Faulty out of the box. This was a gift for my daughter who is heavily involved in sports. She lives with her mother so by the time I realized that her mother had never bothered to help her set up her gopro, I tried to help. It would do nothing and after trouble shooting the directions from the website the tech and I came to the conclusion that the camera was Dead on arrival. Since months have passed, I had no receipt, which meant that even though gopro could tell this was sold via a best buy in December, they refused to help or resolve any issues.Avoid this company like the plague, they will not help.

This camera is amazing. It takes clear, moving pictures and video. It’s so crisp and clean. It looks amazing. If it wasn’t for these awesome cameras, we would not be able to see some of the most beautiful places in the mountains that people can get back into. For instants my husband boondocks and he takes us every time he goes and records what’s going on and I have seen the news beautiful pictures skies on it. I would never seen these if he hadn’t had that with him to bring back to show me.

So I initially got this camera many moons ago. I have to say at the time I got it, no action camera I had even came close to it. I have added similar pics of camera I have used so show the difference in quality. The hero5 as old as it is the quality of the pic really isn’t that bad and I am highly surprised. Any one that needs a newer action camera I will say the newer go pros are much much better in quality and the features. This hero5 in my opinion isn’t a bad one given the cost of things!

An absolutely amazing camera that takes abuse and is more useful than people realise.

This thing is still running! Bought back in early 2018 (now mid-2023) and it's been white-water rafting, cycling, snowboarding, and not lightly either. I've abused the batteries, over-tensioned the official (but sold separately) straps and mounts, and nothing has given out. Out of the box (no upgrades to firmware) it's still supported by the phone app if you've strapped it somewhere hard to reach/see but you want to control it or preview what it is looking at. The first of the gopros to feature waterproofing without a case and the 240fps footage works great. It's an amazing camera, and with a usb-c to micro-hdmi capture card setup it continues use in working-from-home as a brilliant webcam. Don't throw out the little mount it comes in glued to the box, you can rip ... MoreThis thing is still running! Bought back in early 2018 (now mid-2023) and it's been white-water rafting, cycling, snowboarding, and not lightly either. I've abused the batteries, over-tensioned the official (but sold separately) straps and mounts, and nothing has given out. Out of the box (no upgrades to firmware) it's still supported by the phone app if you've strapped it somewhere hard to reach/see but you want to control it or preview what it is looking at. The first of the gopros to feature waterproofing without a case and the 240fps footage works great. It's an amazing camera, and with a usb-c to micro-hdmi capture card setup it continues use in working-from-home as a brilliant webcam. Don't throw out the little mount it comes in glued to the box, you can rip it off and double-sided tape it to anything you want for free! I've strapped mine to the top of my monitor and use a usb mains adapter for power.

DONT USE WATERPROOF CASE SERIOUSLY

So I got this in January, used it once and it’s been stuck in the waterproof case since. Because of this, I had to try and pry it out, scraping up my brand new (to me) GoPro! This is unacceptable, I learned while finally getting it out and it having to take two people with butter knives etc, that the LENS CAP SUCTIONED TO THE CASE lens cap area . When I got it off today, the lens on my GoPro stayed in the case, the GoPro came out in parts. I am normally very gentle with my electronics and I was with this as well.But now, two months later, I have a GoPro in prices I used once, with broken accessories and the body of the camera is scratched.I need you to make this right. I would understand if this was user error, or if you have a warning about the waterproof case, ... MoreSo I got this in January, used it once and it’s been stuck in the waterproof case since. Because of this, I had to try and pry it out, scraping up my brand new (to me) GoPro! This is unacceptable, I learned while finally getting it out and it having to take two people with butter knives etc, that the LENS CAP SUCTIONED TO THE CASE lens cap area . When I got it off today, the lens on my GoPro stayed in the case, the GoPro came out in parts. I am normally very gentle with my electronics and I was with this as well.But now, two months later, I have a GoPro in prices I used once, with broken accessories and the body of the camera is scratched.I need you to make this right. I would understand if this was user error, or if you have a warning about the waterproof case, but this is UNACCEPTABLE. I’m either going to start an exchange or chargeback on my credit card. If you have an alternative option. I’m open to it. But I will not be just living with this big purchase that’s now defective as it stands today

It's a buy.

