- Dream Cheeky
GoPro Hero 7 Overview
GoPro has released an updated HERO7 Black with the same performance but with some significant improvements that make it even better. This means that it offers excellent value. This model was the one that introduced software leaps such as HyperSmooth stabilization or TimeWarp Video. These features are still powerful and can be used today.
It has excellent video and stills quality and is waterproof without a case. It’s not compatible with GoPro Mod accessories, and it lacks the Hero 9 Black front-facing screen. It’s a terrific value GoPro if you want an action camera that is reliable and durable with excellent image quality.
Pros
- Amazing 4K video and image quality
- HyperSmooth works well
- TimeWarp video is great for having fun
- Useful UI enhancements
- Dual Battery Charger
Cons
- Voice commands can be difficult
- Screen sometimes unresponsive
- Slo-mo footage can only be output via app or software
Related post:
Gopro Hero 7 Vs 8: Which Is Better In 2022?
GoPro Hero 7 – White, Silver, Or Black?
There are three GoPro Hero 7: White, Silver, and Black. Which one is best for you?
These GoPro cameras can be categorized as pro, intermediate, and beginner cameras. The White model is the most affordable and has the fewest features. This one is not worth the money unless you’re desperate for cash. It is waterproof and has 1080 videos.
Although the Silver is an upgrade, it has 4K video and WDR photos. However, it does not have all the features you want from a GoPro.
The GoPro Hero 7 Black action camera is unbeatable. Let me do the hard work for you and say that this is an excellent action camera.
What makes it different? HyperSmooth and SuperPhoto features are just a few of the many highlights. Let’s now get to the good stuff.
GoPro Hero 7 Black Review
GoPro Hero 7 Black Features
- 4K video at 60p
- HyperSmooth stabilization
- Live-streaming
Although some might be disappointed to learn that many of the core specs are carbon copied from Hero6 Black’s, GoPro’s goal for this model was less about increasing frame rates or packing more pixels and more about the user experience.
The GoPro 7 Black has the same 12MP sensor as the wide-angle lens. It also retains the highest video specs, 4K at 60fps, Full HD at a maximum of 240fps, and 8x slowed down footage at a maximum of 240fps. This camera is significantly faster than the previous model due to the many sweeteners added.
HyperSmooth
HyperSmooth is the most important of these. It’s a video stabilization method that GoPro rates as equivalent to using a drone. This combines hardware, software, and an upgraded optical stabilizer system. It was created in response to user feedback.
GoPro is not shy about its capabilities. They claim that it is the best in-camera stabilization system for action cameras. The battery life is not affected by the operation of GoPro.
HyperSmooth is available even for 60fps footage captured at full resolution, but not at 4×3 on the Hero 6 Black. It is not available when you capture Full HD footage at 120fps or 240fps, but standard stabilization can be used at this frame rate.
GoPro Hero 7 Black can predict your movements and adjust your camera shake to deliver insanely smooth footage.
Hyper smooth can produce footage that is very smooth, similar to what you’d get if using a gimbal. This seems to cause the GoPro Karma Grip camera gimbal to stop working as the GoPro 7 Black can record video. It’s fine without it.
New GoPro Hero 7 TimeWarp
A clip of Abe Kislevitz walking in a crazy fast, smooth motion along a tropical Pacific Islands wharf was the first time Hero 7 appeared. It was truly unique.
I wondered, “How in the hell did he do it?” It must be an editing trick!” It is not as hard as it seems. This is the GoPro Hero 7 TimeWarp video feature.
You need to use the correct settings and speeds to capture the shot you desire.
The setting is generally faster (i.e., The TimeWarp will run smoother if the setting is faster (e.g., 150x). If the Hero 7 is mounted to a bicycle or fast-moving vehicle, 150x is ideal.
I love the idea that you can create a hyperlapse quickly. TimeWarp is an example of how GoPro has demonstrated they can make a GoPro with built stabilization and other crazy features.
TimeWarp’s success, however, is too dependent on the GoPro Hero 7 Black being mounted onto motorbikes, cars, or skateboards that already have suspension, so the inbuilt stabilization will make it even more smooth.
Yes, that’s fantastic, but I would love to see the Hero 7 truly tested by trail runners, mountain climbers, or kayakers in order to show the GoPro 7 what it can do.
It’s Easier To Take Photos
SuperPhoto is another new option for the Hero 7 Black. This is similar to a scene intelligent auto option on a conventional camera that automates some useful features you might not have thought to use when taking photos.
You see amazing GoPro photos on Instagram or anywhere else, and you think, “Damn! That’s awesome!” But it was likely edited crazy to look like that …”?.
You were most likely right up until the Hero 7 was released.
GoPro photos are amazing, but sometimes they need some tweaking in Lightroom and other programs to make them pop. Sometimes, you don’t want or need to do this.
Sometimes I can’t bring my laptop with me, so it is nearly impossible to edit photos before publishing them on social media.
GoPro then released SuperPhoto, an option that you can select on the camera settings.
