GoPro HERO9 offers 5K video and 20-megapixel stills

[News bot]

Press Release

GoPro today announced its new camera, HERO9 Black—featuring "more everything"—including a new sensor that delivers 5K video and 20 megapixel photos, next-generation HyperSmooth 3.0 video stabilization with in-camera horizon leveling, a new front-facing display, a larger rear display, 30% more battery life, and a Max Lens Mod accessory that brings Max HyperSmooth video stabilization and Max SuperView ultra wide-angle photo and video to HERO9 Black.

Click here to view the article

[DR ◣◢]

So a copy and paste from the international content.

 

How about some local pricing and availability?

[capediver]

So a copy and paste from the international content.

 

How about some local pricing and availability?

Expect about 10% more expensive (not taking $/Ronds exchange disaster into account)....when, well COVID and all, probably year end maybe before....

[Matt]

So a copy and paste from the international content.

 

How about some local pricing and availability?

Yes, it's the international press release. We'll share local details as soon as we have confirmation.

[Jbr]

Yes, it's the international press release. We'll share local details as soon as we have confirmation.

wow kudos for the patience shown in this reply   

[DR ◣◢]

Apologies if I came across as rude but reading the same recycled press release on almost every other site just made me expect a little bit more from our local sites. 

I understand that nothing else is available though so I'll keep my eye on the site to see when something local is released.

[sawystertrance]

I just bought the 8 and am happy with it - except for the non-removeable lens cover. I see the 9 has its cover removeable again.

I have watched some video comparisons and don't see any improvement over the 8 but of course there is improved battery life  and an extra feature or two. I have huge problems editing with HEVC codecs so I can't see the use of 5k ability except for added resolution when reducing to 4k.

 

Anybody else have a Hero 8 and have editing problems?

[BaGearA]

I just bought the 8 and am happy with it - except for the non-removeable lens cover. I see the 9 has its cover removeable again.

I have watched some video comparisons and don't see any improvement over the 8 but of course there is improved battery life and an extra feature or two. I have huge problems editing with HEVC codecs so I can't see the use of 5k ability except for added resolution when reducing to 4k.

 

Anybody else have a Hero 8 and have editing problems?

 

Ya editing the super high res is a pain with the weird codec's

 

I have the 7 black and it's been excellent since day one

 

And AFAIK the lens cover is easily removed and replaced, the voice command is probably my favorite feature

[Matt]

Apologies if I came across as rude but reading the same recycled press release on almost every other site just made me expect a little bit more from our local sites. 

 

I understand that nothing else is available though so I'll keep my eye on the site to see when something local is released.

Where possible we always prefer to publish as much local availability and pricing info as we can get. In most cases we'll receive press releases well ahead of the launch date which gives time to get all those ducks in a row. Unfortunately there are times where a press release goes up as-is and will be a repeat of what some have seen elsewhere, but there will always be a good chunk of folks who read it for the first time here.

 

On pricing, I have seen local retailers offering pre-orders at around R10,400. It also seems you can order online from GoPro with their bundled subscription offer for $499 (~R8,300) including shipping and taxes. We'll need to confirm that there are no hidden duties etc. (from the details at checkout it appears that includes all taxes and duties).

[Kom]

I also have the 7 Black - still an awesome piece of equipment (this was the GoPro that launched with a death of the gimbal campaign). Video Stabilisation after the 7 was incremental IMO, but the forward facing screen is really quite attractive (even though roughly aiming and framing with a wide angle lens is not that hard).

 

Another interesting proposition is the weight of the 9, and by implication the promises of better battery life. My Hero 7 is ok if i switch off the GPS, any connectivity (manual image transfers using an SD card reader), and constantly power cycle the camera between recording.

 

At $449, us locals should be prepared for a Cape Union Mart launch of R9k (R8999) me thinks. Not sure what the local plans are, but if you buy the 9 with the GoPro subscription package, you can save $100 (~R2k) which is a decent saving.

[Underachiever]

Ya editing the super high res is a pain with the weird codec's

 

I have the 7 black and it's been excellent since day one

 

And AFAIK the lens cover is easily removed and replaced, the voice command is probably my favorite feature

Been looking at the 7 as I was waiting for the launch of the 9.

 

The 7 will now be really good value for money!!!

[ChrisF]

I have the 7 Black, and the previous 5 or 6.

 

Yes, editing high res videos requires a very powerfull computer ....

 

 

My big gripe with the 7 .... not going to upgrade my software and hardware to be able to use the RAW photos ... and I love shooting in RAW ....

[BaGearA]

I have the 7 Black, and the previous 5 or 6.

 

Yes, editing high res videos requires a very powerfull computer ....

 

 

My big gripe with the 7 .... not going to upgrade my software and hardware to be able to use the RAW photos ... and I love shooting in RAW ....

what do you mean by that 

 

 

I usually just take out the sd and drag the photos i want off there 

[ChrisF]

what do you mean by that

 

 

I usually just take out the sd and drag the photos i want off there

Jpg works fine.

 

RAW format allows a lot more editing options, but the GoPro RAW format only works on the very latest subscription Lightroom software .... I am perfectly happy with my paid Lightroom. If I wanted to get the new lightroom I would also have to upgrade Windows .... this can become an expensive exercise ....

 

 

PS I love using the time lapse photo function ...

 

 

EDIT ... Really hope somebody has a hack to use the RAW photos ....

Edited September 17, 2020 by ChrisF

[DR ◣◢]

Jpg works fine.

 

RAW format allows a lot more editing options, but the GoPro RAW format only works on the very latest subscription Lightroom software .... I am perfectly happy with my paid Lightroom. If I wanted to get the new lightroom I would also have to upgrade Windows .... this can become an expensive exercise ....

 

 

PS I love using the time lapse photo function ...

 

 

EDIT ... Really hope somebody has a hack to use the RAW photos ....

It won’t take long for a DNG converter to pop up for the raw files.

 

Need to see if they work with Capture One. Mmm

[sawystertrance]

Following GoPro's recommendations for working with the troublesome HEVC files, I installed and use Handbrake.

 

Seems to work OK and converts HEVC to H.264. It's an extra hassle and cost of time though.

 

Then, again, with GoPro's recommendation I'm using VSDC to do the video editing on converted files. Very steep learning curve for me and my oldish quadcore really struggles even with 16Gb RAM. If you want it can oupt HEVC again so I like it but of course if you post to YouTube it reduces quality ayway.

 

And another thing. To upload a 5  minute video to Youtube to 2 hours and 38 minutes! Ouch

 

But I have to say watching the finished videos direct from storage device on my TV is amazing. The quality is fantastic.

 

I'd be interested to hear the experiences of others.