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Customer Ratings & Reviews

Model:
CHDHF-131-AT
SKU:
6579901
Your price for this item is $199.99

Customer reviews

Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars with 135 reviews

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Rating by feature

  • Value

    Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars

  • Quality

    Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars

  • Ease of Use

    Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars

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Cons mentioned filter

92%would recommend to a friend

Rating 3.3 out of 5 stars with 2 reviews

Customers are saying

Customers frequently mention the HERO Action Camera's video quality, compact size, and ease of use as positive aspects. They appreciate the camera's ability to capture crisp and clear videos, its small and lightweight design, and its user-friendly interface. However, some customers express concerns about the camera's battery life and the fact that it does not come with an SD card.

This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.

The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 135 reviews
  • Pros mentioned:
    Compact size, Price, Video quality

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    compact and gets the job done!

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    Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    compact, affordable, and awesome camera for recording my boat videos ! thank you!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Easy to use

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Ski trip captured

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    Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The GoPro worked great on our ski trip. The group was able to capture all the trails in the mountain. Everyone enjoyed watching the playback. This little device brought hours of memories. We can’t wait to use on other trips. Very easy to use.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Best mini go pro made

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    Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Bought this for my fiance for Christmas and he loves it. He takes it everywhere and records everything. We live a very active lifestyle and go on many adventures and this is the perfect gift and perfect size.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Good

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    Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Very excellent purchase I will definitely buy this again

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Video quality
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    GoPros just keep getting better and better

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This is my second GoPro as I had the Hero 11 Mini. The things I hated about the mini are no longer an issue with this new one. This gopro is still very small almost too small as I dropped it while trying to set it up. It survived the fall and no damage was done. You can also remove the lens cover to replace if it gets damaged. I thought was a great idea as I could see that being the easiest thing to break on this camera. There are two buttons, one on top and one on the side. The top is for taking photos and starting/stopping video recordings. The button on the side is to turn on/off the device along menu access. The touch screen on the back is small but was pretty easy to use,, you can also use the GoPro App to make changes as well. With the touch screen you can change from photo, video, and slow-motion recording. The image stabilization worked great when I was taking videos. When I did a video of walking on the beach holding the camera, the image stabilization kept everything smooth. Even though I was only walking I could see that the stabilization would work great in a more action-packed adventure than just a walk on the beach. Photos were also easy to take (easier than using a phone) and came out with great clarity. This could easily replace a point and shoot small camera if you still utilize one of those. This camera is waterproof up to 16ft, I did not test this, but it will be great when we are at the lake next year. I would recommend some type of case that would allow the device to float if it falls into the water. Battery life for me was great! I was able to play around with the GoPro take photos and Videos and still had plenty of battery left. I did not do a full 4k for hours on end, but instead took 5-to-10-minute videos here and there and the battery still had 80% left. While recording the GoPro did not get overly hot (the gopro mini 11 I had would get way to hot), was a little warm but the outside the temp was in the 80's as well. Overall, this is a huge upgrade to the gopro I had prior even just for the touch screen. It's nice not having to use the app to make changes or to see what you are recording. The app however is nicely done and very easy to use. The app (IOS) has been the same for a few years and why change something that's not broken.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Compact size
    Cons mentioned:
    Battery life
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    For beginners only

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Well I’m not new to GoPro and how to get the best out of this lil action camera, but if you have more experience than the average Jane, then I will have to say to skip this one and shell out more for the fancy upgraded option, the Hero13. This is simply a very beginner friendly and safe option and leaves a bit to be desired if you have experience with GoPro. But I don’t want to be totally negative because it is a very good action camera. However, before I jump into the positives let me express my grievances. First, the battery life SUCKS. Now it may be great for an amateur, but by the time I get all of my shots set up and ready to go the battery is dead. So disappointing. My other grievance is that I’m able to record in slow-mo however, I can’t view it in slow motion on the device or on the app. I have to go into post production and fiddle to see the magic I may or may not have created. As someone who has to make sure that I have all the shots, this just doesn’t cut it. Ok the good. It’s very compact. I can throw it in my “loose” pockets or in a bag and it barely takes up space. It’s easy to operate, so shouldn’t be a hard learning curve for a beginner. Although the back screen is a little bit smaller it’s a good size to be able to see the playback and edit camera settings without fuss. It has an app and you can store your footage there, on the cloud or download to phone. But of course to use certain features, you guessed it, you have to fall in line with a subscription. I highly recommend this camera as an entry level for beginners only option. I don’t want to get technical with the jargon and stats because it wouldn’t benefit a GoPro newcomer. If you have some experience with action cameras, possibly using it for your business, and you are looking at this one, it’s a budget thing and I get it, but I would suggest skipping the Hero, save up a little more and get the Hero13 instead. It’ll be better for your overall workflow. I’ll give it 4.5 stars for beginners. So if you’re new to action cameras this is a great option to wet your feet.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Video quality
    Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 3 out of 5 stars