THE GoPro HERO 5 BLACK VERSION Its 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 didnt last long, whats wrong with the old Hero 3, why couldnt I use that? I didnt 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. Well skip the full manufacturers description, thats 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 ... MoreTHE GoPro HERO 5 BLACK VERSION Its 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 didnt last long, whats wrong with the old Hero 3, why couldnt I use that? I didnt 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. Well skip the full manufacturers description, thats 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 Thetouch screen response* over earlier units. The batteries are not backwards Its 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, its 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.

Night Time Lapse still need work

This is my fist go pro. I purchased the GoPro Hero5 Black for it advertised low light capability. I mainly wanted to use it for night timelapse of the stars and Milky Way. What I have found with Firmware version 2.0, is that the Milky Way is just at the edge of its capabilities on a moon light night, or if the foreground is illuminated. Once the moon goes down or the foreground light goes away the image Milky Way become underexposed, and only a few of the brightest stars appear. They are doing a lot of software magic, and they have not done enough in the night time lapse setting. So if you want to capture the stars with this camera, you have to have local light hitting foreground objects, or choose a moonlight night..otherwise it will just assume you meant to take a ... MoreThis is my fist go pro. I purchased the GoPro Hero5 Black for it advertised low light capability. I mainly wanted to use it for night timelapse of the stars and Milky Way. What I have found with Firmware version 2.0, is that the Milky Way is just at the edge of its capabilities on a moon light night, or if the foreground is illuminated. Once the moon goes down or the foreground light goes away the image Milky Way become underexposed, and only a few of the brightest stars appear. They are doing a lot of software magic, and they have not done enough in the night time lapse setting. So if you want to capture the stars with this camera, you have to have local light hitting foreground objects, or choose a moonlight night..otherwise it will just assume you meant to take a picture of nothing and the stars magically vanish as the sky gets clearer, and local light or light pollution goes away. At this point I suspect the night time lapse movies on their website are not taken with the Go Pro Hero Black with firmware 2.0. Here is to hoping they fix the night time lapse mode. As an action camera it is nice. No microphone port, but it is water proof as is.Software is ok, but it forces you to log in to their network so they track how you use the camera and try to encourage you into using their cloud services. The capture app has trouble importing files over USB. Often it hangs up, or says there are no new files, but the truth is I might have 60 gigs or 20,000 to 30,000 files for a time lapse. I can only use it to reliably import files by directly plugging the micro SD card in to the adapter card and plugging it into the reader. The GoPro studio software often crashes while converting photos to videos (converting a series of timelapse). I have had this problem on multiple computers, I suspect it is the GoProMusic service causing a problem when it is downloading music or doing who knows what at 20Mbps that I see it uses my internet at. I guess I expected too much from their product. I realize I am using it no standard ways, but I am using it in way that they advertise.

Not quite what I was hoping for.

