The slogan of GoPro for the Hero 9 launch is “More everything,” and there is enough new stuff to make it feel equal. The higher resolution is welcomed by GoPro regulars, while the new front screen avoids competition from DJI. The Hero 9 will remain flexible well after its launch with the inclusion of the lens mods, and a return of the reversible lens cap and greater battery life squashes two major negative effects from previous cameras.
You can remotely monitor the camera, view preliminary images and upload them directly, and make edits by connecting with the GoPro app via Bluetooth, and via Wi-Fi for more intensive intervention. You are then able to instantly build 1080p live streams, with social channel sets like YouTube and Facebook, and with an ongoing awkward manual option.
GoPro has introduced the ability to use the HERO 9 cabled webcam in an especially timely manner to the remote work environment of the ‘new standard.’ Fill in your USB-C charging cable with the GoPro Webcam desktop app. A very useful magnetic mount shaped as a crocodile clip is the ideal screen mount, giving experienced vloggers and casual zoom callers extra value as well as a useful dual-use faff reducer while traveling.
Talking of the faff reduction, the larger battery can be battered on a few grams, but it adds a declared battery life of 30 percent. The HERO 9 battery life was powerful enough to capture many videos in maximum 5 K resolution and hundreds of photos at a time, and the test model had a battery pack for extra power. The only snag is that the battery can only be placed on board (by USB-) without an external adapter so that both batteries can be switched into the chamber to fuel.
GOPRO HERO 9 BLACK REVIEW: SPECS
| Weight | 158g (no frame required) |
| Dimensions | 71.0W x 55H x 33.6D (mm) |
| Video | 5K30, 4K60, 2.7K120, 1080P240 |
| Photo | 20MP |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Max video bitrate | 100Mbps (5K, 4K) |
| App | GoPro App integrated with Quik |
| Horizon levelling | On Camera + With the GoPro App |
| Digital lenses | SuperView, Wide, Linear, Linear + Horizon Leveling, Narrow |
| Burst | 20MP Auto, 30/10, 30/6, 30/3, 10/3, 25/1, 10/1, 5/1, 3/1 |
| Time Lapse | 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, 60 seconds; 2, 5, 30, 60 minutes |
| TimeWarp 3.0 | 2x, 5x,10x 15x and 30x recording speeds |
| Night Lapse | Auto, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 seconds; 1, 2, 5, 30, 60 minutes |
| Touchscreen | 2.27″ LCD rear, front Color LCD With Live Preview |
| Waterproofing | 10m (33ft) without a case |
| GPS | Yes |
| Voice control | Yes |
| Microphones | 3 |
| Stabilisation | HyperSmooth 3.0 with High and Boost options |
| HDR | SuperPhoto, auto HDR processing |
| Battery | Removable 1720mAh lithium-ion |
| Other | Portrait mode, auto orientation |
| Memory storage | MicroSD with at least class 10 or UHS-I rating |
| Live Streaming | Yes, via app |