The GoPro Hero5 Black action camera and the Hero5 Session were revealed last month, and these two action cameras are more than ready to be hooked up to the GoPro Karma drone. The thing is, which of the two should you purchase if you are in the market for an action camera? Our review of both should help you arrive at a smarter consumer decision. Without much further ado, let us dive right into the differences between the two!
Design Of GoPro Hero5 Black And Hero5 Session
Let’s face it: The chances of you purchasing something is not going to be too high if the design is unappealing. While both devices arrive with one-button recording for ease of use, the Hero5 Black has a 2-inch touchscreen display that makes it easier to control the settings. However, it sacrifices size as the smaller Hero5 Session is a far more subtle device. The Hero5 Black will definitely make a statement whenever you use it, while the Hero5 Session is a whole lot more discreet, clearly targeting those who want to mount it on a helmet or on other parts. Regardless, both devices come with a USB Type-C port and a microSD memory card slot. The Hero5 Black has a removable battery as opposed to the integrated battery in the Hero5 Session.
Video Capabilities
While both the GoPro Hero5 Black and Hero5 Session do come with 4K video capture ability, in addition to SuperView, Wide, Medium, Narrow and Linear FOVs (do take note that restrictions apply depending on the resolution), the Hero5 Black has the slight upper hand as it is capable of higher frame rates at select resolutions - 480p included. So far, 4K videos can be captured at 30 frames per second (fps), while offering 2.7K, 1440p, 1080p, 960p and 720p resolutions.
Regardless, the Hero5 Black and the Hero5 Session will come with high bitrate video at up to 60Mb/s, while they also boast of looping video and auto image rotation features in addition to the GoPro Protune software.
How Good Of A Photo Do They Shoot?
The Hero5 Black comes with a higher resolution sensor, making it more suitable for low-light performance as it delivers an ultra-sharp image quality. Similar features between the two would be burst, time lapse, night lapse, and the Hero5 Black and Hero5 Session can also capture images separately or simultaneously to video -- depending on the need at hand.
In terms of time lapse, the Hero5 Black and Hero5 Session come with 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60-second intervals, although the night lapse has an auto option, in addition to 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30-second intervals, not to mention 1, 2, 5, 30 and 60-minute intervals.
Price Could Prove To Be The Decisive Factor
While the Hero5 Black has a higher resolution sensor at 12-megapixels wide, the Hero5 Session delivers 10-megapixel wide shots. The Hero5 Session is meant more for consumer grade images, while the Hero5 Black targets low light conditions. It really depends on the context of which kind of photos you would shoot more.
Shared features include voice control, waterproofing without housing and video stabilization, but if at the end of the day price trumps everything, then it is a no-brainer that you should get the Hero5 Session since it is $100 cheaper compared to the $399 GoPro Hero5 Black. Either way, each purchase comes with the standard frame, mounting buckle, curved and flat adhesive mounts and a USB Type-C cable.
