- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared To Others
- Deals
- Discussions
The GoPro HERO7 Black is a compact camera that's designed for action video. It isn't meant to be used handheld, but it can easily be mounted on a helmet rig or a chest mount, and you can also use the GoPro app to control most of its functions. It's also advertised to be waterproof, though we don't currently test for this. It does a fantastic job smoothing out camera shake whether you're recording in 4k or in FHD, which is ideal for recording footage while moving around a lot. Unfortunately, video quality is mediocre overall, so your footage isn't very sharp or detailed, and it lacks an autofocus system to help you track moving subjects.
Our Verdict
The GoPro HERO7 Black is sub-par for travel photography, though it isn't really intended for this use. This camera is portable and well-built, and it also offers great image quality. However, it lacks an autofocus system, which makes it difficult to track moving subjects and keep them in focus. Also, it isn't designed to be used handheld, and its small size can make it very uncomfortable to shoot with. Its battery performance is also mediocre, and while this can vary depending on usage, it may not last through long days on-the-go.
-
Great image quality.
-
No autofocus system.
-
Not designed for handheld use.
The GoPro HERO7 Black is satisfactory for landscape photography. Though this isn't its intended use, it still offers impressive image quality, even at high ISO levels. It has a portable and well-built design, and its screen is bright enough to be readable even if you're in bright sunlight. Unfortunately, it lacks an autofocus system, and it isn't meant to be used handheld, which can be inconvenient for some users.
-
Portable, well-built design.
-
Great image quality.
-
No autofocus system.
-
Not designed for handheld use.
The GoPro HERO7 Black is unremarkable for sport and wildlife photography. It isn't really designed for this usage, but it does offer an impressive image quality, so your photos are sharp and detailed. It can shoot in bursts of 30 frames in one second, which helps you capture clear images of fast-moving subjects. However, it lacks an autofocus system, which makes it difficult to track moving subjects and keep them in focus.
-
Great image quality.
-
No autofocus system.
The GoPro HERO7 Black is acceptable for vlogging. This portable camera is easy to bring with you on-the-go, and its fantastic video stabilization performance helps smooth out camera shake if you record while walking. However, its fixed screen means that you can't see yourself while you record, which can be disappointing if you want a selfie-style video. Also, video quality in 4k and FHD is mediocre, resulting in footage that isn't very sharp or detailed.
-
Incredible video stabilization performance.
-
Portable, well-built design.
-
Mediocre video quality in 4k and FHD.
-
Fixed screen can't be flipped or rotated.
The GoPro HERO7 Black is middling for studio video, though it isn't designed for this use. Video quality is mediocre in both 4k and FHD, especially if you're recording in low-light settings. It lacks an autofocus system to help track moving subjects, and it doesn't have inputs for common videography accessories like headphones or a microphone. That said, it does offer a wide range of frame rate options in both 4k and FHD, so you can record everything from slow-motion video to films with a more cinematic look.
-
Lots of frame rate options in FHD.
-
Mediocre video quality in 4k and FHD.
-
No autofocus system.
The GoPro HERO7 Black is amazing for action video. This well-built, portable camera can easily be mounted on a helmet rig, and it's even advertised to be waterproof, though we don't currently test for this. Its video stabilization feature offers incredible performance, so your footage is free of camera shake even if you're moving a lot while you record. It supports lots of frame rates in FHD, allowing you to record slow-motion clips. However, video quality in both 4k and FHD is unremarkable, so your footage isn't very sharp or detailed.
-
Incredible video stabilization performance.
-
Portable, well-built design.
-
Lots of frame rate options in FHD.
-
Mediocre video quality in 4k and FHD.
- 4.1 Travel Photography
- 6.4 Landscape Photography
- 5.3 Sport & Wildlife Photography
- 6.5 Vlogging
- 5.8 Studio Video
- 9.0 Action Video
- Updated May 18, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
- Updated Jan 04, 2022: Updated 'Max Aperture (Full Frame Equivalent)' and 'Max Focal Length (Full Frame Equivalent)' to 'N/A'.
- Updated Nov 09, 2021: Updated 'Sensor Size' to show 'Unspecified' since GoPro doesn't officially advertise sensor size.
- Updated Oct 25, 2021: Corrected error in previous update about Sample Gallery photos.
- Updated Oct 14, 2021: Added additional information to 'Screen' section about the second front-facing screen.
- Updated Oct 13, 2021: Updated score to show N/A for 'Image Stabilization' test due to limits in test methodology for this camera.
- Updated May 06, 2021: Competed retests in 'Body', 'Sensor', 'Lens', 'Shooting Speed', 'Image Quality', 'Luminance Noise', 'Sample Gallery', '4k Video Quality', and FHD 'Video Quality' boxes.
- Updated Mar 25, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Mar 23, 2021: Early access published.