    Swing and a Miss

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    One of the biggest downsides is the inability to easily modify the resolution on the camera itself or through the app. In many cases, you might not need the highest resolution for every situation—whether it's to conserve storage space or extend battery life. Unfortunately, GoPro doesn’t give you a simple way to step down the resolution. This is a major limitation because action cameras are often used in different situations where you’d want the flexibility to adjust settings quickly and easily. Without that, it feels like you're stuck using more power and storage than necessary, which is frustrating when you're trying to maximize battery life or simplify your footage needs. I believe that if you place the camera in "battery saver mode", It will adjust the resolution to 1080. The second major issue is the touch screen interface. It’s sluggish and lags noticeably when trying to change settings or review footage. This is disappointing in a premium product that should be streamlined for ease of use. Relying so heavily on the app to make adjustments adds to the frustration, especially for those who don’t always want to carry their phone around when using the camera. I personally prefer to keep things simple when I’m on the go or outdoors, and constantly having to rely on the app makes the experience more cumbersome than it should be. I can see this interface being a real pain for people who just want to make quick adjustments on the fly without needing to fiddle with a phone. Another concern I have is with the fold-out mount on the bottom of the camera. While it’s a convenient design for quick mounting, it also seems like a weak point that could easily break over time. To be fair, it looks like GoPro designed it so that the mount could be swapped out if necessary, but that doesn’t negate the fact that I’d prefer something more durable right out of the box. The idea of having to replace or repair a mount on an action camera—something that's supposed to be rugged—isn't ideal. That said, not everything about this camera is negative. The video quality is fantastic, which is a huge plus. Whether you’re shooting in 4K or any of the other available resolutions, the footage is crisp, vibrant, and exactly what you’d expect from GoPro. Additionally, I haven’t encountered any issues with overheating, which is great considering some past models had that problem. The battery life is also reasonable for most adventures, though it’s worth noting that the battery isn’t replaceable. This might not be a big deal for everyone, but if you’re planning long shoots without access to a charger, it’s definitely something to keep in mind.

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    GoPro Hero: Tiny and Tough

