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GoPro is the main player in the action camera market, and while the design strikes many as boxy and simplistic, when compared against other action cameras you realise there's a reason for GoPro's success.
This is a small matchbox sized camera that can go anywhere and shoot broadcast-quality footage. The range of mounts that are available out there enable the camera to be mounted to just about anything, and the mount design while simple enables the camera to be attached firmly without play.
The navigation system overhaul makes settings and modes changes easier than ever, so there is never a reason to miss the action. The design might not have changed a great deal and the upgrades over the Hero 3+ might seem like refinements, but what the 120 frames per second and greater processing speeds mean is that GoPro has once again increased its desirability in an increasingly competitive action cameras arena.
We liked
The Hero4 Black is tough, adaptable and shoots really high quality video. The control interface has been improved over previous versions and it's now a lot easier to use – it's steady improvement like this that makes a great product, not just headline new features. Having said that, the ability to shoot 4K video at 30fps is an important step forward, but it's the ability to shoot full HD at 120fps that's perhaps the most amazing advance.
We disliked
Some will prefer 'bullet' style action cameras over the boxy GoPro. They're more discreet and, in a lot of cases, simpler to operate. The biggest flaw with the GoPro Hero4 Black is its slow startup time – you have to press and hold the power button for several seconds before the camera is ready to start shooting, and that could lead to some missed opportunities and a good deal of frustration.
Final verdict
Despite increasing competition from rivals, the GoPro is still the definitive action cam, and the Hero4 Black produces broadcast-quality video at a price even casual adventure fans can afford.
Extreme sports enthusiasts will love the out of the box usability of the GoPro Hero4 Black. You charge it, fix it on, record, upload it and you're done. Those who want more can delve into the settings to make the most of the new frame rates and resolutions, and creatives will love the versatility that features like ProTune promise.
