GoPro Hero (2024) Review: PROS & CONS
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2024
In September 2024, GoPro unveiled not only its highly anticipated flagship model, the GoPro Hero 13 Black, but also the GoPro Hero - an entry-level action camera designed for casual users and those with a tighter budget. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this new affordable GoPro model?
Key Takeaways
GoPro Hero's key advantage lies in its 4K video quality packed in a tiny, lightweight design with a long-lasting battery and a budget price. Its main drawback is the low flexibility, offering only a 16:9 aspect ratio, limited modes, no external mic support, and lack of advanced features. GoPro Hero (2024) is most suitable for beginners who simply want to capture high-quality video without delving too deeply into camera settings.
GoPro Hero (2024)
Small & Simple
✓ 4K/30 Video + 12 MP Photo
✓ 2x Slo-Mo
✓ Voice Control
✓ Lightweight at 86g
#1 Price
GoPro Hero (2024)
GoPro Hero (2024) retails at US$199.99, which is a compelling price point for budget-conscious consumers looking to capture high-quality footage without breaking the bank.
As a comparison, the higher-end GoPro Hero 13 Black costs US$399.99 while another 4K mini camera from the competitor, the Insta360 GO 3S, starts from US$269.99.
Read also: GoPro Hero (2024) vs Insta360 GO 3S
#2 Design & Durability
GoPro Hero (2024)
Pros
The Hero (2024) is GoPro's smallest 4K camera to date. While the other Hero Black models are also compact and lightweight, the Hero (2024) takes portability to a new level, measuring just 56.6 x 47.7 x 29.4 mm and weighing only 86 g. That's 35% less volume and 46% less mass than the Hero 13 Black.
Such a lightweight profile makes the Hero (2024) particularly useful for drone setups where every gram of weight matters. It is also great for mounting on helmets and other similar gear without adding significant bulk or weight.
For mounting to accessories, there is a built-in folding finger on the Hero (2024) that allows for quick and secure attachment. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of existing GoPro mounts and accessories.
Cons
A small body means a sacrifice in display. The Hero (2024) only features one 1.76" touchscreen display in the rear, which is quite small to frame shots and review footage. On top of that, a single display instead of a dual display setup means we lose the option of a front-facing screen, making it more challenging to capture selfie-style videos or vlogs.
Another compromise is the waterproofing capability, which is limited to 5 meters (16 feet). In comparison, most other cameras on the market today, including the tiny Insta360 GO 3S, are rated for waterproofing up to 10 meters (33 feet),
#3 Video & Photo Quality
GoPro Hero (2024)
Pros
The GoPro Hero (2024) delivers a high 4K video resolution, which is the industry standard. Higher-end action cameras nowadays offer 5.7K or even 8K video resolution, but casual users may not need it for now. Even for YouTube, 720p and 1080p are still the most widely used video resolutions, so 4K is more than sufficient to produce high-quality content for the majority of platforms and use cases.
The camera also takes high-quality 12 MP photos and supports up to 8.29 MP frame frabs from 4K video.
It supports 2x Slo-Mo recording at 2.7K resolution and 60 frames per second, but we can only view the slow-motion footage in the Quik app. If we try to view the slow-motion footage directly from the camera, it will play back at normal speed.
Another plus is the GoPro Hero (2024)'s expansive 165° field of view, which is wide enough to capture expansive landscapes and immersive action footage.
GoPro Hero (2024)
Cons
One of the things I find most disappointing is the frame rate. The Hero (2024) only supports 25 fps and 30 fps at 4K resolution, which can be choppy for fast-paced actions compared to the higher 60 fps frame rate found on more premium GoPro models. The 60 fps is only supported for recording at 2.7K, so we will have to compromise on resolution if we want smoother video.
On top of that, the Hero (2024) only offers a 16:9 aspect ratio for videos and 4:3 for photos, so there is less flexibility here. It's not a problem if you only need standard widescreen format, but it may be limiting for more creative framing or social media-oriented content.
