GoPro Hero8 Black (2019)

Integrated mount ; Ridiculously good stabilization ; Automatic horizon leveling ; Side access to battery and card ; New "mod" support

Practical new design ; Improved stability ; Easy to use while maintaining pro features

New design renders some accessories obsolete ; No onboard HDMI port ; Battery life remains “acceptable” ; Front-facing display only available with aftermarket accessory

Built-in mounting fingers;Minor improvements to video and audio quality;UI now more customisable;HyperSmooth stabilisation works in all resolutions and frame rates

Expensive compared to Hero 7 Black and DJI Osmo Action;Lens cover no longer removable;Mods accessories not yet available

Stabilized 4K at up to 60fps. Rugged, waterproof design. Crisp touch LCD. Integrated mount. Improved user interface. USB-C charging. Companion app with automated editing. Promising Mod expansion system.

Wi-Fi video transfer can take some time. Cramped memory card slot.

Bottom Line: The GoPro Hero8 Black is the company's best action camera to date, offering class-leading stabilization and video quality in a rugged, waterproof body.

Convenient mounting ; Incredibly stable footage ; Timelapse videos look fantastic

Very good, not fantastic photos ; Still poor lowlight performance ; Small display

If you want the stablest action camera we’ve ever used, you want the Hero8 Black; it may not be cheap, but as with most GoPros, you get what you pay for.

Much-improved audio quality ; Intuitive user interface ; Sleeker accessory mounting system ; Media “Mods” add functionality

Battery door is awkward to close ; Lens is no longer removable ; Camera gets hot when shooting 4K

Is it worth it to upgrade from the Hero7? Probably not, especially if you have housings for the previous three generations or have a tendency to break lenses. But if you have the cash and want best in class performance, it’s the best action camera around.

Superb image stabilization ; Built-in mount that folds away neatly ; Great video quality ; Plenty of modes

Rear screen could be bigger ; No selfie screen ; There are cheaper action cams! ; Lowlight performance could be better

The action camera market may now be a two-horse race since DJI launched the Osmo Action, but when it comes to stabilization, GoPro just took the lead with the Hero8 Black. What’s more, GoPro has innovated with its tried and tested design while still...