It's a buy.
THE GoPro HERO 5 BLACK VERSION
It’s not a full review on this occasion as I purchased it for my wife as an anniversary present. However, after the initial excitement had died down, I stole it for a few days on the pretext of needing to photograph some items I was selling. The ruse didn’t last long, what’s wrong with the old Hero 3, why couldn’t I use that? I didn’t have a sensible answer.
It's a significant improvement on the Hero 3 + Black Version Go-Pro, not the least of which enhancements is the new touch screen display, familiar to all users of tablets and iPhones.
We’ll skip the full manufacturers description, that’s freely available on web sites that advertise the product, what most prospective purchasers want to know are the pros and cons when deciding to update an existing unit or purchasing a Go-Pro for the first time.
PROS CONS
The image quality is simply quite stunning. Not many in my view.
It boasts image stabilisation, it works well.
The microphones are a marked improvement The touch screen response*
over earlier units.
The batteries are not backwards
It’s waterproof without a case to 10M. compatible.
It has still image functions.
The quality of the casing is good
It gives the GoPro 5 a satisfying solid
feeling in action.
Finally, for you techies, and this is a feature
just I love, it has voice command recognition
and GPS!
With larger than average fingers and thumbs, it’s a smidgeon finicky to flick through the comparatively small 2” screen menu and the touch screen lags a little*, but apart from that, all of the new features work well and I had no problem pairing the device with my wife's Hero 3's remote control, so that's a saving, no need to buy an updated remote. I've noted a few comments elsewhere on not being able to pair the earlier remote, but that hasn't been my experience, thanks to a bit of research on Google, what would we do without it!
The plastic waterproof case on earlier GoPro's with the clip arrangement that was reliant on the plastic lug remaining intact on the outer casing, was always a pet gripe with me, it was weak point, but that's been resolved. You don't need a separate case with a rebated seal any more, the camera, as a stand-alone unit, is waterproof.
My overall verdict, it's well priced, good value for money and it's a GoPro, a branded product with a well-deserved reputation for its original design concept and build quality. Go for it. It retails at the full price for around £350.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New