Recently purchased a Hero 5 Black, (my first GoPro camera), with the Karma stabilizer, intending to use it while on an upcoming trip to/cruise around AK instead of a bigger, bulkier cam. I have an Android phone (LG G3 running Android 6.0), but haven't tried that app yet. However, so far, I'm a little disappointed with the GoPro kit. First, B&H responded with their usual quick, timely, and accurate delivery. Kudos to them. They've always done a great job. Keep up the good work, folks. Before purchase, I'll admit I didn't do what I would call rigorous, in-depth research on this cam. Yes, I checked the specs, and what comes in the box, and paid attention to the many rave reviews (and advertising) it seems to have garnered, as well as the advice of others for the need ... MoreRecently purchased a Hero 5 Black, (my first GoPro camera), with the Karma stabilizer, intending to use it while on an upcoming trip to/cruise around AK instead of a bigger, bulkier cam. I have an Android phone (LG G3 running Android 6.0), but haven't tried that app yet. However, so far, I'm a little disappointed with the GoPro kit. First, B&H responded with their usual quick, timely, and accurate delivery. Kudos to them. They've always done a great job. Keep up the good work, folks. Before purchase, I'll admit I didn't do what I would call rigorous, in-depth research on this cam. Yes, I checked the specs, and what comes in the box, and paid attention to the many rave reviews (and advertising) it seems to have garnered, as well as the advice of others for the need of at least a minimum of accessories. Coming from the legal video field, where larger cams, better audio, lengthy recording times, ease of cutting/editing, and more concern about easily controlling the image and sound are of primary concern, I fully expected to surrender some of those things, as well as some measure of control over them. Perhaps I've been spoiled by the many adjustments one can make with a larger camera, but I was willing to suffer the loss of some of those things for the ruggedness of the Hero 5. I've run a few tests with the camera, both with and without the Karma stabilizer, and while the stabilizer does a good job of stabilizing, IMO it does have what I consider its' faults. What I find most annoying about it is that when the camera is in the cage (which is permanently attached to the stabilizer), one of the joints of the stabilizer blocks most of the rear of the camera's screen, thus blocking one's view of the complete screen/monitor. (Perhaps the Android app might be helpful here). Another fault is the inability to use an external mic while the camera is locked inside the stabilizer cage. I can understand the need for that if one is doing extreme sports, but if you're merely hiking or taking-in some awe-inspiring vista and want to capture decent audio narration along with ambient sound, it seems you're out of luck. Another unmet expectation is the use of GPS. In this regard, GoPro seems to have decided on their own definition of what that means, and it includes telemetry info. (The user manual contains 3 sentences about GPS, 1 of which instructs users to visit another web site, arguably not very helpful if you're out so far that there's no internet connection available). In my experience, GPS provides specific location information within the limitations of non-military technology specs, i.e. latitude and longitude within about 3 meters of one's actual position. What I've found thus far is that the Hero 5 provides: - distance, (though in relation to what isn't explained...maybe when you started recording? Or is it from when the camera was powered up? Whichever, it's either a secret, or a mystery). - altitude, which I'll guess is your altitude at present, i.e. the moment you're looking at the screen or while the camera is recording, - elevation (Gain), but again, gain from what point? When the camera was powered up? From when you started recording? Another mystery. - date and time, which are pretty self-explanatory, - speed and compass point, which is understandably useful and helpful in certain situations, presuming that the compass point shows the direction the camera is/was pointing on that date and at that time, - GPS path, which presumably requires lat and long, numbers for neither of which seem easily accessible, and - G-Force, which are understandably helpful/interesting/useful in certain situations. Each of those measurements is available for display as a gauge, with some, e.g. GPS path, shown as a line indicating your path of travel, though still without easily accessible lat and long numbers. In order to provide a GPS path, it seems lat and long would be necessary, but I've found no easy way to access them. If you've ever used a high-end NLE, you're likely to find the GoPro Desktop app as very confusing. It's made up of 2 parts, the Quik app, which imports footage from the camera, but also allows for cutting/highlighting prior to a conversion from GoPro .mp4 format to Cineform intermediate format, and GoPro Studio. If I understand correctly, once footage is imported and highlighted, (or cut in typical NLE parlance), the results are then stored as non-destructive Edits, (i.e. your original footage is not permanently altered), to later be converted using Cineform conversion software, which seems to be embedded in the app. (That conversion can be a bit time-consuming). The converted file then can/must be further edited in GoPro Studio in order for it to be exported from GoPro Studio in its' final format. After editing in Studio, the final cut can/should/must be exported in the format you choose, with presets available for popular video-sharing sites or scenarios. While the workflow of editing can be confusing to someone familiar with a higher-end NLE, it arguably makes some sense to first mark/highlight what footage you want to use, convert that to a more detailed format that is more amenable to refinements, make tweaks/further edits to enhance the refined format, then convert/export the final cut in the format best suited to its' presentation. My personal editing experience has been with Adobe CC, CS6, Grass Valley Edius, Edius Neo, PPro 2, Avid Pinnacle, and a little with early Avid software. Having used all of those, I'll admit I found the workflow and the editing process to be anything but intuitive. Despite that, I'm glad to see that I've regained access to the Cineform software. Their intermediate format was great to use in the past, and I hope to have more success with it using my Hero 5 Black. Bottom line is: while others may be thrilled by it, my anticipation and excitement about owning this GoPro kit has left me a bit under-impressed. I won't describe it as a waste of money, but neither would I call it the best purchase I've ever made. I'm beginning to think I probably could have done without it.

