gives you some control over overexposure. Exposure Control is that feature. The standard automatic exposure calculation takes into account the entire scene within the frame. Exposure Control allows you to choose a specific area in the scene for the automatic exposure calculation. One example is if you are photographing someone on snow. However, the scene exposes the entire scene, so their face will be dark. The face can be chosen to be the subject area. This will brighten the image and expose the background.

ISO Range

The HERO8 BLACK doesn’t make any significant improvements over its predecessor in ISO. Its range is still between 100 and 3200.

It is worth noting that Night Photo mode has a limited ISO range, ranging from 100 to 800.

The sensor is still small enough to allow for decent image quality, but it’s not perfect. Higher ISOs can lead to a decrease in image quality. Indoor photos or photos under low lighting will show a decrease in color accuracy and dynamic range, which can lead to noisy/grainy images that look harsher.

You can change the ISO by going into the shooting options. You can choose between an ISO Minimum or Maximum. Automatic exposure will adhere to those limits, preferring the lowest ISO possible.

You can set the ISO Min and ISO Max numbers to the same number if you are trying to match images from another sequence.

Manual Shutter Speed

You can set a shutter speed on both cameras by overriding the automatic exposure controls. You can’t set everything, there’s a set of choices. These are:

• Auto
• 1/125
• 1/250
• 1/500
• 1/1000
• 1/2000

There are options for slow shutter speeds. This is done by switching from the regular Photo mode to the Night Photo mode. You’ll find different shutter speed presets for:

• Auto
• 2 seconds
• 5 seconds
• 10 seconds
• 15 seconds
• 20 seconds
• 30 seconds
• ISO Range

Both cameras can be set to ISO 100- 3200 in Photo mode.

You can check out How To Edit GoPro Videos 2023: Top Full Guide to learn more useful information to make your video become more beautiful

Price And Accessories

Conclusion

Both the GoPro Hero 7/8 and 8 cameras are high-quality and offer high-quality video and high-quality photos. Both cameras offer many features, making it difficult to choose which one is better. You can stream hands-free with improved video stabilization and voice control. Also, you can share your content on social media to make experts, as well as beginners, look professional.

The HERO7 Black action camera is an outstanding and rugged choice that is well worth your consideration, even though it’s three decades old. Its older and more expensive cousin is better in nearly every department, so the HERO8 Black is our recommendation.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API