GoPro Hero (2024) vs Hero 10: Budget Consumers Need to Know!
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2024
GoPro Hero 13 Black is currently the latest and most advanced model in the GoPro Hero lineup, but its premium price creates a barrier for many budget-conscious consumers. If you're looking for a more affordable way to film your adventures, the GoPro Hero (2024) or GoPro Hero 10 could be a compelling option. Which one should you choose between the two?
Key Takeaways
GoPro Hero (2024) excels in 3 aspects: lower price point, smaller design, and longer runtime. In terms of overall capability and features, the Hero 10 is better equipped. It has superior video and photo quality, audio quality, waterproofing capability, pro-level advanced controls, and extra features like live streaming and webcam support.
GoPro Hero (2024)
Small & Simple
✓ 4K/30 Video + 12 MP Photo
✓ 2x Slo-Mo
✓ Voice Control
✓ Lightweight at 86g
GoPro Hero 10 Black
Outdated but Versatile
✓ 5.3K Video + 23 MP Photo
✓ HyperSmooth 4.0
✓ External Microphone Support
✓ 1720mAh Battery
#1 Price
GoPro Hero (2024)
Priced affordably at US$199.99, the GoPro Hero (2024) is branded as the budget alternative to the other GoPro models in the Hero lineup. It serves as an entry point for consumers looking to get into the GoPro ecosystem without breaking the bank.
GoPro Hero 10 was the flagship camera in 2021, launched with a premium price of US$499.99. However, the camera is now outdated, pushed away by the newer and more capable models in the Hero lineup, so it's now found at a discounted price. The official price as of 2024 is US$249.99, but you may find it even cheaper in retail stores like Amazon.
This puts the price gap between the two models at roughly US$50, with the Hero (2024) being the more budget-friendly option.
#2 Design & Durability
GoPro Hero 10 Black
The GoPro Hero (2024) is positioned distinctly as a tiny camera, measuring 56.6 x 47.7 x 29.4 mm and weighing only 86 grams. While the Hero 10 is also very small at 71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6 mm and 158 grams, the Hero (2024) is noticeably smaller and lighter. This ultralight design makes the Hero (2024) especially suitable for mounting on drones or other gears, where every gram counts.
The tiny design, however, comes at the cost of the display. GoPro Hero (2024) only features one small 1.76" rear touchscreen that may feel cramped for some users. In comparison, the Hero 10 Black offers a dual screen – a 2.27" rear touch and a 1.4" front preview screen. A larger display can make framing shots and navigating menus easier, while the extra front display helps easier framing when vlogging and self-recording.
GoPro Hero (2024) also has a limitation in terms of waterproofing capability. It is waterproof only up to 16 feet (5 meters) compared to the Hero 10 which is waterproof up to 33 feet (10 meters) without a housing.
Despite those differences, both cameras are rugged, durable, and support mounting to a range of accessories via the built-in folding fingers.
#3 Video & Photo Quality
GoPro Hero (2024)
GoPro Hero 10 boasts a 5.3K/60 fps video resolution, and that's still the same resolution that the most advanced GoPro Hero 13 offers today, so it's a very capable video camera even by today's standards. Meanwhile, the Hero (2024) tops out at 4K/30 fps video resolution, which is still great but not quite as impressive as the Hero 10.
For photos, the highest supported resolution is 23 MP for the Hero 10 and 12 MP for the Hero (2024). Frame grabs from videos are also possible on both models, with the Hero 10 offering higher quality 19.6 MP frame grabs compared to the Hero (2024)'s 8.3 MP.
What I consider to be the main drawback of the Hero (2024) is the limited aspect ratio option. The Hero (2024) records videos only in 16:9, while the Hero 10 supports 16:9 and 4:3. In today's social media landscape where content takes many different formats, 4:3 offers more flexibility for cropping to suit vertical, horizontal, and square social media posts.
Another important drawback I think you should know is that the Hero (2024) can only take videos, slow motion videos, and photos, while the Hero 10 also supports timelapse, HDR photo, HindSight, scheduled capture, duration capture, and more. This means the Hero 10 is more versatile to use in a wider range of shooting scenarios.
