GoPro Hero 7 Underwater Camera Specification, Features, Review & more

Overview of the GoPro Hero 7 Underwater Camera

Cameras have gone a long way and improved significantly. The sensor of the GoPro Hero 7 Sports & Action Camera camera is a CMOS Sensor. In terms of ISO levels, this camera supports unspecified. Movies can be recorded at 3840×2160 pixels (2160p), 1920×1080 pixels (1080p HD), and 1280×720 pixels (720p HD). It accepts SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. This camera weighs 116 grams and has a 2-inch display for clicking and previewing photographs.

GOPRO HERO 7 UNDERWATER CAMERA DETAILS

Review of the GoPro Hero 7 Underwater Camera

It wasn’t long ago that the GoPro Hero 6 reached the market, and we all felt it couldn’t be topped.

The debut of the Hero 7 was far more significant than that of the Hero 6, and there were several reasons for this.

What exactly is a GoPro?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the GoPro product range or the firm, let me give you a quick rundown of what a GoPro is.

A GoPro is basically a compact, handheld, waterproof camera that can be attached or positioned almost anywhere to capture a unique viewpoint or shot.

GoPro cameras can record video, still images, time-lapses, photo bursts, night photography, and underwater photography.

Many people believe that a GoPro is only for those who enjoy action sports such as surfing or snowboarding, but this is not totally true.

With the new Hero 7, almost anyone can utilize this fantastic piece of technology due to its ease of use.

The GoPro Hero 7 is the latest in a long line of GoPros, with previous versions ranging from the original HD Hero through the Hero 4 models, which introduced 4K footage to the smaller Session devices. GoPro announced the finest GoPro yet in 2018.

White, silver, or black GoPro Hero 7?

You may have noticed that the GoPro Hero 7 comes in three different colors: white, silver, and black. What are the distinctions, and which is best for you?

Consider them to be beginner, intermediate, and professional cameras. The White is the least expensive and has the fewest features.

Don’t bother with this one unless you’re desperate for cash, in my opinion. It features 1080p video and is waterproof, but that’s all there is to it.

The Silver is a step forward, with 4K video and WDR photographs, but it misses the core capabilities that you want from a GoPro.

When it comes to action cameras, the GoPro Hero 7 Black is unrivaled. Let me save you the trouble of doing the research and just tell you to save some money and buy this one.

Features of the GoPro Hero Underwater Camera

GoPro updated its action camera collection this year, with significant changes to its seventh generation Hero camera. Although the flagship GoPro Hero 7 Black has few visual differences from its predecessor, it is a significant advance over the GoPro Hero 6 when considering the functionality this standalone camera offers.

The Hero Black 7 includes the new HyperSmooth stabilization technology, which is the latest GoPro camera’s selling point. This feature is touted to provide gimbal-like stability while shooting handheld video.

Other significant features of the new Hero 7 Black include live-streaming, Super Photo, and Time Warp, a time-lapse tool. The GoPro Hero 7 Black sports a rubberized finish and is waterproof to a depth of 10 meters. It, like the Hero 6 Black, is powered by a proprietary GP1 processor.

The Hero 7 Black features a 12MP wide-angle sensor, H.265/HEVC video codec support, and the ability to capture 4K footage at up to 60 frames per second. While HyperSmooth is an impressive enhancement on the new GoPro Hero 7 Black, we’ll look at it along with a few other crucial features to determine if it’s worth considering.

HyperSmooth Stabilization

While the Hero 7 Black has the same design and nearly equal characteristics as the Hero 6 Black, GoPro appears to have concentrated more on improving video stabilization on its new 4K action camera. Its standout feature, HyperSmooth, employs digital image stabilization based on sensor data from the gyroscope.

GoPro has added 1GB of RAM to the camera to enable predictive scene analysis. To eliminate jitters and jerks, the image processing technology trims the edges by roughly 5%. However, even if it crops the frame slightly, it is scarcely noticeable.

In specific shooting settings and at resolutions of up to 60fps, the Hypersmooth function is enabled automatically. The feature produces effective results while recording videos in Linear mode; because the image is cropped, it is more steady and less distorted.

Under bright light, the camera produces a high-quality film with brilliant colors and plenty of details. Whether running on a rocky road or riding an ATV, the stabilizer manages the jitters and jerks quite effectively, resulting in a lovely and smooth ride.

