The GoPro Hero is GoPros new entry-level action camera.

The Hero also isnt the smallest action camera around, withDJIand Insta360 offering even more compact, lightweight alternatives.

In the box you get a single curved adhesive mount, one mounting buckle and one screw.

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

The Hero is very small and lightweight, especially by GoPro standards.

That, really, is it.

Itll need to have a V30 or faster UHS-3 rating too.

GoPro Hero Compact Action…

The battery, incidentally, is built into the camera and is non-removable.

GoPro Hero: features and performance

Battery life is solid, mind you.

In the low-power battery-saver mode, recording at 1080/30p, itll record for over 2.5 hours.

GoPro HERO

In keeping with GoPros bare-bones approach to the Hero, the feature set is limited.

It recognized my accent and responded accordingly almost every time.

The good news is that, once youve exported them, videos are automatically stabilized very effectively.

GoPro

If you own more than one GoPro, Id say its definitely worth it.

There are just three shooting modes available: Slo-Mo, Video and Photo.

And, within the modes you do get, theres really no way to adjust the prefs.

GoPro Hero - Compact…

Video is captured at 8-bit quality with a maximum bitrate of 50Mbps.

And thats in good lighting.

In low light, the quality takes a dive, with increased noise and decreased detail.

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

The Hero limits video clip times.

So overall, I found the image quality disappointing.

I should also talk about audio recording, which really isnt great.

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero: testing scorecard

Should I buy the GoPro Hero?

Not ideal if youre using the camera for vlogging.

It does have limited battery life though, requiring frequent recharges.

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero connectivitiy

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero and rival action cameras

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero and Insta360 Go 3S

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero sample shot

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero sample shot

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero sample shot

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero sample shot

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero sample shot

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero sample shot

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero sample shot

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero sample shot

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero sample shot

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

GoPro Hero