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GoPro Hero 8 is an impressive device but the upgrades don’t justify paying for the $60 premium

Photo via Screenshot of CNET/Youtube

The GoPro Hero 8 has now been released, and verdicts from both individuals and tech review sites are flooding the web. So what is new for this year’s model?

Not much, to be honest. Most of the features of GoPro Hero 8 is an upgraded version of the Hero 7 as the San Mateo-based company opted to plug in several small improvements rather than settle for a major addition.

For instance, the GoPro Hero 8 is able to take advantage of the Hypersmooth feature on all resolutions, including 2.7K at 120fps and 1080p at 240fps. The TimeWarp has an auto-mode that can independently adjust based on the speed of passing scenes. And the SuperPhoto feature has been improved to take better stills, Trusted Reviews reported.

GoPro Hero 8 is more than $400

Despite all of these, however, it’s difficult to justify upgrading the GoPro Hero 8 from the Hero 7 on account that both devices essentially deliver the same performance. Sure, an improve mic and built-in finger mounts – along with the aforementioned upgrades – are a nice addition. But is it really worth the $60 premium?

The Hero 7 is on sale for $319, while the GoPro Hero 8 is sitting at $400. And that’s not including the accessories that will be available in the coming months. The attachable shotgun mic, LED light, and flippable front-facing screen will be sold separately, bumping the $400 price further.

GoPro Hero 8 got the same chip as last year’s model

There’s also the fact that the GoPro Hero 8 has the same battery life as last year’s entry. It can shoot up to 45 minutes on 4K resolution and can last up to 90 minutes if it’s set at 720. The processor also didn’t see any improvement at all.

Prior to its release, there were a lot of rumors that the GoPro Hero 8 will be outfitted with a new GP2 chip that could offer power-efficient features to users, among other things. However, the rumor proved off the mark as this year’s iteration is still sporting the same GP1 chip that the Hero 7 got last year.

Again, the GoPro Hero 8 is a great device and is the best action camera there is right now. But its price, along with small upgrades that don’t drastically differentiate it from Hero 7, is something that will deter a lot of average users.

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