The Hero 7 calculates the best white balance, maximum ISO levels, sharpness, and color for a SuperPhoto (high dynamic range) photo.
HDR photos are often over-edited with high contrast, saturation, and vibrance. They can make you shudder. However, the Hero 7 doesn’t seem to ‘over edit’ the photos it takes when in SuperPhoto mode.
If you’re taking SuperPhoto photos in poor lighting conditions, ensure that the Hero 7 is mounted on a tripod. The image will take slightly longer to process.
You might end up with blurred images or strange chromatic aberrations at the edges.
Build and Handling
- Similar design to Hero 6 Black
- Waterproof to 10m/33ft
- Portrait orientation improved UI
- Quality is key
The GoPro Hero 7 Black has the same rugged, largely rubberized body as the Hero 6 Black. However, the sides are as smooth as their fronts and not ridged. The previous two-tone appearance is gone. However, you will likely still have your GoPro in a case, so it doesn’t make any difference when the GoPro is used.
The Hero, 7 Black’s build quality is just as solid and durable as the Hero 6 Black. Although the doors to the USB/HDMI and battery/card compartments are challenging to open, they are necessary for waterproofing. The camera can travel safely 10m/33ft underwater photography without housing (just like before), but you can go deeper with the optional Super Suit.
As standard, a small plastic frame wraps around GoPro Hero 7 Black and clips in place. This can also be mounted on an adhesive stand to hold the camera in place.
The newer GoPro Hero 8 Black has built-in mounting prongs, eliminating the need for a frame. The GoPro 7 Black is a camera that’s likely to cause anxiety for first-time users. Everything is tightly secured, so it stays put in whatever conditions you might be using. You soon get used to it.
Waterproofing
The best thing about the Hero 5 or above is that you don’t need a diving casing to go underwater (up to a depth of 10 meters).
While the Hero 7 can be taken underwater without a diving case, I recommend using the SuperSuit, as GoPro calls saltwater.
Saltwater can cause camera damage, making it difficult to open the micro SD card door and battery.
To prevent water from leaking into your GoPro Hero 7, if you intend to take it beyond 10m, make sure you have it on the SuperSuit.
Shooting Vertical
This is a feature I love about the Hero 7, and it’s also so simple! Now, the software on the device allows the GoPro LCD screen in vertical portrait mode to be turned upside down. The interface.
Audio & Video
The HERO 7 Black Show star is HyperSmooth stability, a built-in electronic stabilizer that allows you to eliminate the gimbal while capturing smooth, professional-looking footage every time.
Although it has been improved on later models, this original version of the stabilization is still great.
4K video is available at 60fps and Full HD 8x slo-mo. The image quality is outstanding, with vivid colors and a wide dynamic range. Pros will appreciate the advanced color profile option and higher bit rate.
HyperSmooth works exceptionally well and doesn’t have any artifacts or warping that you might find on older GoPros.
We found it just slightly more natural than the auto smoothing on our DJI Osmo Action (although this is a close call). You can see the HyperSmooth image stabilization in action below.
The HERO7 Black GoPro capture high-resolution video and 12MP images in SuperPhoto or HDR mode.
You might consider buying a more affordable and recent model if you are looking for a better photo resolution (20MP) than the HERO 7 Black.
Audio recording capabilities have been enhanced to go with the improved video. The microphones have a greater dynamic range, which allows for deeper lows and higher highs. Additionally, there is built-in processing to eliminate vibration sounds.
The GoPro HERO 7 Black has a touchscreen at the back, just like the HERO 6. However, the interface has been redesigned.
With intuitive gestures that anyone can use, the menus, modes, and settings are now much easier to navigate. Although the interface has been simplified and simplified in later versions, it is still intuitive enough.
Voice control is also available, which can be useful if you cannot reach the display or are wearing gloves. This could be helpful if you are surfing, climbing, or snowboarding.
Live-streaming is another cool feature that you can enjoy when connecting to the GoPro smartphone application.
You could only send video to Facebook Live via your smartphone’s internet connection when the HERO7 Black was first released. You can now live stream to YouTube.
Auto Exposure Lock
My GoPro’s allow me to capture time-lapses. However, I have had issues with exposures in the past due to light fading from daylight to dusk and then night.
The new Hero 7 allows me to select any spot on the screen and hold it until the small white-bordered screen appears. This screen allows you to lock a spot to be visible when taking a still or video shots.
This is the ideal thing to brighten things up in low-light conditions.
Battery life
A good battery is essential for long-term Hero 7 use. Timelapses can take up to 2.5 hours, so good battery life is essential.
My time-lapses are shot on 1080p and last an average of 2hrs. I usually have 40% battery life, which is incredible considering the size of a GoPro.
I have five batteries that are always fully charged. There are also times when I need to go on an overnight camping trip.
These situations are why I made an insulated battery warmer. It will keep my batteries from being drained by the cold.
The Self-Timer
This feature was never available on GoPro before. The Hero 7 now comes with an inbuilt timer in two forms.
This photo timer will film for a set amount of time, between 15 and 30 seconds. This is great for shots where you need to be in the frame but have no one else to help.
