A GoPro is likely to be everyone’s first choice when buying an action camera. You can mount GoPro cameras on helmets, surfboards, on top of RC cars and almost anywhere you can think of. They have changed the way we shoot videos and photos. Their nearly-indestructible build ensures you can shoot anywhere and everywhere. GoPro recently announced its latest flagship, the Hero 9 that promises to bring significant changes. GoPro claims, the new flagship is designed by analyzing years of feedback to make it the perfect action camera.
The Hero 9 Black comes with an all-new design which is bigger than older GoPro cameras for many good reasons. The camera now houses a bigger 2.27-inch screen at the rear that makes navigating through menus, modes and selecting settings easy. It also give you a better preview of photos and videos without having to import them to your smartphones or tablets.
The biggest update on the GoPro Hero 9 Black is its 1.4-inch front screen. The screen makes it easier to frame not just yourself, but also what’s behind you, which was difficult with older GoPro cameras. It’s a handy new addition for vloggers. The front display can be customised to show a centre, close-up or a full preview. You can also customise the display to show camera settings, or completely turn it off like the previous generation GoPro cameras.
Dual-displays need more power, and GoPro has ensured the Hero 9 has it. The camera now comes with a 1,770 mAh battery which is 40 per cent bigger than the Hero 8’s 1,220 mAh battery. GoPro claims, the new battery results in 30 per cent better battery performance, and the camera should easily last a day under moderate usage. GoPro has also improved the battery’s cold-weather performance, as many users reported the Hero 8 to have rapid battery draining in temperatures below freezing point.
The GoPro Hero 9 Black is a bit taller, wider and thicker than older GoPro cameras. However, this shouldn’t be an issue while mounting the camera, as it comes with the same sized, in-built folding finger hooks. This means you can still use the Hero 9 with all the older action camera mounts. GoPro has also brought back the removable lens feature, which was missing in the Hero 8. The removable lens feature offers more versatility, as it lets you mount ND filters along with a bunch of camera mods. GoPro has also announced a new Max Lens Camera Mod that gives the Hero 9 a much wider, field-of-view. The camera also works with last year’s Light Mod, that comes with a directional microphone and in-built LEDs.
All GoPro cameras since the Hero 3 used 12MP sensors. The Hero 9 Black is GoPro’s first flagship that takes a big step-up by bumping the resolution to 23.3MP. The camera also uses a new f/1.2 lens, that promises to significantly improve the camera’s low-light performance. The new sensor also supports the more powerful HyperSmooth Boost stabilization mode in all resolutions and frame rates. The Hero 9 is also the first action camera that records 5K videos at 30 fps.
The GoPro Hero 9 brings a bunch of new features, and one of the most interesting ones is Horizon levelling. This feature was present in the Hero 8, but you could only use it after importing the video in the GoPro app. With the in-built Horizon levelling feature, the camera now stabilizes and levels footage, even if the video is recorded with unsteady hands. GoPro has also updated the Time Wrap mode by adding a new half-speed option that gives much better real-time control. You can activate the half-speed option to focus on something or just add a creative effect to your time-lapse.
The Hero 9 also comes with a new duration capture mode that lets you set a time for your GoPro to turn on, so it can start recording automatically. This feature is great for shooting sunrises without getting out of your bed. The camera also comes with a new Hindsight feature which continuously records audio and video, but only save the part of the video where any action is detected. This feature should be a great option to shoot lightning or quick events that are easy to miss. It also helps to save SD card space.
The GoPro Hero 9 now also comes with improved voice controls. GoPro claims, the camera now support up to 11 languages in 6 accents. GoPro has also added support for Twitch in the GoPro app, which means you can also use the Hero 9 to live stream yourself while playing games. GoPro has also updated the mics on the Hero 9 for better quality. The camera now also comes with a larger speaker, that should also improve audio playback.
The GoPro Hero 9 brings massive improvements over its predecessors. The addition of a front screen should finally put an end to badly framed selfies and videos. The larger resolution clubbed with the new sensor, should make photos and videos a lot crisper. The camera is also as rugged as older GoPros, and it can withstand water up to 33 ft. The GoPro Hero 9 will soon available in India, and you can look at it by visiting your nearest Reliance Digital store or at www.reliancedigital.in
