GoPro Hero 6 Black
Autumn action videos with the GoPro Hero 6
20.10.2017
Translation: machine translated
Video: Manuel Wenk
GoPro presents its new action camera, the Hero 6. For me, there's only one thing to do: test it. Not only do I want to see what it's all about, I also want to try out its new features. To finish, I played a little 'man vs. machine' game.
The GoPro Hero 6 was presented a few weeks ago and we were treated to the same marketing refrain as usual: "it's the best and fastest GoPro ever". Still, it would be a shame not to test the camera. So our editor Aurel Stevens
So he came to me and asked if I'd like to try it out. Of course I would!
The big test
How do you test a GoPro? At the time of my test, skiing wasn't on the cards and summer was over. So a day on the bike seems like the perfect solution. I need my friend Marc. One phone call later, the date is set and we'll be even more than expected - his mate Andri wants to join us.
The weather in Flims couldn't have been better. Sun, rain, snow and fog alternating. Great. This way the GoPro will be nice and wet and covered in dirt - perfect conditions for a test.
Thank goodness I'm just the cameraman. The two friends hurtle down the track so fast that they lose me after not even ten seconds. For one of the runs, I attach the camera with the Karma Grip to Marc's back and with a chest harness to Andri's belly. This type of attachment makes for breathtaking, shake-free images.
We set off a little more slowly for the second descent. Turn after turn, we look for the coolest spots and angles. "A never-ending day": Marc and Andri have to ride up the same stretch x number of times, only to pass in front of the camera as spectacularly as possible on their bikes. While the other two sweat and get increasingly covered in mud, I play around with the camera settings. I almost always have the Karma Grip in hand - it's a great help.
Man vs machine
GoPro is advertising its new camera by showing how easy it is to make videos automatically. From the GoPro and the Quik app, you can transfer footage to your smartphone, and then automatically create a video edit. You can choose between four video styles. I used the action style and, to be honest, the result didn't convince me any more than that.
Here's the version that the app automatically edited - which video do you prefer?
I have to say, a lot of what we filmed ended up in the bin. I tested angles and features where neither mountain biker is visible. Out of a total of around 60 minutes of video material, I was only able to keep two minutes. Despite sophisticated software tricks, the application struggles to detect usable footage. The results of a holiday video are definitely better.
The stabiliser and frame rate
Thanks to the accelerometer and gyroscope, the new camera is able to stabilise video recordings even better. The camera's processor calculates the position of the camera, cropping the film to a minimum and stabilising the images afterwards. I've displayed the results of a walk through our offices side by side. What the software does here is really impressive.
The walk through our offices - once with the internal stabiliser on and once with the internal stabiliser off.
The new Slow Motion function is incredible too. With that of the last version, you could record with 120 frames per second in Full HD (100 in PAL mode). Thanks to the even faster processor, it's now possible to record with 240 frames per second (200 in PAL mode). This allows you to slow down a sequence up to 8 times. When you watch your films in slow motion, every action becomes even more intense.
Even in 4K mode, the new model delivers double the frame rate per second; 60 frames per second (50 in PAL mode) can now be recorded. This means that a 4K video can be slowed down by half. Considering that a few years ago, the GoPro Hero 3's 4K mode was advertised at 12 frames per second, that's impressive.
The best GoPro ever
Of course, the new GoPro will once again be touted as the best GoPro ever. Logically, it's also the best. It would be a bit odd if it wasn't. GoPro has developed its own processor for the first time with the Hero 6. This allows the manufacturer to really stand out from the competition and integrate its own systems and applications even better. For example, for the first time, files are stored using the H.265 codec. Thanks to this, huge Full HD 4K and 240 frames per second files are compressed to half their size, but still offer the same image quality.
Another new feature: the zoom function. Unfortunately, this is just a digital zoom, which considerably reduces image quality. I would therefore advise you only to use it in exceptional situations.
If you've always wanted to buy yourself a GoPro, don't hesitate any longer, just do it. It's an exceptional camera, with a stabiliser that works miracles, incredible slow motion and other features. The only snag is the price, which is still relatively high. If you own the GoPro Hero 5 and are still satisfied, you can safely wait another generation or two before buying a new one.
Manuel Wenk
Communications Manager
Manuel.Wenk@digitecgalaxus.chAs a Multimedia Producer, preparing multimedia content and knowing about cutting-edge technology is my business. My main focus at digitec is producing videos. I can’t wait to try out new products such as cameras, drones or smartphones as soon as they’re launched. This is where being at the source comes in rather handy. When I’m not working, I’m probably skiing, biking or hiking – the mountains are my place to be.