The Stills timer is used to take photos. It is a countdown clock that gives you enough time to take the shot. You can choose between a 3 or 10-second timer. You can activate the stills timer using voice control, which I will discuss next.
Understanding Your GoPro 7 Settings
Video Modes
Below is a list of all the video modes available for the GoPro 7 Black. Hyper smooth image stabilization features is impossible at higher resolutions or frame rate.
Resolution & Aspect Ratio
The GoPro uses two aspect ratios to shoot video. These are 16:9 and 4:13. 16:9 for video is the default aspect ratio, and 4:3 for still photos.
The aspect ratio for the GoPro sensor is 4:3. It measures approximately 4000 pixels wide by 3000 pixels high.
The GoPro uses the entire image sensor when shooting at 4K 4 to 3. The GoPro uses the whole width and height of the image sensor when shooting at 4K standard (16:9). The GoPro scales down the video to 4K for lower resolutions.
Frame Rate
There are many frame rates available. Standard video frames are 30 fps, and cinema movies are 24 fps. Slow-motion video can be produced at 60fps or higher than the 30 fps standard. Some people output 60fps footage, while others prefer 60fps.
Underwater video can be smoother than 30fps in certain situations. For a 30 fps regular video, 240 fps is equivalent to 8x slower motion at 1080p. This is a very impressive result and allows for some excellent slow-motion video making.
Field Of View
The GoPro 7 Black offers two main fields of view – wide and narrow – along with a superview mode.
Wide refers to the full view of the lens. It has a fisheye effect which allows for wide-angle shooting. This gives you a standard 16:9 aspect ratio, which results in a 133.9-degree diagonal view of the lens when zoomed out and a 70.8-degree diagonal view of the lens when fully zoomed in.
Linear refers to the view without the fisheye effect. This gives you a standard 16:9 aspect ratio, which results in a 95.5-degree diagonal field of vision when zoomed out or a 57.4-degree diagonal field when fully zoomed.
Superview converts the 4:3 video into the 16:9 video by squishing it vertically. Because the 4:3 video is longer than 16:9, you can capture scenes with a wider vertical field of view and then output video in the standard 16:9 ratio.
GoPros don’t have optical zooms. The zoom function uses less sensor area. You cannot zoom in when you shoot in 4K. 4K requires the entire sensor for the large field of view. There is no way to reduce the area of the sensor. The GoPro can zoom in when shooting at lower resolutions by cropping the amount of the sensor.
You want as little water as possible between your subject and the camera when the underwater video is shot. However, it’s essential not to get closer than 12 inches from your subject, or blurry close-ups will result.
The brighter and more colorful footage will be if there is less water between the subject and the camera. All things being equal, a wider field and closer proximity to your topics will result in better video quality.
The GoPro Hero 7 Black cannot zoom in underwater, just like the 6. If you want to zoom in on macro video, you will need first to set up the GoPro and then put it on while you change into your super suit. It must be worn throughout the dive. You can also shoot wide video at 2.7K and 4K, then crop it in post-production. This is what we do, and it works well.
The Best Shooting Modes
I recommend shooting 2.7K at 60 fps with a wide field of vision (fully zoomed in) and hyper smooth video stabilization turned on. This is what we use for macro and wide-angle videos. After editing the footage, we crop it down, stabilize it, then output it at 1080 and 30 fps. 1080 is sufficient quality for web use (i.e., Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook).
The extra resolution of 2.7K allows for cropping and video stabilization without compromising the quality of the final 1080 resolution video. 60 frames per second allow for smoother underwater footage. But, the best part is that You can slow down 60 frames per second up to 30 fps without making it look choppy.
This is particularly important for macro video because it allows you to capture fast behaviors and makes wobbles look much better in your final video.
Although 4K resolution is trendy, it is not obvious on a regular computer monitor or a large TV. 4K video is extremely large and difficult to edit. I would need a new computer to edit 40K @ 60fps.
A wide field of view is used to get closer to the subject and achieve the best wide-angle results. We still prefer to use a wide field of view when the macro is shot with a diopter. This allows us to change to wide-angle during the dive, and 2.7K footage will allow you to crop out any blurred edges.
For most GoPro users, this should be enough. 2.7K @ 60 FPS is good. If you’re looking to do cinema/broadcast quality footage or zoom in on macro subjects, you can use 4K resolution. It’s okay not to default to 4K resolution. Use it only if you have good reasons to.
Some video editing software doesn’t like 2.7K footage because it is not a standard resolution. Adobe Premiere Elements can edit and stabilize 2.7K footage, but you cannot use it for all functionality. Final Cut Pro allows you to edit and work with 2.7K footage and stabilize it. If you decide to use 2.7K footage, ensure that your editing software supports it.
Conclusion
The GoPro 7 Black was considered the most powerful action camera on the planet at its release. Although it has been surpassed by both the HERO8 Black and the HERO9 Black, the HERO7 Black remains a great action camera.
DreamCheeky hopes you find this article useful and could help you make the right decision. If you have any questions, leave a comment below. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