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The GoPro Hero is a small but powerful camera that's perfect for capturing your outdoor adventures. It's tough, waterproof, and takes high resolution 4K videos. It’s a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and thrill seekers, but I think it’s also a great choice for Average Joes like me. Whether you're exploring, hiking, swimming, or just want to record your daily activities, the GoPro Hero is a great way to capture unforgettable moments. *Build and Design* The dimensions are approximately 2 x 1.5 x 1”. This camera is tiny, in a good way, which makes it very easy to carry. The touch screen is about 1.75” and responsive. You can swipe left and right, up and down. There’s a button on the top and left side that are made of rubber. These buttons aren’t too easy to press which I assume is to avoid unwanted stop/starting of videos. There are cleverly designed fingers below that take a variety of GoPro mounts. The mount that comes with the camera easily fits in and then you lock it in by twisting a bolt through it. There’s a fairly large .75” lens on the front as well that records the action. Overall, it’s a tough looking camera that has a quality feel. There’s a MicroSD slot and a USB-C charging port that handily pops open with the flick of a button. This camera easily fits in your pocket or it can be mounted just about anywhere. *Features* It’s waterproof down to 5 meters which is more than I need so it’s great for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, or body boarding. There are a ton of mounts that can attach to the fingers below. I looked on the GoPro site and they even have mounts for dogs so there is one for just about every occasion. There are your standard, snake, helmet, bike mounts, you name it and it’s probably available and pricing is fair. There’s a touch screen with simple navigation. It’s a little small but I didn’t have any problems with responsiveness and I have medium size hands. The button on the side is a power on and off button and the top button is a great idea. Once you hit the top button, it will power on and start recording. There’s about a 5 second delay before it actually begins recording. Hitting the top button again stops the recording and immediately powers off the camera. This is a great battery saver. This allows you to only drain the battery when necessary. You can also use voice control to operate the camera when your hands are busy. *Performance* Video 4K video recorded on the GoPro Hero looks stunning. It’s bright and fairly stable. There’s a nice wide view to capture a large field of view. I also like how someone can be right in front of you and the GoPro Hero perspective is far enough back to include them in the field of view. Lowlight video didn’t look very good to me. I went into a darker room with an aquarium and I lost a significant amount of detail. 1080p video is good but not great when compared to 4K. On a 128GB MicroSD card you can get about 4 hours of video at 4K and 16 hours on 1080p. The camera has a battery saver button that you can enable to record 1080p if you prefer to take a minor hit in quality to save some battery. I did notice 4K recording does drain the battery quicker. The touch screen works well and the menu is purposely simplistic. There are 3 modes: Slow Motion, Video, and Photo. I spent most of my time on video mode. Slow motion mode is most suitable for action sports in my opinion. Photo mode is convenient, but it probably won’t be taking the place of your phone or camera. There is also a settings menu consisting of an Orientation Lock, Voice Control, Battery Saver (1080p Video), Menu Beep on/off, Screen Saver, and Screen Lock. The menu is intuitive and simple, as it should be. *Sound* The microphone picks up all environmental sounds very well. I didn’t hear any wind noise so I was pleased overall with the mic and sound on the videos I recorded. *Software* There’s a GoPro Quik app available on your phone and computer. I downloaded the app to both an Android phone and my Mac laptop. Once you download your videos, the Quik app will allow you to edit and it also stabilizes the videos. You can download the videos in either HEVC, H.264 or ProRes. Each of these formats has its advantages but you will likely choose the format based on the environment you are recording and the amount of detail. You can also adjust bit rate on output. I took an offer to subscribe to Premium that lets you upload unlimited videos from your GoPro to the cloud. It also gives you an additional 25GB of other uploads if you need them. These videos will be available in your Quik app for stabilization and edits. One great feature in Quik is it will build a compilation of the videos you choose with background music and a theme for videos to upload to social media. Additionally, it will optimize the video based on what platform you publish. Overall Quik is a polished app for both MacOS and your phone. It’s simple, intuitive and easy to use, just like the GoPro Hero. *Battery* You can record about 60 minutes of 4K video before you need to recharge. While this is acceptable, I wish you could get a little more recording time. However, this is a really small device so it’s not too bad relatively speaking. I would recommend recording 1080p for longer sessions or using a Power Bank for a quick recharge. *Conclusion* The GoPro Hero is a ton of fun, just as the events you will be recording. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket. It can take a beating out in the elements. It’s durable, and easy to use. With its wide range of mounts, you can attach it to almost anything, making it perfect for outdoor activities. Unlike phones or traditional cameras, the GoPro Hero is designed to be taken on the go. I highly recommend it. Pros: * Compact and Durable: The small size and rugged build make it easy to carry and withstand outdoor elements. * Versatile Mounting Options: The various mounts available allow for attachment to almost any surface or object. * Waterproof: Suitable for water activities like swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. * Responsive Touchscreen: The touchscreen is intuitive and easy to navigate. * Quick Start and Stop: The top button provides a convenient way to quickly start and stop recording. * Voice Control: Hands-free operation is possible through voice commands. * Excellent Video Quality: The 4K video resolution delivers high-quality footage. * Wide Field of View: Captures a broad scene for immersive perspectives. * Good Low-Light Performance (4K): While not perfect, the low-light performance in 4K is reasonable. * Long Battery Life (1080p): Recording in 1080p with battery saver mode extends battery life significantly. * User-Friendly Software: The GoPro Quik app offers easy editing and stabilization features. * Cloud Storage (Premium): The premium subscription provides unlimited cloud storage for videos. Needs Improvement: * Limited Low-Light Performance * Battery Life for 4K: Recording in 4K can drain the battery relatively quickly. * Smaller Touchscreen: The touchscreen might be a bit small for some users. * No Built-in Stabilization: While the Quik app provides stabilization, it would be beneficial to have built-in stabilization. * Lack of Photo Quality (Compared to Dedicated Cameras): The camera's photo capabilities are not as advanced as dedicated cameras. * Premium Subscription Required for Full Features: To access all features like cloud storage and advanced editing tools, a premium subscription is necessary. * Limited Battery Capacity: The battery capacity could be larger for longer recording times.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Entry Level Ultra Light Action Camera

