The GoPro Hero 8 actually stabilises better
30.3.2020
Translation: machine translated
The GoPro Hero 8 promises stable videos without a gimbal or other accessories thanks to the advanced Hypersmooth. The promise is kept. However, there are still some limitations.
The weather is great, as are the slopes. And it's beautiful in Valais anyway. High peaks and larch forests with countless downhill options. So I strap the GoPro to my body - not for the descent, but to see how well the electronic stabiliser works and to get an impression of the camera that was launched in October.
I remember about two years ago when we mounted the Karma Grip Gimbal on the body to generate the most shake-free shots possible with the Hero 6. We can now confidently do without this. The software does such a good job that we can easily do without expensive accessories.
Smears in the stabilisation
The GoPro 7 still had to make do with Hypersmooth 1.0. The 8th generation has even better stabilisation and is marketed under the name Hypersmooth 2.0. Marketing or not - the 8th generation stabilises better. Even if not so much better that an upgrade would be worthwhile. Nevertheless, it is impressive how well the electronic stabilisation (EIS) works. Technically, GoPro solves this by slightly zooming into the image (crop of 5 %) and determining the position of the camera in real time using the built-in gyroscope. The algorithm then does the rest - the result is a stable image. The advantage of this technology is that it also works at very high speeds, in water or in space. A gimbal is physically limited (operating speed) and cannot be operated properly when diving in a coral reef or on a zero-gravity excursion.
In the video you can see the stabilisation of the different cameras in comparison. Also pay attention to the sky.
Good stabilisation is one thing - limitations that you have to accept are another. When editing the comparison video, I notice that the dynamic range is drastically reduced when Hypersmooth is activated. Both with the GoPro 7 and the GoPro 8. If you only look at the sky, you can see big differences. The blue and white of the sky and clouds are clearly visible in the unstabilised version. If Hypersmooth is switched on, the bright parts of the image are completely burnt out. No more information is retained. No chance of bringing back the sky and clouds using colour correction.
I don't know the exact reason for this. But I can imagine that the processor is already very busy stabilising the image. If some image information can be saved, this relieves the processor, but results in a lower dynamic range
Livestream with the GoPro
Most gadgets like this never use every function. With the GoPro, my use has so far been limited almost exclusively to videos. Whilst going through the menus and functions, I came across the "LIVE" menu item. An idea starts to rattle around in my head. In conjunction with a smartphone and an active internet connection, videos can be streamed directly to YouTube or Facebook (note: around 2 GB of data is required per hour. A flat rate is therefore recommended). So everyone can be there live when you hit the piste. I strap the GoPro around a chef's chest for a morning.
The setup is relatively simple, the quality is excellent and there are virtually no limits to creativity. I love the feature. Further streams in Slow TV format on the Galaxus or Digitec channels will follow. Streaming live to the internet already worked with the 7th version. Streaming is also possible with the GoPro Max 360-degree camera. There, viewers can even determine the section themselves.
Useful accessories and new form factor
Like its predecessor, the new GoPro is waterproof without an additional housing. Now, however, not even a frame is needed to attach the camera anywhere. Thanks to a folding mechanism, the arms for the mount can simply be folded in and out. The smaller form factor was particularly practical when skiing. If the camera is not needed, it can be stored in a jacket pocket. Without the protruding parts, it doesn't get in the way much.
The dimensions are therefore slightly different to those of the predecessor. The camera may therefore no longer fit every accessory you already own.
Unfortunately, GoPro has failed to deliver additional accessories in time. For vloggers and other content creators, there would be a media mod (microphone and space for additional accessories), a screen or a video light. Category Manager Céline Rusch enquired with GoPro and learnt that no specific delivery date is yet known.
Good as always
The GoPro 8 does not set any new standards, but is a successful successor. Slightly better stabilisation and a mount that can be retracted into the housing are the main new features. A poorer dynamic range with hypersmooth is the biggest point of criticism. Competitors such as DJI with their own action camera are not making life easy for the manufacturer from the USA. GoPro definitely needs to keep at it to avoid being overrun by the Chinese or countless other action cam manufacturers.
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.