The GoPro HERO8 Black is a compact waterproof camera designed for action video. It's easy to use, well-built, and feels quite durable. With impressive video stabilization performance, videos are mostly free of camera shake even if you're moving quickly while filming. However, its video quality isn't the best, and there's some visual noise present, especially if you're filming in low-light conditions. The companion GoPro app makes it easy to control this camera from your phone, which is handy if you have it strapped on a helmet.
Our Verdict
The GoPro HERO8 isn't the best option for photography. While it isn't intended for this use, it's okay for taking photos in a pinch. It's also incredibly sturdy and very portable, so it's easy to take with you wherever you go and is a good option for rock climbing or other action shots that you might take while traveling. However, its fixed lens is very limited, giving you little flexibility to adjust framing, exposure, and depth of field.
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Well-built and portable design.
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No autofocus system.
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Very limited fixed lens.
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Disappointing battery performance.
The GoPro HERO8 isn't meant for landscape photography. Image quality is very lacking, especially with dynamic range, and the camera's built-in lens doesn't offer a lot of flexibility, especially in low-light conditions. It also isn't meant for use as a handheld camera and can be a little uncomfortable to shoot with in this configuration.
The GoPro HERO8 is sub-par for sport and wildlife photography. This camera lacks an auto-focus system and doesn't take very sharp or detailed photos. However, even though it isn't intended for use for this, it's well-built and can shoot at high continuous burst speeds, helping you capture clear images of fast-moving athletes.
The GoPro HERO8 is okay for vlogging. This portable camera is easy to carry with you and does a great job stabilizing video for a clear shot while you're walking and recording. Unfortunately, there's some visual noise present when you record video in 4k or FHD, and its lens is very limited, preventing you from creating a shallow depth of field or adjusting the field of view. It also lacks a front-facing screen with Live View to help you monitor yourself while vlogging.
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Well-built and portable design.
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Fantastic stabilization.
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Solid battery life.
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Sub-par video quality.
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Very limited fixed lens.
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No front-facing Live View screen.
The GoPro HERO8 isn't meant for studio video. Its video quality isn't good enough for polished studio video or filmmaking. Its fixed lens doesn't give you any flexibility to make adjustments to exposure, field of view, or depth of field.
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Well-built and portable design.
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Sub-par video quality.
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No autofocus system.
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Very limited fixed lens.
The GoPro HERO8 is excellent for action video. This compact, waterproof camera is very easy to bring on the go and does an impressive job stabilizing video for a clear image even if you're moving quickly, like during extreme sports. Unfortunately, its FHD and 4k video quality aren't the best, so there may be some visual noise present, especially in darker settings.
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Well-built and portable design.
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Waterproof.
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Fantastic stabilization.
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Sub-par video quality.
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Can't record at 120 fps in 4k.
- Travel Photography
- Landscape Photography
- Sport & Wildlife Photography
- Vlogging
- Studio Video
- Action Video
- Updated Dec 21, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.
- Updated Dec 20, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.11.
- Updated Oct 03, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.10.
- Updated Sep 02, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.9.
- Updated Jun 23, 2022: We reshot and reuploaded the photo image stabilization slideshow because the original photos were uploaded with a heavy black border.
- Updated May 18, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
- Updated Jan 04, 2022: Updated 'Max Aperture (Full Frame Equivalent)' and 'Max Focal Length (Full Frame Equivalent)' to 'N/A'.
- Updated Nov 09, 2021: Updated 'Sensor Size' to show 'Unspecified' since GoPro doesn't officially advertise sensor size.
- Updated Oct 14, 2021: Added additional information to 'Screen' section about the second front-facing screen.
- Updated Oct 13, 2021: Updated score to show N/A for 'Image Stabilization' test due to limits in test methodology for this camera.
- Updated Oct 06, 2021: Updated 'Clean HDMI Output' and 'Advertised Max Chroma Sampling Over HDMI' fields to show 'No HDMI'.
- Updated May 07, 2021: Competed retests and corrected input errors in 'Ergonomics & Comfort', 'Screen', 'Sensor', 'Battery', 'Shooting Speed', 'Image Stabilization', '4k Video Stabilization', '4k Video Quality', 'FHD Video Stabilization', 'FHD Video Quality', and 'Inputs / Outputs' boxes.
- Updated Feb 08, 2021: Review published.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The GoPro HERO8 comes in one color variant: black. You can see the label for the model we tested here. Some manufacturers also sell this camera with some extra accessories, like a head strap, extra rechargeable batteries and chargers, a handler, and an adhesive mount, but we don't test for these.
If you come across another variant of this camera, let us know in the discussions.
Compared To Other Cameras
The GoPro HERO9 Black is better overall than the GoPro HERO8 Black. It offers some upgrades, including 5k video capability and a selfie screen that lets you monitor yourself while recording. That said, the HERO8 is still a great action camera and features the same sturdy build quality and waterproofing that's typical for GoPro cameras.
The GoPro HERO8 Black replaced the GoPro HERO7 Black. It offers a few improvements, but the cameras perform quite similarly overall. The HERO8 offers better battery life and slightly upgraded internal recording capability. However, unlike the HERO7, it doesn't have a Micro HDMI port.
The GoPro HERO8 Black is a bit better than the Insta360 GO 2. It isn't as portable, but it can record 4k video, offers a wider range of frame rate options, and has no recording time limit, on top of longer battery life.
The GoPro HERO8 Black and the DJI Osmo Action perform similarly overall. They're both incredibly portable, well-built, and waterproof. Each can shoot in 4k up to 60 fps and 1080p up to 240 fps. While the GoPro has a slightly better stabilization feature, it imposes a more severe crop. Unlike the GoPro, the DJI also features a front-facing screen with Live View, so it's the better option for vlogging.
Test Results
If you want an even more portable camera, take a look at the Insta360 GO 2.
- Rubberized plastic casing surrounds front of camera and lens; back end made of hard plastic
- Hinge covering the battery/SD card feels sturdy and closes tightly
- GoPro HERO8
- Mount part 1 (GoPro side)
- Mount part 2 (object side with a sticker to install)
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Stickers
- User manual
- It's intended to be used as an action camera, but can be used to take photos/videos handheld
- Can change settings using the touchscreen or via the GoPro app on your smartphone
- Buttons are hard to press
- Easy to change settings by mistake with touchscreen
This camera has a small additional screen on the front that displays information like shooting mode, battery life, and remaining SD card storage space.
- Menu is simple and easy to navigate
- Menus are the same on the camera and the GoPro app
- Guide Mode is available for additional information about settings and features
Note: We couldn't score this camera's photo stabilization because our current methodology can't adequately accommodate cameras with limited slower shutter speed settings. This camera still has stabilization features, and the score isn't representative of how these features perform in actual use.