Test Results
- Materials feel robust and durable
- Grippy rubber around the camera has a soft touch
- Sturdy hinged doors cover the battery, SD card, and inputs
- Outputs door can be hard to open
Update 05/06/2021: The 'Rugged' field has been updated from 'Yes' to 'No'.
- GoPro HERO7 Black camera body
- User manual
- Stickers
- GoPro AABAT-001 battery
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Plastic frame mounting accessory
- Silicone case with lanyard
- Adhesive mounting plates
- It's intended to be used as an action camera, but can be used to take photos/videos handheld
- Can change settings using the touchscreen or via the GoPro app on your smartphone, though the Protune settings such as shutter speed and ISO aren't available on the app
- Buttons are hard to press due to waterproofing
- Small body can be uncomfortable to hold
Update 10/14/2021: Added additional information about the camera's second front-facing screen.
This camera has a small additional screen on the front that displays information like shooting mode, battery life, and remaining SD card storage space.
- Menu is simple, responsive, and easy to navigate
- Menus are the same on the camera and the GoPro app
- Guide Mode is available for additional information about settings and features
- Small screen size can make it difficult to select menu items
Update 01/04/2022: Since GoPro doesn't officially advertise the sensor size of its cameras, we've updated the 'Max Aperture (Full Frame Equivalent)' and 'Max Focal Length (Full Frame Equivalent)' to 'N/A'.
Update 05/06/2021: The camera was retested using the 'Wide FOV' setting and 'GoPro' color profile to maintain consistency with other action cameras. The score for this section has been updated.
Update 05/06/2021: The 'ISO Maximum' field has been updated from '3200' to '6400'. The camera's maximum ISO in photo mode is ISO 3200, but using the camera in video mode increases its maximum ISO to ISO 6400.
Update 05/06/2021: The 'Buffer Empty Time' field has been updated from '0 s' to '11 s' to reflect that the camera takes time to save and store image files following a 30 fps burst.
Update 10/13/2021: We've updated the score to show N/A because our current methodology can't adequately score the image stabilization features of cameras with limited slower shutter speed settings. Note, though, that this camera still has stabilization features and the score is not representative of how these features perform in actual use.
Update 05/06/2021: The camera was retested using the 'Wide FOV' mode and 'GoPro' color profile to maintain consistency with other action cameras. The sample gallery and score for this section have been updated.
Update 10/25/2021: In a previous update, we mistakenly stated that the sample photos were reshot using 'Wide FOV'. The review has been corrected to show 'Linear FOV'.
Update 05/06/2021: The camera was retested using the 'Linear FOV' mode and 'GoPro' color profile to maintain consistency with other action cameras. The sample images for this section have been updated.
Update 10/25/2021: In a previous update, we mistakenly stated that the sample photos were reshot using 'Wide FOV'. The review has been corrected to show 'Linear FOV'.
Update 05/06/2021: The camera was retested using the 'Linear FOV' mode and 'GoPro' color profile to maintain consistency with other action cameras. The sample images for this section have been updated.
Update 10/25/2021: In a previous update, we mistakenly stated that the sample photos were reshot using 'Wide FOV'. The review has been corrected to show 'Linear FOV'.
Update 05/06/2021: The camera was retested using the 'Linear FOV' mode and 'GoPro' color profile to maintain consistency with other action cameras. The sample images for this section have been updated.
Update 10/25/2021: In a previous update, we mistakenly stated that the sample photos were reshot using 'Wide FOV'. The review has been corrected to show 'Linear FOV'.
Update 05/06/2021: The camera was retested using the 'Linear FOV' mode and 'GoPro' color profile to maintain consistency with other action cameras. The sample images for this section have been updated.
Update 05/06/2021: The camera was retested using the 'Wide FOV' mode to maintain consistency with other action cameras. The '4k Sample Low Light Video' and '4k Test Scene Extract' image have been updated, but the score remains unchanged.
Update 05/06/2021: The camera was retested using the 'Wide FOV' mode to maintain consistency with other action cameras. The 'FHD Sample Low Light Video' and 'FHD Test Scene Extract' image have been updated, but the score remains unchanged.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the GoPro HERO7 Black, and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
GoPro also sells the HERO7 Silver and the HERO7 White. However, those aren't just options for the color of the case. They're all different camera models that shoot in different image sizes and have slightly different designs. The Black is the flagship model, and it offers more premium features such as Protune and an enhanced photo mode called SuperPhoto. The White is the simplest, and the Silver sits in the middle. However, we haven't tested these other models, so we can't confirm their performance.
If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions so we can add it to our review.
Compared To Other Cameras
The GoPro HERO7 Black and the DJI Osmo Action perform similarly overall, though each has its advantages over the other for action video. Both are incredibly portable, waterproof, and easy to use, but the DJI has a longer battery life and a front-facing screen that you can use to monitor yourself. The GoPro, on the other hand, has better stabilization performance and has a Micro HDMI port built-in for easy external playback.