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The new GoPro HERO Action Camera is the smallest camera in the GoPro family. It measures 2.23" wide, 1.32" deep & weighs 0.35 pounds (86g). HERO features the same premium build quality as the other GoPro cameras; it simply has fewer features & offers tremendous value at a lower price point than other GoPro models. It captures clear 12MP photographs & records video in 4K30 (2160p). It will shoot slo-mo shots at 2.7K60 by pressing the shutter button. It has 2X digital zoom; image stabilization is provided through a free GoPro Quik app. The generous touch screen measures 1.76 inches. HERO is Bluetooth & WiFi enabled. Data is stored by inserting a microSD Card. Hero can record up to 60 minutes on a charge to the built-in Lithium-ion battery. It is water resistant to 16 feet (5m). Cloud storage is available through an optional GoPro Subscription. This subscription enables HERO to upload content to your cloud account, where you can edit your shots. CONCLUSION: The smooth image stabilization through the Quik app is amazing! I love connecting HERO to the charger & watching it upload my video to the cloud. I recommend HERO; it is a great action camera!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Great Starter Model for Enthusiasts!

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I’m new to using a GoPro – so this cheaper Hero 4K version is a good starting point for those of you that are new to this as well. The Hero 4K GoPro offers less features than say the Hero12 or latest Hero13, but still delivers awesome usability and picture quality. Shooting at 12MP photo resolution produces high quality images (note the more expensive GoPro models shoot at 27MP). There isn’t a TimeWarp or Time Lapse setting, so you’ll have to do that with software. Speaking of software, the GoPro Quik App is what’s you’ll load on your Phone or Desktop. It has things like Automatic Highlight videos to quickly make your little athlete stand out on the field or court! It will import shots from your phone, GoPro or any other camera. Of course there’s a subscription service that you can purchase as well. With that you can get unlimited cloud storage of your GoPro footage, guaranteed camera replacement, discounts on accessories, automatic highlight videos and more. Battery lasts roughly an hour depending on conditions and shooting mode, and recharges in 1-1.5 hours. If you’re doing an all day shoot and have the storage, you’ll need to bring a portable charger with. It’s a 1255mAh battery, while the other models have a bigger capacity. The microphones work surprisingly well (there are 2 mics) and didn’t pick up much wind noise when using. There are lots of other specs we could discuss – like it’s USB-C charging port, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, etc. Too much to cover – and it’s all online in the specs. Overall – very happy with this base model as I’m just starting out but may want to upgrade to a model with more features in the future.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 4 out of 5 stars

    Great Starter Cam for Thrill-Seekers

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    This is my first GoPro. I've always heard great things about them and everything I had heard ended up being true. Pros: - Set up was extremely simple. The GoPro Quik app uses Bluetooth to detect and pair the camera to your phone. You can later use this app to transfer media from the GoPro to the app. - The 4k video that I filmed turned out amazing. Being able to record at such a high quality with an affordable camera like this is just amazing. You'll want a class 10 Micro SD card in order to properly record and transfer 4k content. - The wide angle lens lets you capture an amazingly broad view ahead of you. It feels like you have almost a full 180 degree view. - Build quality seems excellent. I expect it to be durable and be able to survive drops without issue. - The UI is super simple, telling you how much capacity your memory card has for pictures or video length and your remaining battery life. I also like the audible beeps that let you know when you are starting/stopping a recording or when you have snapped a photo. Cons: - Battery life is not great. If you are looking to use it for more than an hour, be prepared to take a break and charge it. Fortunately, the USB-C charging is quick. - While you can take pictures with this, I can't imagine using it for that very often. The screen is small and you can't pinch to zoom, etc, so it's tough to get a good shot. If you are into extreme sports or just like to be active outdoors and want to capture some beautiful video, I think this GoPro is an excellent option for folks. I could also see it being used as a dash cam if anyone wanted to mount it in their car.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    So small Such Fun to record!

