I see this question a lot: what GoPro should I buy? I do have some opinions on the topic of GoPro comparisons given GoPro releases a new model every year!

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What GoPro Should I Buy?

Looking to make your first GoPro purchase? Or perhaps you’re ready to upgrade… but the camera lineup currently offered by GoPro can get a little confusing. If you’re asking yourself “what GoPro should I buy?”, this is a jargon-free, not too technical GoPro comparison, looking at the current lineup of Go Pro cameras. My goal here is to give you a good idea of what might be best for you AND (really important)… where to find the best deals on those GoPro cameras!

UPDATED January 8th, 2018 to reflect new price drops and GoPro Hero 6 Deals.

GoPro Comparison

For this GoPro comparison, we’re talking models that are available in late 2017/early 2018. I’ll give you a little heads up though because nobody wants to be the guy that buys a new camera and then finds out the brand new GoPro is getting released a week later.

Before I bought my first GoPro, I didn’t really wonder what Go Pro should I buy, honestly… It was just about the best one that was out at the time. Lucky for me, they had just come out with the Hero3+ so I bought the 3+ Black edition.

New GoPro cameras are usually released in the fall (September/October) and GoPro usually makes an announcement about it earlier in the year. To make sure you’re up to speed with all things GoPro, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel where I’ll post any important updates to the GoPro camera lineup. Deal?

There are a couple of things that I want to mention. The reason why this is a jargon-free, not too technical look at the different GoPro cameras is that I’m not a professional videographer or filmmaker. I’m just a mom with a GoPro and a blog and a YouTube channel so I’m not going to get too detailed in things like camera processors and sensors. Also, I’m not going to compare footage or anything.

Although I am a member of the GoPro family, this post is not sponsored by GoPro or anything like that. I also put links to several online retailers below to the cameras I mention in this video, that way you can check prices before you pull the trigger.

So, where do we start?

GoPro Models

First of all, there’s the Session. There is the Hero5 Session and the other is called the Hero Session. These are the little cube-shaped guys that are kinda like just a lens and a button. There’s no screen on the back or anything like that.

GoPro Hero Session

Then we have the black model, the Hero5, and Hero6 Black to be specific. These look almost identical as far as the body goes, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? We’ll talk about the differences between the two in a moment. But these have a nice touchscreen on the back. It’s still a little camera, but it’s bigger than the session and has a lot more capabilities.

GoPro Hero5 Black

The Fusion is the bigger, square-shaped, camera with a lens on both sides so that it can capture 360 degrees around itself. That is kinda cool. This is a brand new model for GoPro, and it just started shipping. It’s $700 here in the U.S. and it’s likely not what you’re thinking if you’re thinking “gee I’d really like to have a GoPro” so if you happen to be totally new to the GoPro world this is probably not what you’re looking for. But hey, if it is, by all means, hook yourself up and then can I borrow it? Because I think it’d be fun to play with for a bit.

I have the two Sessions, both of which were sent to me by GoPro, but I did, however, purchase my Hero5 Black. This is the model that was released in October 2016. The Hero6 Black was released in September 2017, so the Hero6 is the newest model.

They are all waterproof, right out of the box, without needing waterproof housing, unless you’re going to be diving with it. I’ve heard people say that water has gotten in through these side doors when it’s not supposed to, but I have not had a problem with mine.

Hero5 Black vs Hero6 Black

The Hero5 Black and Hero6 Black look practically identical, but the Hero6 (the new one) has a completely new and different processor. Many people prefer to work better in low-light situations. Typically, GoPros have been really not usable in low-light situations, so that’s an improvement and the colors are a little more saturated and vibrant as well.

The Hero6 also has the ability to do higher frame rates at a higher resolution than the Hero5. That really means nothing to me because I don’t shoot at 4K. Maybe in the future, I will, but for now, it’s just overkill for me.

The Hero5 and 6 both have voice commands which are awesome, I love telling my GoPro to start recording. I think it would be gimmicky but it actually comes in really handy. They both have image stabilization, and they are both are GPS-enabled.

