GoPro

GoPro HERO5 Black Review

Reviews
3
Score
72/100
From
$299
Released
October 2016

We've aggregated 3 high-signal reviews and 1 live retailer price below.

GoPro HERO5 Black
Available
Our take
Worth buying

Our editorial take on the GoPro HERO5 Black

The GoPro HERO5 Black marked a significant step forward for the brand when it launched in 2016, introducing voice control and eliminating the need for a separate waterproof housing. With native waterproofing to 10 meters, a 2-inch touchscreen, and built-in GPS, it addressed many of the pain points of earlier models. The addition of raw photo support and wide dynamic range mode gave creators more flexibility in post-production, while 4K30 and 1080p120 frame rates covered the core action-camera use cases.

Reviewers praised the image quality in good lighting and the convenience of the all-in-one design. The voice control feature worked well for hands-free operation, and the simplified interface made it easier to navigate settings on the fly. However, low-light performance was a common complaint, with several reviewers noting that photos could turn out noisy unless ISO was manually capped to 400 or lower. Battery life also fell short for longer shooting sessions, a recurring issue across GoPro's lineup at the time.

For its era, the HERO5 Black was a compelling flagship that consolidated features and improved usability. It remains a capable option for those who don't need the latest sensor tech or stabilization algorithms and can find it at a discount.

Best for: Action sports enthusiasts and casual vloggers who want a versatile, waterproof camera with voice control and don't shoot often in low light.
What's great
  • Waterproof to 10 meters without a housing
  • Voice control with 12 commands in 7 languages
  • Raw photo and wide dynamic range modes for post-production flexibility
  • 2-inch rear touchscreen simplifies menu navigation
  • Built-in GPS for location tagging
Watch outs
  • Weak low-light performance with noisy photos unless ISO is manually capped
  • Battery life insufficient for extended shooting sessions

Synthesized by Geared editors from aggregated expert reviews.

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Overview

About this product

First with voice control, 4K30, GPS.

Specs

Io
Usb
USB-C
Wireless
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Card Slot
microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC, Class 10 or UHS-I, up to 128 GB
Mic Input
Yes (via USB-C)
Body
Battery
Rechargeable lithium-ion
Waterproof
10 m (33 ft) without housing
Lens
Optical Zoom
No optical zoom
Aperture Range
f/2.8
Video
Max Frame Rate 4k
30 fps
Max Frame Rate Hd
120 fps at 1080p
Max Video Resolution
4K (3840 x 2160)
Extras
Gps
Built-in GPS
Hdmi
Micro HDMI output
Wdr Mode
Wide Dynamic Range mode
Burst Mode
Up to 30 photos in 1 second
Raw Format
.GPR raw file support
Time Lapse
Interval from 0.5 sec to 60 sec
Auto Upload
Cloud upload with GoPro Plus subscription
Fov Options
Wide, Medium, Narrow, Linear
Microphones
3 microphones with advanced wind-noise reduction
Quikcapture
One-button recording from power off
Video Modes
4K30, 2.7K60, 1440p80, 1080p120, 720p240
Voice Control
12 voice commands in 7 languages
Frame Included
The Frame mounting system included
Battery Charge Time
Approximately 2 hours with 5V 1A, 3 hours to 100%
Sensor
Sensor Size
1/2.3 inch
Sensor Type
CMOS
Effective Megapixels
12 MP
Display
Rear Screen
2 inch touchscreen
Touchscreen
Yes
Front Screen
Camera status screen
Release
Release Date
2016
Launch Price Usd
$399
Stabilization
Stabilization
Digital video stabilization
Live prices

Where to buy

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  • B&H Photo
    new● In stockBest price
    $299
    Buy