GoPro HERO4 Black Review | 96 Data compared

The GoPro Hero4 Black is a powerful flagship action camera that delivers best-in-class video quality, making it the top choice for professionals and users demanding peak performance. It features a processor twice as powerful as its predecessor, enabling it to shoot exceptional high-bitrate video at resolutions up to 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 120fps for smooth slow-motion clips. Key updates to the hardware include a relocated bottom-loading battery compartment that simplifies swapping packs, and a highly useful "HiLight Tag" button that allows users to mark key moments while recording for quick editing later. The camera also boasts a simplified contextual settings menu and added Bluetooth connectivity for easier smartphone app pairing. However, the camera comes with several notable drawbacks, particularly its painfully short battery life, which averaged only 40 to 50 minutes of continuous 4K recording in tests. Furthermore, a physical redesign means it is incompatible with older GoPro batteries, and it frustratingly lacks in-camera electronic image stabilization. It also requires a separate external housing to be waterproof, lacks a backlit front display, and no longer includes the Wi-Fi...

The GoPro Hero4 Black and Silver models deliver class-leading video sharpness, excellent dynamic range, and improved low-light capabilities that outshine competitors. The flagship Black edition ($500) targets professional workflows by offering 4K recording at 30fps, 1080p at 120fps, and 2.7K at 60fps for high-quality slow-motion footage. Meanwhile, the $100 cheaper Silver edition appeals to everyday consumers by incorporating an intuitive, touch-sensitive LCD screen for quick shot framing and a significantly simplified four-click settings menu. Both units also introduce automatic in-camera timelapse creation, a handy upside-down orientation sensor, and an included robust waterproof housing rated down to 131 feet. However, both cameras suffer from severe battery limitations and lack integrated image stabilization or GPS. The Hero4 Black is particularly weak, draining its power in just 63 minutes when recording at 1080p/120fps, or 70 minutes when shooting in 4K. Although the Silver edition lasts a more respectable 119 minutes at 1080p/30fps, users transitioning from older models must buy entirely new, reshaped batteries and external chargers. Additionally, editing the high-resolution files is incredibly taxing on computers, a frustration compounded by the included GoPro...

The GoPro HERO4 action camera series introduces three models—a basic HERO, the HERO4 Silver with an integrated touchscreen, and the flagship HERO4 Black. The HERO4 Black significantly improves image quality by offering usable 4K video recording at 30 frames per second, a major upgrade from the previous model's nearly unwatchable 15 frames per second. This flagship model turns out incredibly clean, crisp images in bright outdoor settings and balanced, cinematic results in studio environments. Additionally, the inclusion of manual Protune settings provides filmmakers with welcome flexibility to adjust white balance, ISO limits, sharpness, exposure, and color profiles—including a flat setting ideal for post-production color grading. The camera also features a functional, nearly indestructible form factor that fits in the palm of a hand and can be easily mounted to almost any surface. Despite these performance upgrades, the HERO4 retains several limitations from past generations, most notably a frustratingly short battery life. The camera struggles to reach its estimated one hour of continuous recording when shooting in high resolutions like 4K 30p, especially in cold weather environments. Users must navigate settings...

The GoPro Hero4 Black is an exceptionally compact and lightweight action camera that serves as a powerful tool for capturing sharp 4K video footage and crisp wide-angle still images on a budget. Reviewer Gavin Hardcastle notes that the camera excels in stable, slow-moving setups—such as slider or drone footage—where its resolution and impressive glass sharpness allow users to easily pull high-quality still frames directly from the video. Its pocket-sized form factor, sub-$500 price point, and included skin-tight waterproof housing make it an ideal, highly portable alternative to heavy DSLR gear for outdoor and underwater photography. However, the camera suffers from significant performance limitations, most notably a pathetic battery life that lasts around 20 minutes in mild temperatures. The lack of an exposure lock causes frustrating, constant exposure adjustments during movement, and its weak dynamic range frequently results in blown-out skies and unrecoverable, noisy shadows in low-light conditions. Additionally, the physical three-button control system is highly annoying to navigate, the smartphone app provides a poor-quality live preview transmission, and the optional $90 touchscreen is incredibly difficult to operate through the plastic...