When recording 4K videos, the HyperSmooth stabilization produces the greatest results. However, if you record 4K video at 24 or 30 frames per second, the feature will not operate. Simply pick video mode and press on the bar-like icon you’ll see below the LCD screen, where you’ll find the video options, to activate HyperSmooth stabilization. Tap it and choose ‘Res|FPS,’ then select a resolution (either 4K, 2.7K, or 1080p) and frames at 60fps.

Time Wrap

The GoPro Hero 7 Black contains a new time-lapse mode dubbed Time Warp, which allows you to shoot quick time-lapse photos while holding the camera. While the previous GoPro iteration supported time-lapse recording, the device had to be kept in a static position for smooth output.

However, the new Time Warp removes this barrier, allowing you to effortlessly capture time-lapse footage while on the go. The function makes use of HyperSmooth stabilization to produce smooth time-lapse footage. While it is comparable to Instagram’s Hyperlapse feature, Time Warp allows you to adjust the photo interval.

You can adjust the speed of the time-lapse by selecting a photo interval of 2/5/10/15 or 30s. It is best to choose an interval greater than 5 seconds, else the footage will be unsteady.

Excellent Photograph

While GoPro has mostly concentrated on video stabilization, the Hero 7 Black also has a new option called Super Photo for camera enthusiasts. The mode operates in a manner similar to the smartphone camera’s native Smart HDR capability, with the settings being adjusted based on the scene.

The mode creates photos with lots of details, good color reproduction, and a wide dynamic range via image processing and tone mapping. The Hero 7 Black now supports shooting in Portrait mode as well.

When you hold the camera vertically, the viewfinder automatically flips to Portrait mode. By connecting the camera to your smartphone via the GoPro app, you can shoot vertical photographs, videos, and even share them on Instagram Stories.

Live Mode

GoPro’s latest action camera now includes a new Live-streaming feature. The feature is accessible through the GoPro app and presently supports Facebook Live. To use the feature, you must connect your smartphone to the camera. Open the GoPro app on your smartphone and select the Camera option from the hamburger menu at the upper left corner.

Once set up, you may choose who you wish to share the live stream with (public, friends, or just me) and the resolution (720p/480p). Give your live stream a name, and then click the Live Stream button at the bottom.

Refreshed (UI)

GoPro has also updated the user interface on the new Hero 7 Black. While navigating the modes on prior GoPros was a little tough, the action camera manufacturer has recently simplified the UI. Swiping left and right switches between time-lapse, main movie mode, and photo mode.

The main settings are located at the bottom in a bar-like icon. Tapping on it brings up the advanced settings, such as resolution, frames per second, Pro-tune mode (which allows you to adjust the ISO range, sharpness, and exposure correction), and so on.

‘Preferences’ can be accessed by swiping up and down from the top. While swiping up from the bottom, the media opens and displays the images and movies you’ve taken. The GoPro Hero 7 Black, like its predecessor, supports voice commands for hands-free device control. During our testing, we discovered that the voice command worked well for the most part. We found the interface to be a little slow in reaction, but the easy swipe movements are a welcome change.

Video – More About HyperSmooth

TimeWarp makes good use of the built-in stabilization, but the finest feature in my GoPro Hero 7 Black review is how it combines with the basic video mode.

If you’re utilizing anything less than a Hero 7 for filming, you should consider upgrading to the Hero 7 right away.

The Karma Grip was designed to smooth out any bumps caused by a Hero 5 or Hero 6, but if you’ve ever used a gimbal before, you know that they can get in the way and require a battery pack to remain charged.

The Hero 7 keeps things simple…and compact, with an integrated mechanism that maintains the footage ‘as smooth as butter.’ I’ve got a lot of concerns from friends about whether or not the stabilization is legitimate, and I can assure you that it is.

Since getting the Hero 7, I’ve just utilized a shorty mount as the handle and then applied the proper settings.

There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to get smooth footage —

• HyperSmooth will not be supported in 4K.
• HyperSmooth has not been supported at high frame rates such as 1080p 120 frames per second or 1080p 240 frames per second.

Although the higher frame rates will not support HyperSmooth, which is unfortunate, I have learned to live with it.

In a word, GoPro has scarcely changed the visual aspects of Hero 7 Black. The camera’s essential components, such as the processor and camera sensor, are unchanged from the Hero 6 Black. The Hero 7 Black, on the other hand, stands apart from prior models thanks to a slew of additional features.