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I have been playing with this rather tinny GoPro Hero 4k camera for few days and did some recordings while i was driving and i found it to be working as intended! *The quality of it as well as for the videos that comes out is great for a fun sports/all around action camera that even tough is that tinny is still waterproofed and built to endure some action. **The battery life it's ok for how small this thing is but i wished for more, now being so compact i think it's a fair compromise. ***Setting it up was a breeze and i found the screen to very intuitive to use and responsive to the touch. ****The GoPro Quik app worked very good as well from stabilizing and smoothing out the content, to quick editing or fast transferring the footage to my phone. So i feel that this GoPro Hero 4k is a good value that has bunch of great features (2x slow-motion, rugged slim design, great resolution, usb-c connection) for a very portable action camera that can easily be carried practically anywhere!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Easy to use

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    GoPro HERO: Worth Every Penny

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    Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    recently purchased the GoPro HERO Action Camera Black, and it has exceeded all my expectations. The build quality is outstanding-rugged, waterproof, and designed for all kinds of adventures. The video quality is simply amazing, offering crisp 4K resolution with vibrant colors and excellent stabilization, even in the most dynamic settings. The camera is incredibly easy to use, with a user-friendly touchscreen interface and intuitive controls. I also appreciate the wide range of accessories available, which make it versatile for any activity, from biking to snorkeling. Battery life is decent, though recommend carrying a spare if you plan on shooting extensively. The connectivity features, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allow seamless transfers to my smartphone, making it convenient to edit and share content on the go. Overall, the GoPro HERO Action Camera Black is a fantastic investment for anyone who loves capturing high-quality footage of their adventures. Highly recommended!

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 3 out of 5 stars

    Micro action camera

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    The new GoPro - Hero Action Camera is part of GoPro’s new camera lineup this year. The GoPro Hero action camera is very compact at just over 2 inches wide and just over an inch in depth and weighing less than half a pound. The GoPro Hero action camera also sports a LCD screen in the back that is 1.76 inches and is surprisingly responsive. You can navigate your menus by swiping left, right, up & down. The Hero also comes in at 12 megapixels and can record up to 4K. It has slow motion, regular picture mode and video recording modes and that is about it. This action camera is also water resistant up to 16 feet depth of water. This unit also has voice features as well to start and stop recording when you don’t have your hands available which I thought was neat until I actually had to use it. Also GoPro states this unit has up to an hour or battery life which I find that hard to believe based on my usage. The GoPro Hero Action camera has a fair enough amount of features for it being a basic action camera in this years lineup. But despite’s those features at an entry level price point I’d say this action camera falls a little short. Battery life is pretty bad, for example I recorded a 30 minute video and it took almost half my battery life down. The downside of the internal battery is that it is not swappable, imagine you’re out on a hike or doing something adventurous and your battery goes out, instead of swapping batteries you’ll have to charge this camera essentially ruining the moment. Also this little camera does get fairly hot. This camera is also pretty bad in lowlight conditions being and action camera I’d expect a little better. I guess if you’re getting into action cameras and don’t want to invest too much into it this would be a good start. You just have to know what this camera is capable of and use it for that case scenario and not have too many high expectations.

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Compact size

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Great things come in small packages.

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    Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Simple and intuitive to use. This camera packs all of the big things you could want from a basic action camera in such a small package. It is about the size of an Airpod pro case. It feels sturdy and solid. Touch screen is sensitive and it works with the app effortlessly.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Tech Insider Network Member

