Compare the GoPro HERO 9 to the GoPro HERO 8

HyperSmooth 3.0 is the latest version GoPro electronic image stabilization. The image stabilization reduces vibrations and jerky footage. Your videos will be almost as smooth as with a gimbal. The upgrade to 3.0 provides a new function called Horizon lock. This function keeps both vertical and horizontal images straight, no matter how much you move. Even if you tilt the HERO 9 or rotate it 360 degrees.

The HyperSmooth 2.0 still works the way it did when the HERO 8 was launched. It still prevents vibrations and choppy images when you record videos. The difference with the new 3.0 version is the effectiveness. HyperSmooth 2.0 still lets through some vibrations and shocks. In addition, you can't use the new Horizon lock function due to the outdated hardware. If you tilt the HERO 8 or hold it upside down, the images won't be completely straight.

With the HERO 9, you can record in 5K resolution with 30 fps and in 4K resolution with 60 fps. The 5K resolution displays up to 7 times more pixels than Full HD. This allows you to zoom in more easily without losing quality. In 5K, you can record with 30 fps, so activity moments and fast movements won't be as smooth. You can use 5K for calm videos, such as vlogs or interviews. If you want to capture fast movements, you need a higher frame rate. You'll need 60 or 120 fps, for example.

The HERO 8 doesn't record in 5K resolution, but it records in 4K resolution with 60 fps. The images are sharp and detailed, because 4K displays up to 4 times more pixels than Full HD. Because you record videos with 60 fps, activity moments and fast movements look smooth. You can use a higher number of frame rates per second to smoothly record fast movements. You can also turn these images into slow motion images. You can slow down a video with 120 fps up to 8 times.

The HERO 9 has extra recording options. In addition to LiveBurst, GoPro has added HindSight, Scheduled Capture, and Duration Capture. With HindSight, you record audio and video continuously. You can choose between 15 or 30-second clips. The images are stored only when you press the recording button. Scheduled Capture and Duration Capture are variations of the TimeWarp function. It allows you to determine the duration of your recording yourself. Or, choose a time frame for the camera to start the recording.

There are various recording modes to record creative videos with. You can capture activity modes with LiveBurst, which records 1.5 seconds before and after the activity moment. You can choose the best photo or share the short video afterwards. With TimeWarp 2.0, you can create stable time-lapse videos while moving, for example. You can play the recorded footage up to 30 times faster. As a result, you can turn long activity moments like skiing or a city trip into shorter moments you can easily share with friends and family.