HERO6 (newest model)
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nCP1yZ
Target: http://rstyle.me/n/cue5q7cdbvp
Best Buy: http://bit.ly/2A8HVu7
Walmart: http://bit.ly/2mAcyTj

HERO5 (the one I have)
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hFwwGl
Target: http://rstyle.me/n/cue5ktcdbvp
Best Buy: http://bit.ly/2zPxqLp
Walmart: http://bit.ly/2A7qSbY

Should You Upgrading to Hero6

The improved processor and settings options on the Hero6 models do come with a higher price tag. The Hero6 retails for $500 and the Hero5 retails for $400.  After a price reduction in December 2017, the Hero5 Black is now priced at $300 and a price drop on the Hero6 Black in January 2018 puts the Hero 6 price at $400.

[earnist ref=”gopro-hero6-black” id=”6112″]

I haven’t upgraded to the Hero6 Black because for me personally, the Hero5 is amazing, and I don’t need those higher frame rates. In the image comparison videos I’ve seen, yes there coloring is more vibrant on the 6 but there’s just not enough of an improvement I guess, for me to drop $500 on it being that I already have the 5.

Now if I didn’t own a GoPro, I’d probably splurge and buy the Hero6 so I had the newest version.

Hero5 Session vs. Hero Session

The Hero5 Session and the Hero Session both look almost identical as well but they are very different on the inside.

The Hero5 Session has the ability to do 4K whereas the Hero Session does not, it also has image stabilization and voice control, which the Hero Session does not, and overall the image quality is a little better.

And there is a price difference here: The Hero Session is $150 and the Hero5 Session is $300 now $200.

HERO 5 Session
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hFnzg9
Target: http://rstyle.me/n/cue5ntcdbvp
Best Buy: http://bit.ly/2jy87Hr
Walmart: http://bit.ly/2zNNwVY

HERO Session
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CwMiLV
Target: http://rstyle.me/n/cue5mwcdbvp
Best Buy: http://bit.ly/2A8CtY3
Walmart: http://bit.ly/2AQ7Frw

Now all of these models are wifi enabled meaning you can connect them to your phone and use the GoPro app to change the settings and control the GoPro, and with the Hero5 Session, and the 5 and 6 Black models, you also get the whole thing where you can upload directly to the cloud and the ability to do GoPro’s new QuikStories thing.

And there you have it. Like I mentioned, I put links to multiple online retailers below so you can compare prices before you pull the trigger, and if there are any updates to the GoPro camera comparison, keep an eye here on the blog as well.

And if you’re curious about accessories, I maintain the Ultimate GoPro Enthusiasts Wish List where you can see what I recommend for brands and accessories and can compare prices there as well.

GoPro Deals

Be sure to check all the links below to compare prices before making a purchase!

HERO6 (newest model) –
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ziNgsZ
Target: http://rstyle.me/n/cue5q7cdbvp
Best Buy: http://bit.ly/2A8HVu7
Walmart: http://bit.ly/2mAcyTj

HERO5 (the one I have) –
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lv1Rwv
Target: http://rstyle.me/n/cue5ktcdbvp
Best Buy: http://bit.ly/2zPxqLp
Walmart: http://bit.ly/2A7qSbY

HERO 5 Session –
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nEOpZS
Target: http://rstyle.me/n/cue5ntcdbvp
Best Buy: http://bit.ly/2jy87Hr
Walmart: http://bit.ly/2zNNwVY

HERO Session –
Amason: https://amzn.to/3hE4b3g
Target: http://rstyle.me/n/cue5mwcdbvp
Best Buy: http://bit.ly/2A8CtY3
Walmart: http://bit.ly/2AQ7Frw

Fusion –
Looks like it’s only available via http://gopro.com

Related: GoPro Hero 2018 Full Review

VIDEO: Which GoPro Should You Buy? 2017 GoPro Comparison

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