A competitor like the Insta360 GO 3S, for example, offers FreeFrame Video mode, which allows for flexible aspect ratios and cropping in post-production, allowing single footage to be exported in optimized formats for various social media platforms.
GoPro Hero (2024) is also missing out on advanced photo/video features that are available on the higher-end GoPro Hero Black models, like HDR, Protune, RAW Photo Capture, Timelapse, Hindsight, Schedule Capture, Duration Capture, and Looping Video.
Another thing to note is that the Hero doesn't offer in-camera stabilization technology. The HyperSmooth stabilization is only applied when using the GoPro Quik app, so the footage will look shaky when viewed directly from the camera.
#4 Audio Quality
GoPro Hero (2024)
Pros
GoPro Hero (2024) is equipped with 2 built-in microphones for audio capture, but that seems to be the only positive aspect of its audio capabilities.
Cons
The audio features in the Hero (2024) are quite limited compared to more premium GoPro models. It lacks advanced noise reduction capabilities, does not support stereo audio or RAW audio capture, and does not offer external microphone support for connecting higher-quality audio equipment.
#5 Features
GoPro Hero (2024)
Pros
GoPro Hero (2024) can be controlled hands-free with voice commands, which can be very convenient for quick actions when your hands are busy.
Another convenient feature is the QuikCapture, which allows us to quickly start recording with a single press of the shutter button, even when the camera is off. This makes it easy to capture spur-of-the-moment footage without having to power on the camera first.
Cons
GoPro Hero (2024) is not meant for professionals, so it is not surprising that it doesn't offer a Timecode Synchronization feature that is available on the higher-end GoPro Hero Black models, which is useful for syncing multiple cameras during professional video productions. For casual users, this feature is likely not a priority.
What can be more disappointing for casual vloggers is the lack of live streaming capabilities and webcam mode, which are becoming increasingly common features in modern action cameras.
#6 Battery Life
GoPro Hero (2024)
Pros
Despite having only a 1255mAh Enduro battery, the Hero (2024) can last for up to 100 minutes at 4K/30 fps. I think it's quite a satisfying runtime for a camera of its size and price point, considering that the Hero 13's 1900mAh battery offers a similar 108-minute runtime at 4K/30 fps, strangely not much longer than the Hero (2024).
The Hero (2024) even comes with a battery saver mode, which reduces the default video resolution from 4K to 1080p for extended battery life.
Cons
None.
GoPro's Smallest 4K Camera
GoPro Hero (2024)
Small & Simple
✓ 4K/30 Video + 12 MP Photo
✓ 2x Slo-Mo
✓ Voice Control
✓ Lightweight at 86g
Final Thoughts
GoPro Hero (2024)
The GoPro Hero (2024) is a compelling option for those seeking a budget-friendly action camera without compromising on core video and photo capabilities. While it may lack some of the advanced features found in the higher-end GoPro models, its small size, lightweight design, and impressive battery life make it a practical choice for casual users and adventure-seekers.
The camera's 4K video quality and expansive field of view deliver impressive results, catering to the needs of most content creators. However, the limited frame rate options, fixed aspect ratios, and lack of external microphone support may be drawbacks for those seeking more creative flexibility or professional-grade audio.
Ultimately, the GoPro Hero (2024) strikes a balance between affordability and performance, making it a solid entry-level option in the action camera market.
If you would like to read more about Action Camera, check out our other relevant guides here:
GoPro Hero (2024) vs Hero 10 Black
GoPro Hero (2024) vs Hero 11 Black Mini
GoPro Hero (2024) vs Hero 13 Black
GoPro Hero (2024) vs Insta360 GO 3S
GoPro Hero (2024) vs DJI Osmo Action 4
GoPro Hero 13 vs Hero 12 Black
GoPro Hero 13 vs DJI Osmo Action 4
GoPro Hero 13 vs DJI Osmo Pocket 3
GoPro Hero 13 vs Insta360 X3
GoPro Hero 13 vs Insta360 X4
GoPro Hero 13 vs Insta360 Ace Pro
Author
Naila Syifa
Content Manager at Synced. She crafts insightful content on the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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