The GoPro Hero4 Black is a compact, rugged action camera that delivers excellent video quality by upgrading its 4K recording capabilities to a smooth 30fps and offering high frame rates like 1080p at 120fps for slow-motion sequences. Notable pros include a context-sensitive "HiLight" button that simplifies menu navigation and lets users tag specific moments, essential loud beep sequences for physical cues, and a slick, feature-rich companion app that allows for a live low-res feed and full remote camera controls via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Additionally, advanced users can utilize the "ProTune" mode for precise manual control over colour, exposure, and ISO limits when editing. However, the camera suffers from several distinct cons, starting with its high $499.99 launch price and a redesigned battery mechanism that makes previous GoPro batteries completely incompatible. It lacks a built-in touchscreen (unlike the Hero4 Silver), omits the Wi-Fi remote previously included in older models, lacks a minijack port for microphones without a costly £20 adapter, and does not feature built-in image stabilisation. Performance-wise, the camera exhibits limited dynamic range that can cause skies to look blown...

The camera delivers exceptional video quality, characterized by strong colour saturation, high sharpness, and a brilliant auto-exposure system that smoothly transitions through rapidly changing light conditions. On the upside, its pros include advanced manual settings, excellent smartphone app integration, high-resolution 4K video at 30fps, silky slow-motion 1080p footage at 120fps, and improved low-light performance through dedicated night modes. However, its cons include a high price tag, the complete absence of an onboard display screen, a new battery design that makes older batteries obsolete, and the exclusion of the Smart Remote that accompanied previous generations. Ultimately, unless these specific high-end capabilities are required, most casual users would be better served by the cheaper Hero4 Silver.

The GoPro Hero4 Black stands out as a highly capable, top-tier action camera that earns an Editors' Choice distinction for its outstanding video performance. It is identical in design to its predecessor and comes packaged with a robust waterproof case rated for depths up to 131 feet. The camera's defining strength is its ability to shoot exceptionally crisp 4K footage at a smooth 30fps capture rate. It also provides slow-motion enthusiasts with extensive high-frame-rate options, including 1080p at 120fps and 720p at 240fps. Furthermore, users can unlock granular controls over ISO, exposure, and color profiles via ProTune mode, or use a seamless smartphone app to bypass the camera's clunky, non-backlit front LCD screen. However, these premium capabilities come with significant drawbacks, most notably its premium $499.99 price tag and poor battery life. The battery lasts only about 70 minutes when recording in 4K, making spare batteries an absolute necessity for extended field use. The camera also completely lacks built-in electronic image stabilization, meaning engine or heavy vibrations transfer directly into the video. Additionally, the audio quality remains poor when using...

The GoPro HERO4 Black features a 12MP sensor and Ambarella A9 processor capable of 4K/30p, offering a small, durable design with advanced 'Protune' settings for flat color profiles, though it requires a case for waterproofing. Key limitations include a lack of image stabilization, no tripod mount, and a challenging three-button interface that makes navigation difficult. While lacking a built-in LCD for framing, it offers a 65-minute battery life in 4K that performed well in cold conditions. The camera relies on an optional $80 BacPac or a sometimes difficult Wi-Fi app connection to overcome its lack of a native screen.

The GoPro Hero4 Black marks a major step forward for the action camera market, packing cinematic-quality performance into a compact, matchbox-sized design. Its headline feature is the ability to record 4K video at 30fps (a massive leap from its predecessor’s 15fps) and 1080p footage at 120fps for detailed, full HD quarter-speed slow motion. Visually keeping the same rugged shape as the previous generation, the Hero4 Black introduces notable upgrades like a redesigned base-loading battery compartment and a much more intuitive navigation interface via a dedicated settings button. Additionally, it brings fast, reliable Wi-Fi alongside new Bluetooth support, a sturdy mounting system, and the practical capability to tag your favourite footage while recording. However, the camera comes with a few prominent drawbacks. The most notable omission is the lack of a built-in screen for framing or checking your shots, forcing you to rely on a paired smart device and a Wi-Fi connection to view live compositions. Furthermore, the device suffers from a slow startup time and completely lacks any zoom capabilities. Despite these minor frustrations, the camera provides incredible power and...