    Rated 2 out of 5 stars

    Too small and limited for its own good

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    Tech Insider Network Member
    Posted .
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    I used a GoPro many years ago with fond memories and then switched to just using a Sony Digital Camera and my various smartphones over the years but the ultra compact GoPro Hero intrigued me for many potential uses so I decided to give it a try. Arriving in a wrapped box that has the actual box inside, you will find 2-3 pieces of literature, some stickers and a QR code for their Quik App along with the GoPro itself and a few accessories mainly for attaching it to various support devices and a USB-C cable. You really can't do anything with it until you update it and to do that you will need to download the GoPro Quik App. I have many issues with this approach and the fact there is no Windows/PC program support for this device as some quick research shows GoPro has discontinued PC Windows desktop support so everything has to be done through your Smartphone. My idea setup is to hook it up via USB-C to my computer and update and offload footage that way not have to use my Smartphone as an intermediate. As for the Hero itself, it is small, compact and feels very well built. It oozes the look and feel that GoPro has polished up over the years nicely done. It is very small which means it can be used in many scenarios a larger GoPro may not work which really is the one saving grace for the Hero. First issue is to actually setup and update the Hero you will need an SD Card but surprise, there isn't even a starter SD Card included. GoPro recommends an A2 V30 card of 64GB or larger. In my collection of SD cards, I did not have any of these as recommended, so I ordered one. Once it arrived, I couldn't get the update to work properly, so I ended up using the SD card to update the Hero with, yep, my PC to set up the SD card before inserting it into my Hero to auto update. Interestingly, on the website it says if the update fails to remove the battery and reinsert it to try again. Seeing as the battery on this model is not removable.... Another issue is the built in battery. Unlike other GoPro and GoPro like devices, you are now boxed in with finite battery life which depending on your activities can be a problem. In the past, I've had to swap out and use batteries before when on the go for a protracted period of time. I guess I could take a portable charging battery with me, but that makes it cumbersome and defeats the purpose of hot swappable batteries when needed. Auto stabilization (aka Hypersmooth) is not built in but is now software derived in the GoPro Quik App. This makes absolutely no sense to me as it is a core hardware feature of previous models. If you try direct exporting, it will not be stabilized. I prefer everything done within the hardware minimizing external software support. There is no way of getting around having to use the Quik App for video footage exporting. You are locked into the Smartphone app and no recourse on the desktop since they discontinued the Windows PC program/app. It does 4k at 30fps, but if you want 60fps, you must drop down to 2.7k. We're to the point now that even many budget minded smart cameras can capture footage at 4k 30fps. It is waterproof as always, but unlike some of their other models, it is limited to ~16ft which for any type of decent underwater adventures, even some snorkeling let alone shallow to medium dives, this is a no go with the Hero. Scuba diving becomes a cautionary tale with a ~16ft limit. I'm having issues trying to livestream, but that may be user error. I hope it is and not another limitation. In the end, I'm left puzzled and I think GoPro has reduced the size of their GoPro to the point it has lost a lot of what makes a GoPro a "GoPro." This feels like a budget camera wrapped around a lot of pushing to subscription services. The lack of interchangeable batteries, very limited recording options compared to their other offerings and software required stabilization just add to the list of woes. It does capture decent but not great video, but for me, the only real option if you want to go with a GoPro, is to dig deep and pick up a Hero13 for a larger form factor that really checks the boxes, pick up an older GoPro Hero 8 or just continue to use my Smartphone and for very select situations use the Hero. There are many negatives for me starting with those listed above to make this a solid buy. If you absolutely must have the tiniest and lightest GoPro for your use case (IE helmet mount, drone support, etc..) and are willing to accept the many tradeoffs, the Hero may make sense. In any other scenario, there are many other and much superior options out there including most likely the Smartphone in your hand.

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Easy to use, Video quality

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Great camera!

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    Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    So far so excellent! It's a great camera, that works right out of the box. The quality is good and the battery lasts for what i am using it for.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Features, Video quality

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Perfect for starting out

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    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Perfect GoPro for just starting out. Has a very decent selection of features. Video quality is very good.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Easy to use, Features

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Quality and Budget Friendly

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    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    Great features and outstanding picture quality. Simple to use.

    I would recommend this to a friend
  • Pros mentioned:
    Price
    Cons mentioned:
    Battery life

    Rated 5 out of 5 stars

    Go pro hero

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    Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
    This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.

    For the price , does the job . Only con is that battery dies pretty quick

    I would recommend this to a friend

What experts are saying

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Rating 3.3 out of 5 stars with 2 reviews

The analysis of all aggregated expert reviews shows that the reviewers are positive about design, portability, durability and usability. Editors are less positive about viewfinder and battery. Using an algorithm based on product age, reviewers ratings history, popularity, product category expertise and other factors, this product gets an alaTest Expert Rating of 74/100 = Good quality.
  • CNETRating, 3.5 out of 5Joshua Goldman on November 11, 2014

    Stripped-down GoPro Hero still pumps out good videoThough it is nearly devoid of features, this entry point for GoPro's camera line is just enough to get you started in the world of little, mountable cameras.

    Full Review
  • Channel 5Rating, 3 out of 5April 22, 2015

    GoPro Hero reviewMeet the GoPro Hero, the entry level action cam from the camera company that's essentially defined the action cam space. While it doesn't have as many bells and whistles as the latest Hero4 Black, it's a much more price conscious effort at around

    Full Review