The GoPro Hero 9 is the 2020 edition of the popular action camera series that’s also carved a successful niche in the vlogging and webcam Worlds. Like its predecessor, it’s a rugged block of a camera, waterproof to 10m / 33feet, and including built-in mounting feet for GoPro accessories. New to the Hero 9 is a higher resolution sensor allowing 5k video or 20 Megapixel photos, as well as even more effective stabilization in 4k and below. Timelapse and speed-ramping have both been improved, and the 9 now features not just a larger rear screen, but a new front color screen to check compositions when you’re in front of the camera. The bigger screen coupled with a new larger battery are nice upgrades, but also mean the 9 is the largest Hero in the standard series and incompatible with older batteries and cage mods. Owners of the 7 and 8 will certainly be tempted, but it’s a significant upgrade over older models, as well as an ideal choice for anyone buying their first action camera. Like all GoPros, the small sensor means it’s best suited to bright conditions but little if anything can match the stabilization and unique opportunities the camera presents. Highly Recommended.
The GoPro Hero 9 Black is the 2020 model in the popular action camera series. GoPro’s been updating the Hero every September so the 9 arrives like clockwork one year after the 8 which remains on-sale. Like the Hero 8 before it, the 9 is a compact rugged camera, waterproof to 33 feet or 10m and primarily aimed at capturing action video, but thanks to eerily good stabilization and a very wide field of view, has also proven effective for vlogging, live streaming or as a webcam.
New to the Hero 9 is a boost in resolution from 12 to 23 Megapixels – the first jump since 2012’s Hero 3 – allowing you to take 20 Megapixel photos or film in 5k video up to 30p. The Hero 9 also debuts a front-facing color screen to help compose when you’re in front of the camera, as well as a larger rear touchscreen. The protective lens cover can now be removed again, while also accommodating the new Max lens mod, an optional accessory for an even wider field of view. Meanwhile, a raft of improvements includes better stabilization with optional horizon-leveling in-camera, enhanced time-lapses and speed ramps, scheduled and pre-capture options, and a physically larger battery with up to 30% longer life than the 8, although of course, it means you can’t reuse existing batteries from older models. As before you can expand the 9 with a series of optional mods including the Max lens and a new weather-resistant media mod with a built-in shotgun mic and external mic input, but due to the larger body it’ll only work on the 9. Oh and to minimize disposable packaging, the whole thing now arrives in a handy zippable case.
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