The HyperSmooth feature provides incredibly smooth footage whether you’re riding your bike off-road, riding a horse down a muddy lane, or walking up a mountain. Under the correct lighting conditions, the SuperPhoto mode produces vivid stills with rich colors and details.

Furthermore, the new live streaming capability and portrait video are expected to pique the interest of YouTubers, Instagrammers, and Vloggers who love sharing action feeds and experiences in real-time on social media. Indian English is now supported in the voice control mode.

The battery is the same as in the previous GoPro Hero 5 and Hero 6 models. We obtained roughly 45 minutes of continuous recording while capturing 4K/60fps footage. After around 30 minutes of continuous shooting, the camera begins to heat up.

GoPro has made a few minor tweaks to the storage and audio systems. The SD-RAM of the Hero 7 Black has been increased to 2GB. The microphones have also been updated to provide a wider dynamic range. In India, the new Hero 7 Black is priced at Rs 37,000.

GoPro Hero 7 Black Camera Review – Highlights

While all of the camera’s cool capabilities are the main reason for my GoPro Hero 7 Black review, there’s a lot more to this fantastic camera than just the software that makes it the best action camera on the market.

Waterproofing

What makes the Hero 5 and higher so amazing is that you don’t need to wear a diving case to go underwater (to a certain depth of 10 meters).

Although the Hero 7 may be used underwater without a diving case, I always recommend utilizing the ‘SuperSuit,’ as GoPro refers to it, when venturing into saltwater.

Saltwater will damage your camera by making the battery and micro SD door difficult to open and causing microscopic grains of sand to become embedded in the crevices.

If you intend to take the Hero 7 beyond 10 meters, make sure to put on the super suit to prevent water from getting into the GoPro — you don’t want that!

Vertical Shooting

This is one of my favorite features of the Hero 7, and it’s so easy to use! The software of the Hero 7 now allows the GoPro LCD screen, i.e. the interface, to be rotated to portrait orientation.

Also, when you take vertical photographs, the software automatically flips the image when it downloads to your hard drives, so you don’t have to go through everything and rotate!

So, why is this on the list of topics to discuss in a GoPro Hero 7 review? Because there are times when you simply want to snap in portrait mode to fully capture a moment or to share on Instagram.

Sound

Previous GoPros weren’t quite up to par in terms of audio quality until the Hero 7 hit the market. With the Hero 7’s improved audio options, you can effectively use the new GoPro as a vlogging camera without the installation of a microphone.

There are settings for RAW sound, wind, and Auto, which open up the Hero 7 to all kinds of environments and allow for high-quality sound recording!

Auto Exposure Control

I enjoy shooting timelapse with my GoPros, but I’ve always struggled with exposures, especially when the light fades from daytime to dusk and finally night.

With the new Hero 7, I press and hold any point on the screen until a small white-bordered screen shows. This page allows you to select a location that will be locked for the exposed while taking a photo or video shoot.

This is ideal for brightening things up in dim light!

Battery Life

A good battery is required when using a Hero 7 for an extended amount of time. Shooting time-lapse can take up to 2.5 hours, so having a strong battery life is essential.

I shoot 1080p timelapses for an average of 2 hours and have 40 percent battery life left, which is astounding given the size of a GoPro battery.

I have 5 batteries that are always completely charged, and I occasionally go on overnight camping trips.

For these instances, I designed an insulated battery warmer to ensure that the cold air does not drain the power from my batteries, as there is nothing worse than showing up to a shoot only to discover that all of the batteries have been depleted.

The Self-Timer

Why, why, why didn’t GoPro have this option before? The Hero 7 now features a built-in timer that comes in two flavors:

A 15 and 30-second timer that will only record for that amount of time. This is ideal for images where you want to be in the frame but doesn’t have anybody to hold the Hero 7.

A stills timer is a device used to take photographs. It’s essentially a countdown clock that allows you to enter into the frame of a shot. There are two timer options: three and ten seconds. In addition to the stills timer, you may activate it via voice control, which I will discuss later.

Voice Command

Voice control is strange to me because I’ve never been a big fan of it. When I use the voice control option, I think I’m being lazy, but there are moments when it actually comes in useful.

When using mounts such as a head mount, chesty mount, or are otherwise out of reach of the Hero 7, employing voice control comes in handy.

Here’s a small tip for using voice control! If you have numerous cameras set to speech activated or voice command, make sure that just one camera has voice control enabled, as this will turn on all of your cameras when you give them the order.