The GoPro HERO9 Black is a compact camera designed for action video. You can easily mount it on a chest or helmet rig, and it's even advertised to be waterproof, though we don't currently test for this. You can also control all of the camera's features using the GoPro app on your smartphone, which is handy. Thanks to its impressive video stabilization performance, it can help smooth out camera shake. It supports video recording in FHD up to 240 fps, 4k up to 60 fps, and 5k up to 30 fps, although we don't currently test 5k video capability. Unfortunately, its video quality in FHD and 4k isn't the most impressive, resulting in footage that isn't very sharp or detailed.
Our Verdict
The GoPro HERO9 is middling for travel photography, though it isn't really intended for this use. Its portable design makes it easy to bring with you on-the-go, and its impressive image quality results in fairly clear and detailed photos. Unfortunately, there isn't an autofocus system to help you track moving subjects, and its high minimum shutter speed means it isn't very suitable for taking long-exposure photographs of a starry night sky. It also isn't meant to be used handheld, so it can be a bit uncomfortable to operate with your hands.
-
Great image quality.
-
No autofocus system.
-
Not meant to be used handheld.
The GoPro HERO9 is very good for landscape photography, though it isn't really intended for this use. This well-built, portable camera can take images that are impressively sharp and detailed, even at moderately high ISO levels. Its screen is also bright enough to be readable in direct sunlight, which is handy if you're shooting outdoors. Unfortunately, there's no autofocus system to help you track moving subjects, and it isn't very comfortable to use handheld since it's not really designed to be used that way.
The GoPro HERO9 is unremarkable for sport and wildlife photography. Though it isn't designed for this use, this well-built camera offers great image quality, and its high continuous shooting speed in burst mode can help capture clear images of fast-moving subjects. Unfortunately, it lacks an autofocus system to help you track moving subjects, and its low maximum shutter speed can make it difficult to freeze the action in your shots.
The GoPro HERO9 is satisfactory for vlogging. Its portable design makes it easy to bring with you on-the-go, and it even has a second screen that lets you see yourself while you record. Also, it does an incredible job smoothing out camera shake if you record while walking. Unfortunately, video quality in 4k and FHD isn't very impressive, resulting in footage that lacks sharpness and detail.
-
Impressive video stabilization performance.
-
Unremarkable video quality in 4k and FHD.
The GoPro HERO9 is sub-par for studio video. It isn't really designed for this use, and it doesn't shoot very sharp or detailed footage when recording in 4k or FHD. It also lacks an autofocus system, so it can't help track moving subjects, and it doesn't have inputs for videography accessories like headphones or a microphone. On the upside, its menu system is easy-to-use, and you can even control the camera using the GoPro app on your phone, though we don't test for this.
-
Easy-to-use menu system.
-
Unremarkable video quality in 4k and FHD.
-
No autofocus system.
-
No inputs for headphones or a microphone.
The GoPro HERO9 is amazing for action video. You can easily mount this portable camera on your helmet or chest rig, and it's advertised to be waterproof, though we don't test for this currently. It also has an impressive video stabilization performance that helps to smooth out camera shake. It also offers a lot of frame rate options in FHD, so you can use it to record slow-motion footage. Unfortunately, its video quality in 4k and FHD isn't the most impressive, so your footage isn't very sharp or detailed.
-
Well-built, portable design.
-
Impressive video stabilization performance.
-
Lots of frame rate options in FHD.
-
Unremarkable video quality in 4k and FHD.
- 6.1 Travel Photography
- 8.5 Landscape Photography
- 7.1 Sport & Wildlife Photography
- 6.9 Vlogging
- 5.6 Studio Video
- 8.9 Action Video
- Updated Dec 21, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.
- Updated Dec 20, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.11.
- Updated Oct 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.10.
- Updated Sep 02, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.9.
- 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 Oct 06, 2021: Updated 'Clean HDMI Output' and 'Advertised Max Chroma Sampling Over HDMI' fields to show 'No HDMI'.
- Updated May 06, 2021: Completed retests in 'Body', 'Sensor', 'Lens', 'Shooting Speed', 'Image Quality', 'Luminance Noise', 'Sample Gallery', '4k Video Quality', and FHD 'Video Quality' boxes.
- Updated Apr 01, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Mar 29, 2021: Early access published.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The GoPro HERO9 is available in 'Black', and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another version, please let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.
Compared To Other Cameras
The GoPro HERO9 Black is better overall than the DJI Action 2. While the DJI has a more portable, modular design, the GoPro has a better battery life and doesn't suffer from major overheating issues like the DJI does. It also supports 5k video recording at up to 30 fps, but unlike the DJI, it can't record 4k at 120 fps.
The GoPro HERO9 Black is a bit better than the DJI Osmo Action. Though both are extremely portable and waterproof with front-facing screens, the GoPro offers more resolution and frame rate options, including 5k video up to 30 fps. The GoPro has a better stabilization feature, delivers better overall video quality, and has more field of view options.
The GoPro HERO9 Black is a better value option for action video than the Sony RX0 II. While the Sony has a more rugged build quality and a unique tilting screen that helps with tricky angles, the GoPro has better video stabilization and offers more frame rate and resolution options.
Test Results
- Hard plastic body with soft, rubberized plastic finish for the grip
- Materials feel robust and solid
- Sturdy hinge with a rubber gasket for water resistance
Update 05/06/2021: The 'Rugged' field has been updated from 'Yes' to 'No'.
- GoPro HERO9 Black camera body
- User manual
- Carrying case
- GoPro SPBL1B battery
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Adhesive mounting plate with accessories
- 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
- Since it's slightly larger than the GoPro HERO7 Black and the GoPro HERO8 Black, it's a bit easier to hold
- Buttons are hard to press due to waterproofing layer
Update 10/14/2021: Added additional information about the camera's second front-facing screen.
This camera has an additional screen on the front that can be used for Live View while recording and also displays information like shooting mode, battery life, and SD card info.
- Menu is simple to use and easier to navigate than the GoPro HERO8 Black thanks to its larger-sized screen
- You can access all the camera settings on the GoPro phone app
- Guide Mode is available for additional information about settings and features
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: Corrected input error in 'Advertised Effective Pixels' from '12MP' to '20MP' . The 'ISO Maximum' field has also 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 '10 s' to reflect that the camera takes time to save and store image files following a 25 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 10/06/2021: Corrected 'Clean HDMI Output' and 'Advertised Max Chroma Sampling Over HDMI' fields to show 'No HDMI'.
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 '4k Sample Low Light Video' and '4k Test Scene Extract' image have been updated, but the score remains unchanged.
If you prefer a portable camera with a built-in microphone input and HDMI port, check out the Sony RX0 II.