The GoPro Hero 10 Black is the latest iteration in GoPro’s popular action camera lineup, and it promises to address some key shortcomings of its predecessor, the Hero 9 Black. While the Hero 9 Black introduced a significant redesign and boosted the sensor, displays, and performance, users still faced sluggishness and underwhelming low-light video performance. GoPro claims the Hero 10 Black tackles these issues head-on with a powerful new GP2 SoC. But does this new chip deliver on its promises? Does the Hero 10 Black justify an upgrade for existing users? Let’s dive into the details and find out.
GoPro Hero 10 Black Design
In terms of aesthetics, the Hero 10 Black sticks closely to the design established by the Hero 9 Black. It retains the same dimensions and overall shape. The weight has been slightly reduced, coming in at 153g compared to the Hero 9 Black’s 158g. A subtle visual tweak includes a blue GoPro logo and series name, replacing the previous grey color, and some of the plastic panels are now black instead of grey.
The GoPro Hero 10 Black is nearly identical to the Hero 9 Black
The layout of buttons and ports remains familiar. You’ll find buttons on the top for the shutter and on the right side for power/mode selection. The battery is interchangeable with the Hero 9 Black, and the battery compartment, USB Type-C port, and microSD card slot are all found under a water-sealed flap.
The Hero 10 Black continues to boast the same 2.27-inch touchscreen on the back and 1.4-inch front display found on its predecessor. While the resolution remains the same, the touch response on the rear panel and frame rate on the front display have seen improvements. The camera ships in a reusable case and includes basic accessories like a charging cable and adhesive mounts.
GoPro Hero 10 Black Features
The star of the show in the Hero 10 Black is undoubtedly the GP2 SoC. It’s paired with the same sensor as the Hero 9 Black, but the more powerful processor opens up a world of new possibilities. The Hero 10 Black can now capture video at up to 5.3K resolution at 60fps, exceeding the Hero 9 Black’s capability of 5K 30fps. The frame rates for other resolutions have also doubled, allowing you to shoot 4K 120fps and 2.7K 240fps videos. Still photos benefit from a 23-megapixel resolution, and you can pull up to 19.6-megapixel frame grabs from 5K video.
The GP2 processor in the GoPro Hero 10 Black allows it to record at higher resolutions and frame rates than the old model could
GoPro has introduced HyperSmooth 4.0, a new stabilization system that works with more resolution and frame rate combinations. The in-camera Horizon Levelling feature has a boosted tolerance, increasing from 27 degrees to 45 degrees. Additional refinements include a hydrophobic coating on the lens cover for better protection, greater scratch resistance, and support for a wired connection to your phone for faster offloading of content. The GP2 chip’s new image signal processor boasts noise reduction and local tone mapping in videos, promising improved detail and less noise in low-light conditions.
The user interface of the Hero 10 Black mirrors its predecessor but is significantly more responsive. It retains the features introduced with the Hero 9 Black, including Hindsight, Scheduled Capture, Duration Capture, and LiveBurst. You can expand the camera’s capabilities with the Quick app, which enables video editing and live streaming to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. The lens cover is removable, and the Hero 10 Black is compatible with all the mods introduced for the Hero 9 Black.
GoPro Hero 10 Black Performance
The speed boost provided by the GP2 SoC is immediately apparent upon powering on the Hero 10 Black. Compared to the Hero 9 Black, the interface feels notably smoother. Switching between shooting modes is faster, and navigating the menus is more precise. While there were a few instances of input lag, especially with wet displays, this represents a significant improvement over the previous model. The camera still heats up during continuous shooting, but this didn’t noticeably affect the output.
The performance gains from the GP2 SoC extend to shooting. Photos, especially HDR images, are captured and saved much quicker than with the Hero 9 Black. Daytime photo and video quality resembles the Hero 9 Black with a subtle shift towards cooler color tones on the Hero 10 Black. The increased frame rate support at 4K and 5.3K provides greater flexibility for slow-motion footage.
Stabilization remains excellent, on par with the Hero 9 Black. Even when running, footage exhibits minimal jitter and remains smooth during the day. The Boost setting further enhances stabilization but at the cost of cropping the frame.
GoPro Hero 10 Black HDR photo sample (tap to see full size)
GoPro Hero 10 Black close-up photo sample (tap to see full size)
GoPro Hero 10 Black low-light photo sample (tap to see full size)
While there’s a perceptible improvement in low-light stills and videos, the difference isn’t as dramatic as one might hope. Photos captured using Night Photo mode exhibit slightly sharper details compared to the Hero 9 Black, but this requires attentive pixel-peeping to discern. HDR photos taken with the Hero 10 Black around dusk boast better dynamic range than those from the Hero 9 Black. Videos, whether captured indoors or outdoors in the evening, exhibit reduced noise. Objects in shadows have improved definition, and footage appears somewhat brighter. Despite these improvements, footage captured at night under dim lighting still tends to be noisy with limited detail, although it is still an improvement over the Hero 9 Black.
The Hero 10 Black incorporates automatic cloud upload over Wi-Fi during charging, but there’s a catch: this feature necessitates a GoPro subscription (distinct from the Quik subscription), which is currently unavailable in India. This subscription provides unlimited full-resolution backups for your videos and photos, negating the need for constant transferring to your phone or other devices. In the US, the annual subscription costs $49.955 (approximately Rs. 3,712) and offers additional benefits like accessory discounts and a free replacement policy.
During this review, I had access to the cloud upload service, and it performed flawlessly. After the initial setup, which includes saving your Wi-Fi login details on the camera, the Hero 10 Black automatically wakes up when connected to charge and uploads any new footage to the cloud.
The Hero 10 Black continues to utilize the same 1,720mAh battery as the Hero 9 Black, and my experience suggests similar battery life. With GPS enabled, you can expect around half a day of shooting or about an hour and a half of video recording at 4K on a full charge. Naturally, your mileage will vary depending on factors such as resolution, frame rate, and chosen shooting mode. If you plan on using the Hero 10 Black for an all-day shoot, carrying an extra battery is highly recommended.
The GoPro Hero 10 Black is a much-needed performance update for the series
Verdict
In India, the GoPro Hero 10 Black is priced at Rs. 54,500 and will be available in early November. The Hero 9 Black remains available at an official discounted price of Rs. 43,000, though it can be found for less even now. The Hero 8 Black continues to be offered at Rs. 31,000.
If you haven’t yet upgraded to the Hero 9 Black, the Hero 10 Black is a worthy investment, even considering the price difference. The enhanced user experience is worth the extra cost. However, if you don’t require the higher frame rates, the GoPro Hero 9 Black remains an excellent choice.
