- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Deals
- Discussions
The GoPro HERO8 Black is a compact waterproof camera designed for action video. It's easy-to-use, well-built, and feels quite durable. With an impressive video stabilization performance, your videos are mostly free of camera shake even if you're moving quickly while filming. However, its video quality isn't the best and there's some visual noise present, especially if you're filming in low-light conditions. That said, the companion GoPro app makes it easy to control this camera from your phone, which is handy if you have it strapped on a helmet.
Our Verdict
The GoPro HERO8 is poor for travel photography. There isn't an autofocus system to help you take clear pictures. Even though this camera isn't intended to be used for this, it has a decent image quality, so photos don't have a lot of visible noise, but they aren't very sharp. On the upside, it's well-built and very portable.
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Well-built and portable design.
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No autofocus system.
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Disappointing battery performance.
The GoPro HERO8 is acceptable for landscape photography. Even though this camera isn't intended to be used for this, it has a decent image quality. Photos don't have a lot of visible noise, but they also aren't very sharp. Its built-in lens doesn't offer a lot of flexibility, especially in low-light conditions, and it doesn't have an autofocus or manual focus assistance to help you track moving subjects. It's also not meant to be used as a handheld camera, and its small screen can be challenging to read in bright sunlight.
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Well-built and portable design.
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Waterproof.
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Small screen challenging to read in bright sunlight.
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Disappointing lens.
The GoPro HERO8 is mediocre for sport and wildlife photography. This camera lacks an auto-focus system, and it doesn't take very detailed photos. However, even though it isn't intended to be used for this, it's well-built, and it can shoot at high continuous speeds, helping you capture clear images of fast-moving athletes.
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Well-built and portable design.
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No autofocus system.
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Small screen challenging to read in bright sunlight.
The GoPro HERO8 is passable for vlogging. This portable camera is easy to carry with you, and it does a great job stabilizing video for a clear shot while you're walking and recording. Its lens also has a wide field of view. Unfortunately, there's some visual noise present when you record video in 4k or FHD, and it doesn't have a face-tracking or autofocus system to help you track moving objects or people.
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Well-built and portable design.
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Visual noise affects FHD and 4k video quality.
The GoPro HERO8 is sub-par for studio video. It doesn't have an autofocus system to help you get a clearer shot. Also, its video quality isn't very impressive in 4k or FHD, as there's some visual noise present, especially in low-light environments. On the upside, there isn't a limit on how long you can record videos.
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Well-built and portable design.
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Visual noise affects FHD and 4k video quality.
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No autofocus system.
The GoPro HERO8 is excellent for action video. This compact, waterproof camera is very easy to bring on-the-go, and it does an impressive job stabilizing video for a clear image even if you're moving quickly, like during extreme sports. Unfortunately, its FHD and 4k video quality aren't the best, so there may be some visual noise present, especially in darker settings.
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Well-built and portable design.
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Waterproof.
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Visual noise affects FHD and 4k video quality.
- 5.3 Travel Photography
- 6.7 Landscape Photography
- 5.8 Sport & Wildlife Photography
- 6.0 Vlogging
- 5.5 Studio Video
- 8.6 Action Video
Test Results
- Rubberized plastic casing surrounds front of camera and lens; back end made of hard plastic
- Hinge covering the battery/SD card feels sturdy and closes tightly
- GoPro HERO8
- Mount part 1 (GoPro side)
- Mount part 2 (object side with a sticker to install)
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Stickers
- User manual
- 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
- Buttons are hard to press
- Easy to change settings by mistake with touchscreen
- Menu is simple 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
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The GoPro HERO8 comes in one color variant: black. You can see the label for the model we tested here. Some manufacturers also sell this camera with some extra accessories, like a head strap, extra rechargeable batteries and chargers, a handler, and an adhesive mount, but we don't test for these.
If you come across another variant of this camera, let us know in the discussions.
| Retailers' prices | Amazon.com | BestBuy.com | B&H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black HERO8 |
SEE PRICE
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SEE PRICE
|
Unavailable
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