Overview and Core Features The 2014 GoPro lineup—consisting of the high-end Hero4 Black, the mid-tier Hero4 Silver, and the budget-friendly Hero Base—introduces notable upgrades in video resolution, frame rates, and usability. The Hero4 Black stands out for delivering full frame rate 4K video at up to 30FPS, making it the top choice for professional-grade action footage. Meanwhile, the Hero4 Silver introduces a brilliant, built-in colour touch screen that drastically simplifies shot framing and settings navigation. All units include a 40-metre waterproof housing, and the Black and Silver editions feature an upgraded side settings button, ProTune customisation, and robust mobile app connectivity for live previews and file transfers. Pros and Cons The key advantages of the Hero4 series include class-leading video resolution, exceptional high-speed frame rates for smooth slow-motion (such as 120FPS at 720p), and a highly refined mobile app. A major firmware update also adds convenience by allowing the camera to automatically construct time-lapse videos directly on the device. However, the series suffers from significant drawbacks, most notably the atrocious battery life on the Hero4 Black, which drops to just...

The PCMag review highlights the GoPro Hero4 Black as a top-tier action camera earning an Editors' Choice award for its superior 4K video performance and robust, 131-foot waterproof, compact design. It offers 30fps 4K video, high-end ProTune recording, built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and a massive accessory ecosystem. Drawbacks to the $499.99 camera include short battery life (roughly 70 minutes) and the lack of an integrated LCD touchscreen, forcing reliance on a button interface or app for framing. Additionally, the device lacks internal image stabilization and exhibits noticeable lens distortion.

The GoPro Hero4 Black Edition represents a significant technological milestone for action cameras, primarily due to its upgraded processor that unlocks true 4K video recording at 30 frames per second (fps). It provides a substantial boost in sharpness over its predecessor, measuring 1,000 line pairs per picture height in lab tests. It delivers improved fine detail with less artifacting thanks to an increased bitrate of 60Mb/s. Another major pro is the inclusion of a 1080p mode at 120fps, which renders motion exceptionally well and is ideal for creating smooth 5x slow-motion footage. Additionally, the camera introduces Bluetooth connectivity alongside built-in Wi-Fi and expands its ProTune options to stills, allowing creators manually to adjust settings like ISO limit, exposure, and white balance for greater post-production flexibility. Despite these powerful upgrades, the review highlights notable cons regarding low-light performance and battery life. In dim conditions, the camera took a slight step back, requiring 5 lux of light to produce a usably bright image compared to the 3 lux required by the older Hero3+ Black. Battery performance remains a weak point, lasting only...

The GoPro Hero4 Black remains a top-tier action camera despite being on the market for nearly two years, largely due to its high resolution, fast processor, and impressive 4K video recording capability. It is highly valued for its exceptional image quality, sharp detail, a wide field of view, and a helpful f/2.4 aperture that allows for strong performance in low-light situations. Additionally, the camera benefits from an extensive ecosystem of first- and third-party accessories and ships with a robust clear waterproof case capable of diving down to 40 metres. Less experienced users can easily rely on the automatic settings, while serious photographers can manually adjust advanced options like ISO and frame rates. However, the device has several notable drawbacks, including its steep price of £409.99 and a total lack of optical image stabilisation. Navigating the camera's menu system via its small front-facing LCD and two-button interface is notoriously tricky and can lead to fumbling in poor visibility. The onboard microphone is also insufficient for professional audio, and the battery life is quite limited, lasting only about 90 minutes when shooting...