GoPro Hero 10 Black
The Hero (2024) also misses out Protune that the Hero 10 offers, which unlocks manual control of advanced settings like Color, White Balance, Shutter Speed, Exposure, EV Comp, ISO, and Sharpness.
These features allow for more creative control and fine-tuning of the camera's performance, which may be important for more experienced and professional users. However, for beginners or those who don't want to fiddle with advanced settings, the simplified controls of the Hero (2024) are sufficient.
GoPro Hero (2024) also does better in its wide 165° field of view, defeating the more limited 148° FOV of the Hero 10. The GoPro Hero 10 is indeed compatible with a Max Lens Mod, which can expand the FOV to 158° in 16:9, but it still can't beat the Hero (2024)'s native 165° FOV.
#4 Audio Quality
GoPro Hero (2024)
GoPro Hero 10 seems to deliver better audio quality thanks to its three microphones with wind-noise reduction, compared to the Hero (2024) with only two microphones and no advanced noise reduction.
GoPro Hero 10 can also capture RAW audio in a .wav format, which the Hero (2024) doesn't support.
On top of that, the Hero 10 supports external microphone connections with the separately sold Media Mod or Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter. Using external microphones, instead of the built-in mics, can significantly improve audio quality for professional audio needs.
The Hero (2024), on the other hand, is currently not compatible with an external microphone. However, we hope the feature will be provided through a firmware update in the future, as the Hero (2024) has a USB-C port that could potentially support external mic connectivity via the Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter.
#5 Features
GoPro Quik App
GoPro Hero 10 has advantages with live streaming and webcam support, which the Hero (2024) doesn't offer.
One common feature that both the GoPro Hero 10 and Hero (2024) share is voice control, which can be very helpful when we need to control the camera hands-free. Both cameras are also compatible with the Quik app for control, live preview, editing, and sharing.
The GoPro Hero (2024) offers HyperSmooth video stabilization in the Quik app, which will be automatically applied as we view and export our footage. This is a nice feature to deliver smooth and stable action footage, but what the GoPro Hero 10 in terms of stabilization may be better.
GoPro Hero 10 has in-camera HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization with Horizon Leveling up to 45°. In-camera stabilization, as opposed to in-app stabilization, means that the footage is stabilized right at the time of capture, without needing any post-processing. This is why enabling/disabling and adjustments of the HyperSmooth settings have to be made before we start the recording.
This can mean less flexibility as we can't change the stabilization settings after the footage has been captured, but it also means we don't need to use the Quik app to get stabilized footage. When we see the video in the camera's display, the footage is already stabilized. In comparison, footage from the GoPro Hero (2024) is still shaky when played back on the camera and requires the Quik app to auto-apply the stabilization.
#6 Battery Life
GoPro Hero (2024)
GoPro Hero 10 is powered by a 1720mAh Lithium-Ion battery, which is rated for up to 76 minutes of runtime at 4K/30 fps or 47 minutes at 5.3K/60 fps.
GoPro Hero (2024) has a smaller 1255mAh battery capacity, but it interestingly boasts a longer runtime of 100 minutes at 4K/30 fps, which is 31% longer than the Hero 10 at the same setting.
This could be due to Hero (2024)'s more limited capabilities that lead to more efficient power consumption, or could also be due to the use of Enduro battery instead of Lithium-Ion. Enduro battery is known to provide extended runtime, especially in cold weather conditions.
GoPro Hero (2024) vs Hero 10 Black
Final Thoughts
GoPro Hero 10 Black
After examining the consideration aspects above, the only three things that the GoPro Hero (2024) does better than the Hero 10 are the tiny and lightweight design, the wider field of view, and the longer-lasting battery. In terms of overall capability and features, the Hero (2024) is very minimalistic.
I think investing just US$50 more in the GoPro Hero 10 will provide more value. The Hero 10 has superior video and photo quality, audio quality, waterproofing capability, pro-level advanced controls, and extra features like live streaming and webcam support.
However, the decision is ultimately for you to make. GoPro Hero 10 is great if you're looking for a more all-rounded action camera, while the GoPro Hero (2024) could be a good choice if a tiny, lightweight design with simple controls and excellent battery life is your top priority.
If you would like to read more about Action Camera, check out our other relevant guides here:
GoPro Hero (2024) Review: PROS & CONS
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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