Poor design and execution

I recently purchased a Hero 5 Black and was excited to see what I could do with it. I am a professional videographer and I was looking for an action cam that could be more run and gun than my DSLR setup and be able to capture steady images in less than favorable conditions. I have been quite disappointed with my purchase, so here we go:First off, the buttons are quite bad. For a camera that is marketed to people who are in the snow wearing gloves you would think they would make buttons that are easy to push and allow you to navigate the settings with relative ease but this is not the case.The power button on the side is extremely difficult to press on the fly and there is a long lag between pushing the button and the GoPro turning on. It also forces you to hold ... MoreI recently purchased a Hero 5 Black and was excited to see what I could do with it. I am a professional videographer and I was looking for an action cam that could be more run and gun than my DSLR setup and be able to capture steady images in less than favorable conditions. I have been quite disappointed with my purchase, so here we go:First off, the buttons are quite bad. For a camera that is marketed to people who are in the snow wearing gloves you would think they would make buttons that are easy to push and allow you to navigate the settings with relative ease but this is not the case.The power button on the side is extremely difficult to press on the fly and there is a long lag between pushing the button and the GoPro turning on. It also forces you to hold the camera in such a way that button mashing with the record button is inevitable. Several times I pressed the power button and accidentally hit the record button at the same time which put me in a reverse film cycle, I have missed serval shots this way.The lag in the powering on can also lead to confusion as to whether or not the camera is on and can kick you out of the mode you wish to shoot in. In fact, there have been serval times where I was attempting to shoot video and instead I was shooting a photo time-lapse, more shots blown. This seems to be a theme with this camera it will randomly switch modes without provocation.When I first unboxed the camera I was excited about the LCD touch screen that allowed me to set up the camera and view my shots on the fly. THE LCD SCREEN DOES NOT WORK WHEN WET! This is a huge problem particularly for a camera who’s most promoted uses are in water and on snow. I mean they made it waterproof for a reason, yet there is zero ability to use the touch screen menus when there is moisture. So here they would say you can use your phone—not and option in the wet and cold. Or get the remote, more money spent for functionality that is supposed to be built into the camera.I had delusions of being able to switch on the fly from a high frame rate for action to low one for a more cinematic look, instead I spend my time trying to wipe off the screen so it will register my finger yet no matter what I do I cannot get it dry enough to use it. I have found this occurs even with slight moisture.As for the camera controls, when you can get them to work, the camera does not save your settings as advertised. I recently set the camera to a high frame rate to achieve a unique look only to find that the camera Pro Tune settings reverted to the default frame rate and all of my shots were overexposed and unusable.The image quality is decent thought the image stabilizer is quite obvious and creates a digitized (i.e. fake) look. I have also noticed that when the camera is bumped or gets jostled a bright pink artifact flashes across the footage as if the sensor were loose. I have several shots that have this pink line running across it and it totally ruins the shot.Overall, I would say this camera might be worth $150, certainly not the $400 tag currently on it. The weather proofing in nice and it would make a nice camera for when it's drizzling and you don’t want to get your phone wet. If you are a professional who relies on gear functioning properly, move on, this thing is at best a work in progress.